Seeking Some Sagely Advice

J

Jacen84

Joined
Oct 29, 2011
Messages
19
So I have been reading up and lurking around here for a few weeks now amongst other research on kukris and I'm sold on wanting one no need to really go into detail as to why I want a HI over others everyone here would agree it's not a difficult choice to make. This will be my first kukri, I have some experience with a KLO specifically I own the CS kukri machete. My dillema is deciding which kukri will suit my needs (from my research they will all perform well) most comfortably.
The kukri will see use mostly in forest like conditions for firewood prep, general camp chores, delimbing, I would like a well rounded kukri as it is my first and I would like to try as much as possible with it to gain skills and experience, it will be carried attatched to my pack backpacking and hiking (a couple of nights) not planning any very long trips. I believe that the m43 and the ww2 model would be good choices however I'm unfamiliar with handling real kukris so there may be things to do with blade dynamics I'm totally unaware of, my reasons for thinking these blades would be good choices are the extra cutting surface over the BAS and they both appear to be more suited to well rounded use than the AK. Could anyone with some experience tell me if I am thinking about this all wrong or point out things I may have missed or offer any advice to help me decide?
 
I've bought quite a few over teh last year or two. FOr general use, I'd say the 15" Ang Khola, the 15" British Army Service are both great ones - they do most everything, and are still light enough to carry around for a good hike. The M43, or the WWII, are better choopers, att eh cost of slightly longer and hegavier to carry around. Of the two, I prefer the M43, but that's just my opinion.

I've personally been mulling over a BAS myself - Once you;ve used a khuk for a while you've used enough scotch brite or brille pads cleaning it to mae it look matte in finish, so the fullers sort of lose the appeal for looks, where as the BAS doesn;t ahve them and won't really change in appearance when it becomes matte. I know, I know, looks are silly but still...

For one I want to carry around, my BDC is my favorite. It probaly won;t make frewood or fell trees, but it will clear and and all brush, and do all your camp and cooking chores [firewood for the camp fire doesn;t have to be huge logs, I've learned]. I would be completely content carrying my BDC into the woods for a weekend.

All just my opinion, ad worth exactly what you paid for it.
 
Welcome Jacen84!,

You've made a couple of good choices, not that any are bad. :)
The WWII is probably one of the best all around khukuri, but also the easiest to learn chopping/use dynamics on because of the location of the sweet spot. The M-43 is more Hanshee style (curved) in nature and is a little trickier to hit with the sweet spot every time.
 
I've got to say if you start with a 16.5" WWII, you will NOT regret it whether it is your last khuk or one of many. It is just a perfect khuk for general use IMHO. A friend of mine handled one of my WWIIs and had one on order within a day. It arrived a few weeks back and he's been thrilled with its performance. I love my M43, but it's a biggun' and a bit much for backpacking. I must add that the above mentioned buddy also picked up a Gelbu Special recently and that thing is awesome. It took a razor edge and sliced springy brush like a light saber! I see what Jay has been talking about. Good luck.
 
the most versatile Khukuri that I own is my 15" ang khola, it chops fantastically well but also has the edge to slice and dice if need be, while having the spine to allow it to split wood too (if you’re carful to follow Uncle's instructions on how to baton with a non chiruwa khukuri) its also light enough and short enough that it doesn’t take up too much space in a pack or overly weigh down one side of my belt when hiking

for more slicy jobs and less chopping, I’ve got my Sirupati, and for more heavy duty splitting jobs ive got my Bahadur, but the AK does everything reasonably well, and some things excellently

just my .02$
 
jdk1 said:
I've got to say if you start with a 16.5" WWII, you will NOT regret it whether it is your last khuk or one of many. It is just a perfect khuk for general use IMHO. A friend of mine handled one of my WWIIs and had one on order within a day. It arrived a few weeks back and he's been thrilled with its performance. I love my M43, but it's a biggun' and a bit much for backpacking. I must add that the above mentioned buddy also picked up a Gelbu Special recently and that thing is awesome. It took a razor edge and sliced springy brush like a light saber! I see what Jay has been talking about. Good luck.
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Don't take what John tells you!:p

A khukuri is a tool and it requires different handling. It's not entirely a knife and not a hatchet either.
A WWII is what you should get in order to get the feel.

I won't dwell much with a KLO. That's why it's called. Get yourself one and then you will get the khukfection.
The hollow-forged on the Gelbu Special makes pruning and trail blazing a walk in the park.

Then you will join JDK1,Shortwinger and other M-43 fans.....
 
Welcome:)

Of your two choices, I think the WWII would suit your needs very well. Since you are strapping it to you pack, the 18" version would be perfect. However if you are wanting to save a little bit of weight, the 16.5" version is great as well. I have had scores of khuks cross my path, the first one I throw in the truck for camping duty is my old 18" WWII. It was my second HI product, and I have really put it through the wringer.

I think it would be a better general purpose khuk than say the M43. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the M43. It's one of my favorites. However the blade curve and the handle limit the ways you can hold it. The WWII (especially the 18" with its extra long handle) gives you multiple ways to manipulate the knife for different tasks. If khuks fall somewhere along a line ranging from pure weapon to pure tool, the M43 and the WWII would be close. I just think that the M43 tends to be more weapony while the WWII tends to be more toolish...if that makes sense:o
 
I can't speak for the WWII since I don't have one. I do have a BAS and I've took it hiking almost every time I went this past summer and fall. Light enough to carry on belt or pack, will chop through anything given enough time it will get through. Also just for visual appeal, the brass inlay is gorgeous. My first khukuri, and still my fave. Not counting my R4, but it's not a khukuri. I had a KABAR KLO, and once I got my hands on HI steel, it is now gathering dust. But the BAS is a good choice, and I've gotten compliments on the beauty alone. Just keep in mind, it will chop through anything if you have the time. I'm sure some of the other khukuris here will do it in less time, but then pack weight comes into play. Just my experience. Your results may vary.
 
I am not a big fan of the WWII, especially in a hiking or carry role. The spines of the current WWII are twice as think as other models and I can think of no give-back for the added size and weight, but lots of negatives.

On the small side, I would go with a BAS hands down.
For a meduim sized kukri I would get a 15" Ang Khola.
On the bigger end I would highly recommend the following in order of how I would buy them, knowing what I know now.
18" Bonecutter
18" Ganga Ram
ASTK
M43

I would recommend getting all the above in a village (satin) finished blade rather than a shined blade.
 
Welcome to the HI and fourm, Jacen 84
Let me know which knife you would like to order.
 
Satin finished blades are easier to maintain if you are trying to keep the original finish after chopping. I reccomend you get wooden handles as the horn looks nice but gets a little harder to hold with a larger blade like a M43. I have a 15" AK and its nice n lite. The m43 is in a totally different weight class. I cut down a dead dogwood tree with those 2 khukri. The AK is slowwer but maintainable, the m43 takes big chunks but tires you out more quickly. The m43 has a nice curve all through the blade, no straight lines anywhere. I also have a foxy folly but haven't used it yet , beautiful and sharp.
 
Thanks alot for the welcome and the replies everyone, good to know I was on the right track. I've decided I will get a 16.5" ww2 model in villager finish if possible with wooden handle. I'll place my order after my next pay can't wait :) i'll definitely be springing for express shipping I think, I wasn't even this excited about my esee knives.
 
Jacen84 said:
Thanks alot for the welcome and the replies everyone, good to know I was on the right track. I've decided I will get a 16.5" ww2 model in villager finish if possible with wooden handle. I'll place my order after my next pay can't wait :) i'll definitely be springing for express shipping I think, I wasn't even this excited about my esee knives.
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depending on where you live, there wont be a shipping charge. prices are shipped for usa. and its shipped priority, usually 3 days
 
Jacen84 said:
Thanks alot for the welcome and the replies everyone, good to know I was on the right track. I've decided I will get a 16.5" ww2 model in villager finish if possible with wooden handle. I'll place my order after my next pay can't wait :) i'll definitely be springing for express shipping I think, I wasn't even this excited about my esee knives.
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The WWII is a fine all rounder. Also the BAS, the Ang Khola, the Baby Ganga Ram, any of these in the 15 to 16 inchish range are excellent general duty khuks.

Andy
 
bladeright said:
depending on where you live, there wont be a shipping charge. prices are shipped for usa. and its shipped priority, usually 3 days
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Only our Store has shipping included, and only for CONUS shipments. Items bought on DOTD and International shipments are Price + shipping.
 
seatownlion said:
Will a 16.5" CAK out chop a 16.5" WW2, or even a 18" WW2? I'm having the same dillema.
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I agree with Karda - blade shape vs your cutting style divided by your personal skill will mean more. The "better" blade for one may not be the same for someone else.

Again, I've alwasy felt that for the general layman, looking for a "do everything reasonable well" blade, the BAS or 15" ang Khola are very easy to learn on, use, and do everything fairly well, yet still light enough to carry without fatigue. Other models are more specialized to better suit some purposes, but may be slightly less favorable to other puposes.
 
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