Those who carry Khukuris, which ones do you like most for big wood use? And Why?

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
OK,

So, you are in the big wood, or at least somewhere where you have access to wood of any size, not just shrubs or hedges.

Not that you would use a full size tree, but I am making it clear that we are talking about bigger wood, up to the maximum size that you feel comfortable using.

And you use a khukuri....

Which one do you use, which style, etc...

And why do you think it works?

And with pictures would be great.

I am beginning to make knives, and I have long been fascinated with khuks, but have yet to get my thick head wrapped around one. I tend to look at principles and reasons, not just shapes. I don't want to just copy someone elses design, but I want to go root causes and principles, and design something from that perspective.

Marion
 
I like the HI WWII model for an all around, 18" oal. For me I think I get the best out of one that 18-22" oal. Much shorter than that and I feel like it's taking far too much effort to get something done. If it's too thin ,then it doesn't have enough weight to do any good. Don't know how people use those cold steel imitation khuks. Bleh. Here's a pic of my collection,I've replaced most of the handles with leather washer types,it's a little easier on my hands that way.

khukcol.jpg
 
I prefer and use the M-43 from H.I.

It performs better than a WWII model and is an updated design of the WWII. This is due to a bit of drop to the handle and increased drop to the blade. This results in a longer sweet spot and greater tip speed in use, resulting in increased cutting force

Another advantage is the lighter weight than say an 18" Ang Khola. Which makes the M-43 easier to carry.

The thrust line if used defensively is also improved if that is a concern (as it was to the military designers).

I have used mine extensively in the woods and in real world long term survival living. It performs wonderfuly at many other tasks other than chopping, such as drawknife work as well as peeling logs. I've even used it as a sickle to cut bedding materials.

Many others who have seen me using the kukri have commented on how it throws more and larger chips thaan an axe of comparable size. I believe this is due to the better penetration of its thinner edge.

Unbeievably versatile and extraordinarily tough tools for the woods.
 
HI 20" Chiruwa Ang Khola is my beast

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It works because it has a tremendous amount of weight behind the sweet spot. It's 1/2" thick at the spine, tapers from there before coming to the final bevel. The Ang Khola or "back valley" -- the large fuller at the back -- shifts the weight forward for incredible chopping power. It's gone through 4" of white pine in a single shot. Anything smaller and it just laughs. I tried a convex edge and it worked great for chopping, but not for lighter duty. Now it carries a flat zero edge grind on the bevel and lost some of the edge retention in heavy chopping, but now also cuts soft grasses, vines, etc like a razor.
 
Not trying to Hijack - but where did you get that sheath Cpl Punishment, its a real looker and looks nicer to carry than the traditional one, i aways wonder if the metal prong would stab yourself in the leg.
 
I would pick my military type weighing 24 oz.Capable of serious use and not too heavy or large to be unhandy.My kukris have seen many years of use so I've become a real fan !
 
I hope to be taking this out with an assortment of khuks within the next couple of weekends.
yuccaresources007.jpg


Here's a shot with an OHT for scale:
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Here's a shot with an 85# dog for scale.
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I'm guessing this qualifies as "bigger wood" than the usual sapling or kindling sized stuff we usually cut for bushcrafty uses. I will of course post pics. ;)

I have used Khuks to cut up larger fallen trees before, because I didn't have a chainsaw or full-sized axe. One was a VERY hard oak that fell off my brother-in-law's property onto the roadway. It required immediate removal, and my HI 18" villager Ang Khola rose to the task. Another occassion was when a windstorm knocked an ash tree in my brother's backyard onto the neighbor's fence. The neighbor handled the "bucking" with a chainsaw, and I cleaned up anything smaller than my leg with a limited run Gurkha House "Ken Onion Pig-Sticker" authorized copy. It's only about a 14-15" Khuk but performed remarkably well. :thumbup:
 
The BK&T kukri I bought around xmas has been a blast to use. To quote Ethan Becker "it cuts like a banshee!'. My damn CS3000 echo chainsaw is having carb problems so I use the kukri instead. :D
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TWBryan said:
I like the HI WWII model for an all around, 18" oal. For me I think I get the best out of one that 18-22" oal. Much shorter than that and I feel like it's taking far too much effort to get something done. If it's too thin ,then it doesn't have enough weight to do any good. Don't know how people use those cold steel imitation khuks. Bleh. Here's a pic of my collection,I've replaced most of the handles with leather washer types,it's a little easier on my hands that way.

khukcol.jpg
Click to expand...

Man...i believe ive said it before but those handles are SWEET! :thumbup:
 
iBlade said:
Not trying to Hijack - but where did you get that sheath Cpl Punishment, its a real looker and looks nicer to carry than the traditional one, i aways wonder if the metal prong would stab yourself in the leg.
Click to expand...

One of the members here -- Ilbruche -- made it and a shoulder strap for me as well as a sheath for my HI R-10.
Is the brass stud what you mean might stab me in the leg? It goes to the outside.

Or did you mean the end on the traditional sheath? If so, I never had it do so, but rarely carried this on a belt. A large kukri is easy to carry on a baldric, but will drag your pants down all day if worn on a belt.
 
The heavier the khuk the better the chopper but also the harder to carry and the harder on your shoulder.

I have no problem cutting things up to 8" with a 17" 23 oz khuk.
 
i use a hi british service army model, 15inch long one and half pounds. works awesome. i' afraid i don't have anything to compare it too though, i just know it hasn't failed me yet.
 
I carry a 16.5" 24oz WWII model from HI on my campouts and sometimes my 20" 23oz Sirupati. I've cleared a number of trails with them. My 15" 28+oz Ang Khola is a great chopper of dead wood same with the 18" UBE I used to have.

For backpacking I'll either carry a 15" Siruapti or a 12" Ang Khola. Both will handle cutting the small stuff I might need to on a trip and the 15" Sirupati is quiet pokey. ;)

Heber
 
HI AK if big trees are involved but I carry most is the HI WW II 15 inch
These was at PEACE ’09.

Testing Tools
Dried Log
Himalayan Imports WW II 15 inch Kukuri
Cold Steel Kukuri
Wetterling Hunters Axe
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+1 on the HI WWII 16.5"

Used on bushes, trees, branches and even splitting rounds about 6" in diameter. Never failed me yet and not too heavy to lug around in the pack.

Tried using an Axe and a hawk but the Khukri really suits me in a way neither of the other two did. I also believe that the more I use it the more comfortable I have become using it.
 
I did not post Pics of splitting rounds as I was having to much fun:D
It got to be boring..split into1/2 1/4 .ect with one stroke or strike on chopping block the same and done.
The width of the Khuk just split them asunder [albeit a twist of the wrist]:D
 
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