which khuk?

Y

yoippari

Joined
May 8, 2004
Messages
341
Normaly I would look around, and check FAQs befor deciding what to buy. But in this case I have specific uses in mind.
I want a khukri that will primarily be used as a hunting knife, maybe a wood chopper on the side. For hunting it would involve digging, cutting whatever wood needed, self-defence (if rifle is made impractical/inaccessible), and hammer (for tent steaks)(only because the website listed hammering in the villagers section).
The chuka (sp?) would also be put to use as a skinning knife, so it would need to be of the same craftsmanship as the khukri.
I am not sure about length, but it would need to be light enough not to be cumbersum on long hikes.
I was looking at the AK 16.5" or 18" models, and the sirupati(sp?) 18" or 20" models.
Keep in mind that I am a 17 yo about 5'10" and about 180lbs, I am not a very big guy.
 
Welcome!

Those models you listed are too big to fit your requirements. Reading your post made me first thing of a Pen Knife or maybe a BAS. Anything smaller/lighter will not be tough enough. Anything larger/heavier will be too much to pack around.

Above 15" you then have to choose between chopping ability and self defense. In other words, khuks under 15" can serve both purposes. But those above 15" tend more toward "specialization". 18" AK is a chopper. 18" Gelbu is good for martial arts.

The exception would be a 16.5" WWII which seems to do good all-around (but still too large, IMHO).

As far as skinning is concerned, the Pen Knife has been tested on that and others can chime in on that one - no need to use the karda for that one. Otherwise, if you want a karda big enough to skin with, you'll need to get a 21"+ khukuri.
 
You want one knife to be hammer, knife, skinner, logger and defense?

Yeah, the chiruwa Ak might be the best for you, though the 15 AK, 16" and 18" WWll are all very good. Personally, I like the 18" WWll for all around, but I don't hammer much.

If you're going to hammer- a Villager might be the way to go because it has no mirror finish to wreck. The back spine will splay out if you hammer. It's soft. I hope you just mean hammering tent pegs and wooden stakes and such.
Welcome to HI land.


munk
 
If you want a hunting knife, get a hunting knife. Maybe JKM-1? dunno, or old or new Marbles Woodcraft.

Cutting wood stuff in woods? Probably 15 AK, but 12 AK or Pen knife would do well, especially if you didn't have another khuk to compare with. Use of a baton helps cut stuff, and woods work doesn't require cutting down oak trees.

The kardas usually don't work out well as small knives in my experience. Maybe some of the larger ones that come with big khuks might. dunno.

Nothing does everything, but all can do most things, except the things they can't do.

GO to the FAQ. Spend hours there. Lots to see and think about. Pen's khuk dynamics is particularly well done.

You are 17. You got time.
 
"One knife does all" - My first thought also was the Pen knife. Like any one size fits all, jack of all trades - master of none, there is no single answer...but for what you list, go for the Pen.

You'll be back...next you'll want a bigger chopper, then a fighter, then a JKM-1, etc. We've all done this...face facts...HIKF is right around the corner!
 
I've bought a lot of Khuks. Usually going by the opinions of the formites. I have looked for a good all purpose hiking/camping knife. I don't have a lot of practical outdoor experience, but even though I like all of my Khuks, even my all purpose 16" WWII, I have found that they are too big for a belt knife. The only one that I have that I wear for a belt/hiking knife is my 12" AK. I love it! My BAS would be my next favorite, but I would carry it in my pack unless I was out in the wilderness (they all look like swords to non knife people).My 15" Siru is also a favorite, but it is not as well rounded....skinnning, chopping, camp knife.
 
After reading several reviews of the pen it looks like that is the one I'll go for.
I already had figured that I would be back for the more specialty knives. I will probably get a fighter before a chopper, we live in town and never really need to chop large amounts of wood. However a brush cutter would be good for those plants that have over grown. Nevermind, thats another thread.
 
See...that's how it attacks. You have yet to order your first and you already know what your second will be. Welcome to the HIKV ward...the bunk on the end next to Bruise is open...always seems to be, eh?
 
Well, I'll tell you... I own two Khuks myself, so given the sheer scope of other forumites' experiences, take what I say with a grain of salt. The first one I bought is a 16.5" super chiruwa AK, and the second one I picked up was a Bura forged M43.

Both are excellent choppers. Both are excellent all-around field knives. If you are into martial arts and and want something more along the lines of a pure weapon, go for the lighter sirupatis. But as in anything, the use of an object dictates its nature. A pencil can be a weapon where a sword could be a prybar/tool - depending on how it is used. Soooo...

That having been said, the chiruwa AK is a heavy beast. It really is. And after a while on the trail, it would be nice if it were lighter. It's a great chopper and downright indestructable, but I am finding myself favoring my lighter M43.

Some would lable the M43 as a "weapon khukuri." And I can see/feel why. It is lighter and more nimble in the hand than my AK (both khukuris are chiruwas, btw). However, it is an excellent all around workhorse. I never expect or anticipate the need to implement it as a weapon in the field, but I'm sure that it would lend itself effectively to the task. I just like the graceful arching curve and its lightness. I found a winner. If you can get your hands on a Bura M43, snap it up.

But whatever model you will choose, you'll love it. They each have their own... special something about them. I guess it is the feeling that it comes from a far distant land and it is imbued with the essence of an ancient culture. These truly are special. Enjoy.

BTW, I'm going to give my AK to my son when he gets older. I figure he'll be young and tough. He can lug that sucker around. I'll have my M43 :D

Oh and one other thing... Rather than hammering with your khukuri, I would suggest using your knife to hack down a branch that could be used for that purpose instead. Otherwise I think you are just headed for an accident.
 
Give the 12" AK a try.

And welcome to the Cantina. As far as a grain of salt, that 50 pound block over there is known as a cattle lick, so don't hesitate to use however much you like. Got more blocks in the barn But be verrry careful of the pepper sauce folks offer you. There are chiliheads around here, they are a weird bunch - use the extra hot Tabasco sauce to rinse out their mouths before trying something really hot.
 
Oh ya, my real name (so you dont have to think about how to pronounce yoippari) is Jacob.
I only thought of hammering because it was listed on the villager page, but depending on the width of the spine I may decide to opt for an old hatchet for driving in the tent stakes. please un abbreviate "HIKV" or at least just the "KV" part.
 
you'd be ASTONISHED at how infrequently one has need to pound in tent stakes throughout the course of one's life.

When one does, there are these things called "rocks."

My preference tween the pen and the 12AK is the 12AK. Sharper pointy end.
 
Himalayan Imports Khukuri Virus. So far there is no known cure, and the only treatment is to buy more khukuris. The disease has also been known to cause sufferers to engage in 'feeding frenzies' when specials are offered in the Cantina. They can be quite spectacular, and are also quite impressive to witness in person. :D We're all a bit twisted, in case you haven't figured that out yet. It's a good kind of twisted though.

As for your needs, I'd say something in the 15" range would suit you well, perhaps an Ang Khola or a Sirupati. Don't expect to get much use from the chakma, they aren't usually big enough for any major work. It should be quite easy to buy a quality small fixed blade to suit your purposes, there are lots of them out there. Good luck in your search!
 
Roadrunner may have mispoke- he means Karda, I think- the small knife, the Chakma is the small steel.

IF the karda is insufficient, removing it and placing a small knife in the sheath of your choosing is done by several folks.

The size question of these khuks is about cutting wood. I don't find too much difference in carrying a 15" or 18" If you're cutting needs are very minimal, then the Pen or 12" AK are great multi task camp blades. For just a little more weight you get a lot more utility when you go to 15", 16" or 18"

But someone already told you you'd buy another anyway.

munk
 
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munk is entirely right, I meant to say karda. The chakma is in fact quite useful. Thanks for catching that one munk. :)
 
my first thought was "why have one knife that does it all, when you can have 15 that each does one of them?" :cool: :D

tthat for skinning purposes, you can carry a seperate knife in the karda portion of the sheath, such as a folder, just by modifying that portion of the sheath. or you can use the supplied karda, though it may be a little small depending on what model you get.

you should always have a back up knife :D
 
I would get 15 different knives, or maybe just 3 for now, but I just cant afford that. This first knife will probably eat a paycheck and a half. Right now this is something I'm splurging on as I have a car that doesnt want to be fixed, chain maille supplies, and the little nickel and dime things that always pop up.
Going back and reading that last sentance it looks like I'm complaining (which I cant do here until I get at least 20 more posts), but I'm not really. Be patient with me, I never have been good with wording things online that get the correct tone of voice across.
ok, karda is mini knife, chakma is the sharpener. I think I called the karda a chuka on my first post.
Preformance wise, how different are the pen and 12" AK. I know the AK has a more drastic curve but a shallower bellie. But what does that mean in terms of handling
 
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