Please Help Me Choose a First Khukuri

Maniacal Pete

Maniacal Pete

Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
5,902
Hi Khukuri fans,

Looking for recommendations on a khukuri.

It will be used to pack with me hiking and generally used for everything a big knife like that might be used for (including self defense training).

I like HI's Chiruwa design.

I'm 6'3", 210 lbs, pretty athletic (hiking, kung fu).

My criteria are that it hopefully strike some sort of balance between strength, agility, weight and obviously visual /tactile appeal.

I've been thinking about a 15" ASTK, I like the look of the larger one that I've been seeing around here. I've also been looking at the CAK.

I haven't seen any pictures of the smaller ASTK, I could probably be talked into getting the larger one.

What is the alternative to "villager" fit and finish?

Are the ASTK's hard to come by?

Any other thoughts or recommendations?

TIA,

pete
 
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I think you won't be disappointed with an 18", wood-handled CAK or ASTK.

Good Luck!
Ted
 
Hi Pete,

At 6 '3" ,210pound you are pretty well-built but you want a tactical swift type.

I would say 15" is too short for you. 18-20" makes more sense.

I'm 5' 9" 150pound and already feel 18-19" is my best range.

Having 18" ASTK and Gelbu model i feel you you should get a 21" Chitlangi.

My criteria are that it hopefully strike some sort of balance between strength, agility, weight and obviously visual /tactile appeal.
Click to expand...
It fulfills every single aspect of yours. Leave the prying for pry bar.
Double-fulllered, agile, heavy enough to be a light chopper and visually, so striking you want to think twice about using it. So a villager one will make sense.
The large pommel of Chitty will prevent your over-swinging.
If you really want it strong enough ask Auntie Yangdu for a chiruwa handled one.
This is a pic from Wolf_1989's.
HPIM0865.jpg


You seemed to caught on the virus of General Singh. Welcome to the club!
This was a 15" i saw last year.
15inch30oz.jpg


Here's mine:
CopyofIMG_4649-1.jpg
 
Pete,

I think the most important word in your description is "hiking." This means belt or pack carry.

Since you did not include longer term camps and the larger associated chores that entails, absolutely none of the big choppers or big fighting Sirupate type blades are required and, in fact they will be a huge liability in terms of weight and clumbsyness on the trail. They would also serve absolutley zero purpose. Remember that the smallest kukri is still larger than the biggest knife most people will ever carry, especially hiking.

I would recommend a BAS or the 12 inch Ang Kola. My first choice would be the BAS. I would ask for one as close to the "standard" size as possible, meaning the lightest one they have. The BSA can do anything my much bigger Bonecutter can do with just a few extra strokes but is much lighter, much shorter and does smaller jobs much better. By the way, the smaller jobs consist of 90-95% of the real work you would encounter hiking so it is a huge consideration to carry a much bigger, longer, heavier blade for 5-10% of the workload....

The BSA is also light and nimble and, while it doesn't have the reach of the Sirupate types it will serve in a self defence role very well. But, if you plan on hiking to Narnia to sword fight the evil king then you may want to opt for one of the bigger longer blades but, if you plan to stay in our universe and don't plan on fighting any ninjas on the trail, a BAS will serve you well.

I would also consider making/buying a different sheath to go with the BAS if you plan to hike. The sheath should have the ability to be worn high and low on the belt, have a D-ring for a dangler and have two other D-rings for a Baldric carry. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765174&page=3. This gives you options to mix and match other gear you may or may not be carrying. These D-rings and belt loops will also serve as a means to attach it to a pack if you decide to carry it that way.

A thigh carry rig will also work with a BAS sized blade, especially if you are tall. I have one of these coming soon for my Recon Scout and if I like it, I am going to have one made for my BAS. This is probably a better idea than going with the leather sheaths (even though I personally like the leather better) because the kydex doesn't hold water, drains well and lasts forever. Since these blades are carbon steel and will rust, this is a very real consideration.
http://www.survivalsheath.com/sheaths/index.htm
http://www.redhillsheaths.com/thighstrap.html

I love other models, some much more than my BAS but, for "real" hiking and carry they are far too much blade to lug around. The question that always comes mind is, "for what?"

Good luck on your search,
Bill
Virginia
 
For general hiking my Bahadur is absolutely perfect. (on the right) If I'm planning on a lot of chopping, the CAK is perfect. (on the left)

cak-bahadur.jpg


The Bahadur is heavy enough to do some light chopping and general hiking-related chores.
 
Welcome Maniacal Pete.
I have an ASTK in the 18" size. An ASTK is a mean chiruwa style chopper & heavy too. Its more heavy than my 25" Sirupati, but it is a beautiful tool. How much chopping do you plan on doing while hiking? I feel you probably need something a little lighter for hiking. Either 1 of the Khukuris our fellow forumites above mentioned above would suit your purpose well. I also agree that a 15" oal will be too short. For hiking I recommend something more nimble like a Chitalangi or Gelbu Special for cutting brush along your trail, yet still strong enuff for light chopping
 
These are my 3 favorites, but I don't have an ASTK. The next 2 blades on my list are the ASTK and Bahadur in an 18" 30-34oz configuration. Might be willing to go 28oz on the Bahadur.

YCS, CAK, M43 all 18"
 
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shortwinger said:
Pete,

I would recommend a BAS or the 12 inch Ang Kola. The BSA is also light and nimble and, while it doesn't have the reach of the Sirupate types it will serve in a self defence role very well.

Bill
Virginia
Click to expand...

Thanks, I think that's great advice. I also think an alternate sheath is a great idea. It appears, like many things with knives, it is going to take two. Right now, I'm thinking BAS and 18" ASTK. There is an ASTK listed, I think I'll ask about it...

pete
 
shortwinger said:
Since you did not include longer term camps and the larger associated chores that entails, absolutely none of the big choppers or big fighting Sirupate type blades are required and, in fact they will be a huge liability in terms of weight and clumbsyness on the trail. They would also serve absolutley zero purpose. Remember that the smallest kukri is still larger than the biggest knife most people will ever carry, especially hiking.
Click to expand...



Wise words here. Unless you mostly car camp, I think you're going to have a really hard time justifying a 30-45oz 18" 1/2" thick chiruwa beast adding more weight to your hips, after the first couple of trips.


I'd also try getting the notion that you need the full "chiruwa" tang out of your head, as it really doesn't apply to these guys like they do to other fixed blade knives you see floating around here on BF, and there are some compelling arguments against them in regards to chopping ability vs weight.

If it were me, I'd suggest getting the lightest one you can find in whatever you think your ideal size range may be, from the list of "Field Use" khuks as covered by the warranty. Honestly, if the model is in that list, it's near indestructible, unless the particular khuk has an issue.


I used to carry an old ~15.5" shop 1 AK with me that weighs 23oz, whenever i could perceive a use to justify it (I'm a dedicated ULer, so I don't believe in bringing the kitchen sink JIC), but it was hard, and I definitely noticed the weight. Recently I found a Bura BAS, that weighs 18oz (15" OAL but actually 1/2" longer blade length than the AK), which is much easier to justify, and I've already batoned it through a 8"+ diameter seasoned oak log, which believe me, wasn't easy.


In comparison, I've taken down a few 12-14" frozen oaks (standing) this winter with the 18" M-43, which is itself a very lean one at only 32oz.

So, unless you see yourself taking down large trees that you'd normally need a large Axe for while you're on the trail, stick with something more reasonable. Which btw, if you're out there chopping down trees on the trial, there's a good chance you're breaking the law, and worse, destroying native habitats and generally being pointlessly destructive. ;)
 
Good advice, I think I need to go light for a pack model - I day hike a lot, typically 8-10 miles round trip,
and I know what you mean about carrying unneeded weight.
My knees prefer I keep it down around 25 lbs total.
What is the "list of field use kuks?"

I still would also like to get a large one for playing kung fu.
To tell the truth, I don't do much chopping on trees, if at all...
My typical hiking knife is a small fixed blade or large folder that I use to cut up my apple for lunch,
I also like to carry a survival knife in case something bad happens and I have to spend the night.
That hasn't happened yet.
pete
 
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Plus one for the Bahadur, I'll throw the Tamang, Jungle Knife and Annapurna in there as well. I own all of them. All are great and practical for all purposes mentioned, though I believe the Bahadur wins for ergonomics.
 
The following models are warranted for "Field Use" and are warranted against breakage during "normal use". They are NOT warranted against MISUSE or ABUSE (intentional or otherwise) as determined by/at the discretion of Himalayan Imports, Its owners and/or staff.

1) Chiruwa Ang Khola (the only khukuri warranted for use as prybar)
2) Ang Khola
3) British Army Sevice
4) World War II
5) M-43
6) Ganga Ram Special
7) Bonecutter
8) Pen Knife
9) Ang Khola Bowie
10) Amar Singh Thapa Khukuri


Of these, I think the BAS is going to be the lightest option.



The Tamang would be a great light field use choice, and I've seen them in the 13oz range with much longer lengths than you'd expect, although these aren't warranted for field use, technically. Unfortunately, afaik the Kami that was making these is MIA at the moment. I was waiting for a replacement for one that I had previously with some issues, and had to take something else in exchange.


If I were you, I'd consider calling Yangdu and asking her to send you the lightest 16" BAS she had on hand. Or 18" if you want something longer. That way, if you don't find yourself "justifying the weight" for hikes, you can always cut down some trees without having to worry about it, and it's still lean enough to be useful in the "martial" sense, unlike the heavier duty choppers like the ASTK and the CAK.
 
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