Review of GR, BAS and WWII

TOB9595

TOB9595

Joined
Jan 3, 2003
Messages
2,773
I posted a review in the passaround for the WWII that roadrunner is nice enuf to have :) Here it is. I hope a dupe is not out of order. If it is let me know so I don't do it again.
khuk2.jpg

from top:
Fiskers axe
Ontario Machete
bone handled 18" 29 ounce Ganga Ram by Bura. (picked up on Uncles email special)
WWII passaround
15" BAS
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khuk3.jpg

The overgrown path to be cleared. You can just see the dirt bottom left center
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khuk4.jpg

This is the remains of a 2" branch. Hacked cleanly with the Ganga Ram
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khuk6.jpg

The cleared path that I can now walk thru. I'm 6' and no stooping
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khuk8.jpg

Hetre's me and KOKO after the clearing with a magnificent La Gloria Cubana. Aged at home for 5 years. YUMM!
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I went out with the intent to use the axe but it wasn't realistic.
All the khuks and mach were sharp. I didn't sharpen any khuk. the BAS and GR were as sent by Uncle. I did strop them to remove the wire edge.
The machete was very impressive on the viney brambles. It wasn't much on the thick branches over about 1/2 inch.
The machete twisted in my hand as I tried to lop away.
The Khuks had no twisting :)
A surprise for me was how well my 15" BAS performed.It was pretty much on a par with the WWII. Both handled all the chores real well. Cutting thru thick branches was easiest with the GR, then the WWII, then very slightly behind was the BAS. The weight must have everything to do with this.
I'm lookin for feedback from you experienced guys :)
I just got the Ganga Ram from Uncle this week. It is a beaut with ivory bone handle and white metal fittings. This took me by surprise as it hacked thru everything with less effort, and one pass lopping. I wasn't gonna use this because it is so nice.
All the pieces came out without nicks or dings. And they were as sharp as I started out. To my naked finger :)
All in all I now see the beauty of the Khuk as a great tool and weapon :)
The WWII is very similar to the BAS tho longer by ? (I don't have them with me as I write this. I intended to weigh each and post but alas!)
Gloves prevented any discomfort. The WWII bit into my bare hand till I choked up a bit due to the longer handle. Not needed with gloves tho.
As I have this a bit longer I'm gonna try on bigger stuff to see how all three fare.
Roadrunner, YOU DA MAN!!
Thanks very much for the passaround
Tom
 
Nice review!

I can't believe you let KOKO hold the khuks in that picture, though...
 
TOB9595
I see you have as a companion what appears to be a spaniel.

May I recommend a book:
Man-eaters of Kumaon by Major Jim Corbett.

Non -fiction--

Corbett killed man- eating tigers in India and had a spaniel named Robin that he would pick up and carry in his arms to help alert on hiding tigers. A classic read --copyrighted 1946.
 
t1mpani... KOKOcould only hold the WWII comfortably while taking care of the lower brambles. I think it had to do with the center of Gravity of the blade.

clearblue... Yep KOKO is a cocker. I'll try to dig up info on the book. thanks

KOKO Is a she. Chased deer like a banshee till a buck ~ 8 point started to thrash her. Now she waits till the deer start to move on then attacks about 20 yards and stops till they're out of sight. Keeps her dignity I suspect :)

:) :)
Tom
 
Tom, KoKo is just smart. Get her some backup like a Blue Heeler or Catahoula Leopard Dog and the deer will be on the outs. Good review, I kinda wish I had that much to chop around my house. I am looking forward to hunting season when I can do some real testing. I will be taking all my khuks to see how they compare. Two of my favorites are ones that you also have, the WWII and the BAS. I can't get away from how handy that BAS really is. It does a heck of a job for its size and weight and I feel like I have more control of it as the job progresses.
 
I agree the BAS is a real sleeper. For it's size and weight. It Rocks.
If I was gonna carry one on a trip. I'd consider taking this along. It might take a couple of more whacks to fell something large but the carryability is keen.

I'm a tad inexperienced with Khuks.
Are all the Khuks this good in the field or is it, would seem to the newby (me), that the blade shape plays an important part. I've read the copious faq's and Khuk styles. And still don't comprehend the diff other than aesthetics.

It was raining today so my next venture is some pull cutting to make stakes and some large fallen trees to see the differences. I'll post the various pics as I'll have lots of wood to work with.

Amazing to believe this is New Jersey :)
Branchburg as a matter of fact.

What type of dogs are these? Blue Heeler or Catahoula Leopard Dog.
Tom
 
Tom, nice review and pics. That trail reminds me of one back home.:) Bet you could have made a nice shelter in there.
 
Tom, I think wanting to use a particular khuk does have something to do with the way it looks. However, I have found that some khuks work better at certain jobs, ie, heavy chopping of mesquite logs goes to the 18" AK. The 20" Sirupati will do the job, but more effort is required. Smaller, thin branches goes to the BAS or 18" (or 15") Sirupati. Using anything bigger is overkill, plus not as effective. I also think that the frame, build and hand size of the user plays the biggest role. What are you most comfortable using for the job at hand?Compromises have to be made. If I'm hiking, I won't be taking the larger blades and will have to make do with a lighter one such as the 15" Sirupati or the BAS. There are several that would work for each job you have in mind...that's where your preference comes in.

As for the dogs...the Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog)is an extremely smart, loyal herding dog. If you've seen the Mad Max movies, you've seen one. The Catahoula is popular in Texas and Louisana for hunting, especially wild hogs. They were originally a cross between the domesticated Red Wolf kept by the Texas Native Americans and the Spanish Explorers' war dogs. They can be Merle in color with usually at least one of their eyes being blue. One of their particular traits is that they hunt silently, barking only when their prey is cornered. They were used to hunt mountain lion and deer back in the old days and are still used to round up cattle and hunt pig. Since I've experienced the companionship of these types of dogs, I will not be without one or the other.
 
Amen Ben! I salvaged/rescued a 2 month old pup that will be 2 years old this Oct. I was able to backtrack her history. 1/2 Blue Heeler with all the markings and instincts and half collie.

I have had several dogs in my short life of 66 years, but never one as smart and loyal as 'Smokey'
 
Ics, it's hard to believe how smart they are,isn't it? I didn't believe it until I got this one. My other dog is 1/2 Blue Heeler and 1/2 Border Collie. You have a good combo there. My collie mix has the markings of the collie, but still a wonderful companion.
 
Now that I am old enough and am supposed to have just a bit of good sense. I think that from the dogs that I have had except for two the mixed breeds have shown me to be the smartest critters going. The Keshound and the Teacup Poodle that I had years back were very smart and they were loyal to the point of being rediculous. The Poodle was so bad that I had trouble getting into the bathroom alone.

The baby that I have now is something else too. Tasha's father was a Wolf/Malamute Hybrid. the female was Siberian/Malamute. Tasha has such pale eyes that they are almost grey. She is smart as can be but she does have a stubborn streak that is a bit hard to take sometimes but, she doesn't let me get out of sight for very long at all. The older she get the better she is getting though. I wouldn't feel right living this far from town with out a dog.:) :)
 
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