What To Get?

Brian Jones

Brian Jones

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Joined
Jan 17, 1999
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I was talking with Uncle Bill privately about what khukuri my martial arts teacher might want to get. He held my 15" AK, and my 20" Sirupati, and liked the blade shape and size of the AK, but preferred the more centered, less front-heavy balance of the Sirupati.

Uncle suggested he might want the WWII model, and I thought this also might be a fun topic for forum discussion, since everyone here has really great and unique insights as well.

Thanks much, and hope everyone is doing well...

Peace,

Brian.
 
I am very bias here since the 16.5" WWII khukhuri is my favorite. It weights about 580 g and has a 11" blade. It seems to be the best balance of tool and weapon, mini-axe and machette. The WWII model is netrually balanced if it is gripped near the center and front heavy if gripped further back.

Here are the unique things I like about it. The wood handle is less slippery when my hands are sweety. Better penetration than the Ang Khola's with cutting. Oddly the WWII model will match my flat ground CS Gurkha which is very impressive. I don't think the Sirupati can do better in terms of cutting. It can almost chop as well as the Ang Khola.

Now for the down side. It does not penetrate very well for thrusting. The WWII is better than an Ang Khola for thrusting (I have done this) put less than a Sirupati (speculation I don't have one). Seems to be heavier than the Sirupati so it won't be able to move as fast.


Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 07 July 1999).]
 
Will Kwan owns 7 or 8 HI khukuris plus some others. His endorsement of the WWII should carry some weight for those who use khukuris heavily and a lot because this is exactly what he does with them. He first sharpens them to razor edge (I always save my dullest blades for him) and then uses them almost as heavily as Cliff and Cobalt. I put a lot of stick in Will's advice and his reviews.

Uncle Bill
 
Go either 12 or 15 inch Sirupati, whichever Uncle has in stock. But if you go with the 12" and you don't already have one, have Uncle ship it directly to your teacher. If you order just one for him and then once fondle the 12" you'll keep it for yourself.
 
Thanks for your kind words Uncle Bill.

Rusty is a light statured person and likes the smaller khukhuri to fit his hands. On the other extreme, we have Cliff who favors the 20" Ang Khola. Both make a lot of sense. A person's size is something else to consider when selecting a khukhuri.

I wonder how Jay is doing using the 20" Ang Khola as a fighting khukhuri

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 07 July 1999).]
 
Brian;
How about 18th Century or Hanuman for your martial art teacher ?

Somewhere in the forums Bill mention that those models were designed more as weapons rather than as tools.

I think as a martial artis he has to choose for a really effective khukuri by considering few factors like shape, weight, length and strength of blade that suit his own size and the style of his martial art.
 
Brian, I would not overlook the 18'th century. It has a wider profile than the Sirupati but it also has a light mass becuase its thinner and has deep hollow grind under the spine. I had the chance to handle one for a couple of days awhile ago and it it very light and fast in the hand. The slim profile would of course give very good penetration.

The optimal solution would be to get a few, like a WWI, an 18'th century and a Hanuman and try them out and see which one has the best feel. And if you have a few months you can have Bill keep an eye out for some "lighter" models. For example he has mentioned before that he has had martial arts versions of the AK made, which are basically regular shaped AK's but with thinner blades so they are lighter in hand. Another solution is to simply get a 20" AK. After using it for a few months just about anything feels light in the hand so any other model is regarded as a "martial arts" khukuri.

You also might want to check out the following :

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum26/HTML/000180.html

And maybe drop an email to some of the bando people and discuss it with them. They are of course very experienced in the martial arts aspect of khukuri use.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 08 July 1999).]
 
Thanks for all the replies, folks! My teacher is an expert outdoorsman, and was looking for a blade that would be the best combo of tool and weapon -- so it's not for martial arts application only.

These are great responses, so I'll forward to him to help him decide.

Thanks again!

Peace,

Brian.
 
Brian, my advice is shoot your best shot and let the sensei try it. If he thinks he would like another model better he is welcome to trade. He will not hurt the khukuri so there is no problem with trades.

Uncle Bill
 
I think I would agree with Will regarding the 16.5" WWII. Light and quick, but still a good chopper. Good reach but not so long as to be a problem in closed quarters. Just my 2 cents...

------------------
Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com


 
Brian, if its not going to be just a weapon, then the WWII seems to be a strong choice. The only reason I would favor the AK over it is because of the extra strength and that is only a real concern if you are talking about heavy prying. The WWII is not fragile in this regard though check out the following :

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum26/HTML/000203.html

-Cliff
 
Additional note:

Just want to say how great it is to be a part of this HI online community -- you're the best and most genuine bunch on the Internet. They say a group takes on the personality of its leader -- this group is a testament to you and your strength of character, Uncle Bill!

It's great how everyone comes right in so quickly with informed and thoughtful replies to questions in this forum.

Hopefully, we'll all get to meet someday and hang out in person.

Thanks again to everyone...

Peace,

Brian.
 
Brian,

Thanks for the kind words. This is a great place. It is my favourite forum.

We do need a get together sometime. The first annual H.I. Khukuri Khonference!

Clay

[This message has been edited by CD Fleischer (edited 08 July 1999).]
 
I would love to get together with all forumites and customers. I think it would be a total blast.

Uncle Bill
 
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