One More Person Clueless on Khukuri's

R

Radrunner

Joined
Mar 6, 2006
Messages
234
Well, i know there have been a million and one threads on this before, so now it's a million and two: I need help finding a Khukuri.

After browsing around HI's site i have discovered that there are far more types of Khukuri's than i ever thought possible... needless to say the choices of so many marvelous and outstanding knives has left me quite clueless about which one i might want to pick up.

I was thinking of a Ang Kola, Sirupati, or Gelbu Special. As for what i want out of it.... i enjoy doing alot of trekking, and want a knife that can do everything it could ever be given the task of doing in the middle of the bush. I want to eliminate the need to have multiple blades on my trips (hatchet, knife, etc.) At the same time, i don't want a khukri that's too heavy, or too long. Needless to say i am completely clueless as to what size to go for, something not too short since it'll definetly be put to extensive use cutting firewood, probabily more so than any other task.

In conclusion... good all-round survival khukuri that will hold up to lots and lots of heavy chopping while not weighing too much and being able to preform more dexterous tasks. At present i'm leaning to the Sirupati and Gelbu special after reading the reviews.

Any direction is appreciated!
 
The Gelbu or a WWII are good all arounders and provide alot of bang per ounce/inch. Just my humble opionion, Im not as badly infected as most of the guys you'll see here.
 
there is at present a very nicely priced AK over in for sale area. worthy of what you have in mind.

not sure what you're chopping, but a siru isn't a "heavy chopper" really. the gelbu... maybe, but not the first one i would choose - a GRS yes, a GS, no.

AK? definitely, especially for that price. someone will shark it by morning i bet.

bladite
 
Welcome to the HI Forum/Psycho Ward Rad Runner.:D

Before we can really start telling you what kind of khukuri you may find the best we need to know about how big an ol' boy are you?

If you're average and about 5'10" and about 165 Lbs then there are several that will do what you want. If you're larger or smaller than average then the knives get larger or smaller as well.
Thinking you're about average I'd recommend that you get a 17" -18" BGRS, aka GRS, aka Baby Ganga Ram Special. for places like Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and similar it would be fine. In less brushy country or in the places where the foliage isn't as tough then an 18" Chitlangi may be the best.
Or it could just be what you want in your own mind like a 17" Foxy Folly like the one I received yesterday.:thumbup: :D
All of these khukuris chop like a heavier than their size khukuri generally.
 
Welcome Radrunner. I think for a chopping, do everything camping knife an 18" AK, or GRS (Ganga Ram Special) is the way to go. I have a 16.5" Chiruwa AK and I can pry with it like a crobar and not bend it. It will dig, chop, and split just fine. You can use it as a draw knife too. Plus its guaranted for LIFE by a 1st rate company that has a known track record of sticking to its guarantee. Can't be beat. Period.
 
Radrunner said:
Well, i know there have been a million and one threads on this before, so now it's a million and two: I need help finding a Khukuri.

After browsing around HI's site i have discovered that there are far more types of Khukuri's than i ever thought possible... needless to say the choices of so many marvelous and outstanding knives has left me quite clueless about which one i might want to pick up.

I was thinking of a Ang Kola, Sirupati, or Gelbu Special. As for what i want out of it.... i enjoy doing alot of trekking, and want a knife that can do everything it could ever be given the task of doing in the middle of the bush. I want to eliminate the need to have multiple blades on my trips (hatchet, knife, etc.) At the same time, i don't want a khukri that's too heavy, or too long. Needless to say i am completely clueless as to what size to go for, something not too short since it'll definetly be put to extensive use cutting firewood, probabily more so than any other task.

In conclusion... good all-round survival khukuri that will hold up to lots and lots of heavy chopping while not weighing too much and being able to preform more dexterous tasks. At present i'm leaning to the Sirupati and Gelbu special after reading the reviews.

Any direction is appreciated!
Click to expand...

Keep sharking :D
As Yvsa mentioned size and physical condition does make a difference in your choice.
For your purposes also consider a villager which comes with a working polish instead of display or collector's polish.
The AK is a workhorse, but is heavier than you might be willing to carry around.
The Sirupati is more a martial arts knife than a camp knife.
You might also consider an Eric Frost Mora triflex to go along with it. Some people I know have made or comissioned sheiths to carry just the khukuri and Mora knives, leaving the karda and chamak at home. Another accessory to consider is a wire saw - light and effective.
See Dan's site for some sheith ideas.

"Alright, class. Everyone who has only ONE HI khukuri raise their hand."
 
Welcome, my semi-doppelganger. ;) The Sirupati or Gelbu Special would be a good choice. My first was a GS, but it kind of defies the stereotype of a light, thin fighting blade. Mine is 1/2" thick at the spine. :eek: It has very deep fullers which lighten it up considerably, but it's still a very stout blade. I think my favorite "all around" khukuri would have to be my 16.5" WWII. It's stout, but not heavy, and very well balanced. The perfect khukuri varies from person to person, but don't worry, you'll get at least one of every model eventually so you're sure to find one that fits the bill. :p I'd start with a 16.5" WWII if I had it to do over again, FWIW.
 
Welcome Radrunner:)

You have entered down a path in which there is no turning back. That said, you might not be able to find a "do-all" khuk that fits all of your needs to a T. I like the WWII myself as an all 'rounder. Uncle Bill used to say that the WWII is best weapon/tool that HI makes. However, now that Ms. Yangdu has taken over, there have been SO MANY new models coming out. I would say a full 30% in variation to what you see on the site:eek:
I'll make a list of my thoughts on what I would take given a situation:

Light camping: mostly cutting, smaller wood for cooking fire, lots of long hiking- 15" Siru. Slices, dices, and won't make your pants drag. "light" by our standards, but a knife with a 9"-10" blade weighing 15oz will work, and you're not going to break it.

Medium camping: Some moderate chopping, bigger wood for your fire, might need a full on pry bar- 15" AK ~or~ AK bowie (a personal fav of mine...ask anybody;)) ~or~ BAS. Any of these knives will chop, dig, and handle splitting with some effort. a good replacement for a hatchet.

Heavy camping: Bring own logs to chop and burn, splitting might be needed, will base your camp in one site and leave the big tools when you go for a walk- 18" WWII ~or~ YCS. THe 18" will chop very well, but is long enough that if you whip it fast enough you MIGHT get some machette function out of it. The YCS, not so much. They are generally chiruwa (slab tang) and heavy, BUT they will out chop the 18" WWII (IMHO) AND they come with two GREAT knives for your smaller task. Thus, by adding a SAK or small folder you will get the perfect trifecta of folder/tool, lightwork/food knife, and chopper. If you don't opt for the YCS, then I HIGHLY suggest you check out the Sarge knife designed by our very own Kismet as 3-4" bladed hunting/skinner/critter-taker-aparter. Try one and you'll never leave for parts unknown with out it;):thumbup: I know I do, and I don't even hunt:)

All of these suggestions, like Yvsa said, are really based on my size. I'm in my 20's, 5'10 175lbs and athletic. None of these blades feel very heavy to me, but i take the right tool for the job. I love my 22" GRS, but i don't do THAT much chopping when i'm out and about;)

Some other suggestions:
18" Siru for more brush work, but will still chop wood...just not like an AK
17" M43 is a good packing size, chirwa handle (if that matters to ya), doesn't weigh a ton, and a good forward curve for chopping. Down sides: some people don't like a lot of forward curve, some people don't like chiruwa as it transmits more shock, it lacks the handle rings (this might be a plus if the rings bug your hands. However, generally most people get used to them and find that they add chopping stability. When you get tired, the M43 likes to turn in your grip a little more. Just an FYI).

good luck and welcome once again!
Jake
 
After taking the pulse of the forum and reading many back threads, I settled on a 16 1/2" WWII for your tasks. I'm 5'9", and about 175 pounds. It has been a very good purchase, doing all I need, more than I ever expected, and doing it well.

I pair it with a Sarge knife, or a pukko - as the karda isn't up to the performance of either of these, and a khuk doesn't do "small knife" tasks with much finesse. And for home-based or canoe-tripping chopping, I'm likely to get an 18" AK or GRS. Too heavy to wear on my belt all day, but the additional length and heft will be great for using at a single site.
 
All around I'd go 18" WWll. Wood chopping, Baby Ganga Ram or Ak, also 18"






munk
 
perhaps one of the mods can do a "best of what should i buy" post, especially for the new guys, and make it a sticky?

i like the category list up above by jake, and perhaps that could be expanded as well (and a link to the safety thread), to encompass all the current models and a paragraph summary of what they are "good for" (excel at). pictures too!

just a thought i've been pondering.

bladite
 
Thank for all the feeback guys! I guess to address the first issue of my body type.... 5'10"..... 145 ibs. To address the type of camping a little more directly... there will be very little base camping, so i am very interestd in something that "won't pull down my pants". Alot of it will be done up where i live, namely the Rocky Mountains in Canada.... incase anyone is a little unsure as to what that means vegetation wise.... think of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. That said i'm also planning a few trips to South America, so denser vegetation is expected.
 
If you want to maximize mobility and carryability and still get that khukuri chopping power a BAS can't be beat. Its only 15", but has a man sized handle. One of our esteemed forumites used his, and reported here, during his time in Afghanistan. I have three of them and LOVE the model. There is a current thread showing my collection. You can look at pics.
 
Radrunner?

They are ALL wrong.

You NEED a 15in AK, villager if possible. You NEED one.

It will be the only khukuri you ever buy. Just this one, yessir, and it will fulfill all your desires for such a blade.

In fact, you may stop buying ANYTHING else...food, clothes, hair products...once you get a 15in Ang Khola.

That's the ticket. yessir.


Good hunting. Have fun deciding.
 
Howdy! Welcome.

16.5" WWII or 15-17" (B)GRS. If you want to carry more than cut, 12" Pen Knife would also be an option.

John
 
Kis just thinks he knows everything because he knows everything:rolleyes: ;)

Based on your camping needs I think i would lean more toward a 15-18" Siru. They tend to be a little lighter, they can still do a day's work, they will chop wood good enough for a camping trip, they will hack through brush pretty well. However, Kis has made a believer out of me. If i could have only ONE knife it would be my 15" villager. Not quite an AK as it does not have the fullers by the spine, but it is the go-to khuk for most of my chores.

Jake
 
Yep, yep, yep.

All wrong--even the ones who agree with me. All wrong.
Me right, them wrong.




OK, now...seriously?

It is hard to lose in any of the choices folks have suggested. You mention weight is an issue...so use that as your major criterion. Very few khuks will replace a sheath knife, but almost all will replace a belt axe to some extent.

Generally, you won't be cutting trees, but rather, snapping branches for firewood, or even a brush debris hut. You don't need a big blade for such stuff. Actually, for most things, you don't need more than a sheath knife.

Another consideration is how the blade is viewed by others you may meet trekking, including park rangers or natural resources staff. They understand hatchets, but may be taken aback by a very large-bladed knife. Some folks stick khuks in their packs--again, an individual choice.

Here's the oft-referenced Pendentive's comparative analysis. http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/physics/Khukuri_Dynamics.html

It is great, but to really understand the utility and allure of an H.I. khuk, you really need to hold one in your hand and use it a bit.

Any and all of us will help as we can. Take your time. There is no one truth.

Be well and safe.
 
Radrunner, you should have recieved a message from the Bladeforums administrator when you entered this forum:

"Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here!"

Your only chance now is to flee and never look back, and put any thoughts of buying a khukuri out of your head. :D

Otherwise to save time it's probably easier to just send all your cash and savings to Yangdu right now, and in return she'll just send you cool knives every few weeks. ;)

Seriously, I can't add to the advice given. Knives in the 17"-18" and 26-28 oz. range seem to offer the best combination of portability and power for chopping. I don't think in that size range you can really make a bad choice, whether it be BGRS, WWII, or AK.

Good luck, welcome to the Cantina, and let us know if you have any other questions.

Regards,

Norm
 
Another vote for the 15"-17" Ganga Ram, villager if possible. If I had to choose, I'd rather have a 15" than a 17".

It won't chop as well as the larger models but it will chop better than anything that size or smaller, and if you're on your feet a lot you'll appreciate the size and weight.
 
Dave Rishar said:
Another vote for the 15"-17" Ganga Ram, villager if possible. If I had to choose, I'd rather have a 15" than a 17".

It won't chop as well as the larger models but it will chop better than anything that size or smaller, and if you're on your feet a lot you'll appreciate the size and weight.
Click to expand...

Dave, I swear I was going to edit my above post after I wrote it to mention the 15" BGRS villager but didn't want to add more into the mix for a new guy. I agree that those chop all out of proportion to their size, and at around 20 oz. are a delight to carry.

Good call! :thumbup:

Norm
 
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