Seeking wisdom from my HI experts.

ferdinand

ferdinand

Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
148
Dear friends, I am interested in purchasing a HI khukri and I ask for your advice. I want a big chopper/ do all blade that fits some of my requirements. So here I go, primarily will sit in my truck as a utility tool so weight isn't a factor. Fit and finish doesn't need to be show quality and I also want a sheath. I currently trap, hunt and hike out of my truck and use a machete and double bit axe. I have exhausted Google and read most posts here but am still up in the air. I also like to keep my truck kit as cheap as possible in case I get broken into, parking in the woods and all. I welcome any and all opinions and am in your debt.
Respectfully, Chance.
 
15" Ang Khola. It's a good tool and chopper, comes with a sheath, and isn't so large as to be unwieldy and a pain to keep in a vehicle.
 
In order of my preference, get a blemed 18" ASTK, M43, BAS, WWII, or AK.

1. Don't spend extra $ for the polished perfect ones, save money on a blem.

Such as slight rust removal (some slight steel wool 4-0, and polish), slight handle shrinkage (a little filing to fix), missing Karda/chakma, or slight imperfection in/on the sheath.

2. 15" may be a bit small, and 20" is somewhat overkill as a multi user. An 18" will have good heft for chopping, won't tire you out too quickly, big enough for the big jobs, and small enough for some smaller tasks.

3. If you lose it, it won't hurt as much.

That's my 2 cents.
 
T
cul4u01 said:
In order of my preference, get a blemed 18" ASTK, M43, BAS, WWII, or AK.

1. Don't spend extra $ for the polished perfect ones, save money on a blem.

Such as slight rust removal (some slight steel wool 4-0, and polish), slight handle shrinkage (a little filing to fix), missing Karda/chakma, or slight imperfection in/on the sheath.

2. 15" may be a bit small, and 20" is somewhat overkill as a multi user. An 18" will have good heft for chopping, won't tire you out too quickly, big enough for the big jobs, and small enough for some smaller tasks.

3. If you lose it, it won't hurt as much.

That's my 2 cents.
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I'm 100% in agreement with your assessment especially in regards to the ASTK, which seems to get overlooked. Khukris are like cartridges, there's always a specific one that might fill a nitch better but, some can do everything satisfactorily when it's called upon. The 30-06 is a prime example. The choices you put forth cover all basis in a similar way IMHO.
 
Thank you kindly for the help, so I'm thinking a 18 to 20 inch. I've just got to watch the daily deals for a blemish, I'm confused on the acronyms but I'll figure it out. Patience is a virtue now.
Respectfully, Chance.
 
Welcome aboard! There's a lot to learn but, that's why it's so darn fun and interesting. Lots of kind folks here willing to help that are far more knowledgeable than I. I just throw out little tid bits here and there attempting to seem like I know what I'm talking about. You will learn quickly that Auntie is the nicest, fair and most accommodating person ever. She is adored by all.
 
Welcome.

The others a spot on. My go-to do it all used to be an 18" WWWII. It has a good stout blade and a longer than usual handle. The handle length allows you to choke up or down to zero your swing how you want to strike.
 
ferdinand said:
Thank you kindly for the help, so I'm thinking a 18 to 20 inch. I've just got to watch the daily deals for a blemish, I'm confused on the acronyms but I'll figure it out. Patience is a virtue now.
Respectfully, Chance.
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ASTK = Amar Singh Thapa Knife (I think that's right) ONLY SOLD ON THE FORUM

M43 = M-43 - I think it's on the website

BAS = British Army Service - On the website

WWII = World War II - On the website

AK = Ang Khola - On the website

All the knives above can be had on the forum, via a DOTD (Deal of the Day), and they show up periodically as blems as well.
 
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Or if you don't want to wait, call or send Yangdu an email and see what she has on hand.

If you seek a blem, let her know that. I would add CAK Chiruwa Ang Khola to Cul's nice list above.
Same as the AK blade wise with full tang and slabs for handle.

Both are heavy duty get r dun blades that won't let you down.
 
These gentleman have already done a fine job at recommendations, but allow me to offer my 2-cents as well.

Anything over 18", though better at chopping, will be pretty unwieldy as a "general use" blade. I'd stick to the 16-18" bracket for now, then maybe go bigger or smaller for your next khuk.

I wholeheartedly recommend Thamar's "X" Chirra knives; any of them. I have a 17" Dui Chirra that makes a fantastic all around blade, and will tackle all but the most ridiculous of chopping tasks. A Yek Chirra or Tin Chirra I'm sure are just as awesome, based on other's reviews.

Secondly I recommend a Foxy Folly. While it may be more difficult to find a blem, this blade has quickly taken over the spot of my go-to. I have a 16.5" model by Purna. It lives in my car and is used quite often. The only caveat is that it's a fairly light knife, which means more swings to cut a big log, but less wear on the body. I can and have used that knife all day long.
 
Bah. Humbug on those recommendations! Steely was close on with the WWII khuk and that varmint Cul nailed it, so if you want a khuk to surpass all other khuks, get the M 43 version of the WWII. You could even use it on a pesky momma-in-law or two! I guarantee it'd work on her! Not real great on toe nail cleaning, though, but I'll bet a 20 incher would work just dandy. In all seriousness, if I could only have but one khuk, it'd be the M43. I've even learned how to throw it and have it stick 90% of the time.
 
You all are awesome! I really appreciate your time and effort, I am going to keep an out here for a blem. If my patience runs thin I'll bug Auntie. Again I am so grateful for your insight and will post pictures when my first Khukri arrives.
Respectfully,Chance.
 
Bookie said:
Bah. Humbug on those recommendations! Steely was close on with the WWII khuk and that varmint Cul nailed it, so if you want a khuk to surpass all other khuks, get the M 43 version of the WWII. You could even use it on a pesky momma-in-law or two! I guarantee it'd work on her! Not real great on toe nail cleaning, though, but I'll bet a 20 incher would work just dandy. In all seriousness, if I could only have but one khuk, it'd be the M43. I've even learned how to throw it and have it stick 90% of the time.
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Dont believe a word of it lest you see some vidia of it. ;)
 
17-18in ASTK
18 in WWII
Would be my first two choices. The ASTK possesses an incredibly good feeling handle and fairly light weight blade. The WWII is probably HI's most versatile blade.
 
The heavier the better for chopping hard stuff and the other way around.

Then there are different handles. I like the traditional profile and since the handles tend to be longer on longer blades and I have huge hands, I prefer longer blades as well.

For some it matters if the tang is full or thinner. (All are full length) The thinner tangs are said to transfer less shock to the hand.

My best wood chopper is the ASTK which is also my heaviest one. I don't have much brush to cut but if I do I grab a klvuk though another light Kuk should be just as good.

Even though the heavy and long ASTK is best for me it wouldn't be the best for my wife with her more delicate wrists.

Weight and handle design and length are most important to me. The name of the model not as much though of course there are some corellations.

Sometimes it takes a few Kukris before you find the best one for a job and body type. Of course that doesn't mean that the others would be bad. They'll still be good.
 
I have an M43 which I have been perfectly happy with for around 7 years now. I think this model would suit your needs very well. It's heavy, but not too heavy, a great chopper, and gorgeous lines, to boot.
 
ferdinand:

No one on this thread has asked the key questions. How big and fit are you? How much really heavy chopping will you be doing, like cutting down trees or large logs, as opposed to general camping and hiking chores? Without knowing those answers, people are just telling you what's best for them, not what might be best for you.

The large, heavy HI blades are more like short-handled axes than any non-HI knives that you might have encountered, including knives that are described as choppers. If you buy an HI blade that is too heavy/unwieldy for you, it might end up as a closet queen.

Some people swear by their 20" 42 oz heavy HI choppers, but they might be physically much different from you, and their usage needs might be different. Unless you are very fit and have a lot of very heavy chopping to do, I would not make a 20" Ang Khola the first purchase. It might turn out to be the best blade for five percent of what you do, but too heavy for the other ninety-five percent.

A 15" AK (that's overall length, by the way, not blade length) can cut anything that an 18" or 20" AK can cut; it will just take longer. So if heavy chopping is only a small part of how you will be using the blade, then it might make sense to go with the 15" AK, which will be more convenient for most tasks.

Any of the models listed by cul4u01 above will work just fine. I am partial to the M43 and WWII models myself, like Bookie. FYI, the HI versions tend to have thicker, heavier blades than the corresponding models used during WWII. That makes sense inasmuch as nowadays the blades are much more likely to be used on wood rather than enemy soldiers.
 
Davidf99, I'm 5'11 and 220lbs. I like to think I'm pretty fit and try to do most things the hard way as a means of exercise. I like the idea of a heavier khukri to pound stakes and other stuff. I really appreciate your help, also do you carry a file for sharpening or something like a pocket stone?
Respectfully, Chance.
 
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