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Top Three 18" Choppers?

S

StreamChucker

Joined
Feb 17, 2003
Messages
9
I'm looking to buy my first khukuri. Through reading here, it looks like I can't go wrong with most any HI choice but I want to optimize my chances of being very happy with my purchase. I'm primarily interested in chopping performance but want it to serve for all around north woods camp use. I will want to carry it once in a while on hikes but most of the time it will stay in camp. I want it to replace a hatchet or axe but want it to be more versatile around camp. I also want it to be able to clear paths through heavy swamp foliage and delimb branches and trees fairly often. I have medium to large size hands, am very sturdy, but short. From these criteria, I am surmising an 18" may be my best all around length. I am thinking a BGRS may end up being the best choice for me but have a few questions to go over.

Let me start by asking about chopping performance. What are the top three 18" choppers available whether they be hatchets, khukuris, etc.?

Then, what are the top three HI choppers? I would guess the BGRS and the AK would fit in here. But what order would they be in and what would come in as #3?

Thanks for your help.

StreamChucker
 
Welcome to the Cantina. It's always a pleasure to hear guys talking about buying their first khuhuri (heavy emphasis on "first"). In my non-expert opinion, what you want is an eighteen inch Ang Khola. It's a formidable chopper, a very versatile khukuri, and not so big it'll make you walk lopsided carrying it.

Sarge
 
I agree with the rest, an 18" AK would make a fine first choice.
 
Originally posted by StreamChucker
I'm primarily interested in chopping performance but want it to serve for all around north woods camp use. I will want to carry it once in a while on hikes but most of the time it will stay in camp. I want it to replace a hatchet or axe but want it to be more versatile around camp. I also want it to be able to clear paths through heavy swamp foliage and delimb branches and trees fairly often.
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I'm not going to disagree with Uncle. Especially when there's a sale on 18" AK's. Grab one.

For your next khuk you might want to also consider a 20" Sirupati and an 16" or 18" WW2 in addition to the BGRS. Or an M43.

A 16" WW2 is like a 308. An 18" WW2 is like a 30-06. A 20" Sirupati is more like a 270. In contrast the 18" AK is like a 338-06, 35 Whelan, or the old 350 Rem mag. Inside 250 yards, it probably wont make any difference to whatever you shoot with any of them. It all depends on where you use it.

Yvsa, does the BGRS take some time to get used to? Seem to remember some khuks like the forward curvings are a bit different to use.

You will be buying another, once you experience the magic in these khuks, you understand...
 
is the answer. The BGRs may be a bit less versatile, being a very heavy chopper, more like a felling khuk. The Ak in the 18" allows for more control, more versatilty for log chopping and brush clearance. Also makes a good prybar, hammer, and draw knife.

Keith
 
Originally posted by Rusty
Yvsa, does the BGRS take some time to get used to? Seem to remember some khuks like the forward curvings are a bit different to use.

Originally posted by StreamChucker
I want it to replace a hatchet or axe but want it to be more versatile around camp.
I also want it to be able to clear paths through heavy swamp foliage and delimb branches and trees fairly often.
Click to expand...

Rusty I took to the BGRS like a duck does to water, not counting our quackipussy.:D
To me the BGRS cuts like a much heavier khuk and goes straight to the place you're aiming at when chopping.

I also want it to be able to clear paths through heavy swamp foliage and delimb branches and trees fairly often.

Due to the specific use StreamChucker has specified I think the BGRS would be the better of the two khuks.
I almost wish I had an 18" Chitlangi so I could judge it in these qualifications.:)
I have a feeling it would perform well considering the criteria as well.:D
 
Originally posted by Ankerson
I have this special 18" Bura WWII.....:)
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Apropos of absolutely nothing, including people that tease others of the Bura's they've snagged:

I've got this piece of obsidian that would make a fine 6" really curved skinner, yet another piece for a nice 5 or 6 inch spear shaped knife, a 3 & 1/2" piece to practice on, and a piece of fiddleback maple or a nice 7" deer tine for handles.
 
Im a little confused by Ferrous Wheels comments. I thought the BGRS was lighter than an AK. What are typical weights for these two models? Thanks.

StreamChucker
 
Originally posted by StreamChucker
Im a little confused by Ferrous Wheels comments. I thought the BGRS was lighter than an AK. What are typical weights for these two models? Thanks.

StreamChucker
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SC the BGRS is a lighter khuk than the AK and a big part of the reason I recommend it over the AK for you.
It's thinner makeup makes it a much better felling khuk and IMO one that's better for the swamp foliage.
It would help to know your location although here in Oklahoma an AK, BGRS or a 15" or so Sirupati or an 18" Chitlangi would all be appropriate depending upon what part of the state you're in.:)
It is confusing because it depends so much on what you're gonna be cutting.:)
 
Originally posted by Yvsa
Due to the specific use StreamChucker has specified I think the BGRS would be the better of the two khuks.
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I tested each of these models in the ~18" range - WWII, BGRS, AK, Sirupati, and even a Hanuman. Of all of the those...

I prefer the 22" GRS...:rolleyes:


Seriously though, the 18" BGRS was my favorite chopper (now considered "light duty" behind the 20" AK and 22" GRS).

I had my wife hold each of the 18 inchers in her hand (to get a true perspective in weight balance - as they all feel nice in my hands) and she says that although the BGRS is a bit heavier, it is better balanced and feels easier to use. It could be that the aggressive bend on the AK and WWII makes them more tip-forward and mentally, that seems heavier. The gentle curve of the BGRS is more pleasing to to the eye and seems more "uniform". That's the best explanation I can offer.

Dan
 
For the price, get the 18" AK and learn to use it.

Someone quoted a book on the Ghurkas a while back, and I dont know if they were using the smaller 15" BAS, a 16 or 18" equivalent of the WW2 models, or an M43.

Suffice it to say the guy in the book told of them SLICING half-inch or inch thick slices from a 4" thick log. With one whack. This was playing around, just getting some practice in, and maybe gambling on who were the ones to give out first.

I'll bet once your guys get used to the 18" AK's they'll be chopping thru 2"-2&1/2" pieces of wood. Some may get up to 3" diameter pieces.

I couldn't do that ( 4" thick at a whack ) with a 4 lb. 30" khuk. And I'm 5'4", about the size of many Ghurkas. Trust Uncle Bill. Your marines will be able to handle the AK's PDQ. I think chopping through 1&1/2 to 2" thick stuff ought to be equivalent chopping thru an arm or neck.

Hey, listen up FOG!
 
I do have an 18" WWII. Great all around knife. I think it's hard to go wrong with any of the 18 inchers. Follow your gut, it will lead you to the right one. And welcome aboard.

Frank
 
Yvsa, I live in Michigan. With all the water we have, vegetation can get very thick here. I have a number of long paths to cut out every spring to my favorite fishing holes. The vegetation I'm referring to is very dense and diverse including but not limited to thin but nasty raspberry bushes to vines to 1 inch branches of swamp oak, willow, poplar, etc. Not much of it is really thick, just lots of it. It's stuff that is mostly handled well by a machete but if I can get a khukuri to do it as an add on to heavier duty chopping chores, I'd be a happy camper. Along with the path clearing of smaller stuff however, I'd like to take out some small 2 to 4 inch trees and bushes here and there to straighten out the trails. Once every year or so a larger tree of 6 to 12 inches falls across one of the paths. The paths vary in length from 50 to 800 yards.

StreamChucker
 
Originally posted by StreamChucker
Yvsa, I live in Michigan. I have a number of long paths to cut out every spring to my favorite fishing holes. The vegetation I'm referring to is very dense and diverse including but not limited to thin but nasty raspberry bushes to vines to 1 inch branches of swamp oak, willow, poplar, etc. Nothing is really thick, just lots of it. I would however, like to take out some small 2 to 4 inch trees and bushes here and there to straighten out the trails. The paths vary in length from 50 to 800 yards.

StreamChucker
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SC in that case I will have to recant the BGRS and recommend a Chitlangi, Kobra, or Sirupati not necessarily in that order. Most of the stuff you're cutting is pretty soft so a heavy duty chopper isn't needed and in fact will even hamper your efforts IMO.
I'm personally very, very fond of the Chitlangi, but I don't have an 18 incher just the 21" plus.
IF the 18" Chitlangi cuts like its bigger brother it would be ideal I think for your purposes.:)

Kinda funny is this is the 1st time I've ever recommend the Kobra, not sure about the Sirupati, but I don't think I ever have.
One of our UK guys, Tom, is seriously fond of the Kobra for almost any work, but regretfully his failed after much use.

One of the reasons I like the Chitlangi is the double fullers which give a whole lot of added strength while making the khuk much lighter..
Basically it's a Sirupati or Chainpuri with fullers. Another reason is that it performs like a much heavier khuk due to the power you can put behind the swing.
It can actually be dangerous because of this and prudence is the best way to prevent a serious accident to yourself.
No matter the khuk always be sure you're not swinging where you're apt to overswing and hit a body part.
There was a good argument for swinging the khuk from left to right a while back here on the forum.
Swinging this way you're less apt to have an accident.:)
 
Thanks, Yvsa. But don't forget that my primary use is for chopping in camp. I can see where your latest suggestions may apply better to clearing paths than to chopping. Tell me if I'm mistaken. But what I can see is that this is getting me into more than one khuk already but for now I'm willing to settle for the best compromise. Given the primary use is still chopping, would the BRGS still be the better compromise or should I consider backing off on length and going with Rusty's .308 analogy of a 16.5" WWII? It was this compromise that I had in mind with my original question. I was asking about the three best 18" choppers. From this I was going to pick the lightest or most agile of the three to help suit my other purposes. Maybe I should just go with the great deal Bill has on the AK's but from my experience with hammers and hatchets under and over 2 pounds, I thought I might want something about 2 pounds or lighter.

StreamChucker
 
I'm 5'8" and 170, and older than dirt.

Consider the 15 in AK as the tool you want. It is a remarkable work of fine craftsmen, holds an edge beyond what you would believe, packs smaller (it's hard to describe the difference in size between the various models...18 in is waaaay more blade!), and will make you smile every time you pick it up. It is also less conspicuous to the general population if you are in public areas.

Fact of the matter is, it's hard to make a bad choice. As to caliber? Heck, maybe 30-30, maybe 12 guage, maybe 20 with three inch chamber. dunno.

Shopping is fun, eh?
 
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