Top Three 18" Choppers?

If it makes any difference, either 16.5" or 18" is the one I grab when I don't know what I'll have to do with it.

I also see the 18" AK as something that has enough power that you can lift it and flick it down and it'll do the job. You don't have to do like those Ghurkas and push you and the knife to the limit. They've used it all their lives. You haven't. Besides, if you spend your money on an AK, you won't be grabbing for a Bura 16.5" which gives me a better shot at it.
;) :D :D
 
Originally posted by StreamChucker
Thanks, Yvsa. But don't forget that my primary use is for chopping in camp.

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
Click to expand...

SC then in that case I would still recommend the BGRS. It's not as fast as an 18" Chitlangi, but it does cut like a much heavier khuk and that's one of the reasons I like it.
On the other hand I think you would be well pleased at what the 20" plus Chitlangi could do in camp as well as clearing paths.
The extra reach many times outweighs the convenience of a shorter khuk like Kis recommends.:D
 
Choices, choices, choices. Sounds like why I haven't remarried, still looking for a double jointed, deaf-mute, nymphomaniac, who drives a corvette, and owns a liquor store.

One knife that'll do everything is something that belongs in fairytales. Get the 18" AK or BGRS to chop wood in camp, then hang a 15" Siru or 18" Kobra on your belt to go do battle with the trail demons. Get the big chopper first and try it out, you might not need the little one.

Sarge
 
You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. I'm already considering the purchase of two. Geez you'd think these were like fly rods or something where you must own at least 20 to get the job done right.
I like Sylvrfalcn's advice though to go with the bigger one and see how well I can swing it before buying the second. Thanks everyone for all the great advice.


StreamChucker
 
"I'm already considering the purchase of two"

Bwaaaaahaahaaa:D Yet another victim of HIKV;) Resistance is futile:p

Sarge
 
Howdy all. I don't think my question is going to be a nonsequitur here, since like StreamChucker I'm lookin' to get my "first" Khuk for similar duties here in Virginia.

What is a "BGRS"? I couldn't decipher the Khuk-speak on this one.

I found Yvsa's remarks about the Chitlangis overall performance and potential on general scrub, vines and some chopping to be interesting. I am leaning towards one of these myself (I like the slightly different form these have, too.)

But to reiterate, what's a "BGRS"?

Thanks,

Kev.
 
Welcome to the Cantina Skrod.:D The "BGRS" is an acronym for Baby Ganga Ram Special. You won't find it listed as that on the HI shopping site, there it'll be listed as an 18" Ganga Ram Special. Forumites refer to it as the "baby" because the next size up in that model is a massive 22 incher. Here's what the BGRS (18" Ganga Ram Special) looks like;
1005523395542_Baby_Ganga_Ram_by_Bura.JPG


Sarge
 
Ok, thanks Sarge. I appreciate that. I've spent about a week-and-a-half scrounging and drooling over the HI site and poring over the posts here and I was mighty sure that I hadn't run across anything that could be acronym-ified as BGRS anytime before.

Thank you for the clarification.

Say, what do you think of the 18 and 20 in Chitlangi's for general-duty hacking, slashing, munching and crunching?

Thanks,

Kev.
 
Kev, all the Chitlangis, and the Gelbus, are exquisite khukuris, that would no doubt handle a wide range of applications. Still, I've not had any practical experience with them, so I can't offer any worthwhile insights. People that love 'em, love 'em, and they'll no doubt roll in with some descriptions of how well they perform.

They're wonderfully forged, graceful, and well balanced knives. Of that I have no doubt. Still, if I were looking for an eighteen inch workhorse, I would personally order myself an eighteen inch Sirupati. I have had experience with those, and can tell you straight up, they rock. Not in the same class as the heavy choppers, but heavy enough to do some real work without giving you shoulder problems.

Sarge
 
Well, if you're willing to go just a leeetle bit bigger, the 20" sirupati is a fantastic chopper. Pretty fast, too. Balance is different from an AK, because the belly is MUCH flatter. Love mine.
 
Sarge is right about the 18" Sirupati. My first one was sure a work horse. I hope whoever Sarge issued it to still uses it. It's too good a knife to sit idle. I have another now and it is maybe a couple of ounces heavier and is still a work horse. For my money the 15" and 18" can go to a fight any day. The 18" is also a heavier work knife. Then there is my 20" Bura. Snakes, Wild Oat grass, 4 and 5 inch tree limbs all go down to the masters blade.

And, before I forget my manners, StreamChucker and Skrod, please be welcomed to the forum and the Cantina. You will be in contact with the best group of gents that I have seen in one group in a long time.
 
Thanks all!

I've fired an email off to Uncle Bill about Chitlangi availability. Jus' gotta be different, y'know!

Gotta go help a friend move some stuff, then go move some of mine.

Back later,

Kev.
 
I'd go with an 18" WWII. It chops better than the skinny ones and goes after brush better than the fat ones.

That said, I think my 18" AK (now under Sarge's care) outperformed my BGRS (both by Bura) for two reasons - the BGRS was a little bit shorter, and a little bit fatter. With the edge bevel and fuller, the AK tapered more from spine to edge. The BGRS has less taper, so it's thicker.

I haven't used any of these to split wood, so can't speak to that.

The chiruwa AK at 16.5" is an excellent mostly camp knife, sometimes carry knife.
 
To me, the 20-22" AK is the best thing going for a chopper. The smaller AK's follow it a close second. If I know I am going a long way over rough ground & just going to be using the kuk for general camp, & etc. use, the 18.5" WW II is the one I go to. If I don't know what I'll be doing; I'll grab the 18.5" WW II first. I think for my first kuk, I would grab one of Pala's AK Specials, or maybe two, & then go for a WW II, & then....& then....you'll have a "few" like the rest of us & not be able to pick a favorite.
 
The opinions of the gentlemen here are those of experts whose wisdom and insight is unparelleled. They offer thier help without bias, and as if you have just entered a room full of old friends.

Keep in mind, however, they are ALL built like Conan the Barbarian at a body-builders' competition...except, as far as I know, they don't oil their bodies.

(OK, maybe Rusty does, but probably not the others.)
 
The 18" AK chops like a Cuisinart. As for body oiling, I usually use mineral oil, but lately I've been using Breakfree CLP-- I can't stand the smell, but I don't have to reapply it as often as the mineral oil.
--Josh
 
except for what comes off my hands after wiping down my khuks and scabbards with a mixture of 1 ounce of oil of clove to 6 to 8 ounces of Kama Sutra Pleasure Garden massage oil. ( I keep a second bottle without the clove oil for those other moments with the wife. )

The oil of clove comes in 2 ounce bottles at your pharmacy. For stopping toothache pain. It's cheap and USP, so they don't usually tell you they have it behind the counter unless you ask for it.

The real choji oil can be purchased at the better japanese sword and accessories shops, the ones kinda like Beverly Hills boutiques where if you have to ask you can't afford it. It's used with rice paper to apply a mixture of camilia(?) and mineral oil if I remember correctly. Apparently the japanese term is applied to either of the two different oils.

As long as my khuks stay happy what do I care ?

And no, I am not kidding. Ask the NDN 'bout the Khuk I sent him and how long is took to quit smelling up his work room! That one I soaked the wood on the inside of the scabbard real good as well as the leather outside and the blade and handle. :D :D :D
 
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