Which khukuri is right for me

callahwj

callahwj

Joined
Dec 9, 2000
Messages
735
Hi: I've been lurking in this forum for a while since I've always found the design of the khukuri appealing. I'm looking for a knife to purchase in the next few months for martial arts purposes. I know HI offers several light, fast models and heavy models and everything in between. I just read a thread in this forum about the best khukuri to fight with and since it seems to depend so much on the person and their needs, here's some info:

Price range: 150, or even as high as 175 dollars.

My size: I'm 5'8", pretty stocky, not the fastest guy but I do have muscular forearms and can hit hard with sticks. I don't know if I should get something heavy and big to accentuate my power, or something light and fast to compensate for my slowness.

My training background: Karate, long time ago, Aikido,Fencing, and currently FMA. I'm training solo at the moment, but when things are better financialy and I graduate from school I will seek out professional instruction. Whatever knife I end up with I will train with, so I will be familiar with it.

Use: I'm looking for a purely martial, tactical blade. Utility is a non-issue. It won't have to serve as an axe or machete. I'm not going to cary it on the street so legality isn't an issue (not that I'd get away with carying a small one on the street in my state either).

Hands: My hands are medium, based on what people have said on these forums about which knives fit them and how big their hands are, I guess I'd be average.

Sory for so much info, I just wanted to give anyone who responds to me something to work with. Any input about model, length, etc would be appreciated. Thanks alot!
 
:
Welcome to the Cantina Will!!!!:D

You just missed out on what I would have considered the perfect knife for what you describe and that was the nice little 18" Dui Chiara Chainpuri.
And you would have gotte an ugly old villager thrown if for nothing. :)

The 21" one I have would also be perfect for the extra reach the 3" would give.
The reason I say this one would be perfect is because the double fullers lighten the blade up considerably while adding extra strength.
A double fuller is just like a piece of I beam that doesn't bend easily.
And with your hand size this knife would afford a bit smaller handle which would go a long ways in your being able to hang onto the knife while doing hard practice with it.

The Sirupatis would also be a good choice, but with added weight.
Hope this helps.:D
 
Greetings William,

Hmmm, you want something purely for MA. I think the most common answer you're going to get is a Kobra, possibly a Sirupati, and possibly a Gelbu Special. I think you can rule it down to those three.

I'd say, 20" Sirupati, or 25" Kobra. There is atleast one kami who can make a good lightweight 25" Sirupati that you might like. I have one. Also, I love my Malla. It makes a nice weapon with it's balance and length and weight just blend perfectly to where it now feels almost like you're not holding anything when you use it.

Also, if you need to scare somebody, nothing says intidation like a 30" Sirupati mated with a wielder who knows what they're doing. :D

The kobra's almost certainly going to be the lightest and fastest of the ones I've mentioned. The sirupati will be a bit heavier, and slower, The Malla simply won't have the same reach as the other two, but remains easily controllable. Tomorrow I should be getting a 30" Kobra, so I can do a direct comparison between a 25" Sirupati and a Kobra.

Also, I think many would also side with the YCS being a valid option, but that's out of your price range. Something like an Ang Kohla will simply be too heavy for your needs.

Bob
 
Cal:

Welcome, and don't sweat the long post. More info is always helpful, and no one here has been know for brevity, except Uncle Bill, and he is working while we are playing :)

First, the disclaimer - This is MY choice, and may or may not apply to you:

The Malla - it is a medium knife, with both weight and speed, and good thrusting capabilities. The handle is a good fit in my "medium" hand, and can be taken down with some judicious sanding if necessary.

I have good strength in my upper body, but partially paralyzed legs. I use the Malla in conjuction with a cane, using carefully selected Arnese moves which will work standing in one place. Some, although not many, stick and knife combinations work quite well under these circumstances, and if I had the mobility I had 20 years ago, this knife would work very well over the enitre spectrum.

I've stated before, that first time out of the sheath, this blade screams "weapon", and was designed as such. Length, weight, blade shape and balance are such that I refuse to be convinced otherwise. ALL Khukuris have other applications, and there are enough variations to assure anyone of a proper mate. They are the opposite of the Duncan McCleod syndrome, however - There can NEVER be just one. HIKV will take care of that :D
 
Wow! I've never seen that many helpful responses that fast in my life. I've decided to save up for the 25" Kobra. I figure that much reach in that fast of a blade....It's like a sword, and plus it looks awesome. Thanks for all the help!
 
Congratulations on your new purchase. If you're amazed at how quickly you got responses from this group, you'll probably also be amazed at how quickly that kobra will arrive at your door.
;)

This is a great group of fellows, I hope to see another member of Uncle Bill's ever growing family become a regular poster here.

Bob
 
Sounds like you made an excellent choice... with your stick background a longer Kobra or Sirupati should work out just fine for you. :cool:

Down the road for some extra fun, treat yourself to a 12" Sirupati or Kobra (do they make a 12" Kobra?) and wear it on your left hip for reverse grip drills...it is WAY FUN! You talk about fast deployment/first strike capability...it's pretty quick. :eek:

(Picture your Aikido shomen-ate with a closed hand and a blade hanging out of the side)
;)
 
I'm gonna disagree. If you buy a 12" Sirupati and get one with a spirit like Audrey ( after the carnivorous blood sucking plant in "Little Shop of Horrors" that keeps demanding "FEED ME!" ) you WILL have it with you almost always. And it will act while you're going "duh" trying to make up your mind.

Like asking what pistol to carry. The answer's really what you need to fight your way to your rifle. A 2" 38 or 380 pocket pistol will do to get you to the rifle, and the 12" Sirupati or AK will do to get you to the edged equivalents of the heavy artillery everyone else has recommended. Get the little one first.
 
Hi callahwj and welcome to the cantina :)

I don't really know $#!t, but would have to agree with Uncle Bill and Rusty. Get something light and fast that you could actually carry and use should the need arise (...or else why have it?). And all HI Khukuris are REAL users too. In the 12" variety, Rusty's sirupati Audrey or Wrongfriend's ghopte are great choices. Maybe Uncle bill could get a 15" Kumar Kobraor here made for you? These offer some carry-ability/concealment options to you (even though you said thats not an issue).
 
For the past 30 years of my adult life I've never actually carried a pistol on my person ( well, concealed that is ).

On the other hand I've hardly ever been too
far from a gun.

That story in the "How sharp is sharp" thread about the guy who had to pull a gun - it was the same satin nickel 2 1/2" model 19 I still have ( in semi-retirement pending a rebuild ) to this day.

The 12"ers, shall we say, encourage bonding and togetherness.
 
welcome to the cantina William!!!


How big are your hands? If large, then I disagree with Rusty's recommedation of the 12" Sirupati, IF you get one like mine (beautiful knife, but small handle), which I love but wouldn't want to try and hang onto in a fight/stabbing action. My hand would probably slide down the blade! If your primary use is MA I think the Kobra is the one most talked about by the MA guys around here. Where is BA?
 
Taking a test for a new job today. Send thoughts his way this morning.

There's another guy out there with a classically named 12"er I can't remember. If you read this, please identify her ( and you to ).
 
I've got a 12"er, well, nevermind...by Sher I mean.

And what it lacks in overall length it more than makes up for in width and heart. At 1/2" across the spine and about a pound, it sneers at hard work.

This knife is a first rate combat knife, not to mention particularly well suited for outdoors activity due to its easy portability and toughness.

Problem is, once you have a variety of khukuris you begin to realize just how versatile they are for a number of activities.

No limits.

Blues
 
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