The M43: Does it chop as good as it looks.

bwray

bwray

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The M43 is unique among standard HI khuks in that it has the largest blade drop of the group; the M43 drops 50 deg vs 44 deg for the WWII, and 32 deg for the GRS and AK. Does that drop make it a better chopper, or is it too much to be practical. It gives you more of what makes a khukuri unique, and may therefore have more slicing action than the other khuks. Has anyone used an M43 and other models enough to give us some perspective on their relative practical performance? I have read that the M43 tends to glance more; that makes sense because the longer lever arm associated with the drop would make it more likely to twist in your hand. But how well does it chop compared to other models of comparable length and weight?:confused:
 
I think so, more drop = more penetration.

Compare to a straight blade. in which the bevel angle maybe ...say 35 degrees. But with the recurve....the actual blade angle is less than that of 35 maybe becoming 25 degrees. Compounded with a shearing motion that the recurve draws the material being chopped towards you.

More recurve produces more shearing motion = better performance.
 
Bill, in a word, it depends.

Some people really find the M43's curve to be ideal to really chop. Some people find the forward curve, well too forward. Then there is the grip that lacks the rings, so it has a tendancy to turn in your hand if you are not experienced with khuk dynamics. I would classify the M43 as what I would call a "level II" khuk, if there could be such a thing. Not really a khuk for some one that has never picked one up before. However, with your vast collection, i think you would probably get a pretty good amount of performance out of it.
That being said, I don't think my M43 could outchop my 18" AK. The AK is what it is, a chopping machine. The M43 is a bit more martial. It was designed to handle the cutting chores on the war front, but also needed to be a hand to hand combat weapon. Could you imagine what that forward curving blade would do to any part of the human body as it was swung and connected in the fury of battle?:eek:

However, that's just my take on it. The M43, IMHO, would make a fine camping khuk. It's not huge and bulky, it'll chop, and i find it's grip more comfortable than a chiruwa AK.

Jake
 
I didn't think mine was that good. Well, let me rephrase that. It was as good as any at chopping thru small stuff, but above 6" I don't know whether it twisted a bit or what but there was way hard on the arm than a Ganga.
 
Yeah, I don't know if I believe it chops more. You do have that push pull cut. I have a real curved 24 ounce Hanshee that can use an entirely different cutting technique than a heavier m43. With the Hanshee, I can snap the wrist, sort of 'throw' the blade, and it seems to be wicked on smaller bush. But does the curve of a M43 make it outchop a like weighted AK? I wouldn't think so.



munk
 
Your so right about it twisting in my hand. I think that would have been cured with a pair of leather gloves that I usually wear when working doing this sort of thing. They are thin deerhide and really grip whatever they grab.

I had it slip on one or two strikes, I quickly learned to hold on tight and really concentrate on my cuts. Then it was fine. I couldn't believe when after making that initial cut into the crotch it just shaved the rest away almost effortlessly. I was impressed because I hardly felt it. A khuk will be on me for the rest of my life, no doubt. Great blades and HI is a great company to do business with, thank you Yangdu!

Billy
 
Everyone has their own take on this one. Got to try it myself. I can live with that.
 
medbill said:
I had it slip on one or two strikes, I quickly learned to hold on tight and really concentrate on my cuts. Then it was fine. I couldn't believe when after making that initial cut into the crotch it just shaved the rest away almost effortlessly. I was impressed because I hardly felt it....Billy
Click to expand...

Billy? This sounds like an industrial accident of the worst order!!!!!:eek: :foot:
 
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