Seeking Some Sagely Advice

[Steely_Gunz]

Will a 16.5" CAK out chop a 16.5" WW2, or even a 18" WW2? I'm having the same dillema.

While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, I have yet to see a 16.5" AK out chop an 18" WWII. The extra length of handle compounded with the rounder tip-heaviness of the blade makes the 18" WWII a near buzzsaw when the proper technique is applied.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[shortwinger]

For a "real" carry/user kukri (this is just my personal opinion) you are looking in the wrong place for both of your choices (CAK & WWII).

- The current WWII is not a carry friendly kukri at all. The stock size has a spine width of 1/2", which in kukri terms is massive! To put it in perspective I have a large size 20+" Ganga Ram that feels better in hand. The WWII is too thick, too heavy and has zero balance. It does not feel or behave like a working kukri or the tool it once was. And with its huge spine it is not even good at chopping. The aggressive transition from edge to the 1/2" spine wedges the wood. I know all of the old timers are going to start spouting quotes from the past but, todays WWII is not that same kukri. I have an old Bura WWII that is two inches bigger than the current stock size and yet it is lighter, slimmer, perfectly balanced and in no way resembles the current model. Summary; this model is not a packable, user friendly all purpose tool.

- The CAK is the mutation of the western cultures "bigger is better" mindset. The traditional Ang Khola is a very good working tool and it would be a "great" choice for your stated purpose. The only problem is, it isn't cool. Like the BAS, it is just a stock item, it doesn't have a cool acronym and its not BIG. The CAK on the other hand is BIG and has a catchy name. I fell for it too until the lady at the post office looked at me funny when I came to pick it up. Don't get me wrong it was beautiful but I could not get my hand around the handle and could not safely use it. I would never ever consider carrying it...

I gave it to my son-in-law who loved it... Until he used my Bonecutter and correctly stated that it was weird that the Bonecutter is so much smaller, thinner and lighter and yet it chops just as well with 1/10th the hand and arm fatigue! The Bonecutter (BAS & Ang Khila) are also light and nimble enough to still be used as a knife and general tool, hardly something that can be said of the CAK (or WWII).

Do yourself a favor and start out with a BAS, 15" Ang Khola or a Bonecutter. Pack it, carry it and have fun with it and you will know if you "need" to go larger or opt for a model with specific qualities. After you accumulate 10 or 15 kukri you will find that any time you actually carry one into the field, it will be one of those three. This is JMHO and I'm sure that every back yard chopper is going to disagree with me.

Please keep in mind that I am not being critical of any HI here, I am just trying to point out that not every kukri model is good in the carry/user role, in fact some are horrible at it. The CAK is great for a bigger person with huge hands that is going to car camp or go in the back yard and chop with it for 15 minutes but I have never heard it called a "hiking model" before! On the other hand I am being a bit critical of the current WWII but again, that is just the opinion of someone that uses a kukri all the time

and has a lot of models to compare.

Good luck on your search.

 

[Steve Tall]

... The current WWII is not a carry friendly kukri at all. The stock size has a spine width of 1/2", which in kukri terms is massive! ... The WWII is too thick, too heavy and has zero balance....And with its huge spine it is not even good at chopping. The aggressive transition from edge to the 1/2" spine wedges the wood. ...

I trust what shortwinger writes to be honest and absolutely true in his experience.

I'm wondering about variations within a model, in this case the WWII. I recently snagged a WWII that was 18" and weighed 26 ounces. I had it shipped directly to a friend, so I haven't handled it, but 26 ounces seems to be on the light side for an 18 inch chopper, and the bevel looks pretty wide (for a more acute edge).

Here's a photo from the DOTD (the WWII is at the far left):

So my question is, do the above remarks also apply to this specific WWII khuk?


EDIT: Might be useful to have identification of all knives in the photo. Note that the 18" WWII weighs only 3 ounces more than the 15" AK and 15" Ganga Ram Special:

L to R

18 inch 26 ounce WWII by Tirtha Kami. Satisal wood handle.
18 inch 23 ounce Sirupati by Lokendra. Horn handle.
18 inch 23 ounce Gelbu special by Bhakta. Satisal wood handle.
16.5 inch 31 ounce Chiruwa Ang Khola by Tirtha. Horn handle.
17 inch 22 ounce Chitlangi by Bhakta. Horn handle.
15 inch 19 ounce BAS by Lokendra.
15 inch 23 ounce Ang Khola by Tirtha. Satisal wood handle.
15 inch 23 ounce Ganga Ram special by Bhakta. Dhar wood handle.
14 inch 17 ounce Pen Knife by Tirtha. Horn handle.

 

[Karda]

Every Khukuri is different, even within the same model and length.
That is why i try to tell everyone (and it is stated in the recommendations and reasons thread) to pay attention to sizes and weights. If anyone has particular questions about a certain khukuri, the time to ask them is before the sale. Auntie usually has these in hand and is more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Pay close attention to size and weight on all models.