Which Khukuri for bushwacking?

J

jrobe

Joined
Jul 31, 2005
Messages
17
Hello, I just joined the forum today. I'm shopping for my first Khukuri, specifically for bushwacking through the southern Appalachian Mtns.

I've looked at several different blades; machetes, bolos, goloks, etc. But I'm drawn to the Khukuri the most. So I have a few questions I hope you can help me with.

I've done a lot of backpacking in the Smoky Mtns. and surrounding Natl. Forests, but only on maintained trails. I want to start exploring some of the historical manways (unmaintained trails) and will undoubtedly encounter some laurel thickets to plough through. Is the Khukuri the right tool for the job?

To give you an idea of what I'd be hacking through, here's a pic of Mtn. Laurel (and this is on a maintained trail)
smokies705010.jpg


If Khukuri, which one? I don't anticipate a lot of chopping through heavy wood. I don't want too large or heavy a Khukuri which I'd be carrying for a few days. However, I also think I should stick with a blade length of ~12".

Perhaps the 18" or 20" Sirupati would be most appropriate, but my two favorites are the WWII and the M43.

Thanks! :D
 
Welcome.

Paging Hollowdweller, paging Hollowdweller; Mr. Dweller, will you answer your page please?

Jrobe? Your initial instincts seem right on to me. Mr. Dweller climbs those
paths for fun and should be with you shortly.

But there are bunch of models which would serve you well.
 
I'd be looking at the lighter blades as well. In particular, perhaps a Chainpura or Chitlangi in fact.

Even a Sirupati has a lot more blade than you need for Mtn. Laurel.

The WWII and M43 are heavier duty blades...while the Chainpura and Chitlangi are lighter and faster...which is what I think you need for this. You'll be swinging a lot...and the differences *will* make a long heavy day of swinging much easier.

Each khukuri for it's intended task...you won't stop with just one anyway! :D

.
 
If you're going to be cutting through a lot of brush for long periods of time, a machete will probably be the best tool for the job. A heavier knife will probably tire you out quicker.
 
My favorite for now and one that has been for a while now is the BGRS aka the 17" Ganga Ram Special.
Methinks it is Hollowdweller's favorite as well.
Hollowdweller is just that, lives up a holler with Mrs Hollowdweller, several cats and a herd of goats, does a lot of hiking/backpacking in the same country.:D :cool: :D
 
I prefer 18" 28 oz blades, but if the material was going to be thick brush, one of the Gelbu special type blades, chitlangis, sirupates, etc might be best because of blade speed.






munk
 
Welcome to the Cantina!

The pic below shows from T to B:

15" Wood handled British Army Service
18" Horn Handled Sirupati
19" Antler handled Malla
17" Walnut handled M43

2005731195710_dsc01459e.jpg


IMO, something between the four would do the trick including either 1 16.5" or 18" WWII (not shown, give me a few months . . . ).

The shorter khuks carry better, and IMO after experimenting with the above I think that one shoud not go over 18" for belt carry. Cross-chest bandolier carry may be different, and you could always carry it in the pack lacings or ski pole pockets if you pack is so equipped. The tradeoff is poor access unless it's right over you shoulder and the sheath fit is somewhat loose. Tradeoffs there, too.

The 15" 19 oz BAS is handy, and the weight is concentrated in the belly of the blade, but it is marginally heavy enough and short.

The slightly heavier 18" 21 oz Sirupati is too light for brushing, IMO, because the weight is distributed over a greater length, but it is light and fast.

The heavier 18" 25 oz Malla is long and hefty, sort of a Sirupati on steroids. It's got the mass, probably just enough to do the chopping but not wear you out.

The 17" 28 oz M43 is further up the scale in mass, and IMO it can tire you out faster than any of the four. Another point to consider: The curved handle takes some getting used to, because it shifts the balance of the knife way forward, wworking in conjunction with the mass of the wide blade.

Not shown but very worthy of consideration is the Ang Khola. Again, the 16.5" and shorter versions are handier but still massive, where the 18" is still handy but getting up there in mass.

Were I to do it again given the benefit of the ready advice of the Cantina members when I asked the question, and the benefit of having several models to play with, I'd probably look hard at the 16.5" WWII or 17"-18" Malla.

Watch the daily specials; something suitable is bound to turn up in less than a couple of weeks.



Now all that said, if you're up against something besides brush, say, like this:

2005731203129_smokies705010edit.jpg


. . . you might consider one of the heavier khuks, or a Marlin 45-70, or perhaps a phase plasma rifle in the 40 watt range . . . :eek:

HTH,

Noah ;)
 
Thanks for the warm welcome! :)

After doing a LOT of reading here, I'm now leaning toward the 18" Chitlangi. Lighter than the Ang Khola, WWII, M43 or Malla of the ~same size, more substantial than the Sirupati and cheaper than the Gelbu Special (still trying to figure that one out).

Anything over 18" just seems like it would be too unwieldy for backpacking, as others have noted.

I'm waiting 'til my birthday (September) for one. :( But I may pounce on one of the deals if I can get to it before the rest of you jackals. :p ;)

I looked real hard at machetes, but I wanted something that I could chop with occassionally, though my primary need is brush clearing. The manways aren't so bad as full-bore bushwacking. I've been told that there's only the need to fight through patches of laurel, not an all day slog through a laurel 'hell'. That would truly suck!!

Heh, Noah, I've seen those eyes before. Most of the time the critter runs the other way. However, I have been bluff-charged by a black bear once. That'll get the 'ol heart rate goin'!! :eek:

Thanks for all the replies!
 
jrobe said:
...However, I have been bluff-charged by a black bear once.
Click to expand...

Grenades...and maybe close air support... :eek:

.
 
I want to start exploring some of the historical manways (unmaintained trails) and will undoubtedly encounter some laurel thickets to plough through. Is the Khukuri the right tool for the job?

Low impact is the way to go. If you are within the park, or on somebody's property those eyes may be attached to some serious fines/penalties. You are usually only allowed to use deadwood. Having said that your best choice would be something like a 16 inch sirupati. It is small enough to hike with comfortably and large enough to do a little trail maintenance.

n2s



 
welcome, Jrobe:)

I think your choices are pretty much spot on. Good on ya for educating yourself to pick the right tool for the right job:) If you can't wait until your birthday in september, stick around the forums often and you might be lucky enough to catch one of Yangdu's Deals of the Day. Usually, she'll offer 5 or 6 different khuks that have minor flaws like a smudge of rust, a hole in the the leather of the scabbard, or a teeny crack in the the handle (don't worry. I have NEVER had one of these cracks go anywhere on me after i fixed it with superglue). Usually the prices are outstanding. 20-50% off usually. If you're looking for a user, then that is going to be your best bet.

Once again, welcome to the Cantina! It sounds like you have some stories to tell. we'd love to hear them.

Jake
 
The hasiya seems to bushwhack pretty well. Should be nice and light, too.

Brian
 
PZ93C said:
The hasiya seems to bushwhack pretty well. Should be nice and light, too.

Brian
Click to expand...
Yeah, but if that red-eyed THING is down the trail, I'd rather my 20" Chainpuri. Fast & light; pretty too.

Effectiveness against trailmonsters: unknown... :(


Ad Astra
 
Welcome Jrobe,


Just a mention for the 14" BDC. A little smaller than the others, but might be a great size for packing, clearing trails, and general camp duties. More oomphf than a Pen knife, easier on the hip than a 16"+ WWII, and a bit more stout than a siru for more mundane tasks.


2 pics here ~ 1 and 2

~ Bamboo
 
I'll second Bamboo. I've packed with my BAS before but I think my 14" BDC will come out with me next time. A bit lighter and thinner, so it should cut brush better than the BAS, but it will still chop if needed. The Siru is an excellent choice though. Face it, you will end up with a bunch of them like the rest of us. It is like fishing. You get one pole thinking it will cover all the bases. Before you know it you have a dozen for all different specialized tasks or situations. Khuks are like that too.
 
Good recommendations in the posts above. I've hiked through glades of mountain laurel in the Smokies...but always on marked trails. I'd love to hike on these lesser traveled paths that you describe. It sounds like quite an adventure! Perhaps next spring break. Almost time to plan that trip.

Let us know about your hikes. Us desk-bound folks need the fantasies to keep us keeping-on.

Jeff
 
I haven't used all of the khukuris in the HI line, but a few that I have used:
I am a big fan of the Penknife for general camping duty. It's a decent chopper, a latrine digger, and can cut. Plus, it doesn't look too "weapony." Which in some locals is a plus.
The Baby Ganga Ram is a wonderful chopper.
The Ang Khola is also a fine chopping tool.
One of the most ignored khukris in my opinion, is the sirupati. Which reminds me, I need another couple of them :D
The pretiest of the "new" models coming out of Bir Ghorka is, IMO, the katunje. A leaf-bladed relative of the sirupati (My definition :rolleyes: ). I haven't used mine yet, but I bet it will cut mountain laurel like crazy, and scare the $h!t out of that red-eyed beast down the path.
BTW, Welcome to the cantina. New guys buy the first round ;)
 
Bri:

If you find yourself in PA, don't be cutting any wild Mountain Laurel. It's the state flower, and doing so will land one a healthy fine at minimum and a stay in the slammer at maximum.

Noah
 
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