Talk to me about small Kukris

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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Right now I'm using a cut down CS Trailhawk and I like it a lot but want something new to play with. I'm thinking about a kuk because I've never had one before and kuks are cool.:D The catch is that I really like the weight and dimensions of my hawk at about 12-13inches OAL and just under 17oz with sheath. Are there any kuks out there in that size range? I know HI has one or two that fit this category but I'm unsure if I want a traditional styled handle or something along the lines of the busse or siegle. Any other makers out there making something in this size range of decent quality? Budget would be about $150. $200 if it's perfect. Also, how well do these smaller kuks work in the woods? Any draw backs compared to a bigger one?
 
I have a 10.5 inch HI BDC, but it's not much of a chopper. On the other hand, I have a 12.5", 16 oz. Bonecutter/Ganga Ram hybrid (pic below) and it's a good chopper for such a compact package. HI doesn't make that particular model any more. I wish they would. The wide, leaf-shaped blade does a good job on wood and the 3/8" spine adds a lot of confidence. Others have the 12" Ang Khola model, which turns up regulary on the deal of the day, and they love them. The traditional handles on these are short, but mine works well enough for me by just using the bolster as part of the handle. If you're lucky, you could snag one for around 60-70 bucks plus shipping and get one to test. If it doesn't light your fire, many folks use this model as a dedicated truck knife to handle what may come on the road. Noss managed to kill one, but became pretty impressed during the process! If he would have tested a full (chiruwa) tang model, he likely wouldn't have succeeded. The regular AK tangs go all the way through the handle and are peened at the end, a chiruwa handle uses slabs for handles with the tang fully exposed. My mini is this way and is tough as can be. Give one a try.

In hand
GRSBChand005.jpg


In the middle
CAKGRSBCandBilton003.jpg
 
That's a nice one.

I went over to the HI forum on a lark to see what's up and they had pretty much exactly what I was looking for. 12", 15oz, and straight wood handle instead of bone with the flare in the middle. This will be my first and I'm excited about it. Now I just have to learn how to sharpen it. :eek: :D

The one second from the right.
12-28-11%20002.jpg
 
theAntihero said:
Honestly something that small isnt going to be much of a chopper.
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It's not for processing firewood for sure, but you might be surprised at how good the short wide blades chop and cut. Kind of like a cleaver, I guess. I think they make great campsite and hiking blades. Not too big, but big enough. I think you'll enjoy the BDC. There are a few HI cantinistas who've stated the 14" BDC is their favorite khuk. Please do a review after you play with it. Be careful though, they multiply like tribbles (old school Star Trek reference. Yes I'm getting old:))! It's hard to stop at one khuk since they all have their own personalities. Might I suggest a 16.5" WWII next? Now that is an all-arounder! Take care.
 
jdk1 said:
Noss managed to kill one, but became pretty impressed during the process! If he would have tested a full (chiruwa) tang model, he likely wouldn't have succeeded.
Click to expand...

What JDK1 said about his 12.5" Bonecutter is indeed very versatile especially in tight spaces.
"A big knife in a small package" summarizes it.
Some sworn by 10.5" BDC. I have a 14" version and it does little things well.
That's why we have other tools for other bigger tasks.

When my 12" khuk chopped off a log size of my thigh rather than waiting for a chainsaw (so the trail is visible again), i was madly impressed with "COMPACT".
 
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