So I find myself wanting a Khukri...

EDDAKA

EDDAKA

Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
408
Hey guys,

I've been browsing BF lately looking for some recommendations on a khukri. some people have recommended cold steel and some other manufacturers. But after hearing about Himalayan imports and looking at their website.

This is for me.

I've settled on a 18" i guess. Seems like a good all around size, and is still able to carry without much hassle. Great all around chopper. (unless convinced otherwise? :p)

Don't know much about the different design aspects of the blades and whatnot, but alot of people like/recommend the m-43?

Would an 18" M-43 be a good first Khukri?

-Richard.
 
Welcome from one relative Khukie newbie to another -

I don't think you'll be disappointed with any HI Khukri you find yourself possessing -

That being said - a suggestion...read up on the numerous threads, especially those asking about a first purchase.

The Ang Khola's the #1 selling HI - I just picked up an 18" Chiruwa Ang Khola from another forumite, and will tell you that it'll chop 'til your heart's content.

Depends on your personal preferences and physical constraints (strength, hand and grip size, body type) - and, what you'll find yourself chopping....branches off the backyard sapling...? firewood in the camp site? a nuisance oak tree? redwoods...?

There are MANY very knowledgeable owners/users/collectors that can provide you great wisdom and direction. And remember...you can never ask too many questions :)

Welcome to the trail - enjoy the ride...
 
EDDAKA said:
Hey guys,

I've been browsing BF lately looking for some recommendations on a khukri. some people have recommended cold steel and some other manufacturers. But after hearing about Himalayan imports and looking at their website.

This is for me.

I've settled on a 18" i guess. Seems like a good all around size, and is still able to carry without much hassle. Great all around chopper. (unless convinced otherwise? :p)

Don't know much about the different design aspects of the blades and whatnot, but alot of people like/recommend the m-43?

Would an 18" M-43 be a good first Khukri?

-Richard.
Click to expand...

Nicholas said:
That's what *I* got.:D
Click to expand...

Same here. The M-43, WWII, and CAK would all be excellent first khuks.
 
I have to say, good choice EDDAKA! I personally purchased a Kabar kukri-machete prior to joining the HI family and while they're good tools, an authentic kukri makes it just feel like a bent machete. You just can't do the larger ax-oriented tasks with those slim blades.

For you, I would personally recommend an M43 or CAK, with an AK or WWII being good backup choices.

Oh, and here's what I'm talking about as far as slim blades: my kabar kukri-machete's spine thickness vs. my Vojpure's. Remember that the kabar kukri-machete is a good bit thicker than the $20 ones that Cold Steel sells...
P1020014.jpg
 
It does depend a great deal on what you want to do with it, as Venice Will said. If you want a handy blade to do camp chores with on the trail, then one of the smaller 16" models would be more up your lane. But if you are wanting to do some serious chopping and not so much carrying about, then 18" and up is what you should be looking at.

The M43 is a very good chopper, as are the larger AKs, the larger Pens, the Bamboo Cutter.

Andy
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
The M43 is a very good chopper, as are the larger AKs, the larger Pens, the Bamboo Cutter.
Click to expand...


Let's not forget the ...


....BOOOOONNE-CUTTERRRRRR! :D

But back to the OP, if you don't mind one of the larger sized specimens, an M43 should be plenty versatile and less bulky than some patterns. As was mentioned above, if you're planning to lug the khuk around on your belt a lot, you might consider the under 16" range. Started with the 15" AK myself.
 
Wecome to the H.I. forum, EDDAKA !
Here are a few links that might help in your decision, and help you shark a deal here on the forum. Do alot of reading and if you have any questions we're here to help as you can see. Although, the M-43 Cultists are running rampant these days. :eek::D:D

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601448
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/physics/Khukuri_Dynamics.html
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269016
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198282
 
Karda said:
Wecome to the H.I. forum, EDDAKA !
Here are a few links that might help in your decision, and help you shark a deal here on the forum. Do alot of reading and if you have any questions we're here to help as you can see. Although, the M-43 Cultists are running rampant these days. :eek::D:D
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601448
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/physics/Khukuri_Dynamics.html
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269016
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198282
Click to expand...

You will be assimilated.
 
Oh, and here's what I'm talking about as far as slim blades: my kabar kukri-machete's spine thickness vs. my Vojpure's. Remember that the kabar kukri-machete is a good bit thicker than the $20 ones that Cold Steel sells...
Click to expand...

And CS's "real" khukuri is pretty up there in price. http://www.coldsteel.com/sanmaigurkha.html

Definitely not a hard use knife either. 22 ounces is probably a hair less than what a 17" Sirupati or Chitlangi would weigh. And it's only 5/16" thick. Might be a decent weapon, but a bit too frail to really classify as a khukuri.

As an alternative to either getting an easier to carry 15" heavy chopper, or an 18" heavy chopper that makes you tilt to one side when you walk, you could also consider an 18" or even 20" lighter weight one, like the aforementioned Siru or Chit. The "lightweight" khuks in the 18-20" range are sort of jacks of all trades, masters of none. Maneuverable enough to be a wicked weapon, light enough to use as a machete without tiring your arm out too much, and powerful enough to chop and split wood. An 18" Chit weighs about what a 15" AK does.

In fact, if you have wrist troubles like tendinitis or carpal tunnel, a "lighter" khukuri (especially a Chitlangi, with the large pommel) can be less fatiguing to use than a machete due to the balance. The heavier khuks are pretty forward balanced, but the lighter ones handle more like a short sword. Machetes tend to balance right in the middle of the entire thing, which can be hell on your wrists.
 
Hi an welcome!

Being new myself, I stood exactly where you are now mate...

I weighed all the pros and the cons and decided on an M43 although a bit customized (see my recent thread). My "Croatian Special" is all that I hoped for... I haven't really tested it since it is freezing winter outside but the look and feel of it is spot on. I wondered why so many people here preferred it but now I know :)

Try to think what you need the khukuri for. Many are really specialized in their tasks and if you need a specific blade, you can't go wrong but if you are into versatility, I would think about WW2 or an M43 models. They didn't use them in wartime for no reason...
 
Ryan M said:
And CS's "real" khukuri is pretty up there in price. http://www.coldsteel.com/sanmaigurkha.html

Definitely not a hard use knife either. 22 ounces is probably a hair less than what a 17" Sirupati or Chitlangi would weigh. And it's only 5/16" thick. Might be a decent weapon, but a bit too frail to really classify as a khukuri.

As an alternative to either getting an easier to carry 15" heavy chopper, or an 18" heavy chopper that makes you tilt to one side when you walk, you could also consider an 18" or even 20" lighter weight one, like the aforementioned Siru or Chit. The "lightweight" khuks in the 18-20" range are sort of jacks of all trades, masters of none. Maneuverable enough to be a wicked weapon, light enough to use as a machete without tiring your arm out too much, and powerful enough to chop and split wood. An 18" Chit weighs about what a 15" AK does.

In fact, if you have wrist troubles like tendinitis or carpal tunnel, a "lighter" khukuri (especially a Chitlangi, with the large pommel) can be less fatiguing to use than a machete due to the balance. The heavier khuks are pretty forward balanced, but the lighter ones handle more like a short sword. Machetes tend to balance right in the middle of the entire thing, which can be hell on your wrists.
Click to expand...

Interesting when you consider the following claim on their web site:

ColdSteel.jpg


Doc
 
To the OP:

If you have specific uses in mind that the kukri has to do, we can help narrow it down for you. Otherwise, just about any kukri will work, and you should look throuhg the pic thread, and the "missing pages" thread, and pick the one that calls to you.
 
As I recollect, Bill Martino never contested other mfr's claims or pufferies, but in his own western-ized Bhuddist philisophical way, allowed that his only interest was the quality and performance of the H.I. khukuries.

As I interpreted it, it was sort of "let them seek their own way, this is ours." He taught quite a few Cantina folks to not waste the energy required to attend to that which he felt needed no attention.


Richard? The 18" M43 would be a wonderful khuk to own. If your question is still open, I tend to suggest folks get a 15-16.5 AK as a first blade, depending on your stature, and radiate out from there. It is still a substantial blade by most standards, and will function well for you in most general uses, especially carrying on a trail.

Best wishes.
 
They aren't very common lately, but I think a Pen, with its less severe bend, might be a good choice to kind of ease someone into khukris.
 
IMO a 15" AK is a great all-rounder. I found the 18" slightly ungainly for finer work. Either way you have to be very careful with where that blade goes with a miss or deflection.
 
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