What Kukri would you take if you were going to war?

Klvuk. Useful durable tool that's cheap enough that you won't be out much if someone steals it. in the highly unlikely scenario where you have to use it as a weapon, it'd do the job.
 
I think I'd probably run either a KLVUK or sirupate 15".
Gotta say, having been "light" infantry, the lighter the better. Heavy things end up staying in the hooch.
 
Them Gurkhas was smart ones I tell you. They had'em a durable knife that'd chop down trees, sharp enough skin out supper, and delicate enuff to perform lobotomies on select personages (free of cost, too, I might add). That knife was the forerunner of them Swiss Army knives with all the bells, whistles, and eatin' utensils on 'em. Took me a few years, but today, my fine fellows, ol' Bookie discovered why the khukuri was soooo popular. He also discovered what the cho was really used for. Yes, indeedy. Bookie done found out that the cho on 'is M43 can be used for a beer opener. (insert audible gasp here) See Bawanna. I TOLD you that M43 couldn't be beat. I can throw it and stick it in some tree at 20 paces. I can chop the nasty neighbor lady's crab apple tree down with it, and now I can have cold refreshment whilst I'm out playin'! Is that cool or what?
 
The M43 is the ultimate balance of weapon and utility. And I agree the HI M43's of the past were amazing, light and beautiful, they seem to be a lot heavier and overweight these days, though still a tank. They should probably have Thamar make some M43's, he would probably make some magical ones like Kamagong's.
 
Aleous said:
The M43 is the ultimate balance of weapon and utility. And I agree the HI M43's of the past were amazing, light and beautiful, they seem to be a lot heavier and overweight these days, though still a tank. They should probably have Thamar make some M43's, he would probably make some magical ones like Kamagong's.
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All it takes is people showing that they want them lighter. HI is good at responding to what its customer base wants, evidenced by the big, heavy ones. People have wanted them, and they've got them now. I prefer somewhat lighter blades too, so that's what I buy. I'm certain if someone told Auntie they would like lighter M43s, they'd get one, either through a custom order, or the Kami would just make them that way.
 
I have to admit, I've had my M43 for a few months now and have used it quite a bit around the yard and it was by a long shot my favorite kuk.... NOW just today, I got my dui chirra, and I gotta tell u, my M43 got some serious competition in the "favorite kuk" slot.....
 
J W Bensinger said:
I think I'd probably run either a KLVUK or sirupate 15".
Gotta say, having been "light" infantry, the lighter the better. Heavy things end up staying in the hooch.
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I'm curious what weight you think would be ideal? Part of why I ask is that I recently realized my Thamar Yek Chirra is about the same size and weight as a Fairbairn Smatchet, and I considered that that might make it a good choice for light infantry (I've actually been considering this exact subject for a little while), but I'm interested in the opinion of a light infantryman.
 
Aleous said:
The M43 is the ultimate balance of weapon and utility. And I agree the HI M43's of the past were amazing, light and beautiful, they seem to be a lot heavier and overweight these days, though still a tank. They should probably have Thamar make some M43's, he would probably make some magical ones like Kamagong's.
Click to expand...
Thamar is truly outstanding. While reading your post I got a triangle box with his Dui Chira. I net you know which one.
Great curves and thinner than my usual HI Kukris.
Only the handle is a bit smallish. I have to put my index finger around the guard so that the pommel doesnt poke into my palm. In that aspect its comparable to the original 100 year old Kukris from IMA for example.
It balances very well and is a keeper for sure. It feels like it packs a decent punch without being too heavy but of course there's no telling without some experiments.
 
Jens Schuetz said:
Thamar is truly outstanding. While reading your post I got a triangle box with his Dui Chira. I net you know which one.
Great curves and thinner than my usual HI Kukris.
Only the handle is a bit smallish. I have to put my index finger around the guard so that the pommel doesnt poke into my palm. In that aspect its comparable to the original 100 year old Kukris from IMA for example.
It balances very well and is a keeper for sure. It feels like it packs a decent punch without being too heavy but of course there's no telling without some experiments.
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Thamar's handles do tend to be shorter than the other Kami in my experience. My Yek Chirra has enough room for my hand, but not much more, while my Lachhu WWII has enough for my hand plus three fingers from my other hand.
 
Jens Schuetz said:
Thamar is truly outstanding. While reading your post I got a triangle box with his Dui Chira. I net you know which one.
Great curves and thinner than my usual HI Kukris.
Only the handle is a bit smallish. I have to put my index finger around the guard so that the pommel doesnt poke into my palm. In that aspect its comparable to the original 100 year old Kukris from IMA for example.
It balances very well and is a keeper for sure. It feels like it packs a decent punch without being too heavy but of course there's no telling without some experiments.
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I got my dui chirra from Thamar today too, the sister to yours I believe. Handle is definitely smaller than my M43, but the weight is perfect IMHO
 
Scara said:
I'm curious what weight you think would be ideal? Part of why I ask is that I recently realized my Thamar Yek Chirra is about the same size and weight as a Fairbairn Smatchet, and I considered that that might make it a good choice for light infantry (I've actually been considering this exact subject for a little while), but I'm interested in the opinion of a light infantryman.
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For me, sixteen ounces tops. I had either a parang I'd made in my ruck frame (14oz/17" OAL) or a 6" belt knife and a very light hammerback tomahawk. Our rucks could be anywhere from 50-135lbs depending on what you were doing(and that is on top of body armor, weapon, ammunition and radios etc.)so no heavy stuff that could be avoided.
The knife/hawk rig combo was my deployment rig
 
Yek or dui churra feel the most weapon like to me.

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Aleous said:
The M43 is the ultimate balance of weapon and utility. And I agree the HI M43's of the past were amazing, light and beautiful, they seem to be a lot heavier and overweight these days, though still a tank. They should probably have Thamar make some M43's, he would probably make some magical ones like Kamagong's.
Click to expand...

I'm curious. Why did people want thicker, heavier kukri in the first place?
 
"Light Infantry" Just before I resigned I was at the 7th ID at Ft Ord as it was being converted to a Light infantry division in the early 1980's. Most of the soldiers I overheard used to describe it this way. "Light infantry means Heavy packs." or "Light infantry means Infantry that has to carry everything that usually would be brought in on an APC or helicopter on their backs"
 
Shavru said:
"Light Infantry" Just before I resigned I was at the 7th ID at Ft Ord as it was being converted to a Light infantry division in the early 1980's. Most of the soldiers I overheard used to describe it this way. "Light infantry means Heavy packs." or "Light infantry means Infantry that has to carry everything that usually would be brought in on an APC or helicopter on their backs"
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I guess you're tougher than I even imagined! I'm married to a red headed Swede that can still do one arm chin-ups at 55. Yes, I love strong and strong willed women. Society needs them to keep some men in check. I might be one of those aforementioned. Otherwise my temper may have had me in the crow bar hotel.
 
Shavru said:
"Light Infantry" Just before I resigned I was at the 7th ID at Ft Ord as it was being converted to a Light infantry division in the early 1980's. Most of the soldiers I overheard used to describe it this way. "Light infantry means Heavy packs." or "Light infantry means Infantry that has to carry everything that usually would be brought in on an APC or helicopter on their backs"
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What's the point of light Inf? No APC, sounds like going back in time.
Is the advantage that they could be deployed with whatever transportation is at hand at any given moment?

JWB, 135lb sounds insane for a ruck. We carried that much only twice. Once after registering and once before checking out of service. 150lb was everything we got for a year that included multiple sets of clothes and personal equipment like gas masks, water bottles etc. Enough to fill one locker to the brim.

Still that didnt make us ultralight infantry. :-D
Having to carry a 120mm mortar added quite a bit of weight. 135lb for another guy and me who carried the base plate. 85lb for the guy with the barrel and then somebody needed to handle the 45lb toolbox and bipod and if it was a special day they added some ammo to that. Normally these weapons would be mounted within our tanks but what would be the fun in that? Every group wanted to be faster than the other 5. Most of us seemed to like the challenge and maybe also because it was a bit different than what the other companies in our battalion had to do.

I bet everybody has a few stories to share where they made it harder than it really had to be and nobody complained or actually even liked it because it was different and cool. :-)
 
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In my younger days, I could shoulder 21 foot lengths of Schedule 40 Std wall pipe weighing 210lbs each for a good part of a day loading trucks. Now I could puke just thinking about it. I met fitters that could carry the same and step over a 3 foot tall footing without losing stride. I also witnessed fitters that could shoulder a a 6" 150# class Cast Iron flanged gate valve and climb a ladder. I have the utmost respect for our military and support them more than most. Old school necessity made men and women tough as well, not just the military. This is not meant to be a peeing match, I guess I'm just stating the obvious at least about the private sector. Americans have become weak in both mind and body for the most part, present company excluded, end of my rant.
 
Jackal_89 said:
I'm curious. Why did people want thicker, heavier kukri in the first place?
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People wanted to do lots of wood processing with them.

As for this discussion of light infantry, one advantage is they have a smaller footprint (logistical not literal). The American definition of light infantry however is not especially light, especially compared to some countries. Light infantry can be much lighter. Asian guerrillas come to mind as light infantry. Some of the advantages of light infantry is that they can stay concealed in backcountry areas, they are harder to observe and track because they don't have the big logistical tail or a bunch of big heavy equipment that can be seen and heard for miles, and they can act as recon, saboteurs, infiltrators, commandos, and sundry. It's hard, but done right it is very effective. From what I know, and what I've discussed with others, US light infantry is not especially light, and the light infantry concept in US service could use a reworking in some ways.

As for ruck weights, I've got a friend who has been trying for a specific position. He didn't make it this time, but he's been walking everywhere with 35 pound kettlebells, and something like an 80 pound pack. I sent him some e-books on physical fitness written by a former SOF guy who talks specifically about how to train for certain jobs.
 
Scara said:
All it takes is people showing that they want them lighter. HI is good at responding to what its customer base wants, evidenced by the big, heavy ones. People have wanted them, and they've got them now. I prefer somewhat lighter blades too, so that's what I buy. I'm certain if someone told Auntie they would like lighter M43s, they'd get one, either through a custom order, or the Kami would just make them that way.
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I have tried the custom route and it didn't work out, received an M43 about 10 oz heavier than I asked for. It was a beautiful khuk but way to heavy for me. I haven't seen any truly light M43's since Bura was still making Kuk's.
 
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