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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
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- Thread starter shane
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Of course I agree with Bookies assessments on the M43 as well. I'll ride on a masters coat tails doing such. From that point farther we might diverge. Probably not but, we all have our preferences.
PS: SG that really is one of the most beautiful versions I've ever seen of an M43! Let me know when you're ready, I have several that need pantaloons.
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Main differences between the BAS and M-43 would be blade shape, handle style, and, mostly because of the other two, balance. Overall size too I guess, since the BAS is most commonly seen in 15".
The M-43 has more belly to the blade, which I prefer, and can be found in a wider length/weight range. My very first HI khukuri was a 15" 26oz BAS, which is now residing with one of my best friends up in ME. It was/is a great blade, but I prefer wood handles to it's horn, and it didn't have quite the belly I like.
Handle style on the M-43 is a "full tang" construction with handle scales pinned on, as opposed to the traditional "kangaroo-tail" construction with one solid piece of wood for the handle. I actually like traditional better, and if I were to change one thing about the/my M-43, that would be it. Due to having more steel in the handle, an M-43 of the same specs as a BAS will balance slightly more towards the handle, generally speaking. Plus the handle on the M-43 has a slight curve, compared to a straighter BAS handle. Oh plus the BAS has the ring on the handle, some love/hate it, others like me have no preference (yet...).
Now bear in mind I'm comparing from personal experience, which in my case is a 15" BAS and a 17" M-43, and it's not always accurate to compare blades of different lengths. Not to mention the fact that every single blade will feel different, even my 2 KLVUKs feel and look quite a bit different.
What I will add is that this thread is one of the first times I've seen such a unanimous recommendation in any blade other than a KLVUK. If I'd had an M-43 sooner, I probably woulda been recommending it too! I know Bookie can also throw his M-43 quite well. Perhaps I'll get there eventually.
And thanks Mateos and BB! Passed up many other fine versions, but I do believe this is my favorite in recent months! Gotta touch up the handle then I'll do a real post on it.
BB, got more foam and such, just gotta find time to make the new press! Gonna try this M-43 first, if it's a success I'll be good to go
The M-43 has more belly to the blade, which I prefer, and can be found in a wider length/weight range. My very first HI khukuri was a 15" 26oz BAS, which is now residing with one of my best friends up in ME. It was/is a great blade, but I prefer wood handles to it's horn, and it didn't have quite the belly I like.
Handle style on the M-43 is a "full tang" construction with handle scales pinned on, as opposed to the traditional "kangaroo-tail" construction with one solid piece of wood for the handle. I actually like traditional better, and if I were to change one thing about the/my M-43, that would be it. Due to having more steel in the handle, an M-43 of the same specs as a BAS will balance slightly more towards the handle, generally speaking. Plus the handle on the M-43 has a slight curve, compared to a straighter BAS handle. Oh plus the BAS has the ring on the handle, some love/hate it, others like me have no preference (yet...).
Now bear in mind I'm comparing from personal experience, which in my case is a 15" BAS and a 17" M-43, and it's not always accurate to compare blades of different lengths. Not to mention the fact that every single blade will feel different, even my 2 KLVUKs feel and look quite a bit different.
What I will add is that this thread is one of the first times I've seen such a unanimous recommendation in any blade other than a KLVUK. If I'd had an M-43 sooner, I probably woulda been recommending it too! I know Bookie can also throw his M-43 quite well. Perhaps I'll get there eventually.
And thanks Mateos and BB! Passed up many other fine versions, but I do believe this is my favorite in recent months! Gotta touch up the handle then I'll do a real post on it.
BB, got more foam and such, just gotta find time to make the new press! Gonna try this M-43 first, if it's a success I'll be good to go
I'm like a broken record here, but I always recommend a WWII model. Since you are pretty big, go with the 18" model. It is considered a good all around model, but my reasoning is simple. Uncle Bill made this recommendation to me well over a decade ago when I had the same question. He told me it would be a great one to start with and picked one out for me and he was right.
Everybody else is right too, its a matter of preference. But I like to think I'm carrying on just a tiny bit of his legacy by naming the WWII.
Everybody else is right too, its a matter of preference. But I like to think I'm carrying on just a tiny bit of his legacy by naming the WWII.
cul4u01
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I love my M43, but they usually come in about 18", and can be a bit heavy if backpacking. I tend to lean toward the M43 as a chopper, and not too much as a multi tool, for instance, it doesn't "dig" too well, if the need should arise. Also, SG makes a good point, the handle on the M43 is more akin to western type grips, and users tend to acclimate quicker to its use. The traditional type handles do have the "ring", but for chopping, the ring is great if you use the correct loose grip/snap technique, and that will minimize fatigue during use quite a bit.
That being said, I stand behind the 15" - 16" BAS, WWII, ASTK, and of course the KLVUK. Don't get me wrong, I love and use my M43 a lot, but I wouldn't pack it on a long trek, too much weight for the use, especially if I already have an axe, and fixed blade.
As everyone else has said, it all comes down to personal preference!
That being said, I stand behind the 15" - 16" BAS, WWII, ASTK, and of course the KLVUK. Don't get me wrong, I love and use my M43 a lot, but I wouldn't pack it on a long trek, too much weight for the use, especially if I already have an axe, and fixed blade.
As everyone else has said, it all comes down to personal preference!