Questions on AK bowies

Steely_Gunz

Steely_Gunz

Got the Khukuri fevah
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May 9, 2002
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Hey all,
Ok, I just found out that i over paid by 300+ bucks on my tuition this semester and Western Kentucky University sent me the check. So i've decided to treat myself to another Khuk or some other HI product. I'm still up in the air on which one i want but i'm really leaning toward an AK bowie. I've got a couple 15"ers and i would like to get a 25" kobra or siru but i'm going to wait until this summer when i have a place that is not a crackerbox (don't want to pay for any large khuk related holes in the walls). That said, my next choice would be the bowie. I've read a lot of threads on them but i'd like to hear some fresh stuff from some of you guys that have them or have handled them. I was thinking this might be my new biking knife. My dad and i are taking the Harleys on a trip and i think that the AK bowie would make a good knife to take to handle the light camp chores as well as being a good length to pack in the saddle bag, yet could handle all the abuse i could give it. My dad has also taken a real shine to my 15" AK and i think that if i might pass it to him. Plus thats one mean lookin blade on the bowie. i don't think anybody would mess with my HOG if they saw that monster strapped to my hip :D. Any info would be great. Thanks fellas!

Jake
 
Hey I like my AK Bowie. Just got it the other day. Was a deal of the day. Kinda rusty. After cleaning up the rust the knife will probably wind up being one of my favorites!
Anyway, it could handle more than just the light camp chores. This is one beefy knife. Cold Steel puts out a video showing their knives "stabbed" through car hoods and such. This knife could go through alot more than mere car hoods! Good size too! Get one for your trips. You wont have any regrets.
 
Thanx Hoghead

I actually own several of CS's products. they were my knife of choice before i found HI:) I own a trailmaster and love the knife, but it lacks the soul that a man needs when it's just him and his bike on the open road. I need something that will do everything i ask of it. Plus the handle is ripping off my Trailmaster and the sheath is horrible. Thanx for the info! i'll probably be contacting Uncle Bill in the next day or so.

Jake
 
I cut through a 5/16" carriage bolt with mine, the very first one in the current style that I designed and made the wood model for by the way:), and the edge rolled just a little.
A few minutes with the chakma I had in my pocket and the AK Bowie was back to razor sharp!!!!
The cutting was done in a vise, both sides of the cut was almost mirror smooth.:)

I don't like it as well as a khuk for chopping, but it will serve as an all around heavy camp knife very well.
Take along something thin to slice the bacon with. That is if your really camping and using slab bacon instead of the lazy woman stuff.:rolleyes: :p ;)
 
Ysva,
I'm so glad you could comment on the bowie. I know you had quite a hand to play in getting the design off the ground. It was quite an interesting process. i read all the threads about it! Shows you how much of an impatient whippersnapper I am, I don't let the thread continue for more than 4 hours and i already e-mailed Uncle Bill about getting one! If any one else any info i'd be glad to hear it!

Thanx
jake
 
Yvsa--wow! I'd havta put a more obtuse bevel on mine before trying that.

Also recently became the second owner of an AK bowie, and wow! This thing is thicker than my 18" Sher AK, almost as thick as my YCS. The balance is more neutral, making it feel like a fighting knife. The distal taper goes both towards the handle an the tip, with the thickest part at the base of the blade.

I wondered if Yvsa had anything to do with this design, because the fullering is veery similar to the fullering on the YCS. I like fullers.

Definitely handles different than the Khuks, and is more in line for thrusting, and has a really strong tip.

If the Hi Seaxes come to fruition and turn out anything like this, they'll be sweet.

My AK Bowie seems to whisper "Etch Me". Also, the unsharp squarish part of the blade just call out for mods, like some decorative hole patterns or a second cho, or perhaps a bevel to match the spine bevel.

After getting the AK bowie, I realized this is as small and compact as I'd get when dealing with fixed blade choppers like Khuks and such. It can do medium and large task cutting and chopping.

I'm just smitten with my Sanu AK Bowie. I recommend it to anyone who needs:
A butcher knife
A hatchet
An intimidating situational deterrent
A balanced and sturdy fighting knife
An excuse to own another stunning HI product.

I thought of making it the center knife in a "Trousse," which is a special hunting, gutting, and butchering set. Comes with one sturdy chopping/skinning knife that has chopping power and a deep belly, a few smaller bird knives, and often a fork or skewer set.

Keith
 
very interesting....and very persuasive...
 
You're missing the AK bowie in yer' khuk comparison. :(

I might get one eventually to use as a "tough guy" cleaver in the kitchen. :)
 
Thanks for the Info Keith!
I've already made the deal with Uncle Bill and the bowie should be on its way shortly. From what you said it looks like have the perfect knife for what i'm looking for. I'm already climbing the walls and finding every pic i can on past threads to tide me over until it gets here. I'm with Bruise on using it as a kick a$$ meat cleaver in the kitchen. My fiance' broke the blade from the tang on our thin cheapo chinese made cleaver the other day on some frozen chicken. Told her not to do it, but she did anyway. Not even married yet and i'm already learning the lessons;)

Jake
 
The blade to handle junction point is almost as thick as on that 30"AK (15" sirupati to some). With the push on "tactical knives" like the Busses and Striders, this AK Bowie should be a top seller. Just about any khuk for that matter. Hear the Seals and other Spec Ops like them.
 
Are all AK bowies about 7/8" thick and about 2 pounds? For the kitchen one would be lookin' fer something a little thinner.

Or would this be a special order. It's hard to find a good carbon steel cleaver these days. :( All I see are those one piece stainless steel pieces made in China.
 
Bruise, if you seriously need a good kitchen cleaver a 12" AK is near perfect for that work. I've got one by Sher and it's a little work horse.:D

Sarge
 
Originally posted by Sylvrfalcn
Bruise, if you seriously need a good kitchen cleaver a 12" AK is near perfect for that work. I've got one by Sher and it's a little work horse.:D

Sarge
Click to expand...

The 12" AK probably won't make me feel like a tough guy. :rolleyes:
 
"The 12" AK probably won't make me feel like a tough guy. "

Have you considered a Tarwar?;)

Speaking of kitchens, what do get as a result of an explosion in a French Kitchen?










Linoleum Blown-Apart:D

Sarge
 
Bruise--most of the khuks coming out of Bir Ghorka these days seem to have a flat grind instead of convex (mind does), it will do chopping an slicing much like a heavier cleaver, or large chef knife. Also, the nice wide transition (belly) from tip to primary cutting edge is kinda 'ulu' like if you choke up on the handle and put thimb and two fingers on the spine.

I'm ginn aoutfit mine with a composite edge. That is, I'll leave the flat grind out towards the belly, but I'll put a convex grind (or sablre grind, if I'm feeling lazy) on the primary cuttinng area and the very tip. This can be a tricky edge to set up, but the maintenance isn't any more difficult than the full convex grind.

Keith
 
Thanks for all the advice. The 12" AK and kumar karda probably good for most kitchen tasks. I figure preparing certain ethnic dishes requires the use of huge chopping blades.

I should make a knife block for the 12" AK, Kumar Karda and AK Bowie. It'll be the world's first tactical kitchen set. :)
 
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