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anybody got a pic of an older style shorter handled M-43 next to the newer versions?
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old stlye M-43 vs "new style"
- Thread starter bennyjenkins
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There are actually a couple different styles... from what I know, there's the older shorter handled m43 with two rivets, the more recent longer handled m43 with 2 rivets, and the new m43 with 3 rivets and slightly longer handle.
That said, I've been an owner of the latter two, but not an overlapping time frame so I have no comparison shots
That said, I've been an owner of the latter two, but not an overlapping time frame so I have no comparison shots
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- Dec 18, 2006
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Did you notice much difference?
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Haven't had a chance to try out the new m43 yet as I'm currently finishing the handle. My new one is a satisal 3 rivet one by Santosh and my old one was horn 2 rivet one by Young Sher.
My old one was pretty much ~3/8" thick with a gradual taper towards the end, and a fairly acute bevel. It also had a more forward curved handle. My new one is quite different and I'm curious how the new dynamics will affect the performance: it has a ~1/2" spine, but thins out towards the area behind the sweet spot, then flares back out before coming to a tip... it's almost like a fuller. The bevel is also more obtuse, but because of the "fuller", the thickness prior to the bevel is fairly thin.
Oh, and it also is amazingly well-balanced. I couldn't do this with my old m43 nor any of my other kukris:
I'll let you know what I think of it once I get finish the few final coats and give it a whirl.
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Wish I could post picks.
My Bura made M-43 is of the early style. It is also thinner spined.
My other is a newer styled blade from an unknown Kami with two rivets.
While it appear the handle drops less on the newer style blade. If I lay the two knives one over the other the profiles match nearly exactly. I prefer the handle on the Bura blade jsut because it fits my hand better.
Both perform extremely well.
My Bura made M-43 is of the early style. It is also thinner spined.
My other is a newer styled blade from an unknown Kami with two rivets.
While it appear the handle drops less on the newer style blade. If I lay the two knives one over the other the profiles match nearly exactly. I prefer the handle on the Bura blade jsut because it fits my hand better.
Both perform extremely well.
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I believe I'm sold on an M-43.
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- Sep 21, 2008
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I'm quite fond of mine, a Sher(the Tiger)horn-handled DOTD from a few years ago. The blade in these pics has a quick application of cold-blue, long since removed.
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I have smaller hands and tend to think that i prefer a more aggressive forward weight (i.e. curvier blade and smaller, curvier handle). Also, I'm dying to try a khuk with a thinner spine, as all of mine are 1/2". Do you guys think Yangdu might try to "get back to the roots" of the older-style M43s like she's trying with the Bonecutters?
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I've got an original M43 by Bura that I like so much I don't use it. The spine thickness is just a hair over 5/16", and it has the small wood handle with two rivets. I want another as a user, so if Yangdu ever DOTDs one similar to the specs I just gave .... SHARKS BEWARE! 
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why can't you post pix? anyone can post pix...
anyone who is allowed to post at all at least,can post pix as well.
Hi, I do not have side-by-side comparison pics of the older and newer HI M43s, but do have pics of the two alongside older WW2-era MK2 and M43 variants. Perhaps they may be of help to you ...
Older HI M43 wood-handle khukuri, made by 'Amtrak' kami. This khukuri was in the possession of a few other forum-ites before making its way into my collection early this year. Having smaller hands, its smaller handle fits me better. This one also weighs lesser than the newer HI M43 I've handled, similar in weight to the old WW2 warhorses, balance and handling is very good too - all positive points in my book! You'll see in the pics that even being the smaller-handled of the HI M43s, its handle is still ever-so-slightly larger than the old WW2-era MK2s.
top to bottom: old WW2-era unmarked MK2, 'Qeyoom Bros 1944' Mk2 and HI's older M43:
The following is a newer longer-handled HI M43 by Sher kami (iirc) that I bought in mid-2009 and is now in the collection of another forumite. Horn-handle, two-pin rivets. Good, solid khukuri overall, a bit heavier than the older HI M43 above but if I had to choose only one of the HI M43s, I'd prefer the older one personally, for reasons outlined above.
As you can see, my smaller hands leaves a lot of room on the handle:
top to bottom: WW2-era smaller MK2/M43 variant, WW2-era regular-sized MK2/M43 (unmarked), modern version of MK2/M43 by another manufacturer (2009), HI's horn-handle M43 circa 2009:
Hope this is of some help.
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Hi, I do not have side-by-side comparison pics of the older and newer HI M43s, but do have pics of the two alongside older WW2-era MK2 and M43 variants. Perhaps they may be of help to you ...
Older HI M43 wood-handle khukuri, made by 'Amtrak' kami. This khukuri was in the possession of a few other forum-ites before making its way into my collection early this year. Having smaller hands, its smaller handle fits me better. This one also weighs lesser than the newer HI M43 I've handled, similar in weight to the old WW2 warhorses, balance and handling is very good too - all positive points in my book! You'll see in the pics that even being the smaller-handled of the HI M43s, its handle is still ever-so-slightly larger than the old WW2-era MK2s.
top to bottom: old WW2-era unmarked MK2, 'Qeyoom Bros 1944' Mk2 and HI's older M43:
The following is a newer longer-handled HI M43 by Sher kami (iirc) that I bought in mid-2009 and is now in the collection of another forumite. Horn-handle, two-pin rivets. Good, solid khukuri overall, a bit heavier than the older HI M43 above but if I had to choose only one of the HI M43s, I'd prefer the older one personally, for reasons outlined above.
As you can see, my smaller hands leaves a lot of room on the handle:
top to bottom: WW2-era smaller MK2/M43 variant, WW2-era regular-sized MK2/M43 (unmarked), modern version of MK2/M43 by another manufacturer (2009), HI's horn-handle M43 circa 2009:
Hope this is of some help.
Very nice pics.Thx for showing
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hi all
just to show off my m43 by bura its 18 inches end to end with a 13 inch blade and 7/16ths on the spine and just over 2lbs in weight all handles are made from bone its had two owners before me last one was a fellow forumite andreas solomi so some of the old hands may know him
regards mick
click thumbnail for a bigger pic
just to show off my m43 by bura its 18 inches end to end with a 13 inch blade and 7/16ths on the spine and just over 2lbs in weight all handles are made from bone its had two owners before me last one was a fellow forumite andreas solomi so some of the old hands may know him
regards mick
click thumbnail for a bigger pic
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shortwinger
Gold Member
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Sta,
Is that smaller MKII the one they call a pilots kukri? Nice! I have been looking for one of those for a while but can't find any for sale.
All of your blades are very nice. The pics show how much different the newer ones are with the larger straight handles.
Did you work on those handles or is that how they came? I like both the raw looking ones (first two) and the richness of the bottom two. The horn looks almost streaked in the pic!
Bill
Virginia
Is that smaller MKII the one they call a pilots kukri? Nice! I have been looking for one of those for a while but can't find any for sale.
All of your blades are very nice. The pics show how much different the newer ones are with the larger straight handles.
Did you work on those handles or is that how they came? I like both the raw looking ones (first two) and the richness of the bottom two. The horn looks almost streaked in the pic!
Bill
Virginia
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- Sep 2, 2008
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- 308
thanks mike
dont worry about a camera one will turn up sooner or later:thumbup:
dont worry about a camera one will turn up sooner or later:thumbup:
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Yes it is. With some regret I've gone back to the original HI frog and removed the tinder pouch from the scabbard. Without the fire-starter block in the pouch there was enough slack to slide the frog completely off the scabbard, and even by wrapping probably 30ft of 550 cord around the scabbard it still felt too loose.
shortwinger
Gold Member
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Another important part of the design of the MKII/M43 happens right at the back pin. Just as the handle begins to flare out there is an additional curve downward. Not only is it curving more at the rear but, it flares more on the bottom than the top.
The bottom flare is full sized and curves down to catch your fingers and improves your grip as you strike. This gives you confidence that the blade is not going to slip through your hand. Top flare is shorter and angles "away" and therefore does not bite into the back of your palm as you strike! It actually meets flush with your palm just at the moment of impact.
It never fights the shape of your palm, it works with it. This is exactly why the MKII feels like an extension of your arm, instead of feeling like a tool in your hand... I think our British friends would say; bloody genius! :thumbup:
Bill
Virginia
MKII salesman
The bottom flare is full sized and curves down to catch your fingers and improves your grip as you strike. This gives you confidence that the blade is not going to slip through your hand. Top flare is shorter and angles "away" and therefore does not bite into the back of your palm as you strike! It actually meets flush with your palm just at the moment of impact.
It never fights the shape of your palm, it works with it. This is exactly why the MKII feels like an extension of your arm, instead of feeling like a tool in your hand... I think our British friends would say; bloody genius! :thumbup:
Bill
Virginia
MKII salesman
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