Opinions. WWII , M43 & British Army Service.

W

WarDawg

Joined
Apr 24, 2003
Messages
35
guys HI has more nice blades and styles than I can pick from. I have a very nice AK 15 or 16" . But I would like another one. I want one for hicking and camping. Limb chopping and defense, critters or two legs..... I always wanted to get a BAS... But the WWII and M43 seem close anough also. What are the real differances to htese fine blades? TIA WarDawg
 
WarDawg said:
guys HI has more nice blades and styles than I can pick from. I have a very nice AK 15 or 16" . But I would like another one. I want one for hicking and camping. Limb chopping and defense, critters or two legs..... I always wanted to get a BAS... But the WWII and M43 seem close anough also. What are the real differances to htese fine blades? TIA WarDawg
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Welcome to the Psycho Ward/Cantina WarDawg.

I've never had a BAS or WW II from HI but from what I understand the BAS is a light version of the WW II and limited as to what it can do.
The WW II is popular in both sizes with Rusty being the champion of the 16-1/2" model.
Personally between all of them I prefer the M-43 as I prefer the fully curved khuks.
To me they work better than the angled khuks and also look more like what I think a khukuri should look like.
Another thing is that the habaki bolster and cho creep are either non-existent or almost on the M-43.
 
The M43 will probably, depending upon weight, out chop the 18" WWll. For what you've described, though, I think the 18" WWll is the one.

A 16.5" WWll would seem too close to the 15" AK you already have.

The WWll will outchop a 15" AK.

MHO.


munk
 
If you already have the 15" AK, I'd go for the 18" WWII or the M43 over the BAS. You might also want to consider an 18" AK.
 
WarDawg said:
hicking ... camping. ... Limb chopping ... defense, critters or two leg
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You want a chitlangi
you need a chitlangi
your eyelids are getting heavy
you are..............

ummmmm............

heavy chopper 18" range
M43 good, likewise bgrs & AK
unfamilier with WWII
A DuiChirra/TinChirra in this range would be nice

BAS both too light & too heavy,
too middle of the road for me

general purpose chitlangi 18"+
maybe up to the 21"
(the one I've exercised most is 19")
these are dui chirra --two fullers

maybe 18-19" sirupati or chainpuri

15-16"ish sirupati or kobra would pair well with 15"AK

think about your carry options / intent

~
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cognitivefun said:
uh oh, now there will be yet more *must haves* feeding the HIKV ;)
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I agree with the * must have * theory's... It very hard for me to choose. I have spent several hours going through the makes and models. I have the Very nice AK 16" and have only handled it,Never swung her in anger or work use. But I would like to have one that I will use. Hikeing and defense . I will reread your post and go through the selection process AGAIN.. I like the acient look to the sirupati or chainpuri and have given them much thought also. I would most likely strap this to my back pack while puting miles on the trails and pull her when that limd need wacked or the sixth sense kicks in and the hairs on my necks stand up and says "Danger".... I have to say .I hate to not know what I want to get. There all very nice. Wardawg
 
So do something different. Get an 18" Sirupati or a 14" BDC or a 12" AK or Dhankuta.

But there are several here who agree with me that when you don't know WHAT you will be needing, grabbing a 16.5" WW2 by Bura is the most comforting calmer-downer. If you can do it with a khuk it can be done with the 16.5" WW2. But it is close to your 15" AK. The 15" BAS has always been the one I give away - just isn't anything it can do that something else can't do better. IMHO.

Wait a bit and something will call to you, that you have to have it.
 
Bill Martino said:
To each his own but I'd opt for an 18" WWII.
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I do thank all of you for the responces. Good folks here. Bill or anyone else, whats the difference between the M43 18" and the WWII 18" . I mean the choice between the two? Im trying to narrow it down... I have studied the two at HI website and it's hard for my untrained eye to come up with a solution. Terrible isn't it. Some very good input from yall , Thanks, WarDawg
 
I like the curve of the M43, but at least the one I have it is not as comfortable to chop with as some of my others. Generally I like curved blades better, and I like the shorter handle on the M43, but at least with the one I have it makes your hand tired quicker.

I like the BAS but it's not my favorite.

I have never owned a WW2 but have handled one and it has the weight distribution more like a Ganga Ram, light but forward heavy.

If you don't have a Ganga Ram get one of those. If not WW2. (my opinion)
 
hollowdweller said:
If you don't have a Ganga Ram get one of those. (my opinion)
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I'll second that opinion in a heartbeat.

The 17", 25 oz. VBGRS (Villager Baby Ganga Ram Special) has become my fave... this week.

Not an AK, but she can chop. Just right size/weight combo. Not an M-43, but possibly the best defender. Too heavy = not fast = d'oh!. This khuk really has a number of combinations going on that make it (IMO) best all around over even WWII. My WWII reminds me of a sirupati- just not enough behind it. M-43, AK, too much behind it to use quickly in defense.

It's the one to reach for if you just-need-a-khukuri. Being a Villager makes it even better- rust, dings, scratches are life experiences. Also it's just classic khukuri-looking... beautiful, to me.

YMMV. Opinions are my own, expressed free at my risk. :footinmou

But the BGRS really is a helova khukuri.


Ad Astra
 
This week (as AA says), my favorite is a wood-handled, 16.5" WWII. Probably the ugliest blade I have, from a forging point of view: blade is seriously twisted. But, figuring I couldn't ruin it, I added a couple rings to the handle, put 15 coats of Tru-Oil (ala Steve Ferguson) on it. It was the first I tried to sharpen with the belt sander.

Well, it's razor sharp, with a BEAUTIFUL handle, and chops best of all of my small khuks.

So, if you can score a villager 16.5" WWII, I don't think you can go wrong.
 
Face it - it's like trying to decide if a blue-eyed blonde; a brown-eyed brunette; a green-eyed redhead or a raven tressed beauty turns you on the most. The answer is, of course, all of them.
 
Rusty said:
Face it - it's like trying to decide if a blue-eyed blonde; a brown-eyed brunette; a green-eyed redhead or a raven tressed beauty turns you on the most. The answer is, of course, all of them.
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my wife doesn't like that approach -- either with women or with khukris

:(

:)
 
I am going to go on record this time.

If you have to buy two khukuris, and you DO have to buy two khukuris, get one for heavy work and one for everything else.

17 to 25 inches is optimal for either one.

Heavy work - Ganga Ram
Everything else - Gelbu Special

Wood handles are probably the most popular, but horn is good stuff too.
 
Ad Astra said:
I'll second that opinion in a heartbeat.

The 17", 25 oz. VBGRS (Villager Baby Ganga Ram Special) has become my fave... this week.

Just right size/weight combo. Not an M-43, but possibly the best defender. Too heavy = not fast = d'oh!. This khuk really has a number of combinations going on that make it (IMO) best all around Ad Astra
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Great way of putting it! Mine is 17" and 23 ozs. I have an 18" close to 2 lb version, that really chops well, but the weight/size thing you mention comes into play. The heavier will chop deeper on each chop, but is not as good for machete work, so unless if I am chopping something larger than 6" the 17" 23" version is best, and most of the stuff I chop in the woods is 6" or less.
 
I have a shop 1 16.5" WW II. It is my favorite knife. Opinions follow:

Smallest kukuri that feels like a REAL knife: 14" BDC;
Light and fast, but still able to chop okay: 18" Chitlangi;
My pick for "do everything" big outdoor knife: 16.5" WW II.

Have fun,

John
 
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