Thoughts for a first timer.

W

Wmpy

Joined
Dec 2, 2002
Messages
23
Have been mostly into pocket knives. I have been off and on looking at the HI knives. They would'nt be very practical for me. But who neeeds all those guns? Everyone here is practical. Right?
I am interested in the WW2 and BAS just for playing around. Any thoughts on a first HI?
The AK looks heavy to me but is like art. Great lookin but maybe too heavy?
 
Wmpy-- Welcome to Bladeforums. I have a WWII and a BAS, and they are both great knives. I don't think you could go wrong with either one as a first khukuri. Keep an eye out for the deals Uncle Bill posts on a fairly regular basis. You can usually pick up a BAS with a minor cosmetic blem (tiny crack in the horn handle that can be filled with superglue in five minutes, a spot of rust on a blade, etc.) for around sixty dollars.
--Josh
 
But there can NEVER be only one! I believed a couple would fulfill my long time dream. Now look! And I have 5 on back order. Love the HI Craftmanship. Can't be beat!!

Khukuri Inventory

DESCRIPTION KAMI OAL HANDLE

Berk Special w/ 6 tools,
Bone handles & tinder pouch Bura Wood

Dhankuta, Royal Silver
Mounted, Kothimoda Scabbard Bura 11.5 White Spotted Deer
Horn

Dhankuta, Royal Silver
Mounted, w/Decorated Scabbard Bura 12 Horn

Dhankuta, Brass mounted w/Brass
Butt cap on Karda &Chakma
UBDDS ? 9 Spotted Deer Horn

Hanuman, Silver mounted w/ 4 tools,
+ karda & chankma & Tinder pouch Kumar 18.5 Carved wooden

YCS Yvsa Cherokee Special w/
2 big kardas and 1 awl Sher 18 Wood, inlay on all

Garud, (Dragon) Bolster & Chape
Silver mounted Sher 20 Wood,carved Dragon XGGA RG

Garud, (Dragon) Bolster & Chape
Silver mounted Sher 20 Wood, carved Dragon BDayGGA MG

Garud, (Dragon) Bolster & Chape
Silver mounted Sher 20 Wood, carved Dragon

Garud, (Dragon) Bolster & Chape
Silver mounted Sher 20 Wood, carved Dragon

Ghopte, Silver mounted Bura 18 Wood

Malla Bura 18 Horn

Sword – Bura Sabre Bura 36 Steel, Engraved
W/guard



Sword – Tarwar Bura Wood, carved
Figures BDay GGA BG

BirGorka Bowie Bura 15 Black horn w/
Streaks of grey

Cherokee Rose Bowie Bura 20 Wood

Kumar Kobra Kumar 18 Horn

GS Gelbo Special Kumar 18 Wood

M43 K.N.N Tricel 17.5 Wood

M43 Sher 18 Horn

Chitlangi Kumar 21 Horn

Chitlangi Sher 18 Aluminum

Chitlangi K.S. 18 Horn

Sirupati Kumar 15 Horn

Sirupati KNN 15 Horn

Sirupati Kumar 12 Horn

WWII GGA XGGA MG Kumar 16.5 Horn

WWII Bura 16.5 Wood

WWII GGA MV Bura 16.5 Wood

WWII Bura 18 Horn

WWII Murali 16.5 Horn w/unusual
Chiruwa handle

BAS Kumar 15 Horn

BAS Sher 15 Horn

BAS GGA RG Bday ? 15 Horn
BAS XGGA BG Bura 15 Horn

BAS XGGA SG Kumar 15 Horn

AK, Silver mounted,
Brown Scabbard Sher 15 Wood, carved

Chiruwa AK Bura 16 Wood/Full tang

Chiruwa AK Sher 16.5 Horn w/grey streaks

AK Durba Nepal Flag 15 Horn

AK Bura 15 Wood

AK KS Tricel 18 Wood

AK Sher 12 Horn

AK Bura 12 Horn

AK GGA JP Bura 12 Horn

Kumar Karda Kumar 10 Carved Wood

JKM-1 8 Horn

Kagas Katnes 8 each two aluminum, 6 horn GGA

Newar Tourist Junk w/
Decorated Scabbard,
Engraved Blade 15 Ivory/Bone? W/
Finger grooves

AK Style ‘India’ 17 Wood Chiruwa

Villager BirGorka Kumar 15 Wood

Villager BirGorka Sher 20 Wood

Villager BirGorka XGGA JS Tricel 15.5 Wood

Atlanta Cutlery Assam Rifles?? 18 Wood Chiruwa

Atlanta Cutlery Officers 14 Horn w/brass
pommel
 
Oh, I forgot to mention the weight on the AK. I have an 18", and it is definitely heavier than the BAS or my 16.5" WWII. If you play with it a little bit, it will definitely increase your arm strength. I think the 18" AK is just about perfect, but I am 6'4"/240lbs. If you are concerned about the weight, you might want to try a BAS or a 15" AK.
--Josh
 
Welcome Wmp. They don't feel as heavy as they sound.

Ics has more khukuris in stock than me!!!!
 
Frankly, it almost doesn't matter which you buy first, you will love it, and be amazed at the quality, the feel, the sense of "oneness" you experience when you hold it and make fierce gestures at the wall.

You will then go out and dismember perfectly innocent branches and limbs of trees for no other reason than the fact that YOU CAN.

Next comes the rationalization part, wherein you find reasons that shrubs need chopping, wood needs cutting, that that hand axe you've had for fifteen years is no long sufficient.

Along in here comes the "if only" part, when you start hanging out in the forum and see that if "just" something-or-other were different, all would be absolute PERFECT in your world. And LO, there's a khuk with just THAT difference!

and so it goes.

15" AK is the starter of record. No one ever complains.
 
If you're worried about something being too heavy, the BAS and 15" AK have been down to about 21 oz. I have a 15" AK at 21 oz and it's pretty light. I prefer the style of the BAS but that's my preference.

:yawn:
 
Alot depends on your stature and needs. If your going to take this camping and do a lot of walking, then perhaps the BAS would be right. The 16" WWII is also a GREAT all around choice with a little more reach and ooomph to it. But you would notice the weight on your belt more after a few hours too. Either one is a good first choice as is the 15" AK :)
 
It doesn't matter what you start with. The first time you use and HI khukuri you hear some strange guttoral animal noises. Don't worry it's only you. That will be followed by an odd sensation of primal pleasure and an irresistible urge to chop, chop, chop, chop, and chop.

Eventually, the sun will go down and you'll drag your tired body inside for a much needed rest. That is when you will pick up the phone and call uncle Bill to order your second khukuri.

So you can forget the first one, and just concentrate on picking out your next one. :)

n2s
 
lcs37 - what about a Pen Knife? :D:D

There's one spot left on the pass-around...
(you are welcome to jump in too, wmpy)
 
Wmpy the guys that have posted already are telling it straight. The first two Khuks to my hands were the BAS and 15" AK. What ever you get first, look at the knife real close. Then shut your eyes and imagine that beautiful thing being made 99% by the most primitive of equipment. Fondle that knife and try to feel what the man that made it feels. Oh, what a pride of accomplishment he mlust have felt when the deed was done. Now learn to use the knife and most of all learn to love it. Belief it or not they seem to love you back. I have yet to have one fail to do the task requested of the knife. (within reason) I can't start a list like LCS but, the ones that I have even though they are starting to look used pretty well. I try to treat them like babies. It makes no matter how tired I am when done with the work. There will be some cleaning, a bit of polishing, then oil or what ever is to be used to prevent rust. And, horn handles get a bit of moisturizer. Very simple really, and they are ready to go the nest time.

I know of no one on this forum that would steer you wrong. This is the darndest bunch of men that I think I have run across and, I have only met two of them in person. These are the good guys and I always want them on my side.:)
 
The 15" AK isn't really that heavy, it feels lighter than it is because of the great balance, the 18" is alot heavier though, great balance, but it is alot bigger than the 15" AK.

I have both 15" and 18" AK's.

It doesn't matter what model you choose to get first, you will get more than one as most of us here have.
 
I just got my first khuk a couple of weeks ago, a wood handled 18.5"/ 28oz WWII by Kumar. I picked it up as a "blem" but in all honesty I had to look pretty hard to find the imperfections. It has already proven itself to be a valuable tool. I've broken down some old fence material and took a dying limb off one of the avaccado trees. The first weekend I used it my arms were pretty sore. This last weekend my arms felt pretty good after using it. It will find ways for you to use it. I wouldn't worry about the weight unless you get a 20" AK. I'm 5'8", medium build and can get quite a rythm going with the big WWII. As a side note...the guys who live behind me pretty much drink beer and shoot pool in their back yard 24/7. They were strangely absent when I was going through the 6" limb by the fence.:D

Frank
 
pendentive
lcs37 - what about a Pen Knife?


:D Sniff, Sniff:) Missed that one on the go around. Maybe next production run, if available. Read quite a bit about it, looked good, but had other priorities in mind. I sure like the carved handles.
The HANUMAN I was able to get from you is VERY NICE! Thank You!

Have the three Biltons, Balance and BGR on order. The kamis have their own speed and ways. But always good quality. I don't mind waiting.

Was going to say something else, hmmm one of the first signs of getting older, not old.

Dale:D
 
Welcpme, Wmpy. I can't add much in the way of advice, looks like they pretty much got it covered. The WWII and BAS are both excellent choices, as is the AK. Chances are if you get one of them now, you'll end up owning them all in a couple months anyway... :D
 
Originally posted by lcs37
The HANUMAN I was able to get from you is VERY NICE! Thank You!
Click to expand...
:( Sniff, Sniff :(
I think I'm almost back to normal now - I had to empty everything fast. At least the Han went to a good home with lots of friends...:p
 
"What ever you get first, look at the knife real close. Then shut your eyes and imagine that beautiful thing being made 99% by the most primitive of equipment. Fondle that knife and try to feel what the man that made it feels. Oh, what a pride of accomplishment he mlust have felt when the deed was done. Now learn to use the knife and most of all learn to love it. Belief it or not they seem to love you back. I have yet to have one fail to do the task requested of the knife. (within reason"

Very well said! Alot of history and culture. Reading about the kamis, sarki and what they do with so little is humbling!
 
I'd say if you're worried abouut weight, go with the 15" BAS, AK, or WWII. If you want a longer, lighter blade, check out the 18"-21" sirupati, Gelbu Special, or Chitlangi. Those tend to be lighter built or weight-compensated by the addition of fullers, grooves that lighten the weight but do not compromise strength.

LCS--Damn! Are you gonna colect em all!?!?! Impressive collection. I noted that the first half of the list are PREMIUM HI blades. Good Show!

kEITH
 
I'm trying, as budget permits. This is an era of history, that I want a piece of to pass on to my sons and grandsons. Along with the history of the kamis , BirGorka, Uncle Bill Martino, Yangdu and all the HI Staff, from the highest to the lowest. I really appreciate the art they put out with so little. Give my sons/grandsons something to think about beside the live for tomorrow attitude. What about the iron pounders that live for today to make works of art and live for today to feed their families and provide a LITTLE better life. A life that is being threatened daily by the Mao terrorists in their own land. Could we provide under similiar circumstances?

When my sons/grandsons become impatient/frustrated about being able to do something, I will refer them to the long years of apprentice ship of the kamis. 20-30-40 years and still learning. We learn and improve each and every day, if we have the positive attitude.
 
Kismet said it. Doesn't matter. All good.

I am not 6'4" but find the 18" Ak size very useful, as do the short statured Nepalese. I remember a Gun Digest article; "To Hell with Experts, I'll take the 375 H&H on deer!"

A big blade is surprisingly easy to carry and usefull.

They'll do so much; get it? More than they should be allowed as Newton defined physics. That is hitting the ball on the right part of the bat.

munk
 
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