Specifics of Chopping w/a Khuk?

GrinderMcgee

GrinderMcgee

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Jun 23, 2008
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Got a boat load of wood chips done up w/ a bowie chopper, but have never even handled a real khuk, just a CS machete. I apologize for yet again calling upon this group of users for recommendations but am torn.

In bowies I find my 18 oz to be the most comfy all arounder (Cold Steel Trail Master) and my 27 oz is just not making up the difference in bite to justify the extra weight for longer sessions(CG Battle Mistress). The CAK is really catching my eye with a couple more inches reach (11"-12.5") and right around that 25-30oz mark. I'm on foot clearing downed hardwoods mostly.

So where I am stuck is the balance since the Khukuri is a mystery to me. Where is this knife(CAK)balanced? Is my logic reasonable? Am I neurotic from reading too much this week??

Any suggestions are appreciated.
 
As Duzzy said, it's forward balanced. The curve of the blade means that it's always attacking the target at an angle, it's "thunks" in hard and bites deep, but the convex edge keeps it from wedging in and getting stuck.

You won't be sorry to have one.


Kev
 
I would highly recommend that you read the thread on safety. I've been handking knives for a long time, but kuks are a little different and I learned something from it.

Kev
 
Be advised that in addition to the differences in balance, an good-sized khukuri is certain to weigh more than one of your bowies, and you should prepare for this. (This recent thread discusses some typical weights for khuks around 18" long.) It's functional weight, all of which goes into the chop, but it is weight
 
The khukuri combines the slicing action of a knife with the impact effect of an axe. When you add to this the forward balance of the weight and the angle of the blade, this results in ferocious cutting power.
 
kuks are very individual in their feel since they're handmade so what you really need to do is go visit Auntie Yangdu and try everything she has for a few weeks to see what suits you best.

If that's not practical then get a 15" or 18" model that looks nice to you, and then find a friend with a belt grinder b/c (1) you may end up wanting to modify the handle shape AND (2) if you find it's too heavy, you can safely remove a lot of material and weight by rounding the spine without compromising the sturdiness of the blade.

Or you could get an Annapurna bowie and modify it to your tastes, that's what I did and it's an insanely effective tool without having the foreign kuk shape

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655941
 
What exactly are you asking for?
Obviously with most of the weight in the blade, it will be very blade heavy.

Generally a kukri will outchop a knife od similar length. I have a CG Battle Mistress and my CAK, and M43 severely ouchop it.

Are you asking if the weight is worth it? If you're doing a lot of chopping, especially on hardwoods, IMO, yes. Kukris weigh more, but they also get the job doen with fewer swings. I like the heavy models (like the CAK) because I can lift it overhead, give a little impulse, and let gravity do most of the work with me just guiding it to target so to speak. With knives, even though they weigh less, they seem to take more effort to get a given job done.

It's one of those things that you won't understand until you try it. I was a big member of the "how can they possibly be that good?" club until I got one and learned to use it. Now I rarely carry anything else.
 
^you guys are fielding my question very well.

This comment in particular is very helpful in describing the balance of the tool.

"I can lift it overhead, give a little impulse, and let gravity do most of the work with me just guiding it to target so to speak."

With my knife, even the Mistress it is more neutrally balanced and velocity is more important for max potential. Here it seems momentum is the driving force behind function.
 
GrinderMcgee said:
With my knife, even the Mistress it is more neutrally balanced and velocity is more important for max potential. Here it seems momentum is the driving force behind function.
Click to expand...

Yes, to that comment. :thumbup:

Plus there is the option to impart additional blade speed by using a wrist flick of the Khuk just as the blade nears its target.
 
Once the khuk teaches you how to use it (trust me, it will;)), you'll wonder how you lived without the forward weight:D In all seriousness, once you start using a fluid snap cut motion, hitting your target with the sweet spot, and letting gravity and mass do the work for you, you'll take on an almost zin like chopping technique.

All you'll have to do is make sure that your arms, legs, and feet are out of the way, and be sure to stop when you start to get tired.

To put the chopping prowess of the khuk in perspective. Once upon a time I had a Cold Steel Trailmaster. I mean, it's THE chopping knife of all time....the marketing flat out tells you this :rolleyes:. Granted, it was a good chopper and certainly out paced my Ka Bar. My "dinky" 12" AK eats it for breakfast. My 15" Villager that rides in my truck would out chop it 5:1 easily. My 18" M43 (arguably a much more martial blade) splits into the grain of a log with gravity alone deeper than I could safely pound the trailmaster in with a hammer. Don't even get me started on what my 22" GRS will do;)
 
The Trail Master is my go to bowie for all around use and is the king of its kind IMO for survival knives. It out chops a hatchet of the same size. Hopefully my Vojpuri is on the way. I can't wait to take 'er for a test run.

Steely gunz you're in Evansville? You gotta share some of your favorite wilderness stomping grounds.
 
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Yes indeed I am in E-vill:D

Sadly, I don't get to do the wood stomping I did when I was kid. I grew up on the far west side of town before all the development and subdivisions went in, and this was just 20 years ago. I had a creek and about 60 acres of woods to play in. It was heaven:D

These days, I'm lucky to get to a state park let alone humping it out in the wilds. Generally, I have to go south to get away. My mom's fiance owns a cabin in Kentucky that offers some access to wildlife (if a bit more plush than I like), and my Uncle's uncle has about 140 acres of land out in the middle of BFE Kentucky where I head when I REALLY want to get away:D:thumbup:

I haven't handled the Vojpuri yet, but I would be willing to bet it'll outchop the TM by a good bit. If you find that you want a big ol' heavy bowie that'll chop like an axe yet give you a lil' more western flavor, check out the AK bowie. It's a personal fav. 15" long, 1-1.5 lbs in weight, bombproof:thumbup::cool:
 
GrinderMcgee said:
Hopefully my Vojpuri is on the way. I can't wait to take 'er for a test run.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good choice: unless I've gotten my info mixed up, the Vojpuri is a classic, heavy-duty Nepalese design, and thought by some to bring good luck. :thumbup:
 
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