Request for help in selecting right Khukuri for the job

thecook

thecook

Joined
Jan 3, 1999
Messages
174
Greetings~

I'm a newbie here, but have been lurking around this forum for about a month or so. I've really been fascinated with the shape of the Khukuri and I think that I could really put one to good use on my property.

I'd like to get a little bit of help in my selection from those of you who own and use them on a regular basis.

My situation is this:

My property in California is on a hillside that is covered with dense Chaparral (a very woody twisting brush that can grow very large) Some of the chaparral grows into the chain-link fence and I need to separate it from the fencing. The brush can get quite thick near the base, 3 -4 inches in diameter is normal. I've been using a cheap machete on the smaller stuff and a pruning saw on the larger stuff. Which khukuri (or other blade) would you recommend for this use?

I was looking at a WWll model (18") similar to the one that rksoon posted here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581773, but Russell pointed out that I might want to go with something longer to be kinder on my back.

Also, whichever blade I select will be getting some pretty good use, sometimes hours at a time, should I be concerned with the weight of the blade as well?

Your sage advice is most appreciated!

Best regards,

Nick
 
Welcome to the H.I. forums, Nick!!!

For what you'll be using it on and how much youre going to have to swing it to clear that lot of Chap, your going to want to have something similar to Russell's WWII.

Below 15 inches and theres not enough chop, much above 20 inches and theres just too much blade to swing for hours at a time, unless your name happens to be Paul Bunyan.
As Russell said, Uncle Bill always Recommended the WWII model and rightfully so, but he always called the 15 inch Ang Khola his "best seller....Tried and proven for 14 years"
A 15-20 inch Ang Khola or Churwa Ang khola would be the one i would recommend to you for such a job, virtually unbreakable, it will last you a lifetime or two, for sure.

But recommendations aside, there are a few to consider.

WWII-15-20"
Ang Khola, C Ang Khola 15-20"
British Army Service 15-20"
M-43
Ganga Ram Special
Bonecutter

These last three are "speciaty models" and come in usually quite heavy and are usually 20+ inches, so youd want a lighter one.

and with that i'll let "those that are more experienced than i" take over and give you more insight into the world of H.I. khukuri's.

Now make me a sammich....LOL
 
Pen knife, or WWII, in the 16-18" range. A BAS would also be good.

But;

If you are cutting vegetation out of fence lines, you might need something in addition to the khuk. We have lots of mesquite and hackberry on our property which grows into our fencelines. I don't like to use my khuks to cut out vegetation which is right in the fence, because I don't want to ruin the edges on the wire.

Here is what I use for that specific purpose instead -
DSC01816.jpg


This is a Gerber/Fiskars brush hook. It works great for cutting stuff out of fences because the hook can be used to grab and pull stuff out far enough to cut it off. The hook also protects the rest of the edge.

For any other kind of chopping or brush clearing, I recommend the khuks mentioned above.

Andy
 
The manzanita grows very thick along here in the Santa Monica mts, I used a Foxy Folly with good results. This one is 171/2 inches and 26 oz.
P4120015%20%282%29.JPG

Manzanita.JPG
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
Pen knife, or WWII, in the 16-18" range. A BAS would also be good.

But;

If you are cutting vegetation out of fence lines, you might need something in addition to the khuk. We have lots of mesquite and hackberry on our property which grows into our fencelines. I don't like to use my khuks to cut out vegetation which is right in the fence, because I don't want to ruin the edges on the wire.

Here is what I use for that specific purpose instead -
DSC01816.jpg


This is a Gerber/Fiskars brush hook. It works great for cutting stuff out of fences because the hook can be used to grab and pull stuff out far enough to cut it off. The hook also protects the rest of the edge.

For any other kind of chopping or brush clearing, I recommend the khuks mentioned above.

Andy
Click to expand...


great tip andy!


I gather that under 20" seems to be the consensus for this sort of work. Just from the research i did before getting my 16.5" WWII, I'd think a WWII, Ang Khola, or British Army Service khukuri in the 16-18" range (although I think 18" AK might be a bit heavy for hours of use) would provide you with a good tool for the job. The other special models sounds like they'd be good too.

Glad to see the veterans are helping you out, Nick!! :-D
 
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Chaparral doesn't seem like it'd need a real heavy chopper like an Anh Khola. You'd be able to swing a lighter WWII for longer. You could probably get away with a Chitlangi as well. I'd say any of the medium-weigth kukris in the 18" length would be the best bet. The WWII would be one of the better choppers, the Chitlangi would be lighter, but require more swings.

General consensus around here (even going back to Uncle Bill) is the WWII is the best general-purpose kukri. Since it won't be your only one, I'd start there, and you can refine your tastes as you work with them.
 
thecook said:
I was looking at a WWll model (18") similar to the one that rksoon posted here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581773, but Russell pointed out that I might want to go with something longer to be kinder on my back.[/b]
Click to expand...

First of all: Welcome to the HI Forums Nick!:thumbup: :D

Usually I recommend a 16"-18" BGRS as a top all around work knife because to me they chop like a much heavier kukri ---- and although an 18" BGRS would suit what you need to do methinks there are others that will be kinder to your back.:)

thecook said:
Also, whichever blade I select will be getting some pretty good use, sometimes hours at a time, should I be concerned with the weight of the blade as well?[/b]

Your sage advice is most appreciated!

Best regards,

Nick
Click to expand...

With regards to using a kukri, "hours at a time." you should indeed be concerned with the weight of your kukri.
There's a lot of guys who recommend the chiruwa style kukri because of mistaking the the thinner full handle width tang as being stronger when it's really not. However IMO the chiruwa style handle does change a kukri's balance enough to affect its chopping ability, although it may not be by much again in IMO it's enough over a period of, "hours at a time" to make a difference so personally I would stay with the old traditional full stick tang with its more weight forward balance.

A lighter, around 26 ounces, 17"-18" Foxy Folly would probably serve you well as would a longer, 20 inch give or take a little, M-43 if you could get one not over 30-32 ounces.

As you can see when you ask for a kukri recommendation you get all sorts of opinions as everyone has an idea of what the best kukri there is for any particular job and the helluvait is ---- they're all right.;) :rolleyes:
Cpl Punishment has given good advice with his recommendations and I concur with him that, "You could probably get away with a Chitlangi as well."
Actually a 20" Chitlangi might be just the ticket for what you need as IMO they're another kukri that chops like a much heavier knife than it is; but bear in mind a longer kukri can be a real bitch to use in real thick brush.:eek:
But I would also heed what Andy Colglazier says about using a kukri next to a fence and give the tools he suggests a real consideration!:thumbup: :cool: :D
 
Welcome to the forums. How's about you get 2 khukuris? I use a 20" Sirupati and a WWII for most of my work. I've cleared plenty of trails with both and most of the time I end up using the Sirupati because of it's better reach, though the WWII gets used for heavy stuff. 2 to 3 inch soft wood branches are no match for my Sirupati. It slices through really well and only weights 23 onces.

Good luck with your desision. Please let us know what you get and remember, pictures are always welcome!!

Heber
 
uh..grows into the chain link?

the saw might be your best bet. Hard to swing a blade into that stuff.

That said, I think the 15 AK is the best all-around size.

YMMV.



Kis
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
Here is what I use for that specific purpose instead -
DSC01816.jpg


This is a Gerber/Fiskars brush hook. It works great for cutting stuff out of fences because the hook can be used to grab and pull stuff out far enough to cut it off. The hook also protects the rest of the edge.
Click to expand...

those run about $20 at walmart right now :)

that bottom one looks like you've been hacking at fences too long ;)

a foxy is pretty sweet for lighter stuff. a bonecutter for heavier stuff. for that kind of brush trimming, i'd say a 20ish inch chitlangi (cuz they're purtier than a similar sized sirupati imho ;>). a Gelbu Special is also light and rugged for that sort of chore, but CAN (like the others) step up from time to time.

bladite
 
Thanks, everyone for the thoughtful advice. I feel a lot closer to making a decision now armed with your suggestions.

H20Cutter and Yvsa both mentioned a "Foxy Folly" in their response. I like the look of this one as well and would like to compare its stats to the other Khukuris but I cannot find a description of this style on the HI page. Can anyone supply a link for this style of Khuk?

I still like the WWll, but I'm also now seriously looking at a Chitlangi, a Sirupati and a BAS.

Not to mention the Gerber/Fiskars brush hook that Andy posted, I'll definitely get that and keep whatever Khukuri I buy away from the chain link.

So many choices, I have a feeling that you guys might be right- I'll have to get more than one. Well anyways, the research sure is fun!

I'll let you know when the dust settles and I have finally decided!

Thanks again for the great advice and the warm welcome.

Best regards, :)

Nick
 
thecook said:
H20Cutter and Yvsa both mentioned a "Foxy Folly" in their response. I like the look of this one as well and would like to compare its stats to the other Khukuris but I cannot find a description of this style on the HI page. Can anyone supply a link for this style of Khuk?
Click to expand...

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/one-time-knives.html

Heres the link to the only description i can find, It's in the "special runs" section, the foxy folly is about 1/4 way down the page between the M-43 hybrid and the movie model. there are also plenty of foxy folly pix in the picture thread.
 
there have been many variants in the quest for foxy folly khuks in the past:

i regard all of these as foxy brothers:
268344438_Q7jJU-M.jpg


top to bottom are:
o original - VERY heavy. a monster blade even by bonecutter, AK, or GRS standards.
o fighter - VERY light, almost too light, it rings, and it sings when tapped.
o YCS - Yvsa Cherokee Special. To me, it's definitely a foxy :)
o a very heavily fullered standard foxy, ounces heavier i think than current offerings
o an older, modified without ring, blued, and very fine foxy. not too recent vintage.

there are two current models of the foxy folly as well, there's a newish variant, as a combo with another knife, a bit modern in flavor - don't have one of those yet, but i figure, sooner or later... and the other, which pops up from time to time as well. you'll just have to look at the DOTDs and go back in time, not even a month or so, by hand, because google isn't finding them for me, and search is disabled for us freeloaders ;0

bladite
 
Oh, we're going for what looks nice, too, eh?
Don't forget the Dui Chirra -- one of the most beautiful of the HI blades:
DuiChirra01.jpg

DuiChirra04.jpg
 
I was looking for a camping bushcraft tool and I had a choice, I picked a HI WWII but my alternative was a tool called a billhook. There were diffrent styles and a lot of woods workers swore by them. You should have a look at them in case they may suit your needs better.

Still for me it wasn't as nice looking as a Kukri.
 
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