Out of the shadows!

T

Tommyd345

Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Messages
60
Hi all,

So after many months lurking in the background Iv signed up and now a member here :)

I'll be honest, I'm only here because of this HI section! Now the amount of research Iv done into HI kukris is crazy, many a late night googling! However I have never unfortunately held one in my hands! (Hopefully that will change!)

So I already own a kukri, I got second Hand off British blades. It's a kukri house one I believe, it needed some gorilla glue to get the pommel to stop rattling! Anyway, using this has inspired me into kuks.
Now the design is very similar to the WWII HI model. At a guess it's about 12-15". Now Iv read all the stickies and FAQs so I know the WWII model is recommended for first timers, but owning a kukri, I already have an idea what they can do!
I can't help but to feel drawn to the AKs. I'm a big guy, quite strong, big hands! And they look pretty beasty with an elegant beauty.
Now this is where I'm hoping you all can help me out! What's the ang kholas like? I like the appeal of the chiruwa AK because its covered as use as a pry bar!! I do a lot of wood work, chopping splitting ect so the AK looks perfect for th pe job. Would I be considered mad if I wanted it to withstand a zombie apocalypse? With the craftsmanship I'm sure all these kukris would easily withstand a horde!

Anyway I didn't realise how much Iv waffled so to summarise.
I want an HI
What are the ang kholas like?

Ooo also handle wise, my current has a horn handle, but I find it has sharp corners that dig into my hand, I use gloves if I use it for anything more than 2 mins!
Would an ant khola be a good zombie survival tool (don't take that one too seriously ;) )



Thanks in advance!
 
I expect this one will move to the Cantina shortly.

The Ang Kolas are quite nice and a real crowd pleaser. Super heavy duty get r dun khuks.

As you stated perfect for wood work, chopping, splitting, prying open car doors, (well skip that last one although it could do it).

I'm no expert on zombie survival, I reckon if it takes a good heavy blade that might not swing quite as nice as a lighter one it would be fine.

You just need to work on them corners with a file and sandpaper to solve that hand digging thing. Horn or wood, don't matter.

You size and condition of course dictate what weight and length would work for you. Many find the 15 to 18 or so just about right. For lighter chores the 12 to 15 range gets the nod.

Now if your a big ole boy, you can up that a bit, or if your a little bitty fella like me, stick with the 18 and under.
 
Apologies for putting this in the wrong place!

Is there much difference between the regular ang kholas and the chiruwa AK, apart from being full tang?
 
I am also fairly new, but have been spending the late nights staring at pics of khuks and reading reviews as well, so we share that...
Once I received my chiruwa ang khola, I went straight out and started going to town on some of the cedars (ashe junipers) on my property in the Texas hill country. I was also impressed with the claims I had read about it, so I chopped, sliced, banged, and pried with it just to see how it did. The claims are true and the CAK is a beast! I had already cleared out the zombie horde the day before, but I'm sure they will be back like they always are, and when they come, I will try the CAK out on them and post a review.

The wooden handle with the ring around it took a little getting used to, but I found that I didn't feel safe wearing gloves. It felt too slippy, so I took off my right glove and held the poky stuff with my left gloved hand. Barehanded felt like I had better control of the khuk.

From what I have gleaned reading this forum, you might as well just get it and use it, because you will be getting another one soon after (I did!) and you can try and use them all. Apparently they are like potato chips...
 
I never felt good swinging a khuk with gloves. I wear a glove on my left hand to protect it from the wood and mostly the business end of the khuk.

Takes a little practice to swing one properly. It's kind of a loose grip through the swing and only tightening up a bit at the strike. Not sure thats a good description. Many file the ring off but I think often times they were using an improper grip.

Other than being full tang the CAK and the AK are about the same. Both are tough and many prefer the AK, only wood on the hand, less cold, some maintain there's less jolt at impact. Could be. I have both and love both, really no preference.
 
The sharp corners problem usually occurs when the handle is too small for your hand. Nepalese hands are generally smaller than western hands. One of the great selling points of HI blades is that the handles are generally sized larger than most Nepalese khukuris, to fit western hands.

As for that knife you have, get a file and knock off the offending corner so you can use it.
 
Taking into consideration your comments.

The AK or CAK would be great for your needs. Probably an 18" in either would be a good match to your size, strength, etc...

I have both the CAK and AK, and my preference is the AK, they both do the same work, and I just find the CAK overkill, but I am glad that I do have one, because that is one beast that'll be here forever.

You'll enjoy and be glad you got either one with no regrets, other than you'll wish you got both :D:)
 
Welcome to the HI Forum. Up front, do understand I am loud, obnoxious, crude and just a teensy bit opinionated. I'd like to suggest you also consider an M-43. The handle grip is large, roomy, and overly generous as a place to clasp your hand. No large flared wooden ring to irritate your palm. The M-43 also is known for being a bad hombre (that rhymes with zombie, don't it?) that can slice car bodies. You can even learn to throw them fairly well. Of my collection of khuks, I dearly love my curved spine, but were I allowed only 1 large khuk, M-43 would have be the only choice for me. Just my two centavos.
 
Bookie makes a good point, the M43 in an 18" length is awesome. I have one of those, and they are super choppers, not to mention, real beauties.

I didn't make the suggestion, because you wanted comparisons of the AK to CAK.

Regardless, you are going to really enjoy whatever blade you decide on.
 
Well that's thrown a spanner in the works then eh! M43? I'll take a look. Potentially if you're all correct in me getting this kukri bug Iv seen going around, chances are I'll end up with both!
So the what's the M43 designed to do? Because I know they all have a purpose?

By the way, with the claims of HI kuks cutting up a car, is there a video of that? Or pics? Iv tried looking around but can't find it :D
 
I would say that since it is "military", it's main purpose in development was as an offensive/defensive weapon that blended it'self with a heavy duty working tool. In other words, an all-around work horse.....like maybe a Nepali one bladed "Swiss Army Knife"?
 
Tommyd345 said:
By the way, with the claims of HI kuks cutting up a car, is there a video of that? Or pics? Iv tried looking around but can't find it :D
Click to expand...

I do not believe HI ever made a claim of "cutting" up cars. I think maybe others have tried, but most in this forum, are too well disciplined to try something so outrageous. I know of some LEOs that have inquired on this forum whether a CAK could be used to pry open a car door in an emergency situation. If I remember right, no one had first hand knowledge of such a use, but many commented that the CAK is warranted as a prybar, so if the need should ever arise, the CAK would be the one to use.
 
I have no doubt whatsoever an AK could cut through some of todays sheet metal cars. Might cause you some grief if you hit a window motor or some structural stuff or maybe even an airbag:D Pretty sure you could peel open some sheet metal though.
 
That's certainly impressive! Ok chaps, I think I'll do a small purge of some bits and bobs around the house and go for the CAK first. Then I'll look into the m43 :) thanks all for your help! :)

By the way, on some of the kukris handles, there's a ring in the middle, what's it for? Is it an ingenious way of holding onto it? To aid grip? Or just traditional? :)
 
My m43 is 18 1/2" and almost 7/16" thick- it's a beast. Think it's a Sher tiger, but not sure. Kami mark looks like that half rising sun, but it's that period where the kami marks were dots.

It tears through wood.
 
AlinCT said:
My m43 is 18 1/2" and almost 7/16" thick- it's a beast. Think it's a Sher tiger, but not sure. Kami mark looks like that half rising sun, but it's that period where the kami marks were dots.

It tears through wood.
Click to expand...

That would be Sher, Kumar's brother
 
Tommyd345 said:
By the way, on some of the kukris handles, there's a ring in the middle, what's it for? Is it an ingenious way of holding onto it? To aid grip? Or just traditional? :)
Click to expand...

The ring is traditional on the handle, and it is very functional. You do not hold onto the handle, like a traditional knife. When chopping, you hold the knife loosely in your hand, basically you hold with your pointer/middle finger and thumb, swing the blade, and sort of tighten up on the grip at the end of the swing before impact. You let the blade, and gravity do the work, not your arm. The ring keeps the handle securely in your grip, it's actually quite ingenious.
 
Yes, Virginia, there is one member of this forum who has opened up a 55 gal. drum and removed a 1966 Chevrolet farm truck door with a certain HI M-43. I don't know about anyone talking about this or doing it before, though. I needed a piece of metal to make gun parts. It works just fine and I still have a big chunk of the door panel in the basement shop. Nice silver paint job, it was.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top