newbie question...

B

balrog

Joined
Jul 24, 2004
Messages
259
What are some suggestions for a first kukuri purchase? It will be a user not something that will be a safe queen or hang on a wall.

Will be using it in a tropical enviroment on the trails ( four wheeling in Hawaii) I'm on the shorter side, 5'4"-140 with smaller paws.

I tried using the search function on this forum with no success, so please dont flame me. I tried entering different querys but I kept getting sent to the search page again. :confused:

What are the differences between horn and wood handles? Just want someting that will be tough and easy to maintain/sharpen. I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker, DMT diamond bench stones and various japanese waterstones available.

Also would like a sheath that is durable and wont mind the humidity and mud.

Thank you for your help an patience. :)
 
A general purpose chopper? Maybe a BAS, don't know if they are still on sale or not though. Scabbards are all standard and suited for your use. These things *are* used as tools after all...
 
Welcome Balrog,
Since you will be 4 wheeling I suppose that the khuk will be carried mainly on your wheeler or truck. I think that a 15" AK or an 18" Sirupati would be great trail clearers without too much weight or bulk. The 15" AK would most likely be the better choice. Length to weight and handling concidered. It will be big enough to really chop, without being either too small or too large for the enviroment. The sheaths will not hold up as well to wet and mucky conditions. My suggestion would be, after you get your chosen khuk, get ahold of Survival Sheath Systems. They are in Hawaii still I think. They make some great kydex rigs and sheaths that would be perfect for your uses.
Good luck choosing and chopping! :D
 
Welcome to the cantina, Balrog.

On what kind of trees will you be using your khuk? That might be the difference between a hard-hitting Ang Khola and the lighter Siru. A personal favorite for trail clearing is an 18" WWII for the heavier stuff and a 20" kobra for the springy stuff. It really boils down to what you like. If money is an issue then you might keep an eye out for Uncle Bill's Deals of the Day. He'll be gone for a few weeks but more often than not he'll put up some slightly blemished khuks at deep discounts when he's around. we're talking minor, minor stuff here. hairline cracks in the handle, a tiny spot of rust on the blade, little dings to the scabbard. Ya know, stuff thats gonna happen to a user anyway;) Something to think about, anyway. Once again, welcome.

~Jake
 
click on 'Tips' in my signature

when that thread comes up click on link #1
and wait for the 'Searches' post to load.

look for a list of threads under 'camping khuk'

includes khuks for other uses


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<>call me 'Dean' :)-FYI-FWIW-IIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TIA-YW-GL-HH-HBD-IBSCUTWS-TWotBGUaDUaDUaD
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If this thing is riding on the four wheeler I'd get something in 18" like a WWll. Horn should do well in your location.

munk
 
18" anything get any job done
master choppers are AngKhola 18 & GangaRam 18"
belt carry you'll like 14-16" more comfy
general, but more kitchen than chop, then 12-15"
weight gives chop
length gives chop
Weight+Length gives CHOP
chitlangis / chainpuris in 18" especially sleek
don't go over 18" for a first khuk


Search
Horn
in title only
& get about 50 threads listed
about half you'll want to read
 
You realize some of this advice is ....well, sort of useless. Because if you get a BAS or 15" Sirupati or AK you'll get a longer khuk later, and if you get a longer khuk you'll eventually want a shorter one too.

I find 18" the last practical length for carry on person, and there is a lot to the 15, 16" as more comfortable, though I don't find the extra 3" all that difficult.

How thick and tough is the vegitation you'll be clearing?



munk
 
munk said:
How thick and tough is the vegitation you'll be clearing?
Click to expand...

That right there is the $25,000 question. No khukuri is a substitute for a machete, though a sirupate or kobra might come close. I think you're still better off using a machete for light, easy-to-cut foliage--even the lighter khuks are too heavy for this type of cutting, at least in my opinion. Therefore, if you're in a 4WD and don't have to worry about carrying it, I'd suggest going with a dedicated chopping blade like the Ang Khola. A WWII would also work quite well for this I think. Go for an 18" version of either model, or if you are wanting something a bit smaller, go for the 16.5" WWII. I believe Rusty, the Co-Moderator of the HI forum, is your height, and he is a big fan of the 16.5" WWII. I've got a 16.5 " Chiruwa WWII, which I like quite a bit. By the way, Welcome to the HI forum, or as it is also known, the Cantina. :)

--Josh
 
I personally have never had any use for a machete. 16.5" WWII might be a good place to start. I like the horn handles, my hand seems to stick to them like glue.
 
I only have three WW2 16.5"ers. One for the truck, one for the car, and one by the bedside. The only other HI's that I have three if are the small tibetan swords.
 
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