- Joined
- May 9, 2002
- Messages
- 12,667
Have you ever had something come along that was so perfect, so handy, and so right that you cant believe you never thought youd need it? I think I may be at this point with the new shorter M-43s we are seeing crop up from time to time.
I got back to my office after a few days off while my daughter was battling the nasty virus that swept through her day care this past week only to find the very familiar triangular box sitting on my sales counter. I was stuck on the phone with my mom. All I could think about was tearing into it to see what was inside
Once I finally got my mom off the phone, it took me about 14 seconds to have the tape cut off the box to get to the newspaper wrapped treasure inside. I wasnt quite sure what was in there, but I knew I had to see it. I didnt even need to get the rest of the paper off to know what it was. As soon as I wrapped my fingers around the grip, I knew the familiar handshake that is the M-43
The M-43 has always been one of my Top 5 khuks. Elegant and fearsome. I have often felt that in their typical 17 incarnation they tend to sway more toward weapon you can use as a tool rather than tool you can fight with (like the WWII models). Even though I have lopped up many trees with mine over the last decade+, for several years it was also my bump in the night khuk as the severe curve of my particular example would make it a formidable blade. Its curved like a hawks talon. Sher made a battle blade, for sure. It seems more like a war horse than a work horse to me.
This smaller version (which Im going to call the M-43 Compact from here on out) however is an entirely different animal all together. Its amazing what 2 difference will do to change a khuks properties and cutting behavior. Sher crafted this one as well, oddly enough, but where the 17 version of mine feels like a War Scythe this one feel much more tool-like. Weighing in at a reasonable 1.5lbs, it actually handles more like an AK of similar size than its bigger brother. If youve ever heard someone turning a pistol into a bar of soap, thats about what the M-43 Compact feels like. It feels like someone completely dehorned an AK, filled in the fullers, and made an already All Business khuk even more Utility Based In a good way
For a heavy knife, it balances very well as the point of balance is about 2 from the bolster. Its rather nimble. For a knife with a 3/8 spine, its a lively 15 chopper. Its got a very Sher-like convex edge if a bit thinner than I am used to seeing from him. I dont mind this at all though. With a stone and strop, this work horse will be popping hair in less than 10 minutes. The satin village finish fits it. Just the facts, ma'am.
Everything about this blade screams to be used. Its built for hard work. Stout enough to help limb a tree yet retains enough of that M-43 spirit that you know that in skilled hands it would put the hurt on someone on the battlefield. Its like an old farm dog whose grandpa was a wolf who wandered down from the hills. Work is all its ever known but there is a ferocity hiding in its genes.
Here's a quick comparison photo with it sandwiched between the Bashpati and my favorite KLVUK.
Now, heres why I didnt know I needed this knife: Im getting older and hurt my dang arm at work
I was wheelbarrowing concrete a few weeks back and have completely buggered up my tendon in my right arm. Think Tennis Elbow
but maybe a little more manly in nature In short, it hurts to swing an axe of super heavy khuk. I dont even like leveling my 40oz 1911 out in front of me. Im hoping to rest it up of the next couple of months.
Anyway, the M-43 Compact is balanced enough that it doesnt hurt to swing it. Since moving to a house with a wood burning fireplace, I have grown to embrace the merits of having a Kindling Khuk in the wood box. I have been using either a 15 ASTK (a little too heavy for my arm at over 2lbs) or a Boomerang AK (a little too much curve so that it aggravates my arm a bit). This short M-43 gives me a goodly amount of smack on the target but doesnt seem to require extra wasted energy. Its just a nice no-nonsense worker. Its not going to win any awards for being overly flashy or ornate. Its probably not going to gain a following of martial-minded users. Its a faithful blade. You could use it to do heavy duty household chores or be face down crawling in the mud. In either role, this handy little M-43 Compact will see the job through.
Great knife and excellent work by Sher. I hope to give it a little work out this weekend down at my step-dad's cabin.
A big thank you to Yangdu for letting me handle it, and a huge tip of the hat to Sher. This is the first piece of his Ive handled in nearly 10 years. Its so good to have him back
I got back to my office after a few days off while my daughter was battling the nasty virus that swept through her day care this past week only to find the very familiar triangular box sitting on my sales counter. I was stuck on the phone with my mom. All I could think about was tearing into it to see what was inside
Once I finally got my mom off the phone, it took me about 14 seconds to have the tape cut off the box to get to the newspaper wrapped treasure inside. I wasnt quite sure what was in there, but I knew I had to see it. I didnt even need to get the rest of the paper off to know what it was. As soon as I wrapped my fingers around the grip, I knew the familiar handshake that is the M-43
The M-43 has always been one of my Top 5 khuks. Elegant and fearsome. I have often felt that in their typical 17 incarnation they tend to sway more toward weapon you can use as a tool rather than tool you can fight with (like the WWII models). Even though I have lopped up many trees with mine over the last decade+, for several years it was also my bump in the night khuk as the severe curve of my particular example would make it a formidable blade. Its curved like a hawks talon. Sher made a battle blade, for sure. It seems more like a war horse than a work horse to me.
This smaller version (which Im going to call the M-43 Compact from here on out) however is an entirely different animal all together. Its amazing what 2 difference will do to change a khuks properties and cutting behavior. Sher crafted this one as well, oddly enough, but where the 17 version of mine feels like a War Scythe this one feel much more tool-like. Weighing in at a reasonable 1.5lbs, it actually handles more like an AK of similar size than its bigger brother. If youve ever heard someone turning a pistol into a bar of soap, thats about what the M-43 Compact feels like. It feels like someone completely dehorned an AK, filled in the fullers, and made an already All Business khuk even more Utility Based In a good way
For a heavy knife, it balances very well as the point of balance is about 2 from the bolster. Its rather nimble. For a knife with a 3/8 spine, its a lively 15 chopper. Its got a very Sher-like convex edge if a bit thinner than I am used to seeing from him. I dont mind this at all though. With a stone and strop, this work horse will be popping hair in less than 10 minutes. The satin village finish fits it. Just the facts, ma'am.
Everything about this blade screams to be used. Its built for hard work. Stout enough to help limb a tree yet retains enough of that M-43 spirit that you know that in skilled hands it would put the hurt on someone on the battlefield. Its like an old farm dog whose grandpa was a wolf who wandered down from the hills. Work is all its ever known but there is a ferocity hiding in its genes.
Here's a quick comparison photo with it sandwiched between the Bashpati and my favorite KLVUK.
Now, heres why I didnt know I needed this knife: Im getting older and hurt my dang arm at work
I was wheelbarrowing concrete a few weeks back and have completely buggered up my tendon in my right arm. Think Tennis Elbow
but maybe a little more manly in nature In short, it hurts to swing an axe of super heavy khuk. I dont even like leveling my 40oz 1911 out in front of me. Im hoping to rest it up of the next couple of months.Anyway, the M-43 Compact is balanced enough that it doesnt hurt to swing it. Since moving to a house with a wood burning fireplace, I have grown to embrace the merits of having a Kindling Khuk in the wood box. I have been using either a 15 ASTK (a little too heavy for my arm at over 2lbs) or a Boomerang AK (a little too much curve so that it aggravates my arm a bit). This short M-43 gives me a goodly amount of smack on the target but doesnt seem to require extra wasted energy. Its just a nice no-nonsense worker. Its not going to win any awards for being overly flashy or ornate. Its probably not going to gain a following of martial-minded users. Its a faithful blade. You could use it to do heavy duty household chores or be face down crawling in the mud. In either role, this handy little M-43 Compact will see the job through.
Great knife and excellent work by Sher. I hope to give it a little work out this weekend down at my step-dad's cabin.
A big thank you to Yangdu for letting me handle it, and a huge tip of the hat to Sher. This is the first piece of his Ive handled in nearly 10 years. Its so good to have him back
You begin to appreciate lighter blades
