reality check...

T

tikkidaddy

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Jan 1, 2012
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ill soon purchase a 22 in chirwa ang kola to use in place of an axe/chainsaw--etc 4 local pines which have a fondness 4 trying 2 "mate" w/ my fence in the backyard. I am physically unable 2 use the other tools: No one in neighborhood to help and I have CP. Im thinking of an old unrusted screwdriver as the chakma and a bilton or pen knife as a belt knife--karda etc. I want to make a kydex sheath 4 this trio. This big boy will be used in short spurts to replace an axe, not carried as usual.

I REALIZE THIS ISNT AN EVERYDAY KHUK: any suggestions?
 
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Why are you physically unable to use an axe but not a 22" AK?

Is CP cerebal palsy? If you are having dificulty with depth perception or motor control a khukuri can be as much or more dangerous than an axe or chainsaw.
 
@ Howard

Using the khukuris weight one can just sort of tip it off the shoulder and steer it towards the target. I'm guessing that's what OP is thinking of. Might be difficult for OP to weild an ax the same way.


@ tikkidaddy

Everything you suggest is definitely possible. HI don't make kydex sheats but that you can do yourself or use one of the many sheat makers around. However, I sort of doubt a "22 CAK with a Bilton or similar and something for chakma in a kydex sheat is very practical. You're talking about a 3-4lb setup and that's never gonna be belt carry. Perhaps some kind of shoulder strop/rig.

Mac
 
tikkidaddy said:
ill soon purchase a 22 in chirwa ang kola............................ I REALIZE THIS ISNT AN EVERYDAY KHUK: any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Buy an everyday kukri. (They are called "everyday" kukri because they work)

A 16.5" Bonecutter, 16-18" Ganga Ram, M43 will be more than enough do the job, especially on pine. All will go through pine like a hot knife through butter but they will be about 80% safer than a giant 22" CAK. Even if you wanted to go BIG, you can get a regular CAK and even that would be overkill. You will need large hands to handle a normal sized CAK. Not one in a hundred people that handle it take a normal sized CAK seriously, it is just too big to be practical. Now imagine one 6" bigger!?!

To re-state the obvious, if you are physically unable to use other tools such as an axe or hatchet then handling even a normal kukri will be as dangerous or possibly more dangerous because of the learning curve and getting use to the proper technique. If I had to choose I would go for something in between a full sized axe and a hatchet, something like a small forect axe or trappers axe or even a trappers tomahawk.

If somehow you feel this is still beyond your capabilities then get a hand saw which will allow you to start and stop at will, take breaks and you would hardly have to worry about the hand fatigue and dangerous over swing that 22" CAK will bring to the table.

Good luck!
 
From what I've seen around here, a 22" CAK would be a two-handed khuk for most. Cpl. Punishment loved his 20" CAK, but he was a giant of a man weighing some 320+ lbs IIRC. I agree with Howard on the danger and Bill on the choice. Khuks don't have to be big to be effective. I'm not saying not to get a giant khuk, most of use have so many of these things that usefulness/need went to the wayside years ago;) I would however choose a good normal sized khuk. To me, anything near 30 ounces is a heavy duty khuk with limited use. For example, a buddy picked up a 40ish ounce Bonecutter. It chops like a beast, but he quickly learned it it too tiresome for regular use. He actually came to the conclusion his 16.5" WWII chopped more efficiently and prefers to use it. He likes the BC for the CDI "chicks dig it" factor, but doesn't really use it. For a solid, easily handled chopper, I would look at the ASTKs being sold recently. Mine is 18", 29oz. and handles very well. Good luck.
 
Thanks guys:

The cerebral palsy affects the legs in my case. I have large arms...have been walking on them all my life & built a pair of crutches from SS pipe that are 2.5 times heavier than a standard aluminum crutch! Its like carrying 3 aluminum loftstrand/canadian style crutches on each arm(4 martial arts training and usage).

However, they have counterbalance kuffs on the forearm, designed 4 natural swinging/walking--an axe doesnt...and a chainsaw...well lets just say Im safer w/ a loaded 45-70 than in a car!!

I own and use a 18in ak regularly, but these consarnded pine trees here in upstate s.c. are the hardest pine ive ever seen in 46 yrs. of life.

I know this sounds stupid as ice undies in hades but my khuks and KLOs have an easier time w/oak.

This tree type has small pinecones--sweetgum--i donno--but its hard!! Not like a long leaf pine at all.

A larger khuk would be more effective than say my CS Riflemans on this type of wood...it mows up everything else.

A khuk is much easier 4 me to control than a full-size axe...all the weight on the axe at 1 end...all my knives are as sharp as is practical 4 purpose.

The big Khuk would be a "ok well u asked 4 it" deal...Id always go 4 the 18in ak 1st and give it a try.

Thats how I handle things like this...Drag out the big boy only when ya have to
 
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It sounds as if you have already devoted good thought to the tool in relation to your abilities. You also have experience to work from in guiding your choices. Please continue to keep safety in mind, as you already have. We don't need any more gruesome pictures of injuries.

As much as I enjoy my khukuri tools, I also own a couple of pruning saws, which come out at appropriate times.
 
tikkidaddy said:
.... The cerebral palsy affects the legs in my case. I have large arms...have been walking on them all my life & built a pair of crutches from SS pipe that are 2.5 times heavier than a standard aluminum crutch! (4 martial arts training and usage)....
Click to expand...

One thing to watch for is the handle girth on a 22" CAK. Some months ago I had to return one of the newer type Super CAKs, not so much because of the weight, but because I couldn't get a good grip on the super thick handle. If you have large hands as well as large arms, that probably won't be a problem. If you have average sized hands, make sure the 22" CAK doesn't have a proportionately thick handle.

-- Dave
 
Howard:

Thanks man 4 the safety reminder. Every time I frequent the HI FORUMS I always look at Uncles safety thread...nostalgic i guess.

I have a basic understanding of akido. That'll save some of your anatomy using a tool like a 22" CAK, believe it or not. Everything traveling in circles and heading toward the ground will get there
Just dont get in the way and allow the tool to do its job.

I got aquainted w/HI bak just b4 911...UB, RUSTY, and all the great ones were there to help me get "khukuri-fied". Jesus, I miss those men.

I left BF because of all the whiny "mine's better" crap, and became a Cold Steel devotee. They've never let me down.

But they arent HI...There are things about a khuk that must be respected and treated in an authentic manner.

If u say you're the best...prove it.

I have adapted several horn handled khukuri w/ magic wrap rubber self adhesive grip tape.

It gives them a more rubber-like feel, doesnt skrew up my knife and easily replaced. Adds to safety factor.
 
If you have bigger hands, you can also wrap the handle with paracord. There are a bajillion ways to wrap handles, and it gives them a little more bulk and grip.
 
Yeah, the monkey grip helps, and wrapping in the MAGIC WRAP stuff from Lowes or Home Depot is a godsend. That stuff protects your hands, handles etc and stops that awkward torque w/larger khuks. Id love a CAK thzts heat treated a little below the curve all along the edge, 4 shelter whittling and small stuff.

Ive gotta CS MAGNUM HTC thats thicker than a current model machete. Clears brush like a mother...
 
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Howard Wallace said:
Why are you physically unable to use an axe but not a 22" AK?

Is CP cerebal palsy? If you are having dificulty with depth perception or motor control a khukuri can be as much or more dangerous than an axe or chainsaw.
Click to expand...

All the weight of the axe is at 1 end, chainsaw is motorized killer that cannot safely be operated w/ one hand. I have to use left arm to stand on 1 crutch...If i had a blacksmith who could adapt a 16in CAK to the end of the right crutch where I could still balance, kinda like a hook sword idea...God help...here i go wanting my own forge again...but its over 100 degrees today...wheww..Not monster khuk weather.
 
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Tikkidaddy-Are you talking about yellow pine?VERY tough wood.A 20" and up CAK is a heavy,big knife.I am about 6' and 195lbs., and have put over 15 years in weight training and for me,20" or about 44oz. is as big as I care to swing even letting the tools weight do the work.As long as you don't rush things and stop when you are fatigued,it sounds like you could handle a big blade well-just don't forget to use care.Joe.
 
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If your "unable" to do the more strenuous things this may be an option.
If I'm not mistaken (possible old wives tale...not sure) you can kill a tree (tho slowly) by taking a box cutter/other small blade and making a deep as possible circle cut around the base correct? cutting into the first bunch of layers of rings thus cutting off the nutrient/feed lines or some such?
so if true would the same not work for an offending limb or 4? would save alot of effort if so.

If Im wrong I will stand corrected in advance :)
 
Yes, that method of killing these trees is an option.

They maybe yellow pine. My only experience was w/the much softer longleaf variety.

When the trees die from whatever reason and fall across my fence they are quite near my house. The last one nearly destroyed the ramshackled building in my back yard. There's not alot of space involved here.

I already have holes in my ceiling. Everytime it rains my wife positions buckets all over our home (including over our bed on her side) to catch dripping water!

I have applied to every known orginization, state, county, churches and otherwise.

Everybody drags thier feet and makes excuses as to why they should not "do unto others"

If I sold everything I personally own I couldn't come up w/ the cash to get this done.

$5000.00 is the current estimate.

I can't provide any labor either, or this mess wouldn't even be a problem...just need a big tool 4 damage control...

A couple hundred bucks 4 a tool to pre-empt more damage is alot easier to get.

Knife work, collecting, sharpening, etc gives me something to do w/ my hands and keeps my depression partially at bey.
 
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sounds like you have thought out your purchase, but I'd like to suggest a 24-30" bowsaw in addition to the khukri -- $10-15 and is great for shortening branches before chopping - and cleaning up the stubs close to the tree afterwards.
 
Id love a "shark--toothy KARDA Special bowsaw" but again 1 handed bindups a problem. Maybe something like one of those Gerber foldups in a "great white" tooth pattern?
 
Fellas, this has been a beautiful thread. It's been about nothing more than ensuring tikkidaddy's needs are met and his safety assured. Simply wonderful. Wish we could have a kukri party at your place tikkidaddy and take of those trees for you. Best wishes.
 
Yeah me too...a good ol' S.C. bonfire, Chicken & sausage shrimp gumbo..,and enough razor sharp steel to make an orthopedic surgeon wince!! (heh,heh,heh...)

Maybe a LITTLE Jack Daniels after the choppin's over...you know...we gotta be the 1st ones to invent a Star Trek type transporter system...gotta have sumpthin' to clean up the dammed woodchips!! it'd look like it snowed here....
 
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Howard Wallace said:
It sounds as if you have already devoted good thought to the tool in relation to your abilities. You also have experience to work from in guiding your choices. Please continue to keep safety in mind, as you already have. We don't need any more gruesome pictures of injuries.

As much as I enjoy my khukuri tools, I also own a couple of pruning saws, which come out at appropriate times.
Click to expand...




^Have their been other gruesome pictures of injuries before now?
 
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