Which Khukuri would make the best all around camp knife!

If he's a big guy like you...maybe Pen knife over 12 AK. Handles are larger on Pen. But I like the point of the small AK, and the weight-heavy tip.

But...see...
1. Bill Martino says WWII...and he is right far more often than he is wrong.

2. I found the BAS to be...bland. More weapon than tool.

3. If he is like me, he will invent reasons to use the HI. I chop firewood much more than I formerly did. Previously, I'd gather deadwood, snap long branches over my knee, or by bracing them against a tree and stamping in the middle, or placing them in the center of the fire and letting them burn in half, then move the wood inwards. NOW...I'm admiring myself and my wisdom in tool-choice as the chips fly.

Pen did the most comprehensive khuk design comparison imaginable. Go on search and find it, send it to your friend...make HIM crazy.:)
 
On occassion a 16" "Big BAS" will come in.

I'm with Kis. I've never found a 15" BAS that I gave a hoot for. The bigger i6" ones I tried and later got rid of.

There's something bland and uninspiring about the BAS. - to me.
 
Geeze- dump on poor old BAS. Well, it's a fighting and sometimes scrounging/digging tool that can be pressed into light wood cutting.

I guess the camp question revolves around- are you going to cut wood?

with all Due respect, sincerely, to the Pen followers, if you are going to cut much wood that blade is too light.

Geeze- now I'm sounding like I know something. I don't.

I wish I still had my BAS, for those days of light carrying and when maybe just a insect knot of pine needs to be taken home. When I got my first khuk- the BAS- I knew instantly I had to go heavier and longer.


munk
 
Wow, to each his own. My first khukuri was a BAS by Sher, and it is still one of my favorites. At first I thought it would be my only khukuri, but then as I started acquiring more khuks, I figured the BAS would be eclipsed by the larger khukuris. Not so. It is still one of my favorites, and though it doesn't have quite the chopping power of an 18" AK, it is still a formidable chopper. It is very solid, and has a very thick, beefy blade. In fact, it is as thick at the spine as my 18" AK by Sher. Maybe I just got a really good BAS or something.
--Josh
 
No, you just got a BAS, the original pen knife. (edit: actually, no; the 12" AK is closest to a Pen.)


the magic number is still 28, not "number nine" 'number nine",,,,...


munk
 
My pick would be a Bura 16.5" chiruwa AK.

Never know when you might need a pry bar around camp. :)
 
I would go for the WW2 because thats what it was designed for (IMHO, I mean it is a tool primarily and then a fearsome weapon), the BAS is cute, I love mine, but it is a weapon rather than a tool, it was developed for an era when every soldier carries tools that do the job a Khuk was expected to do and so is realy a) for display and b) a sidearm. Just my opinion though, I love my Bura WW2 and for someone bigger than me it would be a gift from god (as soon as I get the cash I will be after a 16.5 inch WW2, blem sharks beware;) )
 
I know without guessing that I could make do just fine with my little 12.5" AK Villager (field knife par excellence). But, since he's going to come down with HIKV anyway (in spite of what the Duck says about it), here's my take; JKM-1/Bilton on the belt for general utility light cutting chores (bigger'n most kardas, and hold a better edge), 15" Sirupati/18" Gelbu lashed to rucksack for light brush cutting/trail maintenance/hasty bivouac construction, and optional 18-22" AK or BGRS back at base camp for firewood duty. Or, he could just decide between a 16.5" WWII and a 15" AK, both extremely versatile khuks, and either would handle most jobs. Seriously though, if he's one of those backpackers that saws the handle off his toothbrush and such, he might really cotton to one of the lighter, more compact khuks like a 15" Siru, or (Lord don't I wish I could get my hands on one) one of the mystical beasts known as a 14" Villager. I'll get jabbed in the eye for saying it, but why lug a double bit axe around when all you need is a hatchet? None of the camping/hiking I've done has involved felling trees or building dugout canoes, and I can generally gather sufficient firewood for my needs using the methods Kismet described.

Sarge
 
The 12" models are all very capable, but for a "my first khuk" I'd say a 15" BAS, a 16" Chiruwa AK, or either size WW2. :)
 
Originally posted by Sylvrfalcn
I know without guessing that I could make do just fine with my little 12.5" AK Villager (field knife par excellence). But, since he's going to come down with HIKV anyway (in spite of what the Duck says about it), here's my take; JKM-1/Bilton on the belt for general utility light cutting chores (bigger'n most kardas, and hold a better edge), 15" Sirupati/18" Gelbu lashed to rucksack for light brush cutting/trail maintenance/hasty bivouac construction, and optional 18-22" AK or BGRS back at base camp for firewood duty. Or, he could just decide between a 16.5" WWII and a 15" AK, both extremely versatile khuks, and either would handle most jobs. Seriously though, if he's one of those backpackers that saws the handle off his toothbrush and such, he might really cotton to one of the lighter, more compact khuks like a 15" Siru, or (Lord don't I wish I could get my hands on one) one of the mystical beasts known as a 14" Villager. I'll get jabbed in the eye for saying it, but why lug a double bit axe around when all you need is a hatchet? None of the camping/hiking I've done has involved felling trees or building dugout canoes, and I can generally gather sufficient firewood for my needs using the methods Kismet described.

Sarge
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Sarge,

Now your talkin!

Seriously though, like you most of the stuff I cut for a fire when I'm backpacking is pretty small, so the Pen Knife or BAS seem to work fine. I guess if I knew there were going to be a lot of downed trees I'd bring something bigger, like my 16" Bonecutter or the Baby Ganga, but that's 2 lbs versus the Pen knife pound and I can probably climb over the downed tree and carry an extra pound of food or pint of Jaegameister




: ;) ;)
 
Originally posted by Rusty
There's something bland and uninspiring about the BAS. - to me.
Click to expand...

They do make good gifts though. At least for the folks who probably won't use the thing much if at all. :)
 
Wow! What a response!!! I want to thank everyone for the help..I will tally the votes up and give them to my friend..
Sylvrfalcn, this made me laugh....But, since he's going to come down with HIKV anyway!
 
Originally posted by Sylvrfalcn
None of the camping/hiking I've done has involved felling trees or building dugout canoes...
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Funny thing...that's exactly what I did on my last camping trip. I am not making this up. My nephew used a 14" BDC and loved it. It was just his size (and he's 6'). The YCS was too much for him (real man's work...:eek: )

Rene - you've got the bug and it's time to spread it around...order away! :D :D
 
Originally posted by pendentive
Rene - you've got the bug and it's time to spread it around...order away! :D :D
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HaHaHa! Pendentive and I had a great conversation on the phone last night....and all I did was ask him about khukuri's, which had nothing to do with our conversation...:rolleyes:;) :p :) :D :rolleyes: :eek:
 
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