New to this, what should I watch for in the blem box?

alphamaniv

alphamaniv

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I mean style wise? I have had an interest in this blade style for a while. I am not going to attempt to spell it because I have seen many different spellings and don't know which is correct:o I just purchased a "belly forward" design knife from a fellow forumite, and I am impressed and it made me want to get one of these from HI, as I understand they are the Best in the world. It will replace my very old and used machete. That means it will be used 2 or 3 times a year on average for cutting small saplings and clearing undergrowth etc. I do plan on keeping it in the house though, because they seem to be works of art as well as functional tools. I have some pretty big expenses coming up, so I figure my best bet is to keep checking the "Blems" so I can get my feet wet and still have a good user. I am really ignorant of the different sizes and shapes and how that applies to their intended use. I enjoyed reading about the men that make these at the HI website. I'd say that was "old world" craftsmanship at its best. Sorry to be so long winded. Any suggestions will be appreciated, and it would be double good, if you would explain why your recommendation fits the bill. Thanks.:)
 
The bug is about to bite you, so beware. Check out the AK's and the Sirupatis. The longer Sirus are more machete-like while the AK's will out chop almost anything. When I first used my AK, it was almost in disbelief...they work that well.

That is not to say that the Siru will not chop...they do!


Ben
 
I'm too lazy to do search right now :p .

Where / How does the Ganga Ram stack up as chopper / machete.

After all, it's named as a weed chopper.
 
I have a 22 inch Sher made Kobra that I reckon is made for cutting saplings and undergrowth. It is too light for heavy chopping but is great for your intended use. I got mine as a blem and they do come up relatively often.:) :)
 
Originally posted by Glenn Jones
I have a 22 inch Sher made Kobra that I reckon is made for cutting saplings and undergrowth. It is too light for heavy chopping but is great for your intended use. I got mine as a blem and they do come up relatively often.:) :)
Click to expand...


Dittos above. The 21" Kobra is a beautiful tool.
A superb delimber-Excellent on vines from creepers to honeysuckle and poison ivy. I wouldn't hesitate going after anything below 2 inches that is green.I don't usually chop dead wood with my machetes or Kuks but they will do it. The main reason is that I put a very sharp edge on the machete blades with a hand file (sandpaper for the Kuks) and some dry hard woods could bend, warp, or even chip the edge.

For really nasty work I use a Martindale Machete I picked up in Jamaica several years ago see:
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/martindale_machetes.html

I took off the standard handle and fitted it with a 13" piece of hickory cut from a new sledge hammer handle. This retro fit made the balance nearly perfect for cutting brush and thick grasses and vines.I got the idea from an old Cuban gentleman that I saw working along the side of a highway in South Florida many years ago. I, of course, had to stop and talk with him so I could copy his design later.

Nostalgic ramble over- Enjoy your Kuk.
 
I just asked the same question a short time ago in this thread, everyone was very helpful...

BEWARE THOUGH!!!! My first one (15" AK) just arrived, and my second (18" AK) is waiting for me... I think I have HIKV!!!:rolleyes: :eek: :o
 
OK, i have to ask now, what is HIKV? I can guess first two, and maybe even the K, but someone tell me what it actually means. Course, ewhatever it means, sure I hav eit (he says as he drools over new 15" AK sititng next to him)
 
15" overall, but you get a LOT of chopping ability out of those 15", a lot more than you'd expect if you have jsut used machete's in past.
 
Himalayan Imports Kukhuri Virus, and yes, it is tenacious and contagious. :D You've started posting here, so it's already too late, you're only defense is an absolutely empty bank account and no available credit. Or a military deployment, although even that doesn't stop Sarge. And for your intended application, I would say to go with a 20"-25" Kobra since that's the lightest model offered and has the reach for brush clearing. Don't worry, you'll have one for every application soon enough.
 
If another batch of Reti khuks comes up, they're very swift and light, and still chop nicely. I was using one to clear some vines and ended up pruning branches with it for fun. They're made from old files so they are very hard, they sail through little branches you'd think might stop them.
 
stipey357, you are the one that tipped me over the edge with that item I got from you. It's really cool, but now I want another one,...then another one. I have looked at the HI sight, and I like that little letter opener. Anybody ever get up a group order of the little things to save on shipping?
 
Way you save on shipping is to get multiple HI pieces for yourself. You could use a coupla AKs, maybe a WWII or two, and a few others. :)
 
Does anybody know if I can add one to whatever I find in the blem box? I am really thinking of the 15" AK or the BAS. They are similar, so I guess I'll get whichever one pops up first.:D
 
Umm, go to page 2. THere's a 15" AK, by Sher I think, that looks to still be avilalble, and I REALLY want someone to buy it before I talk myself into fact that since it already has cracked handle, it's perfect AK for me to try making my own handle on. It's the thread for 6/19 blems, though think date on thread might actually say 5/19. Might not hear back from Uncle Bill for a few days though, as he's out of town.
 
Well, I put in for it. Maybe I'll get lucky. I have all kinds of glue and clamps in the shop, so surely I can get it looking ok:)
 
You too are sunk!!!:p :D :rolleyes:
Did you see the pic I posted in my thread (see earlier post) with my 15" AK beside my BM? That'll give you an idea of the scale... It looks to be almost 1/2" thick!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:
 
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