These things are like crack

JParanee

JParanee

Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
15,019
Well in one weeks time I have picked up a

2 Janga's

1 Gelbu special

and just finished pay paling Yangdu for my

Foxy Folly and M 43

Only have the one Jange in hand but the rest are paid for and either shipped or on the way.

heading out camping with family tomorrow if storm passes. Will give the one I have a try.

I run my airboat down the river with kids and wife and dogs find an island and make camp

I am and always will be a huge Bowie and Japanese blade fan but these Khukuris are really adictive and hell I put a nice little collection together for not even near the price of a custom Bowie

Great stuff guys thanks for all the info

One more thing I bought these for more or less camp and packing tools but as a defensive weapon which is the best option.. I know this has probale been asked before but please humor me
 
I was in your shoes about a decade ago. I'll always have a soft spot for khukuris as they served as my introduction to the forged blade, but I find myself drawn to bowies now.

The best weapon will probably be a 20" Kobra or Sirupati. With the Kobra especially you can get it moving pretty fast and I know some FMA like to use them. But since you want to also use your khukuris as camp knives I'd suggest sticking with the M43. The M43 isn't as overbuilt as the other HIs and has a great feel to it. It's still plenty strong though so it can serve well as a worker if need be.
 
You'r'e right, J, these things are addicting. Within 6 months I had acquired 16 or 17 of these blades.

As far as a defensive weapon goes, I think that the Gelbu Special will probably be the best from the group that you'll soon have in hand. Yangdu's father, Kami Sherpa(Pala) was a Gorkha and when he was asked which khuk he would recommend for military duty he responded that the Gelbu Special would be his choice due to his feeling it was the best combination of tool and weapon. But with a little time I'm sure that you'll determine which one is best suited for you.

You and the family have a good time camping. Later.
 
I like both khuks and bowies myself. Among khuks I prefer the kobra and M43, with the later being the more versatile. I don't have any custom bowies, but I enjoy the CS Natchez and Laredo and the Ontario Gambler. The Gambler is a good size (9.5" blade) for field carry as a defense against animal attacks.

P.S. Khuks addicting? Yup. :D
 
Kamagong Billy Bagwell is a good friend of mine we have hunted together and talk a few times a week.

So the Bowies have been in my life for along time and I do and always will believe that a properly forged bowie is the greatest fighting knife ever built

My introuduction to the forged blade was thru collecting Japanese swords starting back over 20 years ago. I studied kendo and swordmanship under a Japanese teacher for many years and will always love and respect the japanese blade like no other.

But something about these Khukris has got me very interested and the price and the people that are into them sure seem right.

Plus like I said I have a bunch of kids that have this camping fixation going on and although I have spent alot of time in the bush Yukon , Northwest Territories Alaska 'Alberta , B.C. and all over out west plus Africa and Asia I am really enjoying the local camping thing with my kids.. I used to carry a Bowie a capeing knife and a Tomahawk or hatchet. For my local river blasts a small fixed blade and a Khukri seem like a good combo and like I said I love learning about knife cultures and there blades and the Gurkas with there Kuk's certainly have a rich history
 
Dear J,

Would you mind sharing with us the experience using a Bowie and khuk?

I'm looking forward to a Gelbu Special as well.

:)
 
I will let yu know w I think when I spend stime with the Khuk.

A good Bowie is an impressive tool.

I used a Khuk for awhile as a bush clearing tool that was on a 4 wheeler on my property. It was an americanized piece by Becker and I do not consider it a proper Khuk compared to th HI that I have already recieved it was made of thin stock and I think the HI will perform better
 
Welcome, J. I have seen some of the pics of your Bagwell Bowies you've posted. A very impresssive collection indeed. What you have going on right now is known as Himalayan Import Khukuri Virus, or HIKV for short. If you follow the Deal Of The Day you will see many knives and swords not listed on the HI sight, including some unusual Bowie designs such as the Ang Khola Bowie and the Cherokee Rose. Auntie Yangdu usually posts the DOTD about 1:00 PM CTD. The early bird gets the worm!
 
JParanee, after seeing a couple references to your custom bowies I just had to do a search and see for myself. Dang! Man those are nice!

I've been planning to use the production models I've got long enough to develop some personal preferences and then look into getting a custom blade built to my specifications. But I've got no idea how much one should expect to pay for a first class custom bowie. Can you help me out in the cost department?

Getting back to the khuks, the last purchase I made from Yandu on DOTD may well turn out to be a new favorite. I got a chitlange made by a non-HI kami. The chit measures 17 1/2" overall and weighs in at 21 oz. Those numbers are not very meaningful until you have the blade in hand and can move it around a bit. The new chit is quite compact, has relatively little blade curvature, and based on the heft of the piece, will be a far better chopper than I had imagined. This chitlange will be an ideal blade for woods wandering, camping and defensive purposes. I have no pics yet, buy I'll try to post some tomorrow.

The chitlange, chainpuree, sirupate and gelbu special seem to be very similar for equal OALs. They are all narrow bladed and fairly straight for khuks. Yet they are heavier than one might expect on the basis of the narrow blades, and handle well for westerners who are unaccustomed to heavy, forward curved blades.

Gotta have one! :D
 
High desert pm me and I will send you my # I love to talk Bowies

A proper fighting Bowie has plenty of weight so it hits hard but if it is balanced well it changes direction quickly. Add the back cut and a snap cut and you have an impresive arsenal.

For me so far I see Khuk's as kinda like a tomahawk a devastaing one shot kill type weapon but more manuverable than a tomahawk so in rality a better fighter. I am new to proper Khukri's in time I will be able to form a better opinion

thanks to all
 
Hey J,
Glad to hear you have the HIKV (Himalayan Import Khukri Virus):D:D: as much of us do. I less than a year I have a few myself. Would love some pics when you can. Enjoy your blades.
 
I second pugs75 inquiry for photos. I have seen cheap Khukri's at a Frost Cutlery warehouse I frequent here in Ooltewah Tennessee. This is a major warehouse for Frost but also carries some "Semi" high end stuff in smaller knives, fixed and folders. Hen and Rooster, Bulldog, Case, and about two or three more that I cannot remember right off.

I would love some photos of what you have. I have always seen these knives as some kind of gimick, but after going to a site with the history of these blades and the three and four hundred years handed down from generation to generation to become a Master Kamis well my view has changed dramatically.

Thanks in advance and happy camping.

Daniel
 
When I get all the Khuk's in I will get a group shot .. Then over time I will get some user shots
 
Joe

These Kuri's are indeed addictive. But they are also so very fun and functional too.

I love bowies as well, and Bill Bagwell's work is something I have always wanted to one day aquire.

Just wait till you spend some time with those Kukri's though. You will be blown away.

There was a martial artist who posted here on BF a good while back. He did a cutting comparison between a 15" & 18" sirupate kukri, and a Japanes katana and wakizashi.
He used wet tatami mats as the test medium. He has decades of experience using Japanese blades, and was using custom forged blades not cheapies.

He was amazed!!

The 15" sirupate cut better than the waki. The 18" sirupate ac tualy outcut the katana.

The feel of that M-43 will be unlike the feel of the other kuk's. For me they sing in the hand, very lively blades for their size and capabilities.

I've been purposely restraining myself from buying kuk's lately. (at great effort I might add). In order to fund the custom Bowie I have on order from Tad Lynch.

Let me know how you like the kuk's
 
As promised earlier, here's a shot of my new Chitlangi beside my M43 for comparison. I was lucky to pick up the M43 by Bura for a song on Ebay. Apparently the seller didn't know what he had, but I knew Bura's mark, which could be seen in the ebay photo. I pounced on the deal like a big cat! :thumbup: This is one of the original M43s.

Here's the pics:

DSCF0705-1.jpg


Here's the Chit in hand:

DSCF0708-1.jpg


... and here's the spine of the Chit:

DSCF0710-1.jpg


BTW, you can probably tell the M43 is unused. That's because it's the Cadillac of my khuk collection and I can't bring myself to hit anything with it. At some point I'm actually going to have to get a second M43 for the field so I can keep the original unscathed. :o

What can I say? :confused:

Real khuk affecionados will understand. ;) This M43 is a piece of art.
 
Last edited:
Good on ya for saving that M-43. It will probably become highly collectable now that Bura is no longer able to pound steel. Hopefully he will still be able to supervise and QC. I, for one, miss seeing his work....his pieces are usually so well made and balanced it is unbelievable. He is truly a Master Craftsman.
 
Thanks Karda. I didn't realize Bura doesn't pound steel anymore. Tell him this M43 will be passed on to my son one of these days and will hopefully remain in the family indefinately as a treasured heirloom. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top