Technique?

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PeteG1027

Joined
Feb 25, 2010
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166
Hello All.. I have a couple of the "Ugly Villager" kukri's coming from yangdu. One is 16", 26oz, and the other is 15", 22oz's. Both have a spine thickness of 3/8".. I'll be using them to clear alot of brush, campwork, and basically everyday chores that come up that they can be used for.
I don't have alot of experience using one, though have used a cold steel kukri in the past helping a friend clear some brush.

Is there a correct way, or a proper technique to using them. I want to make sure that I start off right, and be able to show my son, and father the right way to use them. Maybe a technique that will cut down on fatigue, or a technique that I can use to make it perform as well as it can.. Thanks All, Enjoy the weekend...
 
Welcome to the fold, Pete:)

A khuk almost has to be used in order to understand the technique. A couple of pointers you'll find in the reading Karda pointed to toward but what I consider cardinal (Kardanal?:p) rules:

NEVER unsheath a khuk with your hand wrapped around the blade side of the scabbard. It can cut through the leather and thus into your finger meat. Always grip the scabbard by the back. Really, that should go for pretty much any blade, IMHO

Always be aware of where your swing starts, where you plan for it to end, and where is COULD end. Khuks are not forgiving of sloppy chops. The blade is shaped like a football and thus can glance in a similar willy nilly fashion if you aren't careful. Ask our good forum friend Wildmanh (Heber) how he almost got the nickname "Stumpy" because of a simple glancing blow from an AK :eek:

Don't chop tired. Seriously, if your arm starts to burn or your hand hurts or your shoulder is aching, put the khuk down. Go have a cold drink, check the ball game score, read the forums for 20 minutes...but stop chopping. Chopping tired can lead to serious injury.

That's about it:) Have fun with your khuk. Those Ugly Villagers are the best deal going right now. I'm going to snag one sooner than later. A tough piece of Nepali steel I'm not afraid to bugger up?...Sold:D
 
Steely-Gunz,,, It's good to be here, and Thanks for the reply. I collect and use older Lone Wolf folders, higher end Sog folders and fixed blades, and I just know that once I receive my order from Yangdu that I'm going to be hooked on these. My next 2 are going to be an WWII, and a BAS. I want to figure out what weight works best for me though, and go from there.

I don't know why I've never gave them a thought before because they have just about all I look for in a blade. Especially if you factor in the chakmak and karda. All you need is a place to put a good fire steel on the sheath and your good to go.. p.s. great point about gripping the scabbard by the back.. It's always the simple things that you get careless about that bite you in the ass.. Thanks Again
 
Good advice above. Remember that they are all different individuals though. Listen carefully to your khukuri to learn what it can do.
 
I've read a few posts on this forum regarding the proper technique of khukuris, and have personally come to conclude that the most important tip is letting the weight of the khuk doing the work, which greatly reduces fatigue. I think I remember a post by Bill aka shortwinger who mentioned that the Nepalese would make lots of light chops, rather than a few large chops, when using a khuk.

There is talk of a "wrist snap" movement, which I interpret as loosely gripping the handle with the thumb and index and middle fingers while swinging the blade, and then sharply jerking the wrist downwards just before impact, which allows the weight of the khuk to do the most work. By not fully gripping the handle, less vibration and shock will travel into your arms, and ergo they will not get tired so quickly.

Another tip largely depends on the shape of the khuk blade, and basically involves the direction of the swinging movement. I find that, if I try to slice brush like a machete, I have to swing the blade in a circular motion, in order to make the most of a slicing action. Otherwise, the stalks will just bend (unless your khuk is crazy sharp - my sharpening skills are not that good).

Therefore, I implement all these different techniques in varying degrees, depending on what is being cut. As always though, safety is paramount, so take care. Someone please let me know if any of the above is incorrect, or if there are different variations.
 
7rip13a said:
I've read a few posts on this forum regarding the proper technique of khukuris, and have personally come to conclude that the most important tip is letting the weight of the khuk doing the work, which greatly reduces fatigue. I think I remember a post by Bill aka shortwinger who mentioned that the Nepalese would make lots of light chops, rather than a few large chops, when using a khuk.

There is talk of a "wrist snap" movement, which I interpret as loosely gripping the handle with the thumb and index and middle fingers while swinging the blade, and then sharply jerking the wrist downwards just before impact, which allows the weight of the khuk to do the most work. By not fully gripping the handle, less vibration and shock will travel into your arms, and ergo they will not get tired so quickly.
Click to expand...
7rip13a is talking about a very important techniques often over looked by people (usually Western) when they use big knives. We just have forgotten how to work with wood because of modernization, i.e. power tools and city life.
new_american_gothic.jpg

A lot of my fellow Americans use brute force to cut wood with little finesse . We go to total war against trees. It is all about "how quickly" you can get through that tree. I see it over and over. Most Southeast Asian people I see using a big blade like the Parang, Kukri, Golok, Bolo, Barong, etc. take more swings, use less energy, and finish with a snap cut (see links below).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4wb32tkS6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H07iEAu6IPk

The videos above can be applied to any big knife. Also Karda's link has some great advice in it especially from hollowdweller. One thing he said, "Actually the 17" 23 oz is my perfect khuk". Not a surprise. These figures are close to the dimensions of the most commonly preferred Khukuri that Nepalis use. So I think your 15", 22oz Kukri is going to be the best one for your family's bushcraft PeteG1027. Stay safe.
 
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I tend to use what I've heard called the "ghurka snap"-loose but controlled thumb/forefinger/middlefinger, at the last second the ring and pinkie fingers snap shut and whip the sweet spot through the target. Works well with all the big bush blades, and to a lesser extent with any fixed blade. The rib in the center of the khuk grip (that most westerners find uncomfortable) is the fulcrum for the snap. Steely_gunz precautions should definately be taken to heart. The big stuff can do a lot of damage very quickly...
 
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