New guy introduction

[MAC-F250]

Hello to all thought i would introduce myself and say hi. my name is Chris. I am an 16 year active duty Service member. While I have been involved with various styles of blades other than some stuff that was issued and a few bought folders to keep in the pocket I'm more up to speed with firearms and the tradition method of cutting wood and maintaining over growth on my property. so needless to say when I started my search for a large blade for such projects i stumbled across the kukri and i cannot stop thinking about owning one or more totally awesome. I have been reading and dissecting the wealth of information contained here in the threads. thank you to all for all of the quality reviews and pictures. Although i do not currently own one of these fine kukris I can totally understand how the HIKV can establish an hold on someone. Well after all of the reading and picture viewing i do believe that the M43 is calling my name and saying buy me buy me. I am also interested in getting the Pen Knife for the misses. something that she can keep in here purse for the uh-oh moment. What I cannot seem to find is a decent write up on it. How does it feel in the hand? How does it perform? and what are your opinions on it for a woman and carry in the purse as self defense edged weapon. I am under the thinking that intimidation purposes alone it might work. thanks for the information.

Chris

 

[Dirtbiker]

Welcome, HI knives are like potato chips... you can never have just one.

Side note, I wouldn't recommend a knife to a woman for SD. Do you live in a friendly CCW state?

 

[Xringshooter]

Welcome to the forum. I'll echo what Dirtbiker said. They're like EBR's, you buy your first it won't be your last. Also, you have to be very very quick on this forum if you want to score a DOTD (deal of the day). They usually are spoken for in just a few minutes after Yangdu posts them. Oh, plus it is a requirement to post pictures of your newly acquired item .

 

[leebrewer]

Welcome. How are you on active duty at 16 years old? The Pen knife is gonna be too big for purse carry I think. One of the R series or a JKM would be a nicer fit. If it needs to be Khukuri then a Bilton would be best. Biltons are really nice for EDC. But of course that's just for carry in the purse, not quick removal. You can get recommendations on different knives and non- HI discussion if you ask in the Cantina. Almost forgot. The M43 is a fantastic chopper!

 

[MAC-F250]

Hey guys to answer a few questions yes i live in a ccw friendly state. Although she has one her work policy clearly say no firearms but says nothing about knives. Thats the only reason i ask and i want her to be able to inflict maximum damage with the flick cut if you know what i mean and i figure a kukri would do that with ease. And im not 16 double that and I am a 16 year vetrean of the service still on active duty. Iwill look at some of the other knives that were mentioned as well for her. Does anyone have some pics for comparitive purposes of the bilton, pen, r, and jkm side by side for size reference. Thanks
Chris

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Welcome

The M-43 IS truly awesome I love mine. As for a purse knife, the Pen is really going to be a little big. It would take up as much room lengthwise as a standard ruler. She would certainly need some sort of custom rig to draw it quickly.

The Kerambit is a fun little knife. They run about 9" overall with a nice chunky 4-5" blade. They look like they mean business and they DO

Once again, welcome

 

[Steve Tall]

...Does anyone have some pics for comparitive purposes of the bilton, pen, r, and jkm side by side for size reference...

Here are some previous Deals of the Day:

...L to r
18 inch 20 ounce villager fit and finish Gelbu special by Rajkumar. Sisau wood handle...
12 inch 12 ounce Pen Knife by Tirtha. Horn handle...
12 inch 10 ounce Sirupati by Rajkumar. Satisal wood handle...
8 1/4'' 4 ounce Bilton by Rajkumar. Satisal wood hande....
7.5 inch 7 ounce JKM-1 by Rajkumar. Horn handle....

...

Here are more "small" knives from HI, from an old thread:

We all love khukuris, but HI makes some of the best "small" knives around. Here are mine, less the duplicates. They are such a bargain, sometimes you just have to buy one, even if you already have one! Please share pics of yours. The variety seems endless!

Steve Ferguson

In the center are the Sarges; or Kismet practical hunter, in antler and horn.

From the top, then counterclockwise:
JKM
Baby Chitlangi
Sgt. Khadka Biltong with velvet sheath
Kumar Karda with carved wood handle
Kumar Karda in Antler
KK smooth horn
KK carved horn
Sgt. Khadka wooden handled Biltong
Sgt. Khadka horn biltong

 

[leebrewer]

And im not 16 double that and I am a 16 year vetrean of the service still on active duty. Iwill look at some of the other knives that were mentioned as well for her. Does anyone have some pics for comparitive purposes of the bilton, pen, r, and jkm side by side for size reference. Thanks
Chris

Oops, is my face red!

 

[sweetcostarica]

Hey Chris,

I choose to use Kukris because they are more efficient choppers and slicers. The angle on this knife is the key and you picked a great classic blade in the M43. The historic M43 is a variant of the Mark 2. The MK.II is a British Military Pattern Gurkha Issue Kukri that was used heavily in World War 2.

Above: Photo of Merrill's Marauders BURMA with Kukri
I personally like the M43 a lot and have a lighter weight version on order from Himalayan Imports. WW2 Kukris to be effective in combat and utility work weighed about 550 to 700 grams. I read that the average Gurkha soldier preferred a weight near 570 grams.

As far as a knife for a girlfriend or wife I am under the impression that this is too dangerous .

Woman using a HI Seax
Good luck with your choices and welcome :thumbup:.

 

[MAC-F250]

Thanks for all the great replies guys and the pictures too. That really helps but it in some prospective to the size of some of the smaller HI knives that biltong is looking pretty good for mama. And if i keep momma happy im happy. And i just knew that m43 had to be mine i looked and looked but the m43 kept coming back to the front like the eager kid in dodgeball pick me pick me. Now i just have to wait till payday. Cheers
Chris

 

[alexs]

Welcome!
For my girlfriend, I would ideally like her to carry all this (in decreasing order of importance given her lack of skill and training): a) on her keys: a flashlight, pepper spray, and a whistle; b) a stun gun/taser, and only then, if at all, c) a knife such as a folder with about 3-3.5" hawk-bill blade (say, a spyderco spyderhwahk, tasman, or crossbill, or emerson karambit, etc.) just to scratch with and gouge with in a last-ditch effort using gross motor skills and instinct. That said, for someone who has or is willing to get knife-fighting training and doesn't mind the bulk and printing, I would strongly recommend a full-size karambit fixed blade, for example, the HI karambit which is vastly superior to a Bilton, for example. HI might even be able to make one slightly smaller than usual for a lady. Karambits offer a lot of firepower for their size. Finally, a gun may be a very good option for some, with a lot of training and practice, of course.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[sweetcostarica]

Remember everyone that if you do go around armed with any weapon for self-defense please have personal liability insurance. If you have to use your weapon (God forbid) and if you go to court (in USA), win or lose it will cost you money. In Las Vegas my friend had a self-defense shooting to protect his girlfriend. But he was taken to court by the ex-gang member and his family. Even though he won the case, lawyer and court fees cost him 5,000 USD . His insurance took care of 4,500 USD of it.

Protect yourself physically and financially!

 

[Dirtbiker]

Remember everyone that if you do go around armed with any weapon for self-defense please have personal liability insurance. If you have to use your weapon (God forbid) and if you go to court (USA), win or lose it will cost you money. In Las Vegas my friend had a self-defense shooting to protect his girlfriend. But when he was taken to court by the ex-gang member. Even though he won the case, Lawyer and court fees cost him 5,000 USD . His insurance took care of 4,500 USD of it.
View attachment 267047
Protect yourself physically and financially!

Good point, make sure the bad guy is dead...

 

[Yangdu]

Welcome to the HI and forum, MAC-F250