New guy with lots of questions

J

Josh Wilson

Joined
Aug 3, 2000
Messages
232
I am an avid backpacker and for years I have carried around a small hatchet for my heavy duty cutting work (spliting wood etc). Recently I read an article about Khukuris and I curious about using one instead of my hatchet.

First, Im interested in any recomendations you might have on the type of Khukuri that would be best for backpacking (clearing brush, cuting wood, digging holes, pounding tent pegs, etc). Keep in mind that it may stay wet for days at a time and it should fit nicely in a backpack.

Also, since these knives are rather large, do you have trouble with knife laws (ie: the local sheriff confiscating your khukuri)?
 
Josh, you might find a WWII 16.5 incher your best bet but look around and take your time before you make up your mind.

You might start by clicking the FAQ link below and welcome to Uncle Bill's Cantina. That may not mean much now but it will later.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
There are lots more qualified than me here,but...

Firstly,youll have to check with local laws about being able to carry a khukuri.
I would personally got for about an 18 inch sirupati or ww2 model.To tell the truth,any of the HI Khukuris can take the abuse you can give them.Unless your chopping rocks you wont have a problem.
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If weight is an issue,a sirupati is about your best bet.You can ask for light or heavy and Uncle Bill can probably find you one that suits your needs pretty well.

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I'll gladly pay you Tuesday,for a khukuri today.
 
Go for the WWII model. It is heavy enough for the pounding and digging , is a wonderful chopper, and small enough to carry. If you are camping, you shouldn't have any trouble with the law , just remember , it's a TOOL not a weapon (wink ,wink).
 
One concern with carrying the khuk inside a backpack,the metal tip of the scabbard may poke through it.You will probably want to cover it with something.

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I'll gladly pay you Tuesday,for a khukuri today.
 
The 16.5" WWII is a great khukuri. It is not much hevier than the BAS but chops much better. I think it is much more versitile than a hatchet.

Ray C. suggest putting a hose over the tip to prevent damaging a backpack. I simply stuff the chakma and karda in tight and put it in upside down (just becareful taking it out).

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 08-03-2000).]
 
I'd opt for the BAS (or, British Army Service for you newbies). It weighs 20 oz. and will chop/pry/pound anything you want with it in the back country. The 15" length is a bit handier than the WWII or the 18" models.
BTW- there is really no best Kukri!
Most of us have more than one and find all sorts of conditions in which they excell!
 
:
A fellow could always take the H. I. Bird and Trout Knife along after he gets his 1st khukuri.
That will chop bacon and dig holes as well as drive tent stakes!!!
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OR anything else you want to do with it.
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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"There's no trick in being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you."

...............Will Rogers......

Khukuri FAQ
 
Josh --- go for 15 incher --- BAS or AK --- I guess 15" AK would best serve your purposes! ---
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NEPAL HO!
 
Josh, watch out for the indin's ( Yvsa's ) sense of humor. The HI Bird and Trout knife is a sideslapping, roll-on-the-floor-laughing pun.

Click on the underlined Khukuri FAQ. Go down the list there to the bottom page titled variants. The top of the variant page shows the "Ang Khola Bowie". Call it 15" OAL with 10+" blade, 7/16ths to 1/2" spine, 2 1/4+ pounds.

It was designed to use the kamis talents to end the debate over who made the toughest knife. ( Kind of like the guy who went to Holland and Holland wanting a double rifle with a bit more ooomph than the 577 nitro. He was informed that H&H (( as in 300 H&H or 375 H&H magnum )) had officially made their last 600 nitro. A bit of haggling and the guy walked out pleased, with a number of years wait for H&H to build him a 700 nitro. )
Thus, being the final answer to the biggest toughest bowie knife question it was, perhaps inevitable someone called it the HI Bird and Trout. In a way, it fits, cause it is one of the smaller HI blades.
 
The reason I ask about law enforcement is because I have heard of machetes and bowie knifes confiscated by sheriffs or park rangers ,even though they are not actually illegal, just because they just look big and threatening.

In all my years dealing with knives I have always steered clear of partial or tapered tang knives because the tangs and/or handles break off. I noticed that most of HIs khukuris are tapered tang with a glued on handle. But a few (eg: the chiruwa AK) have a full tang with a rivited handle. Based on past experience I tend to migrate toward the full tang rivited type. What are you thoughts as to the handle designs and their strengths
 
Personally ive never had any problem with HI's tapered tangs.Ive done very heavy chipping with a ww2 as well as with a forward curving model i bought.Both of these knives are in excess of 2 pounds and after hard chopping there has been no sign of weakening.I havent read of any handle failures on the forum yet either.Another point is,my forward curving was a blem,the handle was cracked when i bought it.Even though it was already cracked it has still performed perfectly.I would trust them based on my experience,but as you know,HI does offer some full tang knives with slab-grips.

Uncle Bill has the best customer service you can find anywhere.If your handle fails you can give him a call and he will take care of it.He ships each knife with a guarantee,if your not happy,hes not happy.And I for one am very hapy
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You have a god point about LEO's.I think it might be a little harder to explain a bowie off as a tool.

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I'll gladly pay you Tuesday,for a khukuri today.

[This message has been edited by Robert Cole (edited 08-04-2000).]
 
Josh,

I have a few questions.

How big are you? How tall? How heavy? How big are your hands?

What would you use your knife for when backbacking? Give the whole list. Do you plan to chop poles and make shelters, or would that only occur in an emergency?

How would you like to carry your knife?

How important is weight to you?

In regards to problems with authorities, I usually carry a khukuri in my pack, or in the back pocket of my mackinaw so it's not visible and there are no problems. This, and the fact that I am very conscious of weight bias me towards the lighter khukuris for backpacking. I do have fun with the heavier ones around the yard and other locations where I don't have to tote them far.

(added in edit)
The handle is a matter of taste. Many people, including me, prefer a soft tapered tang as it absorbs some of the shock of chopping. The only failures I have heard of occurred when the tang was improperly hardened and became brittle. Such failures are rare. If the blade outlasts the first few hard chops it doesn't have a defective tang and should be good for a long time.

I don't think I've ever heard of a full-width tang failing.


[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 08-04-2000).]
 
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