New guy on the block...lookin' for a new HI kukri too!

Wow! Cpl, that is one impressive fast-draw sheath. Too bad this guy Ilbruche seems to have made himself scarce. Maybe he knew there would be people like me in need of something like that!!

But it looks like there are others making sheaths out there as well. I see one in that thread you posted (Cpl) by "Goose_52" which looks really impressive. Any idea how much he charges?

And re: which khukri, Yangdu got back to me by email and said she has the Amar Singh Thapa, Bonecutter, and Villager Ganga Ram in stock. Does anybody know the lengths/weights of those? I know the Bonecutter is 20" standard. Considering the price, I'll probably have to play the waiting game and snap one up when it comes on the deal of the day. I've had a few days of good internet out here, but usually, even if I'm in a place to check it, I'll only get to do it once a day. So it really _will_ be fate which one of them falls into my hands, determined by which deal I catch ;)
 
Just email and ask her what sizes they are.

I think the ASTK run 18" or so standard, the Bonecutters running a bit larger, and I have no idea on the GRS.

Seriously, if you like the looks of the ASTK, I'd go with it. Especially if it's 18" as that's a good starting point, IMO, it's where the kukri really come into their own without being too big.
 
I just realized "ASTK" and Amar Singh Thapa are the same thing... and you had already told me the length in your last post. I'm still learning to speak khukuri!

I might go with an 18"er, those just seem so huge. I'm not sure how HI handle-sizing is, or how much of that makes up the 18" on the average khuk. I've got small hands, so if they've adjusted the handles to be western-hamhock-hands friendly, I really don't need that extra space.

I think I'll contact Goose about a sheath. His work is really impressive.

One last note about the Bonecutter---interestingly, in the "missing pages" thread, if I'm reading the post right, it comes in a variety of sizes! But the image doesn't fully load for me, so I can't be sure he isn't talking about the next khuk down.
 
Kenniets said:
...interestingly, in the "missing pages" thread, if I'm reading the post right, it comes in a variety of sizes! But the image doesn't fully load for me, so I can't be sure he isn't talking about the next khuk down.
Click to expand...


Our ordinary design mentality does not always work here. Just when you think you know the specs, something unusual turns up.
 
Howard Wallace said:
Our ordinary design mentality does not always work here. Just when you think you know the specs, something unusual turns up.
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Howard, in my short time here, I've already found that to be VERY true!! On one hand it's frustrating, but on the other hand, I really like it. It means there are a lot of unique pieces out there.... "This is my khukuri. There are many like it, but this one is MINE."

So I've narrowed down my choices to:

CAK
Foxy Folly (if I can get ahold of one 17" or less...)
Villager Ganga Ram
ASTK (again, if I can get one in a shorter length than 18")
or a WWII villager.

If anybody has one of those with that nice dark brown wood grip and the steel (or whatever metal it is, just not brass) bolster & endcap, I'd be willing to buy it gently used as well. The finish on em isn't a big issue for me, shiny or not. I've asked Yangdu what she has in stock at the moment and that might determine which one I spring for. I don't think I'll be able to wait for the DotD--I was looking at past ones, and they get snatched up within 10 minutes of the original post. Unless I got really lucky, I probably wouldn't be around a computer at that precise time. But you know what? I'm OK with that. I don't mind at all paying to support a quality product!! Especially when I think of how the kamis are producing such incredible work in such primitive conditions.

We need to bring them to central Africa to instill some metalworking skills in the local mechanics. I've seen guys try to MIG weld just about anything here...and wearing only sunglasses. They thought my littles bottles of JB Weld were magic, and I'm not kidding.
 
Moogoo, thanks for the offers. I think I'm looking for something a bit smaller at the moment, 15 or 16", considering the width of most of what this thing will be chopping.

No Foxy Follies or shorter Bonecutters available at the moment, it seems. I think I'll end up with a WWII villager (waiting to see if there are any of those available) or a CAK (again, waiting). The special from 3/4 showed a 16" Bonecutter, but I'm not holding out for those, seems like most are longer. I really like the styling on the CAK, but as I said previously, I'm kinda particular--non-brass fittings, dark brown wood grips.

Technical question--are the WWII's of chiruwa construction? And, I've heard that some knives are not approved warranty-wise for field use. Are the CAK and WWII approved?

Thanks for helping me choose the right one. Still hope goose_52 gets back to me about a sheath!
 
Kenniets said:
I really like the styling on the CAK, but as I said previously, I'm kinda particular--non-brass fittings, dark brown wood grips.
Click to expand...
The CAK is a wonderful blade, and is the only one warrantied for use in prying.

Kenniets said:
Technical question--are the WWII's of chiruwa construction?
Click to expand...

Some are, some aren't. The one I had was, many aren't.


Kenniets said:
And, I've heard that some knives are not approved warranty-wise for field use. Are the CAK and WWII approved?
Click to expand...

Warranty info found here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=653192

Specifically:

The following models are warranted for "Field Use" and are warranted against breakage during "normal use". They are NOT warranted against MISUSE or ABUSE (intentional or otherwise) as determined by/at the discretion of Himalayan Imports, Its owners and/or staff.

1) Chiruwa Ang Khola (the only khukuri warranted for use as prybar)
2) Ang Khola
3) British Army Sevice
4) World War II
5) M-43
6) Ganga Ram Special
7) Bonecutter
8) Pen Knife
9) Ang Khola Bowie
10) Amar Singh Thapa Khukuri
Click to expand...
 
Kenniets said:
Moogoo, thanks for the offers. I think I'm looking for something a bit smaller at the moment, 15 or 16", considering the width of most of what this thing will be chopping.

No Foxy Follies or shorter Bonecutters available at the moment, it seems. I think I'll end up with a WWII villager (waiting to see if there are any of those available) or a CAK (again, waiting). The special from 3/4 showed a 16" Bonecutter, but I'm not holding out for those, seems like most are longer. I really like the styling on the CAK, but as I said previously, I'm kinda particular--non-brass fittings, dark brown wood grips.

Technical question--are the WWII's of chiruwa construction? And, I've heard that some knives are not approved warranty-wise for field use. Are the CAK and WWII approved?

Thanks for helping me choose the right one. Still hope goose_52 gets back to me about a sheath!
Click to expand...
Both the CAK and WW2 model are "field use" warranty knives.
The others are listed on the website in the warranty section.
My WW2 model doesn't have a chiruwa style handle.
The CAK I have and the WW2 are both within a half inch of each other and both perform differently due to the weight.
The CAK is heavier and feels like it has greater "presence" when in hand.
The WW2 has a longer handle, is lighter, and it performs the tasks I have given it well.
Neither knife is going to let you down.
You can always send an email to Yangdu and specify what you want in your khukuri.
My CAK happened to be in stock. I wanted dark wood but wasn't too concerned about the color of the bolsters. Wait time was shipping from Reno to Nova Scotia---- about a week---- longest time in my life:D
I'm still trying to decide on a favorite khukuri. Each one is different in its own way.
For basic woods loafing/survival knife either the CAK or WW2 will get you through. Don't discount the 15" AK. It is in the same zone as far as length goes and performs tasks well.
If I had to make a choice I would go with my CAK first, my ASTK second ( it is bigger though than what you are looking for length wise) and then it would be a toss up for third between the WW2 or the 15" AK.
That being said though, I wouldn't feel upset as long as I got one of them on the list. First to third is highly subjective--- today I think I'll use the big one, today I think I 'll go light, today I'm going with the dark wood handle etc.
My two cents to help you in your picking.


Joe
 
Cpl and Joe, all this info is a big help. I sure appreciate it.

I might end up just asking Yangdu to order me one to spec, but if she's got a CAK I like, I'll probably spring for that instead. One thing I've been wondering--what are the steel-colored bolsters made from by default? I know I've heard of people ordering a nickel-silver version or a real silver version, but it seems otherwise the material is called "white metal," which might refer to any number of things. Could someone who's had one of those for a while comment on what they look like a few years (and miles) down the road?
 
They are some form of "white metal", which is usually some tin-based metal soft like brass. IME, white metal doesn't tarnish much, if at all.

You just have to email her ask ask if she has one with white metal in stock, or order what you want.
 
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