Using Khukri in moist wet climate

J

JohnnyRockets

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Nov 19, 2006
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I will be traveling in green country - upstate NY where they get lots of rain and everything is green. How will a Khukri perform on brush/growth in an area like this? I always think of people clearing brush/branches in dry areas. Will the Khukri work ok on branches and growth where they get lots of rain? Also, I can trim the hedges with a Khukri? Thanks for your help.
 
I don't see any problems, I cleared up some fallen limbs and brush after a wicked wind driven rain storm with my AK. When I was done with the chore, my pants, work gloves, etc were soaking wet. Just wipe the blade dry and move on.:D
 
I've used both a khukri and a machete in Louisiana and Mississippi in Summer. If there's a wetter place in the CONUS than perhaps the NW, I don't know about it. For clearing foliage, a machete is superior because of its length and weight distribution. But if you've got a khukri, it will work--it'll just be more tiring.
 
They worked in the monsoon in the Burma jungle in WW2 & they work in the terai evry year.

Rough the grip up with a 100 grade paper a bit if its to slippery.

clean & mineral {baby} Oil the blade evry time you use it.

Spiral
 
I think the khukuris with the thinner edges are great for machete stuff. Bura edges especially. The ones with the thicker edges not so good.

A thin coating of vaseline on the blade before you use it will help prevent corrosion.
 
Several of us use khukuries in the PNW without issue. "Wetter and greener" would be underwater.

Yes, it's carbon steel and it rusts, but forget what the stainless magnates say for a moment and remember that it doesn't rust that fast. 5160-ish is just fine as long as it's not actually stored wet.

Oil got to be a PITA in the field so I stopped bothering with it. My khukuries occasionally get oiled while they're on the rack but if I'm out and about, I shake off the worst of the water and wipe off the rest on my pants leg. I don't have issues with rust.
 
I'll bet it would be a good idea to avoid pine trees - with all their sap. I would imagine they can dull the blade - not to mention all that sap you'd have to clean from the blade.
 
JohnnyRockets said:
I'll bet it would be a good idea to avoid pine trees - with all their sap. I would imagine they can dull the blade - not to mention all that sap you'd have to clean from the blade.
Click to expand...

Pine is fairly easy to cut when it is fresh. After it has seasoned does it become very hard, but even then I don't have a problem cutting it, I also haven't experienced the blade dulling faster (when compared to similarly hard wood). The sap isn't a big deal, just rinse with hot water and it gets rid of most of it.
 
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