tell me about khukris

[RescueRiley]

I've been hearing alot about these what advantages do they offer over a machete or large chopping knife???got any pics of one in action??? also I'd like to try relatively toug economy model first before I drop a hundred smackers on a HI...ANy suggestions I looked at the kabar one but it's hollow ground.. any help suggestions or info would be great...

 

[j williams]

Id say from what Ive read, and seen, HI is totally the way to go. Ive been lookin myself, and Im definatly goin HI, just deciding what one

Hollowdweller, and Ilbruche are the men to see on this one. Bruce has the biggest freakin khuk Ive ever seen, its like 1/2 in thick

 

[ilbruche]

Don't even bother with a KLO or "Khukuri Like Object". Get the real thing.

First you need to define what you want it to do. There are various models that are better suited for different tasks.

You can get a great khuk on the HI forum for under $100. Check the Deal of the Day threads.

Hollowdweller, and Ilbruche are the men to see on this one. Bruce has the biggest freakin khuk Ive ever seen, its like 1/2 in thick

BTW, this is the biggest khuk HI ever made. Dave Rishar owns this 40" Ganga Ram. My 22" Bonecutter is a dwarf compared to this beast.

 

[j williams]

That is freakin sweet. A bad tool for sure. Probably weighs as much as a VW though!

 

[rroundy]

HI is the Bomb:thumbup:. Great company and wonderful group of knowledgeable people over at the Forum. My favorites for bladeforums are set to HI and the HI Cantina area. In fact many of the guys in WSS are interchangeable fixtures there as well.Spend some time there and I am sure you will see.

ryan

 

[RescueRiley]

I should have been more specific about what I expect from it..I keeo messing around with chopper and folder combos..That seems to work well for me. So I'm looking for something that can handle light chopping >>say summer campfire wood... Small shelter poles but also could handle some slicing in a pinch should I lose or break my other blade...I was considering a 15 inch model..Possibly the "british" one..THanks for the input so far guys...

 

[coote]

A while back I was doing quite a bit of possum trapping. These are Australian brushtailed possums which are considered a pest in New Zealand....and there is a demand for their fur.

I found that I needed to clear small twigs and branches at my sets, and sometimes I'd cut and trim poles to set my snares on. So I needed a light chopper. I also needed a tool to club the animals. I tried a hatchet, a tomahawk, a golok and large knives. I also carried a wooden club.

I bought a khukuri to be a multipurpose tool....but the the multipurpose tool idea was probably more of an outward excuse for the purchase because I simply thought that khukuris were very good-looking and that they had a special 'mystique'.

But the khukuri turned out to be very effective. Initially I bought an Himalayan Imports 15" Ang Khola villager. Dang that thing could chop, and it made a very effective club. But it was fairly heavy. I then got myself a 12" Ang Khola from the same place. This small khukuri still coped very well with the cutting and chopping tasks and was much more convenient to carry...even if it wasn't quite as effective as the 15-incher when the back of it was used as a club. However with the right technique it was still OK as a club.

I think that for general work like what I was doing on the trapline, the 12" Ang Khola is plenty big enough and a good choice of tool. If I had to do a lot of chopping....like when my life depended on having shelter and plenty of firewood....I'd choose a decent axe.

So yes, I reckon a khukuri is well worth experimenting with.

I quite liked my ex-army golok though. It was a much plainer tool, and I felt I could abuse it more than my khukuri. With it's blunt end, I was happier to use it as a general purpose chopper, lever and digger. I would not be happy about levering or digging with my beautiful Ang Khola although it would probably take the abuse very well.

The photo below shows my trusty golok (top) and my 15" (overall length) ang khola khukuri:

Heres the 12 -incher on the trapline:

The 12" and 15" together:

In some instances I believe that a khukuri or machete may be safer to use than a hatchet. This is because the blade is more likely to 'straddle' the branch (or whatever) being chopped....whereas a hatchet has a smaller blade and may 'miss' more easily.

A decent hatchet still has its place though, and I would never like to be without one. It doesn't need to be a 'big name' tool....just sturdy and sharp with a good temper and a sensible handle. I've had great results with a 1 pound hatchet I bought new for around NZ$6.50

I got great service from Himalayan Imports, and I would buy from them again.

Best wishes..... Coote in New Zealand.

 

[Bushman5]

have the Kabar Khukuri and it has been put through hell and back. I've cleared blackberry brambles, thinned out trees (pecker poles), slashed limbs off after felling trees, built countless shelters poles and hacked brush to pile onto said shelters, prepped food, sliced biscuits/bread/salami/cheese etc.

Its a inexpensive ($$ wise) tough khukuri, that is easy to carry on the belt or pack, and does the job. It would be a greta first Khukuri for someone wanting to try on.

I did strip the black coating from mine and used mustard to give it a nice patina.

link to picture of the kabar: (partially hidden by my 'hawks) http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Bushman5/002.jpg

 

[coote]

I was just thinking that maybe I did not stress enough that a big khukuri might be a nuisance to carry. I was mightily impressed with my 15 incher, but I found the 12 incher was much more convenient to tote around....and it was more than adequate for the jobs I had to do. My snare poles might be 1.5" to 5" in diameter....whatever I can find lying around, and I would happily tackle these with the 12-incher. I've also driven big nails with the back of the 12-incher (not that I would want to use it as a hammer if I had a hammer or hatchet on hand).

So....while a big khuk has impressive performance, it is big and heavy. And the performance of a decent 12-incher may well delight you. Just my thoughts.

 

[coote]

Didn't really answer your initial question sorry (what advantages do khukuris have over a machete or big knife?). Hmmmmm........

-They possibly look 'sexier' (depending on the eye of the beholder).
-A thick-bladed ang khola khuk will probably drive nails better than a thinner machete or knife.
-The shape and weight distribution of a good khuk possibly allows it to 'out-chop' even longer knives or machetes (but you'd need to experiment for yourself). So you get good chopping potential in a shorter, easier-to-stow tool.

However, I'd rather use a machete as a utility tool if the blade was likely to suffer damage....I don't like to damage my khukuri and I think a machete is easier and quicker to sharpen (I generally use a file on a machete).

Hope that helps. Coote.

 

[Thomas Linton]

The angle creates a shearing action when chopping. The traditional khukuri rig comes with a steel and with a small knife for fine work. It can also be used as a draw knife to shape poles (and has been used to reshape other nationalities if need be).

 

[ivan51]

great pic's Coote

 

[siguy]

i have an old coldsteel kukri-style blade that does great chopping, above my cheap hatchets in my opinion (looking to get a nice hatchet soon) as well as my straight-bladed machetes (though stock thickness vs length has to be taken into account here)

when i got to play with a HI 15" i think it was, i found that it chopped very well, roughly on par with a hatchet. i think that at this point i find more versatility in a nice hatchet, but that's because i have had more experience with them.

i would suggest you look into a kukri-style blade to start with to see if you like the style, or borrow a kukri from someone local...if you make it over to the CT gathering you can play with the one i will be bringing.:thumbup:

but the difference between kukri styled blades and a real kukri is a large step, mostly in pure power of a swing.

so i think you should definitely look into something like a cold steel kukri machete to start with, and go from there.

 

[akabu]

I use my HI WWII 15 inch on almost all my trips, chops,skins and bang with it but I will not use it as a digging tool as I just make a digging stick.
I will not take it in saltwater areas as the rust or water getting to the sheath is not worth it.
then a cheap machete or a CS Khuk will do, just my choice.
They work great in dry/cold hardwood compared to a light weight Machete and will cut light weight flora you just have to take the time to learn the right way to use them

 

[akabu]

SHEARING
http://outdoors-magazine.com/spip.php?article81
http://outdoors-magazine.com/spip.php?article300&var_recherche=shearing&var_recherche=shearing

 

[Fiddleback]

I always mod khukuri rigs to remove the accessory knives. This is because the rig is too thick and clumsy with the knives (IMO) and also because they're not hardened, and not of too much value to me. Its an easy do-it-yourself project, and makes the rig way more carryable. You can see how much more vertically one hangs after removing the small knives and their holders.

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

John,
Buy a HI...it is awesome. I dont have anything that can outchop my HI..its one big and heavy mother..but it chops like crazy. Gene

 

[Thomas Linton]

Yes, quite thick. I wonder if the "hanger" is merely a Western (belted society) adaptation to a rig meant to carry in one's sash. Some traditional rigs, as you know, had many more than two accessories - MUCH thicker. Not a design defect, I think, but misuse. Your "fix" makes the rig more suitable to belted society, as with many miltary rigs.

One could carry a "pocket" knife.

I have many khukuri kardas, and most are hardened. In any event, how hard does a karda have to be to skin a rodent or other fine work? Not much handle to apply lots of leverage.

 

[ArchAngel]

I've been hearing alot about these what advantages do they offer over a machete or large chopping knife???got any pics of one in action??? also I'd like to try relatively toug economy model first before I drop a hundred smackers on a HI...ANy suggestions I looked at the kabar one but it's hollow ground.. any help suggestions or info would be great...

I have been buying, collecting and using khukuris since around 1980 or so. I DO love them. I think they were my first true knife related passion.
I feel that the khuk is a better chopper than a machete or similar thin bladed KLO. The combination of mass, and weight forward design makes for a fierce chopper. It is not as good as a machete for thinner vegetation, like the tall grasses and thin vines where the thin profile of a machete and ease of gathering speed has the advantage.
As mentioned HI is a good source of quality khuks with great warranty policies to boot. There are cheaper sources, but the quality can be hit or miss. If you look around ALL of the different knife forums, you will find other sources for quality khuks also. Some more expensive than HI and some less. With quality being available in both ranges. I have enjoyed collecting khuks from all makers that seemed reputable.
I tend to love and use khuks in the 18-22 inch range. I like the reach, and have found some quality khuks in that size that aren't heavy due to the use of fullers and distal taper. A baldric rig can help to carry these larger rigs. I have a HI Foxy Folly that is just shy of 22 inches and only weighs 28 oz. It is an incredible chopping AND slicing tool. It is my favorite khuk followed by an old HI YCS that is just under 18 inches and is about 27 oz.
Himalayan Imports, Tora and Khukuri House all have had extensive testing by members of these forums. All offer khuks worth owning, in a wide variety of styles, and prices. Start with a cheaper model before you jump in hole hog.
Something in the 15" to 17" oal is a nice place to start. Anything under 15" IMHO you lose the Khuk advantage over a large camp knife. A BAS or 16" WWII are common places people start in with khuks.
Good Luck and have fun. BTW read the HI safety thread for some important khuk related topics!!:thumbup:

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I should have been more specific about what I expect from it..I keep messing around with chopper and folder combos..That seems to work well for me. So I'm looking for something that can handle light chopping >>say summer campfire wood... Small shelter poles but also could handle some slicing in a pinch should I lose or break my other blade...I was considering a 15 inch model..Possibly the "british" one..THanks for the input so far guys...

OK for LIGHT chopping and work like you describe, an Ang Khola is too much kukri. They are the king choppers. The WWII is a much better selection:

Although if you're willing to put up with a bit less chopping ability and a bit more "sliceability", I think the best place to start would be a Chitlangi:

Personally, I like them 18" and longer, simply because it's easy to get good tip speed for them to slice soft vegetation. an 18" Chitlangi is about 1.5 pounds, an 18" WWII is roughly two pounds.

Larger kukris are only a carry problem if you try to wear them on a belt. Baldric carry is the best. Right now I'm using an old Mosin Nagant sling, but am seriously lusting after one of Ibruche's quickdraw sheaths with shoulder strap -- IMO the best way to carry a kukri.

Also, I understand where coote is coming from, but to me, a 12" kukri is just a big knife. If you're doing the "Cpl Punishment Duo", a medium to large kukri and a second smaller knife cover your bases the best.

I usually don't keep the karda (small knife) with the kukri. The handles are way too short for me. The knife I paired my most used kukri with was a Jarvenpaa Puukko, but I've replaced that with a BRKT Aurora.

Speaking of big kukris, this is my biggest (not up to the awesome 40 incher, but. . .):

[/IMG]
Nicknamed Kukzilla, it's 25" of Ang Khola, 5/8" thick and it'll chop down a tree as well as a cruiser-sized (25", 2 pound head) axe. Yes the handle is big enough for two hands. No, this is not what you want for "light chopping", this is for "building a ski lodge".

BTW, I'd steer clear of the KLO -- Kukri-Like-Objects, i.e. the ka-bar/cold steel "bent machetes". Yes, they are cheaper, yes they out chop a normal machete by a good margin, but even guys that thought they were the shizzle were surprised at how much better an HI kukri was when they finally bought one.

Now, I don't work for Yangdu, nor do I get kickbacks, so don't think I'm shilling for her, but HI has the best customer service, and some of the fastest shipping (on items in stock), also free shipping in the US. And you can't beat the fact that the "suitability test" for HI kuks is to beat the hell out of the blade on the edge, spine, and sides against a log/tree, stick the tip into a block/log of wood and pry on it, to make sure everything is OK. Most manufacturers would void their warranty over such abuse, to HI, that's just how you determine if you need warranty work or not. That's confidence.

Just one last thing: be forewarned about HIKV -- Himalayan Imports Kukri Virus. It's a terrible, extremely contagious disease that causes you to break out in sweats at about 2:30 EST every day (about the time Yangdu posts the deals of the day), and obsessive/compulsive buying of kukris. Kukris you have no use for. Kukris that are from a different kami (kukri maker) than ones you have. Then it spreads to acquiring swords, and then the knives, little Tibetan bags she has from time to time, calendars. . .