The Magic Number is 28 oz.

M

munk

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Mar 22, 2002
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The subject came up in the Chiruwa AK thread and I knew most my khuks were around 28 OZ. I buy them like that. Look at todays specials; the 18 Century is 28 oz. Any khuk that is going to be heavy enough to work, but light enough to carry, is hitting some where near 28 Oz. For me, anyway, add a few oz and the blade becomes a tad harder to carry after several miles; take away too many ounces and it will not chop wood as well.

I could walk through my small collection and illustrate this idea, but you got it.

What say you?
The magic number is 28, and the Kamis know this.

This excludes of course the fighters- Gelbus et al. They get close to an oz an inch.
However, there are lot of 28 oz 19" or 20" Movie models and Sirupatis which are agreeable to 28.



munk
 
I ain't agreeing, but on the other hand I ain't disagreeing.

For me, 16.5" or 17"'s is RIGHT give or take 1&1/2 to two inches. Longer can use the extra velocity, shorter the extra solidness: examples, 15" AK vs 18" Siru.

It wouldn't surprise me if the 16.5" and 18" WW2's and 17 inch BGRS came in near that weight. Haven't weighed my 18" Hanuman Special or Bura 18" Sirupati. But again wouldn't be surprised if they came pretty close.

Naturally the little guys like me ( 5'4" )
tend to shorter and lighter, and the six footers go for longer and heavier. Still, all in all, I'm willing to be convinced.
 
My Bura chiruwa AK weighs 28 oz, so did both my WWlls, though I think one was 29 and the other 27.5 Raghorn once said he thought the chir AK cut like a 18" AK. I don't know that's true, though fans of the Chir swear by it.

The Nepal people are short statured. (they're squirts, Rusty, squirts!) (no, I would not call one that- and get whacked. They're not known for being weak and fearful..either) Yet these khuks are hitting 28 oz.



munk
 
Oh, and add this; I would not want to arm wrestle Kumar or Sher or any of the Kamis..



munk
 
My 18" WWII by Kumar is 28oz and is my favorite. I had a pair of 25" sirus, but they were too heavy for me. I like my little 15" AK by Sher but if I had to grab one and run it would be the WWII.

Frank
 
The majority of my antique & military kukris weight from 22oz. to 30oz. but 80% of them are around 24oz.

But my evryday user is a stripped down 17.5in. 1927 Pioneer {Think pointy villager}that wieghts 28oz.!

I use it for evrything from slicing onions & tomatoes etc. in the kitchen{cleaves a duck in half beutifully!} to droping small trees.{Although I may test my Foxys Folly for felling sometime.}

My fighters go from a 20in. 13oz Kothimara Hanshee up to my best 17.5in. 24oz. military issue M43, But I have to say one of the best is actualy my 18.75in. 19oz., single fullered Tora Officers model which is the proverbial inch an oz. for pure fighters.

So considering the range available to me I ve got to go with Munk & say for me 28oz. realy works for all round utility!

Spiral

P.S. Duck fat gives my Pioneer a golden patina! Has anyone else the same expierience?
 
I like a bigger khuk, my 21" GS is my all time fave. It weighs in at 31oz. If it was 18", it would weigh 26.5oz. Which is the weight of my 18" WW2, and my UBE, both of which have a similar "swing me all day" balance without compromising chopping power.
The "weapon" khuks I have are a Malla and an 18" Chit, which both weigh a little over 21oz. I've never used them for chopping wood, they just feel too light. I'm sure they'd do it, but why beat up a weapon when you have workhorses around?
My Chiruwa AK is also 26.5 ... so maybe my scale is off by 1.5oz :)
 
Forgot to say, Munk. Pala and I look each other in the eye.
 
That's OK. My arms are a little long and my legs are short. Probably why I dislike monkeys.

What on'es size has to do with khukuris is a science. Someday I'll get a 16.5 WWll and then we'll see. I do know the 18"s of any khuk swing better and strike harder for me. The chir AK I have is 16.5 but it Weighs 28 magical ounces.

But I go by wood. How it does in wood.


Stripey's favorite is a Gelbu special.


munk
 
Had a Chiruwa AK that weighed 32oz. Was kinda beefy! Have this 100oz. 30" AK. It's kinda on the heavy side. Best to use two hands with that one! :eek:
 
Originally posted by munk
My arms are a little long and my legs are short.
Click to expand...
When I was in high school a friend introduced me to the
old Doc Savage pulp novels.
Your description sounds like the Monk character.
Any relation?
docsmonk.jpg
 
Dean, did you ever notice that all of the novels spent time describing what an elite team the Doc had put together, but all they ever did was to get into some situation from which they had to get rescued? Or am I remembering wrong?
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
but all they ever did was to get into some situation from which they had to get rescued?
Click to expand...
Probably right.
I don't really recall much of the novels,
except that Doc was always smarter & more knowledgable
than any of the experts.
 
Agreed! I bet they give a firm handshake.

Lessee...28oz=1.75 pounds. Sounds about right to me. give or take .25 pounds depending on size or model.
 
Although new, I think I understand this. What I have noticed is that I need (regardless of length or model) a certain weight distribution to feel comfortable with these knives. What some of you may call "lively" doesn't give *me* enough tactile feedback to feel in control of it. Probably due to either my lack of experience *or* my physique, I need that diistribution to feel comfortable.

Make sense? *I* am a chopper/slicer, not a Zorro...
 
I'm like a weak Zorro without any coordination or skill.

A different bladeshape for a different build. Also intended usage plays a big part. My khuk usually stays in a pack, so a heavy chopper is not a good choice for one as lazy as myself.

I like BAS. :) 20 oz. :D

Edited 4 da grammah
 
I'm finding that my Khuks are falling into three categories:

1. EDCs (slicers): 12" Siru Villager, 13" Balance, Kagas Katne
2. Choppers: 16.5" Chiruwa AK, an old full tang military model
3. More show than go (but each at least tested and played with): Hanuman, 18th Century, Sarge's Bilton Koth

You'll notice there are no Kobras...they don't like me :(

I find that I am comfortable with each of these regardless of weight...it's the balance, intended use and my lack of grace that make then suitable.:)
 
Nasty, I liked your explanation of balance. Interesting. I don't have any really light khuks. Maybe I should get one someday. Even my 19" chit is 25 0z.

But for carrying and still chopping, I head to about 28. For when I am out of the truck and seriously whacking trees, I'll take the biggest heaviest khuks i got.



munk
 
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