Need Recommendation

shane

shane

Joined
May 20, 1999
Messages
944
I'm looking for my first Kukri and HI has been recommended as a source. Can someone please suggest which model best represents the best they offer? I want one that has great heat treat and can stand up to heavy use int he woods.

Thanks,

shane
 
Forgive my forgetfulness, but haven't you asked the question before?

To get better suggestions, you might offer more detail. Your physical attributes, and what specifically would you like to do with your khuk.
 
No this is the first time. I asked a similar question on another forum and they pointed me in this direction to this specific forum/sub-forum. This will be my first so I am looking to get the best example I can get and figure out where it best fits for use, but in general, I am looking to use it for camp tasks. Chopping, clearing brush and just having a bad ass blade.

Hard to believe, Ive been a member here for 17 years and never owned one but its not too late.

shane

cul4u01 said:
Forgive my forgetfulness, but haven't you asked the question before?

To get better suggestions, you might offer more detail. Your physical attributes, and what specifically would you like to do with your khuk.
Click to expand...
 
Khukri's really aren't a one size fits all type situation. Under the bad ass blade department I'd say a CAK or a Bonecutter, CAK's usually available in different lengths and weight ranges and tough as nails. Bonecutters ditto but slightly less available but you might get lucky.
That being said they are on the heavy side for camp chores unless you drive to your camp then it wouldn't matter. Also a bit heavy for brush clearing.

The KLVUK is probably the most used and do it all khuk of the bunch. Lighter, usually a tad shorter but I'm sure the majority of the users on this forum grab a KLVUK first before all others. And they are very reasonable pricewise. Not as refined, more like what the locals over in Nepal would be using everyday, which makes them kind of cool knowing that alone.

It's really hard to just stop at one, so many choices, so good for so many different things.
 
We don't know how big you are, strength, hand size, etc...

Based on your needs as a camp knife, I would suggest like Mr. B said, a KVLUK, I would also consider a BAS, ASTK, WWII, and AK. Bad ass, well, that can go to the CAK, ASTK, Bonecutter, and many other models.

Really hard to say. Are you driving to camp, backpacking? Splitting logs, or just kitchen prep? To narrow the suggestions, I highly suggest giving more details about yourself, and the tasks you expect the blade to perform. Does weight matter?
 
Thanks guys. Im 6' tall and 215 lbs with large hands.

I usually back pack and camp rather than driving. I carry a small GB axe now for chopping and a fixed blade for everything else. The more I think about it, I am just looking for an excuse to get one since I just saw the guy on alone use the Condor one. It looked like he was able to quite a bit with it. If it turns out not to be the best solution for the woods, I will just keep it for TEOTWAWKI.

shane
 
I agree with all the selections set forth by both Bawanna and Cul4u01, they are very knowledgeable. However, just to confuse things for you just a tad more, I'd suggest taking a peek at the M43 as well.
 
All good advice. Keep your eyes on the Deal of the Day postings from Yangdu. The blems are so well priced you could get two instead of one... And so your collection begins...
 
If you are backpacking majority of the time, have an axe and a fixed blade. I highly suggest a KVLUK, they're cheap, functional, and light enough for packing. You'll need to have a sheath made, but thats about it.
 
shane said:
Im having trouble finding the KLVUK model. Anyone have a link?

shane
Click to expand...

Try putting KVLUK in the search and, look for a DOTD with a KVLUK offer. There is no description on the website. They are only sold here on the forum.
 
Haven't had my M-43 more than a few days but it has gotten some use both on wood and cutting hot dogs. I second the recommendation. I personally prefer a lot of belly on my knives, and thus shy away from the WW2 and even BAS and lean towards the M-43 and BDC style, another one to put on your radar. A KLVUK is practically a staple in every collection, honestly I say get one on top of whatever else you get for a heavier blade. Tamang is another great model, straighter profile and somewhere between a "Super-KLVUK" and a beefy machete. Great for trail clearing and such, and will easily tackle big logs.

As far as size and weight goes, you want something in the 16-18" range (overall length) at around 25-35oz, with the exception of the KLVUK, which you want 15", 15oz. Yes that's a pretty broad range, and leaves room for almost every blade "feel" from light and fast to big and beefy, but my point being that pretty much any combo in that range will be a good "everything" knife for SOMEONE.

So now the hard part, decide what models tickle your fancy, and how you would like the blade to feel. Quick examples, a 16" 25oz blade of any model will feel lighter than it's 35oz twin, and an 18" 25oz version will feel even lighter than the first. This blade may even be too light for some if the chopping you'd want it to do. On the other hand, an 18" 35 oz knife will have advantages over a shorter or lighter knife when it comes to chopping, but for me would be too large both to control and to pack for very far.

Obviously I'm touching the tip of the iceberg, but the best way to find out what you like is to hold and use a blade. Hence a nice cheap KLVUK is a good starting point in my opinion.

Summary: First, get a KLVUK. Then also M-43, BDC, and/or Tamang, plus what the others said. Somewhere in the 16-18" and 25-35 oz range should be the where the "butter-zone" is found. I'm about 5'9" and 120lbs, and I've narrowed my butter zone to 16-17" and 24-30oz. My latest, the M-43, is about 17" and 27oz and feels perfect for me, but I'm still concerned about extended use.

Oh one other minor thing to take note of, some models like the KLVUK and Tamang don't typically come with a karda and chakmak. For a true 1 sheath package, I'd recommend a model that comes with those, or else you still need a small fixed blade or folder to accompany the khuk.
 
If you're going to be packing it and are still carrying the axe I'd say BAS or 16" WWII. Klvuk isn't a bad choice either but they are not available all the time.
 
I have to figure out the all of these names and initials. Trying to find BDC and Tamang.

shane
 
BDC aka Bura's daily carry or Bura's dui chirra.

Tamangs are great too but they are rare. They look more like a long Thai Enep.
 
New M-43


My custom "Kitchen" BDCs (thinner spine)


Normal 12" BDC, one of my favorite hiking knives


Tamang with acid etch (usually has forge scale)


And then my Keshar Lal Village Utility Knife, KLVUK. I have since taken the forge scale off and polished the blade, and that's my custom sheath. They usually come sheathless.


Hopefully that helps a little, there's lots to know though, including the names and styles of all the Kamis, or makers, and all their marks :) Take a look at this page I was looking at the other day, from the HI site. Has some useful info including CAD pics of different models. http://www.himalayan-imports.com/Khukuri_Dynamics.html
 
Dirtbiker said:
If you're going to be packing it and are still carrying the axe I'd say BAS or 16" WWII. Klvuk isn't a bad choice either but they are not available all the time.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:

BAS - British Army Service
WWII - World War II

KLVUK - Keshar Lai Villager Utility Knife
 
I'm 5'11" and 215 lbs with large hands also.

I have found that I prefer Khuks between 16 and 18 inches and between 24 to 28 ounces. I have shorter and longer/lighter and heavier, and love all of them, but those are the dimensions that feel best for me when working outside. However, I've used mine mostly for cutting yaupon bushes, trimming oak branches from trees in the yard, slicing up cardboard boxes to fit in bags better, and cleaning/butchering one wild hog. (No spreading peanut butter, slicing cheese, or chopping down large trees.) To me, longer blades start feeling like a sword, shorter blades feel like they lose their chopping ability.

If I could only grab one my collection for TEOTWAWKI, at this time , it would be my 17.5 in 27 ounce ASTK. This one just feels right. It's pointy enough for poking, enough belly for skinning, heavy enough for chopping, and light enough that it does not wear me out. I would however prefer an axe if I were regularly chopping/splitting heavy logs, though.

BTW, I said "at this time" because, even though I like this one so much, it hasn't stopped me from getting more since I acquired it. You know, just in case I find one more perfect!
 
Sleeper0311 said:
BTW, I said "at this time" because, even though I like this one so much, it hasn't stopped me from getting more since I acquired it. You know, just in case I find one more perfect!
Click to expand...

Much like firearm collecting, many nitches to fill. I've found way too many between .17 and .577.
 
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