I love the UBE (Uncle Bill Especiale) so much I have 2 of them by different makers, and I would still like to get a couple more!! The UBE is unlike any other model HI offers in that it has an upswept point that is useful for piercing without sacrificing the forward curving edge and big deep belly that makes the khukuri such a formidable chopper. Think of a USMC Ka-Bar tip on steroids, without the false edge, and you have a pretty good idea of the tip on the UBE. The UBE also has long, deep fullers to lighten the blade, similar to the AK or GS (Gelbu Special).
I don't yet have a GS or a YCS (Yvsa Cherokee Special), but they're at the top of my to-get list also. Yvsa is (obviously) a Cherokee who is a charter forumite here. He's been around the block a time or two, and came up with his own khukuri design which is very beautiful aesthetically and a super performer, according to the field reports from the forumites who have one.
If you're 6'3", don't you dare get a khukuri--I don't care what model--under 18" OAL for your one-and-only khuk! If you're just going to get one, and you have a big enough build, you're going to be wishing you got something bigger if you get one under 18"--remember I said so. I'm 6" even and I can comfortably handle any 18" to 22" model HI sells. As long as you can handle it, the bigger the blade, the more work it can do, the more amazed you'll be, and the more fun you're going to have.
A good way to get the most for your money with an HI khuk is to watch for Uncle Bill to post a blemished khuk here on the forum, as it's usually just a fixable handle crack and usually still comes with full lifetime guarantee on the blade. However, it is potluck, so if you decide to order one, you need to be informed on the pros and cons of spike tang handles vs. chiruwa (full tang) handles, as well as your preferred length (most models can be had in a number if different lengths) and specify these variables to Bill along with the model you want.
Anyway, my vote is for the UBE, the GS, or the YCS, in no particular order.
My $.02--or perhaps a bit more.
[This message has been edited by X-Head (edited 05-17-2001).]