Newbie Alert! Questions about buying first Khukri

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tjchung

Joined
Dec 23, 2005
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Hello everybody. I just joined this forum a couple of days ago, and have been lurking in the background trying to soak up all the knowledge.

To begin with, I'm not much of a knife person(own just an 18 inch standard machete & CS Trailmaster), but am very very good friends with someone who is, and the purpose of this little post is because I am considering purchasing an HI Khukuri for this person.

In the past, this guy and I used to buy each other extravagant birthday gifts in an out of control spiral of trying to outdo each other, until we almost came to blows over what started as expressions of friendship. Since then we've come back to our senses and agreed that no gift we exchange should be worth more than 60 bucks.

The reason I'm considering a Khukuri is because I have personally seen this guy literally demolish 3 Ontrario 18 inch machetes over the past year, trying in vain to keep his promise to his wife of clearing out the backyard of their new home of various trees, weeds, vines, etc. The problem is his backyard is a good 10 acres and I personally believe he'll be at the job until his 5 year old son goes off to college!

Since it appears, perverse tho it seems that he is actually enjoying this work, I thought it would be nice if he can have at least a well made tool for the job. I've been hearing glowing praise for HI's Khukuri's as excellent choppers all over the internet, so that really narrows it down. A quick email to HI and a very nice person named Yangdu writes back that a 15 inch BAS Villager is available in my price range, with either water buffalo horn or wooden handles.

Now what I'd like to know from all the experienced Khukuri owners out there is;

1. Is this particular knife well suited for almost endless days of chopping and hacking, a job that destroyed 3 Ontario machetes, despite better than average care and sharpening by their owner?

2. What are the Pros and Cons of the handle materials? Water buffalo horn seems really fancy for a backyard tool, and what's needed is something that's comfortable to grip, cushions shock and won't break or wear out too soon.

3. I assume 15 inches is the total length of the knife. Given the blade dynamics of Khukuri's as chopping tools, is this enough to take over the job of an 18 inch bladed Ontario machete?

4. My friend is a firm believer in Japanese water stones for sharpening. Are these OK for Khukuri's? Or are tougher materials like diamonds needed?

5. What does BAS stand for?

Sorry for the particularly long-winded post. I'm just really in need of information before I make a decision on a birthday present for one of my best friends.

Thanks in advance.
 
Welcome aboard!

I was in your shoes last spring. (They were kind of tight, too, but that's a different story . . . ) Your question will elicit many responses, but here's my take . . .

1. Is (the BAS) well suited? The 15" BAS is OK, I've chopped with my BAS but it's maybe a little on the light side. Perhaps a WWII or an 18" Ang Kohla, or a 17" Ganga Ram would be more suited to your friend's cutting and chopping needs. For carry, the shorter 15" BAS is handier, and IMO an 18" khuk is the upper limit for carry.

2. What are the Pros and Cons of the handle materials? For the stated purpose, I'd prefer wood. Horn gets slippery in my hand if it gets wet, sweaty, etc. YMMV.

3. I assume 15 inches is the total length of the knife . . . is this enough to take over the job of an 18 inch bladed Ontario machete? I bought a fried an 18" WWII for essentially the same purpose and he loves it. First cut and he whacked a 1.5" green sapling clear through with one chop, and it was love at first slice. Again, I'd look at the WWII or an Ang Khola.

4. My friend is a firm believer in Japanese water stones for sharpening. Are these OK for Khukuri's? Or are tougher materials like diamonds needed? HI khuks respond to sharpening abrasives of your choice. I've used diamond, Japanese water stones, silicon carbide sanding belts, and Edgemate steels all to good effect.

5. What does BAS stand for? British Army Special

HTH,

Noah
 
I have a BAS and its nice enough, but its nowhere near the workhorse that my 18" WWII is. I'd go with that for an all around champ! I'm kind of a broken record about that particular model though. It was my "first" and recommend to me by the late, great Uncle Bill Martino. I don't have a big Ang Khola or GRS to compare it to (will be remedied soon enough :) ).

Keep in mind that none of the khuks except maybe a light sirupati or kobra will really be as effective as a light machete in stuff like high grass if just because of their weight and blade profile. (my limited opinion only, ymmv. around my house its mostly cutting red sumac and small hard and soft wood limbs, etc., not weeds and reeds)
 
Welcome to the Cantina/Psycho Ward TJ.
There's lots of khukuris that will fit your need. I'm going to do like I always do and recommend a 17"- 18" BGRS otherwise known as a Baby Ganga Ram Special. They are in the lighter range and yet cut like a much heavier khukuri and if you get one on a DOD or YBB it will be in your price range probably, otherwise I'd recommend the 17" Foxy Folly.;) :D
 
Welcome:)
Depending on your friend's needs as far as wood diameter and such, I would suggest a few different models.

If it's some chopping with more brush work, then a 20" Siru might be a good bet. They aren't as common as the BAS and they tend to cost a little more, but that would be a good trimming khuk.

If there is more wood than brush AND it is a bit smaller in diameter (maybe 1"-4") then you might consider a 16.5" Ang Khola. These are Chiruwa handled which means that they have the slab style handles. Basically, they are bomb proof. HOWEVER, do take into consideration that chiruwa handle have exposed tang so that the shock from chopping is transmitted. Also, they tend to have "hot spots" where they blister the hands of some.

If I had to pick one for going into an area where I didn't know what I was going into, I think the 18" WWII is a good bet. Light enough to swing all day, but strong enough to chop. It was a real favorite of Uncle Bill. The 16.5" version was the favorite of our other late great mod, Rusty. He was on the shorter side though. Actually, my YCS has taken the WWII's place in my collection, but they tend to cost a little more and are pretty rare compared to the WWII models that are offered as a deal of the day.

The nice thing about HI is that you can't lose. Even if it's not the ideal tool for clearing his land, you're friend is going to appreciate it very much.

Jake
 
I got my first Khuk a few weeks ago - an HI 18" Ang Khola and love it.

One comment I will make is that you can't really compare a Khukuri to a Machete. The Khuk is designed for chopping whereas the machete (with its longer thinner blade and much lighter weight) is really designed for clearing brush. I've owned at least 4 machetes, and while they adequately serve their purpose, I essentially view them as a disposable tool. Pretty much every one that I have ever seen has been junk - very soft steel, difficult to hold sharpness, the edge quickly gets chipped and nicked, they bend right at the handle if you hit something at the slightest off angle, etc.

If you need to do some light wood chopping, by all means get a Khuk. If you need to clear a lot of brush, forget Machetes and other hand tools and rent one of those gas powered self-propelled brush choppers from your local hardware store.
 
tjchung?

I love 15in AKs. Love 'em. Villager seem to have longer handles. Keep in mind a lot of Cantina folks are tall and muscular and lean and oh-so-masculine, with stubble on their chins and the look of eagles in their eyes--enough to make women swoon, it is. 18 inches of khukuri is a lot to carry for normal people.

Look up D. Koster's Khukuri Dynamics illustrations for a sense of stuff.

REAL hard to describe until you hold it and use it. Any woody brush gets pretty tough after a few years; not like slicing through some celery stalks.

Welcome. Please read the safety thread.
 
Kismet said:
tjchung?

Keep in mind a lot of Cantina folks are tall and muscular and lean and oh-so-masculine, with stubble on their chins and the look of eagles in their eyes--enough to make women swoon, it is.
Click to expand...

It's a well know fact that Kis keeps a picture of me posted with heart magnets to the inside of his locker:D

Seriously, the 15" AK is a good choice as well. It IS the best selling khuk in the HI line up. Perhaps a good 15" AK to give your friend the "feel" of a khuk might be the best money spent. Tell him how they are made, where they come from, and how Yangdu and Bill tie into this whole beautiful Karma wheel o' life. If he can appreciate the the 15" AK, then he can be sure to find something just right for himself on the website. If he really likes it, then make sure he knows about the Cantina.
Ya know, the 15" AK never really grabbed me. I had a wedge of a brute that cut like an axe, but wasn't heavy enough for my chopping needs. NOW, I have a great thin edged example of Kumar's work, and I have to say it is the perfect packing khuk. I would not feel under-khuked if I were to spend some time out in the wilds with just that knife.

Jake
 
I never noticed that Bullwinkle was "tall and muscular and lean and oh-so-masculine, with stubble on their chins and the look of eagles in their eyes!"
 
Once again, thanks to everyone for all the great info.

Altho it seems the general consensus is that the 15 inch Villager BAS is not the greatest full-time chopper in the HI lineup, the fact that the price is exactly withing my budget makes me feel that it would be the perfect choice for my friend's birthday present. Also, it would make a great hors duevre (sp?) to picque his knife collecting appetite.

Now I come to another really newbie question; just how do you pronounce Khukuri? I mean I should be able to tell my friend what it is with an accurate pronounciation when he opens up the gift and asks what the heck it is. In the first syllable, is the 'u' in Khu prounounced as 'oo', or is it more of an 'uh' like in 'curry'? And what about the 'i' in the end, is it prounced 'ee' or is it a straightforward 'i'?

Also, where is the accent? Is it khu-KU-ree? or KHU-ku-ree? or khu-ku-REE? Enquiring minds want to know.
 
The BAS is not really a heavy de-vegitationer. I trust you know what is best. If your friend saw the value in the design, he could select his own perfect khukuri.

Kook Coor Ree
that's as close as I can come


munk
 
Here's my take:

accurate transliteration usually considered

khukuri => KooKooRee

But

you -almost- lose the 2nd syllable vowel sound
so that only you know that it's there

so

KooKooRee =>

KooK'Ree =>

kukri

the -almost- universal recognized pronounciation & spelling



...
 
Kismet said:
(Uh....Jake? Hmmmm....that's an image of Bullwinkle on my locker.)
Click to expand...
"Hey, Rocky! Watch me pull a gherkin out of my hat!"

(Sorry, don't remember the name of the episode.)
 
The BAS can be heavier or lighter. I have a wood handled villager that is 21oz and pretty solid.

Some are lighter. If you want one that chops better, ask for a heavier one.
 
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