Smallest & Effective

A

alx

Joined
Jun 19, 1999
Messages
6
I want ask to the much expert forumites what is the smallest, easy portable size of a khukuri that is still effective, functional for use in trekking and outdoor activities.
What's the HI Khukuri that is suitable for?

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I'm going to let the expert forumites answer this one. I have personal preferences and I don't want to taint the feedback.

Uncle Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 21 June 1999).]
 
my useful cutoff is about 12"(overall). after that i would use the $10 armynavy store camp saw. right tool for the right job.

rob g.
 
Hi Rob:

I think this is what we are going to hear from most people but we'll wait and see.

Uncle Bill
 
Alx, for me its 18". Any less than that and I don't find the handle comfortable. If you are just looking at chopping then go with one of the lighter models like the WWII or Sirupati. If you want better lateral strength get an AK.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 21 June 1999).]
 
I think Cliff is right but in a rucksack you have so many things (especially if you carry in it ropes and carabiners) that a 18" is too big and heavy. I think in the range of 12"-15" is the best solution, but I can't judge very well 'cause I have only two 17" Indian made pana butta no tapered tang that are most heavy (I think) of a 17" tapered tang of good manufacture.
 
Alx, I don't think you are saving a lot of weight going from 18 -> 15. But three+ inches (bigger scabbard probably adds a bit more) could be important I'll grant you that.

A lot depends on the person. Cobalt likes the handles on the 15 AK just fine. My brother, who is a fair bit taller than me, carries the 18" AK under his left arm.

Bill, if you didn't offer the 18" ones the 20's would be my minimum
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-Cliff
 
ALX,
I'm going to go against the grain here and say of the several HI.Khukuri's that I've seen and the ones that I have, I really like the Village Khukuri's for your intended use. They're compact and well balanced, with little weight.
Dan

[This message has been edited by Dan K (edited 22 June 1999).]
 
alx, I have asked myself about the utility of a small (ie 12" or less) kukri for use when hiking or camping, basically to save weight. My personal conclusion depended upon how much chopping I was going to do - if minimal (ie just in case, like a survival situation), I'd take a pocket saw or one of those pocket chainsaws (flexible chain with handles) or maybe just a hatchet.

I have a Cold Steel Vietnam Tomahawk which weighs about 1lb - altho it was primarily designed as a weapon, it chops surprisingly well and offers a better weight-chopping speed ratio than my WWII. However if you are really expecting a lot of chopping (as in firewood / shelter building on an extended trip) then IMHO to get an advantage over a saw / hatchet combo, you will need to get the standard Ang Khola or WWII.
 
I have to say I agree with Dan K -- the village khukuri at around 14" is a very useful blade. Still a pretty impressive chopper though without the weight of a larger knife. Wouldn't want to build a log cabin with it, but I think I could make a decent lean-to.
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I don't think you can go wrong with the 15 inchers either though. I think there is a reason that 15" is the standard size for Ghurka issue and one of the most popular sizes in general (since the 15" AK and BAS are Uncle's 2 best sellers).

Just my $0.02

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com


 
18" WWII was my first HI and is exactly what I find is best humper/utility/tool/lethal weapon. It is a natural extension of my hand as well as a beautiful blade. Does well
as a camp knife and I love to split the heads of cabbage for my wife when she cooks!! Besides small pocket knife I don't bother to carry anything but HI. As a footnote I discovered that Canola cooking oil is a good lube for the inside of the sheath.


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Greg


 


I personally like big knives. I have some small ones and find them okay for what they are made for. I especially like my new Marbles Woodcraft with the 52100 steel. It is a beauty and a wonder to hold.
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I usually always carry at least two knifes with me if I am going out somewhere. When walking the more isolated parks around Tulsa I have a Bigger military knife I like to carry along with the SAK and pocket knife. That will change when I get a smaller Kuhkuri I can carry without it being to obvious.
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I have always found when I am in the woods that a big knife would do anything a small one will. It may not be as handy or precise,but you can get the job done. On the other hand a little knife cannot do the same thing that a big one can.
I like the 15" AK and I know it serves many well but I think the 18" AK will serve me better.
I am going for the 18" AK knowing that Uncle Bill will trade it for an 18" WW II if need be. I was seriously considering the 18" WW II first since it is a little lighter.
Doing it this way I will never have to wonder what the 18" AK is like. I am reasonably sure I will keep it.

When it gets right down to it,it is a matter of taste. I have gripped about carrying a big knife,but I have never regreted carrying one. I have regretted carrying a smaller one and not having the big one along and gripped about that.

I think if weight was a factor I would go for the biggest lightest one Uncle Bill has. If size was the factor then I would go for the smaller heavier one.

If I could really have my way I would have two of each of everything Uncle Bill has and then choose what I wanted to carry that day.
Somehow I think you would all like that.
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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
 
Yvsa, your post was what I was going to say but I didn't want to do it right off the bat.

Uncle Bill
 
For minimum weight and still maintain excellent chopping capabilities, my vote goes to the 16.5" WWII model. It chops right behind the 15" Ang Khola but is about 100 g lighter.

Generally, the heavy the khukuri is the better it will chop.

Will
 
Thanks, Will, for valued input. There's a forumite having trouble getting a razor edge on his khukuri. Tell him your sharpening secrets.

Uncle Bill
 
I want say thanks to all forumites for their replies.
I used many big knives, axes and saws and I agree with opinions I read.
Is a good idea to carry a pocket saw, a little pocket knife and a kukri that can be big and light or little and heavy.
A small and sturdy HI kukri seems to be the AK 15" if I realized right.

[This message has been edited by alx (edited 23 June 1999).]
 
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