The hunt is on... Whick Kukri should I go with?

thakin said:
So... Recommendations for a 6'2'' 160 pounds skinny fool that's going with a machete for brush, 12'' AK as a light chopper. Need a heavy duty chopper, probably gonna pack it in, not carry it, but I gotta be able to swing it for awhile is all. 18'' AK too big? Ideas anyone?
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There are currently two versions of the M43; the original lightweight version with the shorter handle, and the new heavier version with the longer handle.

Get the lightweight version. That's what I'd prefer to an 18" AK, and it's in the same size class. I have the heavier/longer version. My brother has the original lighter version and he practically worships it.
 
Wolf_1989 said:
There are currently two versions of the M43; the original lightweight version with the shorter handle, and the new heavier version with the longer handle.

Get the lightweight version. That's what I'd prefer to an 18" AK, and it's in the same size class. I have the heavier/longer version. My brother has the original lighter version and he practically worships it.
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There are actually 3 versions of the M-43 now, the newest version is an M-43 with a traditional handle (w/ the rings and all) It looks very nice.
 
Well folks I have narroed it down to either the 16.5" WWII or the ?? inch M43, according to the post with all the colorful lines the M43 is 18"? so Imagine the weight is similar.

Now the handle... I prefer the Idea of rings. I don't want to launch this thing while out and about in the dark (all safety considered); however, the M43 has a curved handle. I tried my best to wrap my brain around the purple lines in the for mentioned post. If the curved handle may help my search will be complete, if not Im done the other way. I'll explain in a moment

Kukri house bases the majority of their blades on the WWII blade, The one I originally picked out prior to hearing how the HI quality is superior "the survivor" I think it was, was an WWII blade. Now I'm getting a litlle confused. I am under the impression that the mother blade of the WWII was the same mother of the M43 so I'm going to leave it at the handle configuration.

Okay, Me... I am not a broad shouldered fellow and my wrist is weak form repetitive motion and injury in my current employement. so Balance comes in to play. I like the idea of maneuvarbility during motion. I know these khuks wont handle like a kobra or the similar fast handling Khuks, I feel I need to have it fall under the "field use" category.

I recently veiwed a superior (brand name) hatchet machette at 12 inches, I felt that while it had the agility I required it lacked the ability of a true chopper. SO I think I will be happy with one of the above khuks.

Now I know I am probably tossing a cat to the pigeons on this one, but what exactly does the curved handle accomplish. I feel at time I will be carrying this khuk in my hand foe extended lengths of time so would a strait handle help the balance of this?

P.S. They are priced the same.

Thanks everyone, your input has helped me a lot.
 
I really enjoy the discussion between the WWII and M43 models as both are two of my favorite shapes, and both tend to straddle the line between utility and martial applications.

The WWII was at one time considered by Uncle Bill to be the finest combo of tool weapon in HI's line up. Now, the various models coming out of the shop these days may alter that statement, but the WWII is simply going to be a much better jack of all trades.

The WWII with its straighter handle, longer grip (allowing various ways to hold the knife), robust belly with wasp waist is probably going to handle better to a new khukuri user. It will handle as a better tool first and weapon second, in my opinion.

The M43 will probably outchop the WWII due to it's steep curve. While the WWII offers several different grips, the curry M43 really only gives you purchase for one hammer-style grip. So while you don't get the flexibility of different ways to hold the knife, the m43 is going to hit like a ton of bricks. The m43 was designed in such a way as to be a very useful tool but a formidable weapon as well. One swing with the '43 will prove this point. The curve literally drives the point of the blade deep into your target. Of course it slams the sweet spot home effectively when chopping wood, but point-first wound channel against an enemy shoulder during hand-to-hand combat cannot be overlooked as a function of the design.

So, in my personal opinion (which along with a couple dollars will get you a small coffee at Starbuck's), the WWII excels as a great all 'round outdoor tool while the M-43 is more of what one might consider "traditional" in shape, a more weapon oriented khuk...and IMHO sexier to look at.
 
And about how big of trees could be chopped with a khukri? Say a WWII or an 18 inch AK? Anyone have a general idea, diameter wise what's too big?
 
thakin said:
And about how big of trees could be chopped with a khukri? Say a WWII or an 18 inch AK? Anyone have a general idea, diameter wise what's too big?
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lol, well how much time and arm ya got? :D

I would say that an 18" AK or WWII would easily take out 6-7" trees without a ridiculous amount of time. Generally if you are using it for camp work, 4" and under will fall under your blade in no time.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
lol, well how much time and arm ya got? :D

I would say that an 18" AK or WWII would easily take out 6-7" trees without a ridiculous amount of time. Generally if you are using it for camp work, 4" and under will fall under your blade in no time.
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Jake, we don't see so many big WWIIs, do we? Seems to me most of them come in the 15-16" range these days.

Andy
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
Jake, we don't see so many big WWIIs, do we? Seems to me most of them come in the 15-16" range these days.

Andy
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Yeah, I'm thinking that's about my maximum length anyways, but it'll sit around camp until I need it, so I thought maybe a little bigger wouldn't hurt me too bad, haha. 15-16 WWII sounds good, or maybe just a 15'' AK since it'll be used as a pure chopper.

Edit: Like what knife did that guy awhile back say he used to build a cabin?
 
Andy, You're right:confused:

I guess i never noticed because having just one 18" WWII has last me for...oh, 8 years:P Great knife.

To answer your question about the cabin knife, I believe it was an M-43. Wouldn't be my first choice, but I have no doubt that is can be done....obviously as the cabin is built:D
 
Here's my first that I just got! Luv it!

IMG_2323.jpg
 
Love that Tamang knife. I have one coming. It's a gorgeous knife. A true work of Nepalese art in metal. These Nepali blacksmiths have my utmost respect. They are extremely talented men. IMNSHO there is no higher form of art than that which has been hammered out of metal. Iron is a stubborn element, requiring strength, skill, and finesse to coax her into her most beautiful forms.
I could carry a Tamang knife every day, if I wouldn't get fired/arrested. It's classy looking.(not that I am)
 
Steely_Gunz said:
lol, well how much time and arm ya got? :D

I would say that an 18" AK or WWII would easily take out 6-7" trees without a ridiculous amount of time. Generally if you are using it for camp work, 4" and under will fall under your blade in no time.
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And it also largely depends on the wood... 6-7" evergreens and the like are no real issue with an 18" khuk whereas seasoned oak with be another story. A 15" would probably handle it as well, but it would certainly take longer - and you'd also be expending energy driving it into the target rather than letting the weight of the khuk do the work for you. The most I've personally taken on with a khuk were dead 8" standing, frozen pines this past winter up in Canada. It was -15C and had been that or lower for the past couple of weeks, so the trees were rock hard. Sloppy technique tended to cause glancing blows or crummy bites at best. I managed to down three or so of that size before the hard work, cold air, and inability to get good footing in the snow got to me. Oh and this was with my heavy duty 18" Vojpure... I think I might have been able to down another if I had my m43 instead, as the weight is less, the balance is better and the handle is much slimmer and easier to hold - all while still matching the chopping power of it's bigger cousin

thakin said:
Yeah, I'm thinking that's about my maximum length anyways, but it'll sit around camp until I need it, so I thought maybe a little bigger wouldn't hurt me too bad, haha. 15-16 WWII sounds good, or maybe just a 15'' AK since it'll be used as a pure chopper.

Edit: Like what knife did that guy awhile back say he used to build a cabin?
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I'm wanting to say that it was wildmike... but I can't entirely recall. I do believe it was an m43 though. Personally, I started off with a 15" AK and found that it made a great do-all utility knife capable of a chopping 5" or so limbs with no problem. However, I felt that I could manage to swing around something heavier and wouldn't mind a stronger chopper and more blade length for batoning. I ended up picking up an 18" 37oz Vojpure but found it to be just a bit too heavy (the non-chiruwa handle also meant that the majority of the weight was towards the tip). I ended up snagging an 18" 34oz m43 and have found it to be a great compromise of chopping power and agility. All this coming from a 5'4 115lb 19 y/o by the way ;)

In all honesty though, a 15" is a great starting point... even though I found 18" to be my preferred size, I still get a lot of use out of my 15"er and wouldn't go back on my choice given the chance
 
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Karda said:
Could you please specify which link/s is broken, so that it may be fixed?
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The majority od the photos on: http://www.himalayan-imports.com/khuk1.html and http://www.himalayan-imports.com/khuk2.html are hyperlinked to http://andale.com I assume this was your old online store. I found that the link to your yahoo store was active.

My first impression was that the andale store was the only one prior to seeing the new shop listed somewhere on the site.

There may be more andale links, I just started going to the yahoo store to look.
 
Thank you very much folks!

After much reading and deliberation I was still stuck on between the WWII and the M43. I found my Tomahawk (or what is left of it) and it meassured
18" and weighed in about 1.5-2 lbs.

So I decided to got with the WWII in 18 inch. The weight is similar and the length is the same. I just placed it on order! and am axious to see what it's like in person as I've only seen two Kukris in person. The first one was a H.I. The other one was unknown and nailed to a board in a shop I walked into during a Motorcycle rally.

There is a lot of information on this sight, Good luck to any one else searching for their first Khukri :D

Later folks and thanks again.
 
Glad you found your khuk:)

Be sure to let us know how it works out for you when you get it:thumbup:
 
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