The Specialist Khukuri

T

Tom Holt

Joined
Dec 30, 1999
Messages
475
We often discuss the issue of which is the best all-round, do-it-all khukuri; but, on the principle of'the right tool fo the job', which models are best for specific uses?

For example; which is best for felling and trimming lumber, the AK or the Ganga Ram? Which is best for clearing brush & undergrowth, the Gelbu Special or the medium sirupati? Which knife is best for backpacking, farm work and martial arts/combat? And, of course, which model is the nicest-looking..?

Opinions please, gentlemen.
 
Tom:

Obviously, much of this depends on the individual - said person's stature, weight, etc.

I've never done fieldwork with any of mine - only test chopping. But, I have been exercising with a khuk nearly every day (air-cuts and drills) for the past 4 months.

In that time, I've come to favor my 18" Sirupati and my 20" Kobra as potential weapons. I prefer the Sirupati over the Kobra for the Siru's additional "authority".

Yes, I have practiced with others (18" Chitlangi, 18" GS, 21" GS, 20" Sirupati, 22" Kobra, 25" Kobra and Malla). But, those two particular style/size combinations are the best ones for me.

S.
 
The best all around Khuk is the BAS. If I could only have one khuk, this would be it. It chops fire wood, clears brush, clears paths, and is a general great camping knife.

The karda is a great steak knife, peels mangos, potatoes, top knotch all-around kitchen knife.

It carries well, balance is superb, has a beautiful brass inlay in the blade.

I have one by Bura and one by Sanu. Hey, my wife likes the BAS also!

I also have a Falcata that will take a tree down ker-splat! And the umbrella handle will never slip from your hands.

Two WWII, look great and are hellacious choppers, but even at 190lbs and 6'1" I do get a little tired from swinging one.

The AK is nice, almost as good as the BAS, but more expensive and does not have the brass inlay in the blade.

For beauty, the Sanu Special with the carved hilt and scabbard, the sterling silver bolster and the nickle silver trim on the scabbard is a knockout. Looks great on the wall and it will chop with the best of them.

But the

B-eautiful
A-nd
S-harp

Is my favorite
 
Originally posted by Tom Holt
We often discuss the issue of which is the best all-round, do-it-all khukuri; but, on the principle of'the right tool fo the job', which models are best for specific uses?

For example; which is best for felling and trimming lumber, the AK or the Ganga Ram?
Opinions please, gentlemen.
Click to expand...

Tom, both Will and myself are real high on the GRS for felling work and I'm the one that recommended highly that Will get one.:D
It would also do for trimming although it's a bit heavy for that, although some limbs I'm sure could/would be broken off from the sheer weight of it, but then the thickness and hardness of the limbs would help determine that.
One of the nice benefits that others as well as myself have noticed about the GRS and the BGRS is that both seem to hit much more accurately than the sharp angled back models.

I'm not knowledgeable about the Sirupatis or even the GS's for that matter as I prefer the wider blades for some odd reason, maybe because they more represent what I think a khukuri should look like so I can't give a judgement as to how they would clear underbrush.
But I do believe the 20"+ Chainpuri would be an excellent khukuri for clearing underbrush due to it's lighter weight with the fullers and the security, as well as comfort, the larger and more rounded oval shaped pommel gives.

Tom I think the term "farm work" is much to broad a definition since that encompasses so many things.
Actually the other things such as back packing and martial arts could also apply to farm work depending on what part of the country you live in, even in the Old COuntry.:)
You could, for instance, have a 25" AK in the wood lot, 18" GS in the hen house, and a BGRS at the back door in a back pack for treks across the back acreage.
But I really do love the BGRS for varied and multiple tasks because of its versatility!!!!!!!

The nicest looking eh? The fully curved models are my favorites as far as looks so that sorta clouds my judgement.....
Out of all the present models I think Terry's and the kami's rendition of the M-43 is one of the most beautiful khukuris I've seen to date.
One of these days I will have one, even if I have to special order.;)
And of course the YCS, not just because it's my design, but because of the fully curved blade.
The Chitlangi also has to fall in the best looking category just because it is a very beautiful khukuri all over!!!!

One of these days if I keep on keeping on like I'm doing right now the YCS will get tested heavily.
I would almost stake my life on it right now just on H.I.'s reputation alone, but that would be very foolish.
I designed the YCS and her tools to be all the khukuri anyone would ever need in the field for fun or survival.
Of course there are compromises as no one knife is going to do it all.:(
 
Ok,
Fun time takes a break! If I was going to an unknown place(not knowing if I would need a K for chopping, self defence etc.)& had to depend on only "ONE",IT WOULD BE THE M43!!However, I must say,"They will all do the job & quite well!!Also, "NO CHOICE " of any K is a bad choice!!
jim
 
Yes Mr. Jim no Khuk is a very bad choice.

With the limited number of Khuks that I have, I have to go with Spence about the 18" Sirupati. I have worked it in the brush, and plalyed around with it as a weapon. It is heavy enough to command to do some pretty serious work, and still light enough to not ware me out swing it around at the imagined enemy. Around here if I need something that seems to hit like a ton of brick, the only thing that I go to before the axe is my 15"AK.

Most of the work around my little 5&1/2 acres is done with the Siru. I consider the BAS an awful close second and it did most of the work until the Siru got here. It is next to my bed at all times at night.

What things come down to for me is. I don't know how I got along without them most of my life. ;) :D :D :D
 
I've been thinking about getting a little baby Sirupati (12"-14" OAL) for toting around, camping, hiking and the like. More than enough knife to do most things reasonably well, and not something you'd regret hauling up a mountain. Then again, I subscribe to the firewood gathering school of "if it doesn't break under your foot, its either too green or too big".

Of course, I'm not sure how some of the other slim knives, like a Gelbu Special or Chitlangi would stack up.
 
Most of the work around my little 5&1/2 acres is done with the Siru. I consider the BAS an awful close second and it did most of the work until the Siru got here. It is next to my bed at all times at night.

What things come down to for me is. I don't know how I got along without them most of my life.>>>>>> - Pappy

Me too. And the enjoyment is the opposite of what many people expect carrying a big knife: just to have a bigger knife than the next guy. I don't notice the Khukuri as a BIG KNIFE. It feels like an exceptional tool.


munk
 
Originally posted by jim_l_clifton
THAT HAS BEEN COVERED 12"it not a K!:D
jim:D
Click to expand...
My choice for a "Cave Assault Khuk" would have to be a Kagas Katne - while Jim was laughing himself silly you could rob him blind (assuming you brought along a pack train of elephants to haul the booty)
:D
 
Tohtchi,
Only want to make two points:
1)You would never get past the enter.you know,the Lady Guards!hee!
2) The cave has NO K'S gave them ALL away!!Bwaaaaa! I mean :( Sniff!You all believe me don't you??
jim
 
Originally posted by Bill Marsh
The best all around Khuk is the BAS. If I could only have one khuk, this would be it. It chops fire wood, clears brush, clears paths, and is a general great camping knife.
Click to expand...

I emphatically agree!

I have only had a limited time and opportunity to test, but my neighbors will verify the damage that it can do to many different things and in many different ways. :D:D

Now, I can't say "It's the best!" because my BAS is the only Khukuri I have right now. I can only say that it indeed can be used for just about anything. :)

BTW, Thanks again Uncle Bill! You've given me a real tool - and a real good excuse to use it now. ;)

Dan
 
Interesting replies & opinions, and not at all what I expected...

The question interested me because up till now I've always belonged to the "get the one knife that'll do it all" school; the knife in question being, of course, the 25" Kobra...

But the Kobra is no more. Our attempts at saving it turned into a Viking funeral; it perished in the fire as my 'smith buddy tried forge-welding it back together.

Being without the one knife that did it all, I've been having to think what to throw in the back of the jeep when setting off to work, and khuks that I'd bought on a whim and not used much are finally getting to see some action.

My choices, for what they're worth, are -

As a dedicated lumber chopper and shaper, I'd opt for the Ganga Ram. I don't actually own one of these beauties, but my heavyweight villager is very close in weight, length, blade shape & profile. The additional length (over, say, an AK of equivalent weight) is a definite bonus; the 20" AK is way too heavy for a little hobbit-sized guy like me to swing all day, and working with a heavy blade when you're tired out is a great way to lose toes. A nice broad spine also comes in very handy for knocking nails and staples into fenceposts.

For brush and briar clearance and related tasks, the 20" sirupati is a dream; long enough to keep your hand and arm out of the thorns, light enough that it can be used all day and swung *accurately* - very important when you're hacking away at springy stuff that'll deflect the blade back into your kneecap if you give it half a chance.

If I had to fight with a khuk, I'd choose a Gelbu Special, 21" - fullered for handspeed and agility, but with enough bladewidth to bite; and I'd like to stay *at least* 21 inches away from the other guy, at all times. 21 miles would be better, but I digress...

Around the farm, I'd go for a BAS; fine for light chopping, small enough to do regular knife chores, and compact enough not to get in the way when carried on the belt all day. I love the toolkit that goes with the YCS, too.

If ever I get to go hunting again, I'd like to have one of the little sirupatis with me, the 15" or 18" variety; big enough for dressing out a buck, small and agile enough to skin bunnies or sharpen stakes for setting up decoys.

As for cute-looking; those M43's...
 
Don't mean to be fickle about the BAS, but what is HKIV without khuks? Or am I getting Kooky?

Well, whatever, just got an YCS and it really looks sweet! Two BIG beautiful, usefull kardas, massive blade, superb balance, silver bolster, butt plate and scabbard tip.

Made by this fella named Sanu. Even has his new signature on it. I am delighted Uncle Bill!

Gonna do some chopping tomorrow. Don't tell my BAS, I may do some running around on her.

Will get back to ya.
Bill
 
my fave Khukuri is always the newest Khukuri i get.. but any khukuri with at least 10 inches is good in my opinion and no more that 15 inches..
 
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