Open survey for a heavy-duty, 1-handed khukuri

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Lt. Dan

Joined
Aug 6, 2000
Messages
539
Forumites, I need some help deciding which khukuri will best fill a nitch, so feel free to let it all hang out!
Right now, I only have 2 "working knives": WW2 and Mini-Jungle. There is a glaring void here---the lack of a serious chopper. I would like it to be unbreakable, use it comfortably with one hand, and get the max chop w/each swing. Big is very good, but I don't want my eyes to be bigger than my stomach here.
What is everybody's favorite? I'm of average size (175#,6'). Thanks, everyone!
 
Thanks, Jaeger. The weight of the 18" AK looks to be the ultimate 1-hander. But I wonder if the handle construction is up to all kind of abuse to come. Yes, I will include prying & standing/bouncing on the handle!

While the 18" Panawal looks to be the toughest, it might be too heavy, but is it really? The GH info implies it's more of a 2-hander, and I trust Craig's judgement, but I've never used one. The 16" Panawal is too close to my WW2 in size to be as different as I want.

You guys who use 'em: What do you have to say??
 
I really like the 20" Ang Khola that I've got, it's good two handed and one handed.
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Hi Lt Dan.
Why a khurkuri? I have an English agricultural tool know as a 'billhook' in my collection, cost about £2 ($3.40ish), very effective either one or two handed. In medieval times, and later, it could be adapted to fit to an ash pole and made a highly efficient antipersonel weapon (the pike). Not a pretty thing, also lacking in the essential romantic stuff... still, I'm open to offers! The last time this kind of tool was adapted for use as a weapon was in the 1940's in Britain, when the possibilities of invasion was strong and the war machine hadn't geared up. The auxiliary forces were armed with shotguns, swords and pikes. Comments please from those who wonder why the UK has slipped from being the second most powerful nation in the world to an obnoxiously beligerent annex of the EU...
Yours in international relations,
David
 
Sorry for not being attentive to the thread. The bunch of us hit the beach this week, and I was computerless for a 5 days. Despite the great weather, I'm glad to be home to find more good material on my forum of choice.

CD: My, what excellent taste you have in the khukuris in the picture. There is one for 'most every occasion: work (20" AK), play (Gangawal), and when company comes a callin' (Cheetlang). By all means, do tell all about each & every one! If it's not obvious, I want one of each. A Cheetlang is on order, but just when I think my khukuris are in a row, you go and remind me in 1,000 words how much I like the others.
Well, this thread was supposed to be about a quest for the best heavy-duty chopper that one hand can handle. So, is the 20" AK more of a two-hander? I also wonder about handle strength when prying, and anything else you can tell me about it.

David: Thanks for the billhook hx lesson. I've seen a few movies that used them, and they seem to be just the thing to cut something you don't want to touch with a 10-foot pole! Right now, I'm trying to get a few khukuris together for specific uses, all the while being in near-perfect denial that a "collection" even exists or is growing to the point of speaking for itself someday.
Did you get a rosewood Cheetlang? What a thing of beauty. I almost jumped on one myself, but I may have decided to draw the line too soon. I can't have everything, and
Craig is good about getting in unusual and tasteful khukuris. I don't want to be tapped out completely when he gets something unexpected that I want more than what I just bought with the tail-end of the khukuri fund. (Please excuse the poor grammar. I'm not sure what it is that I speak, but it's NOT real English, that's for sure.)
As for why the UK has slipped to where it is, I don't pretend to completely understand it. A similar thing is trying to happen here. Some of those pushing the agenda are just trying to be good folks and don't see the unintended consequences. The others seem to think they know best, want to call all the shots, and see themselves as above things like telling the truth to get their way. This election in the US is during a very important time. Your thought about the UK and the EU speaks volumes. You also know how to pick a khukuri. GH is right on the money.
 
The current choice: 18" AK w/ROSEWOOD HANDLE, 2# 2oz. The weight is there, but not too much for long chopping sessions(?). While wood isn't the universal choice, my hands like it best for the long haul. (arguements are welcome)

Craig, do you ever get any of these in R-wood? (even tho' the std model is horn)

My final ?? is about handle strength: Will the average guy ever break an AK, or is the Panawal really best for abuse?

Thanks to all, Dan
 
You won't have to worry about breaking your AK, PERIOD. The AKs are among the toughest khukuris out there.

Bob
 
18 inch Ang Khola.It will do everything the 20 inch will except tire you out as quickly. These brutes are bomb-proof. You just cannot bust 'em.



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"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
 
My first Him Imp was the 15 inch AK. I've used it for chopping a bunch of limbs off a dead "yewk" in the backyard. Hard, dry wood, but the AK handled it very effectively IMO. Also used it to split madrone for firewood downstairs in the family room, whacking the spine with another piece when needed. THAT went over real well with the wife.
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Also faked cutting off my finger with it one night in front of her. Jeez..I thought that was really funny.
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My statement re the 18 incher was based solely on extrapolation. I have not used this on as of yet-just bought it from Uncle Bill in early summer. It will surely see hard use this winter though......

AL

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"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
 
Hi there Lt Dan.
Yes, I was one of the lucky ones that got a rose-wood cheetlang. What a fine knife! Haven't had a chance to swing it properly yet. This khurkuri is so beautiful I even showed it to my wife, she is blown away by it. A true work of art, it now resides with my other collection, arty-farty glass objects. The reference to ye olde billhook was me exercising my sense of humour, but I have a few. If you want one, email me and we can work out postage costs (only Lt Dan gets a free one). I'm thinking of a 1945 brit military one, ugly, soft and mass made. Yet stunningly effective!
Cheers, David
 
Lt Dan! What can you mean? I never joke! Well, I suppose occasionally. Not this time though. Thinking about it however, I reckon it would cost a fortune to mail 3lb of steel and 1lb of english ash. Probably too much just to own an ugly agricultural tool, but my friend, it's up to you now...
David:
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David: Many thanks, but it's the thought (or maybe joke) that counts the most.

Craig: Do you ever get the 18" AK (2#, 2oz) with Rosewood handle?? This is the frontrunner.
 
Okay, fellow GH forumites, thanks a whole big bunch for your advice, both on and off the forum. The final decision is the 18" AK, 2# 2oz, w/Rosewood handle. Craig is being most gracious to special order it for me. Everybody's advice helped me learn something, even when another model was suggested.

Perhaps what I enjoy most about this forum is the spirit of acceptance all have of different opinions and the willingness to learn from others' ideas, all while not ducking the issues...very refreshing. Even though I don't think I can make this completely understood, y'all might know what I mean when I tell you that even my wife got a big laugh out of the GH forum tonight.

It starts at the top w/the moderators setting the tone. Thanks, guys.

Glad to serve,

Lt. Dan
 
This thread was very informative because I was wondering the same thing as Lt. Dan - which knife to get that's indestructable, etc. Thanks, Dan and everyone else.
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I also think I answered my own question regarding if GH knives are as good as HI knives. I guess they are, judging by what you guys have experienced.
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Warthog
 
Just a different maker Warthog, that is all. The question "as good" is abstract. I've got khurkuri's from both guys. All beautiful, all functional. Why don't you have a look at the Afghani, and try to get one? *Try* becausey the have already gone, I guess...
David
 
I'm ordering my first GH tomorrow. I'll let you guys know how I like it when it comes.

Warthog
 
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