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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Recommend my first HI khukuri... leaning WWI or Ang Khola 16.5" w/ wood handle
- Thread starter wacki
- Start date
A quick rundown of the recommendations.... I appreciate it guys!
HoosierQ
ArchAngel
Steely_Gunz
Shortwinger
wildmike
Karda
Shinook
sweetcostarica
wildmanh
Dirtbiker
For hiking
Around the campsite
HoosierQ
- Ang Khola = dedicated Chopper (outdoor, bushcraft)
- Chirawa Ang Khola = dedicated Chopper (outdoor, bushcraft)
- British Army Service = all purpose, weak on wood
- M43 = must examine
- (#1 pick) WWII = must examine, big handle, very swift, bull nose for strength
ArchAngel
- 18" Gelbu Special = weapon
- 18" Ang Khola = all around beater
- 17 1/4", 28 oz. YCS = #1 general purpose (full belly and deep fullers)
- 21 9/16", 29 0z Foxy Folly = #3 general purpose (full belly and deep fullers)
Steely_Gunz
- ASTK Ang Khola = Great , not as graceful as WWII
- 18" WWII = Love it
- Manakamana Special = #1 pick for graceful heavy weapon and field khuk Way more lively in hand than it has any right to be for an 18" 2lb piece of steel
Shortwinger
- Shortwinger said he needs more information (From OP: "please check original & edited post" Thanks!)
- British Army Service = easiest to learn on, least amount of rejects get Jungle model not the Service No1
wildmike
- M43! Best performing all around.
Karda
- 16.5" WWII - easiest to learn to hit the sweet spot on , Uncle Bills favorite model
Shinook
- British Army Service - can't go wrong w/ it ... (no experience w/ WWII though)
sweetcostarica
- ugly villager Kukris - built for work
- Sirupate - fighting, Gurkhas love its reach
- Mora or Fallkniven - for small stuff
- BSI #1 or #2 - for hiking
wildmanh
- 16.5" WWII - hiking buddy, more like a martial arts blade then a brute chopper like my 15" Ang Khola
- One in the 24 to 26 once range will most likely be a little better at chopping. . .
- 18" 28 ounce WWII - eats pine logs for lunch
Dirtbiker
For hiking
- 12 to 15 inch ang khola
- 16.5 inch wwII
Around the campsite
- 18 inch ang khola
- 18 inch wwII
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Votes for top 3 recs
BAS and Ang Khola are tied w/ 4 votes. WWII with 5.
BAS===== HoosierQ, Shortwinger, Shinook, sweetcostarica
WWII==== HoosierQ, Steely_Gunz, Karda, wildmanh, Dirtbiker
Ang Khola= HoosierQ, ArchAngel, Steely_Gunz, Dirtbiker
Part of me wants to split the difference and get a WWII. Other part of me wants to get the BAS 1st just because it's only offered in horn. That way I can decide if I want to get the others in horn as well. I wish they had these at the gun shows. Kinda silly that nobody in Indiana has this stuff.
BAS and Ang Khola are tied w/ 4 votes. WWII with 5.
BAS===== HoosierQ, Shortwinger, Shinook, sweetcostarica
WWII==== HoosierQ, Steely_Gunz, Karda, wildmanh, Dirtbiker
Ang Khola= HoosierQ, ArchAngel, Steely_Gunz, Dirtbiker
Part of me wants to split the difference and get a WWII. Other part of me wants to get the BAS 1st just because it's only offered in horn. That way I can decide if I want to get the others in horn as well. I wish they had these at the gun shows. Kinda silly that nobody in Indiana has this stuff.
My BAS has a Satisal Wood handle...
sweetcostarica
BANNED
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2012
- Messages
- 619
Hi Wacki,
Of course Gurkhas and the Nepali Army used lighter and heavier Kukris. But what I was saying is that when asked Gurkha's have a preferred combat weight of 570 grams (20 oz). This is an average of weights Gurkhas had requested their Kukris weigh from their armorers.
Simon Hengle of Tora Blades has said this many times. He is my reference on this you can contact him or check historical weights yourself from real Gurkha Kukris.
As far a The Brando Association I know nothing about the Kukris they use except that the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri was designed with lots of input from the Brando Association. The CS Gurkha Kukri is 12 inches long and 22 ounces (623 grams) in weight and designed for bigger westerners. That is very close to 12 inches long and 20 ounces (570 grams) preferred Kukri for the smaller Gurkha.
Of course Gurkhas and the Nepali Army used lighter and heavier Kukris. But what I was saying is that when asked Gurkha's have a preferred combat weight of 570 grams (20 oz). This is an average of weights Gurkhas had requested their Kukris weigh from their armorers.
Simon Hengle of Tora Blades has said this many times. He is my reference on this you can contact him or check historical weights yourself from real Gurkha Kukris.
As far a The Brando Association I know nothing about the Kukris they use except that the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri was designed with lots of input from the Brando Association. The CS Gurkha Kukri is 12 inches long and 22 ounces (623 grams) in weight and designed for bigger westerners. That is very close to 12 inches long and 20 ounces (570 grams) preferred Kukri for the smaller Gurkha.
sweetcostarica
BANNED
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- Jan 18, 2012
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For your specifications:
1) Dedicated tool for camping... I hike a lot.
2) All purpose Khukuri for you know...
I agree with GoodStuff. You said this is your first Kukri so you really don't know how any Kukri will work for you.
For your No. 1 and 2 choices the Himalayan Imports BAS (or the lighter KLVUK) would work the best except for fighting. Personally, I prefer running to fighting with a knife (I know what knives can do to the human body). The BAS also called the British Service Issue was designed exactly for what you have in mind: a camp knife and a all round tool for the soldier. If you learn how to use a Kukri you can do most outdoor chores with this one. It's only weak in chopping the big stuff so do what a Gurkha or a Nepali farmer would do to cut up a large log or tree: use an axe.
Your second choice might be for checking how useful a bigger Kukri would be compared to the smaller one. The only advantage I see is in chopping and in self protection but I already told you what the developers of the Kukri and I would do in those cases.
The main thing is finding something you like right, so I hope you can with the forum's advice.
SweetCos has sound advice as usual.
A kukri is one of the best, all around tools. It does the job of a knife, machete and hatchet and (If a CAK, prybar!) with very little compromise for such a array of jobs.
HOWEVER....
Just because it can do so many things so well, doesn't mean it can do everything. Nor should you try to make a kukri that can. IMHO.
Adding a little more chop or reach or supersteel or whatever just makes the designs more:
heavy
awkward
costly
But all the old designs that have lasted are because it is a great knife design, but it is still just a knife. Apply the correct tool to the correct job i say.
IMHO the correct tool for a log is a chainsaw. And self defence? An MP5K. I like to get things done fast.
I also don't put much thought into self defence with a knife. At the point of close contact with a knife, I figure there will just be screaming like a wild man and hacking at a guy in a hockey mask. Not much room for finesse there. Really i would probably go for the pitchfork first, then any other long handled thing i can poke em' with, before any 18" *big* knife.
Now the Gurka commandos are famous for nightstalking with the kukri. But that is offence, not defence.
I have a BAS and love it. But any of the designs you have on your short list are pretty similar "tried and true" and a good choice to start. And funny enough after being a full tang kind of guy, after trying a real well made HI peened stick tang, i think i prefer it over full tang because of point-of-balance. Wouldn't have known that if i hadn't tried one out.
Whatever you get, post up a review when you get it. Good luck!
A kukri is one of the best, all around tools. It does the job of a knife, machete and hatchet and (If a CAK, prybar!) with very little compromise for such a array of jobs.
HOWEVER....
Just because it can do so many things so well, doesn't mean it can do everything. Nor should you try to make a kukri that can. IMHO.
Adding a little more chop or reach or supersteel or whatever just makes the designs more:
heavy
awkward
costly
But all the old designs that have lasted are because it is a great knife design, but it is still just a knife. Apply the correct tool to the correct job i say.
IMHO the correct tool for a log is a chainsaw. And self defence? An MP5K. I like to get things done fast.
I also don't put much thought into self defence with a knife. At the point of close contact with a knife, I figure there will just be screaming like a wild man and hacking at a guy in a hockey mask. Not much room for finesse there. Really i would probably go for the pitchfork first, then any other long handled thing i can poke em' with, before any 18" *big* knife.
Now the Gurka commandos are famous for nightstalking with the kukri. But that is offence, not defence.
I have a BAS and love it. But any of the designs you have on your short list are pretty similar "tried and true" and a good choice to start. And funny enough after being a full tang kind of guy, after trying a real well made HI peened stick tang, i think i prefer it over full tang because of point-of-balance. Wouldn't have known that if i hadn't tried one out.
Whatever you get, post up a review when you get it. Good luck!
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Just got the 16.5 inch wwII. I'm loving it. Kinda wish I went for the 18" version as this is very easy to swing. Oddly enough smaller than my Cold Steel LTC Kukri.... which is supposed to be 12" I think? It's the old carbon V version. I was a more than a little surprised by that. I didn't really the size was for the whole thing and not just the blade. Mixed feelings on that of course but I'm still happy I got it. Will probably pick up an 18" Ang Khola or something for making campfires.
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wildmanh
Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2000
- Messages
- 7,764
Congrats on the new blade! H.I. Knives are listed as Length over all, where as most other knives are listed with Blade Length. My 16.5" WWII has about a 10.5" Blade [measured along a straight line from tip to butt].
Pairing your 16.5" WWII with an 18" to 21" Ang Khola might be a great idea! The WWII can handle light duty and hiking work and the bigger AK can handle the Heavy duty work.
wildmanh
Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2000
- Messages
- 7,764
Yes, they make 21" AK's, 22"+ are less common, but can be had via special order. I special ordered a 25" AK many years ago, came in at 5 pounds. Godzilla is his name and he now lives with a friend. Someone else ordered a 30+ inch Ganga Ram. In other words, you want it and have the money, they can probably make it.
The Big boys are awesome! But keep in mind that they Weight a lot and may not be the best for hiking. When I had Godzilla, he was for yard work and car camping. Then again, some people don't mind packing 5 to 10 pounds of steel and sheath on them when on a trip. Godzilla only weighted 5 pounds, but with the sheath, Karda and Chakma, it was 8 pounds!
The Big boys are awesome! But keep in mind that they Weight a lot and may not be the best for hiking. When I had Godzilla, he was for yard work and car camping. Then again, some people don't mind packing 5 to 10 pounds of steel and sheath on them when on a trip. Godzilla only weighted 5 pounds, but with the sheath, Karda and Chakma, it was 8 pounds!
Wacki:
A couple of your postings refer to available sizes and handle materials based on what is listed at the HI web site. You should be aware that HI kamis make a variety of models in different sizes and handle materials that are not listed at the web site, but are posted here at the forum. That includes both the less expensive blems and knives in pristine condition.
One way to get exactly what you want is by custom order, but if it's just a matter of a specific size or handle material, email Yangdu. She might already have just what you want or something very close.
One of the benefits of buying from this forum rather than the web site is that you get a very clear picture of the specific knife, rather than the generic and rather low-resolution photos at the web site "store" section. You also know in advance which kami made the knife. The downside is that you have to be fast because another forumite might shark what you want.
-- Dave
A couple of your postings refer to available sizes and handle materials based on what is listed at the HI web site. You should be aware that HI kamis make a variety of models in different sizes and handle materials that are not listed at the web site, but are posted here at the forum. That includes both the less expensive blems and knives in pristine condition.
One way to get exactly what you want is by custom order, but if it's just a matter of a specific size or handle material, email Yangdu. She might already have just what you want or something very close.
One of the benefits of buying from this forum rather than the web site is that you get a very clear picture of the specific knife, rather than the generic and rather low-resolution photos at the web site "store" section. You also know in advance which kami made the knife. The downside is that you have to be fast because another forumite might shark what you want.
-- Dave
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2010
- Messages
- 1,486
Get out there and start chopping with that WWII. You'll find you really don't need bigger (but its ok to want bigger)
I was all about getting the biggest blade I could when I first started but soon learned that anything over 40oz gets old fast. 30-36oz is my preferred weight range for heavy chopping.
I was all about getting the biggest blade I could when I first started but soon learned that anything over 40oz gets old fast. 30-36oz is my preferred weight range for heavy chopping.