The 12" Ang Khola as a General Purpose camp knife. . .

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
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This morning, I was thinking of how versatile a Khukri was, and also, how nice it would be to only carry a few blades on trips. So I grabbed a few Khukris and started thinking. . . . Wouldn't the 12" Ang Khola make a great General Purpose camp knife? This got me thinking of my knife requirments for trips into the woods/hills. What do I use a knife for and what do I need it to do for me?

*Open packages of food
*Cut up food
*Process game
*remove slivers
*Cut rope, twine and the like
*carve sticks for roasting, or camp crafts (this catagory is Huge, look up Camp crafts if you need an idea)
*Trail maintenence
*Foraging for plants
*Shelter building
*Draw knife

Now that I have the list, I see tons of things on it that my 12" AK can do. Aside from some detail work or Fine slicing, my 12" AK has it covered. How cool is that? I'm thinking that a ~3" or so folder, paired with the 12" AK and a Saw should have me pretty well covered for my Backpacking and hiking uses. If I was to do some base camping and wanted to build big fires, or go nuts with wood processing, a Large chopper [WWII or 1/8" Thick machete] would also get added. I have a ton of folders that work and my SOG Revolver Hunter will serve double duty, st1 as a Saw and 2nd as a backup knife.

Sure, there are tons of wood combo's. But being able to put my 12" AK to use makes me happy. The weather is going to be interesting this week, but this weekend, might be good for Hiking. If it is, I'm going to try to give the AK a work out.

Anyone else think along the same lines?
 
Heber-Can't fault your logic. Although I would like to be able to process larger firewood, but you do cover that possibility by mentioning the inclusion of a WWII if base camping were in the works. I hope this weekend provides you an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy. Joe.
 
arbiter said:
Heber-Can't fault your logic. Although I would like to be able to process larger firewood, but you do cover that possibility by mentioning the inclusion of a WWII if base camping were in the works. I hope this weekend provides you an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy. Joe.
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Thanks for your comments! The 12" AK as a replacement for a Bowie/Camp knife. Something different, yet versatile. A Jack of all trades, Master of non.

Speaking of which, I just came inside from testing the AK in the back yard. First, I tried triming the Skunkbush. It didn't do very well. I had to cut the branches, because trying to chop through them like a Machete was useless. After that, I tried carving a tent peg and making shavings for tinder. The AK did a great job. Chopping the 1x4 slat in half was easy. Using the Recurved section of blade to carve and whittle gave me good control and made some great curls. Right now, it's looking as thought this AK will work fine for me as a camp knife.
 
I had similar thoughts about my Pen Knife. It can do a lot of stuff. Being in a wheelchair I don't do the hiking thing, used too a lot, but now it's just mostly camping. Even with a rig nearby I try not to bring everything but the kitchen sink although I sometimes think it's in there too.
 
I know the forum friend Kismet is a fan of the 12" AK as a general purpose woods walking knife, and that man has forgotten more about enjoying the outdoors than I will ever know. I have a really fine edged 12" AK by Tirtha that is just a joy to wear on my hip. I actually have really started to gravitate toward the 12" khuks over the 15+" versions simply because I don't NEED a big chopper 99% of the time.

Something that will prep food, opening packages, and split kindling is all I really need.
 
Bawanna said:
I had similar thoughts about my Pen Knife. It can do a lot of stuff. Being in a wheelchair I don't do the hiking thing, used too a lot, but now it's just mostly camping. Even with a rig nearby I try not to bring everything but the kitchen sink although I sometimes think it's in there too.
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The Pen knife, is a great little Khukri. It was actually designed as a light weight general purpose/Camp knife kind of blade. I'm glad that you are still able to get out there to enjoy nature. And to use some blades. ;)

Steely_Gunz said:
I know the forum friend Kismet is a fan of the 12" AK as a general purpose woods walking knife, and that man has forgotten more about enjoying the outdoors than I will ever know. I have a really fine edged 12" AK by Tirtha that is just a joy to wear on my hip. I actually have really started to gravitate toward the 12" khuks over the 15+" versions simply because I don't NEED a big chopper 99% of the time.

Something that will prep food, opening packages, and split kindling is all I really need.
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Smaller, lighter Khukri's are more my thing these days also.

Speaking of food Prep, sometimes I try to imagine what a 14" WWII, BAS or Pen knife would be like. Keep it slim like it's 12" sibling, just longer and wider. Preferably with a wide edge bevel for enhanced slicing. Think of it as a Khukri shaped Chef's knife. If the weight was kept to around 16 onces, I bet it would be sweet!
 
wildmanh said:
The Pen knife, is a great little Khukri. It was actually designed as a light weight general purpose/Camp knife kind of blade. I'm glad that you are still able to get out there to enjoy nature. And to use some blades. ;)

When the time comes that I can't get out and enjoy nature, use blades and shoot (don't hunt anymore, but I'm really a gun guy that likes khuks) might as well start tossing dirt on my face for the big dirt nap, the game is over. So far it's all good. Bring on the summer.
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I picked up a 12" bonecutter for that kind of reason. Figured it would be nice to take on some of the day hikes where a full sized one would not be needed and will not scare ppl away if I have it on me and they see it. I am still thinking that my 15" m43 will probably get used more for the overnight trips or possibly the 14" BDC if I can figure out how to made the horn handle not quite so slippery
 
My favorite length for carry is 15". My BAS gets that role my favorite blade in the truck is my 18" bonecutter.
 
I usually have my 15" AK, a gerber hatchet and a small folder when I'm out

honestly Im completely covered on camp chores with just the hatchet and the small knife, but using the AK is just fun.

now if Im primative camping and building shelters as well, then the AK REALLY comes into its own in preparing wood for shelter use
 
this kind of question always reminds me of:
[video=youtube;0DHGlhFJH0g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHGlhFJH0g[/video]
 
Issun said:
I usually have my 15" AK, a gerber hatchet and a small folder when I'm out

honestly Im completely covered on camp chores with just the hatchet and the small knife, but using the AK is just fun.

now if Im primative camping and building shelters as well, then the AK REALLY comes into its own in preparing wood for shelter use
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I agree, Primitive camping is one area where the Khukri's really shine! Sometimes, I carry a Khukri for fun and sometimes, they are really handy to have. :)

kronckew said:
this kind of question always reminds me of:
[video=youtube;0DHGlhFJH0g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHGlhFJH0g[/video]
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That's the video that I was thinking of. Thanks for linking to it.
 
Guy sure wields that blade effectively. He's obviously done that a time or two before. The Bass question came in to my head too. I might give it a whirl this summer on our annual fishin trip. Lots of bass and trout. I think my little Bashpati might work good on the large trout. Juries still out on bass, a little flexibility in a fillet knife seems to be a good thing.
 
the gentleman in the video is a member here (that is an HI khuk by the way) i recall he is also a professional chef, so has some developed knife skills already.

y'all might need a bit of practice - and not give up at minor failures - to attain proficiency.
 
I have been torn between the 12" and the 15" AK models, does anyone have a comparison of how they are in the hand? I haven't handled either, so wasn't sure if the 12" would be large enough for good chopping.
 
pyro_1 said:
Personally if it is going to be specifically for chopping I would say 15 over the 12
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Indeed, I carry a 3" blade for smaller tasks and was just wondering if the 12" would be enough, and if the 15" would be overkill. Thanks for the reply.
 
plue said:
Indeed, I carry a 3" blade for smaller tasks and was just wondering if the 12" would be enough, and if the 15" would be overkill. Thanks for the reply.
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The 12" AK is comparable to a Becker BK9 and other 9" Bowie type knives in chopping. A 15" AK Blows them out of the water. Get a 15" AK to go with the small knife. ;)
 
Sounds effective if paired with the right tools. What those other tools are depends on the terrain you're going to be camping in, I think. I'm itching to try one out myself! :)
 
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