Which model do you recommend?

Welcome to the Cantina, General!

My first khukuri was a 15" AK with a horn handle. I have since then acquired four more HI khuks (danged HIKV), but that 15" AK remains my overall favorite for abuse. It is a great rig for firewood chores -- this model was made for chopping stuff up, and the karda is perfect for sparking ferrocerium.

(However, I also really like the looks of the YCS; the only thing that's saving me from it right now is my preference for horn handles.
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Whatever you get, you will not regret dealing with Bill Oji-chan, as he is a rare gentleman and always a joy to do business with. And Rusty's description of the HI forumites is pretty accurate, though the feeding frenzies are usually slightly more polite than he makes them out to be.
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As for HIKV, you're not in *real* trouble until you start justifying every purchase with, "Well, I don't have as many khukuris as John Powell, so..."
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This is the first Forum where I have felt welcome! And not just tolerated at best
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Rest assured your help and kind words have had a great impact upon me. Heck I am lost for words, and that does not happen very often
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All the best!

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
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Welcome General!!
I have to say that my favorite all around khuk is my 15" Chiruwa(tang is full width through the handle and handle is two slabs of wood or horn bolted to the full tang: makes for even tougher knife with better balance IMO, BTW I would recommend the wood handles on that one)Ang Kola. It chops quite well, and is not so heavy that you really feel its weight when hiking. Plus its tough as H*LL!!!
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However, from the reviews I've heard of the YCS I'd say that's a good bet. Plus if you spend any time here at all you'll soon see what kind of guy Yvsa is(he designed it, and BirGhorka made it), and want one just cause he had a hand in it---its my next khuk for that very reason(soon as I find the $
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. THats my 2 cents. And again welcome!

ROb
 
General,
I have only one HI and it is the 18" Ang Khola. Since it is the only one I have I use it for everything! I do have a small paring knife for slicing fruit and veggies. I use the first part of the blade for heavy chopping and try to keep a sweet spot toward the handle for sharp tasks like making fuzz sticks and fish spears, etc. As far as the handle coming off, Good luck! These knives are outstanding! I have had mine for about a year, and will be buying another soon. But I think the "beast" will always be my favorite! Hope this helps.

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Para Frog
Devil Dog
 
:
In my opinion my 18"AK is still the best all around khukuri I have. It has its shortcomings but any knife of any kind you buy won't fill all the bill. And with the custom made kardas I made for it mine has a bit more flexability for different tasks.
I made one of the kardas for it out of a Red River plain blade from Cold Steel, so I have the Carbon V blade on it and with it being as thin as it is I was able to get extra length down the scabbard for it.
Makes for a nice slicer or for spreading peanut butter.
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The other one I made from the blade off an old set of pruning shears and hardened the hell outta it and then tempered it in the oven at 350º for an hour. Both have stag handles and are set with torquoise and coral so it's the best of both worlds, East & West.
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But I'm waiting for the Baby GRS and it might, just might change my mind.
The YCS I have is the best light weight khukuri I have seen yet. It beats my 18th Century hands down for work and play and it's lighter as well, but y'all have heard enough about it from me.
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However it's the khukuri of choice for all except the hardest tasks.
And the YCS will always be one of my favorites.
And I am still looking for the best khukuri in the world, but I wonder if I will know it when I see it?
Although I think I could narrow whats available right now to about 4 khukuris.
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>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Welcome to the Cantina, General!

IMHO --- What you might need is any 18 incher --- you'll love it --- you'll show it to others --- and you'll purchase the others!

wa-(A)llaahu-aa'lam!
 
The two models that I like the look of are the WWII 18" and the Ang Khola 20 inch!!!

I like the Ang Khola the most, talk about a MONSTER!!!
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The reception here and the look of the blades, make it a must buy for me...

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
Welcome General!

I've seen your posts elsewhere (I'm a member of the Spyderco Collector's Club and a Chris Reeve customer).

Your perceptions are correct - I've found this place (the Cantina) to be a great place, populated with understanding, respectful and helpful people. No flames or BS evident. Kick off your shoes and relax a while.

Pick whatever you like - everything I've seen in the Cantina has incredible "bang for the buck". A recent 20" AK by Bura (must've been one of his REAL good days) has been extremely impressive - clean through a 2x4 in one stroke. So far, the YCS I got is just too pretty to use (sorry Yvsa), but I'm working on getting over it. A 25" Kumar has gotten my bride to thinking I might actually like pruning the trees. Doesn't much matter what you get - you'll likely wind up with more shortly after.

Take care,
Hawk

 
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!!!

This is a GREAT place!

I have caused some flame in the past, but never with intent to do so. I think my style is partly to blame, and I talk about issues others would rather not discus...

Still... This is a good place to be!

Thanks Bill!

W.A.

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
First, welcome to the Cantina and realize that you are now DOOMED! Ask Jim Clifton about this... he has ongoing experience with HIKV...hehe
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As to which model, I would suggest one of the HI villager models. Good all round khukuri that offer the most bang for the buck. My personal favourite is the Bhudhuni Villager. This just keeps on cutting and cutting and cutting and.....

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Harry
Himalayan Imports Khukuri Range Safety Officer
Himalayan Imports Website
Howard Wallace's Fabulous Khukuri FAQ!

"He either fears his fate too much,
Or his deserts are small,
That dares not put it to the touch,
To win or lose it all...."
- James Graham, Marquess of Montrose (1612-1650)
 
Welcome GENERAL,
Don't pay any att. to Koz "PICKING ON ME",Blues & the rest of the REGULARS do to.! Mostly it's because I'm "ALWAYS" right & they are always wrong!!Any K you get will be the "RIGHT" one!YOU,will see a picture of "one" you will want IT! That will be the "ONE,then "UNLESS",you are like a certain "Few"you will go "NUTS", & be like the REST!
jim
 
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