Which of your HI Khukuris is the best heavy-duty chopper?

Which HI khukuri is the best heavy-duty chopper? (specify size in your reply)

  • Ang Khola (16.5", 18", 20" also Chiruwa, Hanuman, Garud)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Sirupati (18", 20", 25", 30")

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Ganga Ram (18", 22")

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Gelbu Special (18", 21")

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Kumar Kobra (18", 20", 25")

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • WWII (16.5", 18")

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • M43

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Malla

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • YCS

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    0
Originally posted by eraaij
My girlfriend does all the heavy-duty shopping

:D I got a girlfriend like that too - she works in the oil fields. (not a roughneck, tho. Doesn't get her hands dirty, not that she's averse to that)

I'd vote for 18" AK. I have a 20" sirupati lost somewhere and a new BGRS, but neither of these have been tested much. With some skill, the siru might edge out the AK. The BGRS is a little short - maybe 16-17" OAL. Nice rig, but I don't know if it can make up the length advantage. 18" also beats the dearly departed chiruwa AK.
 
One of these days, After ole Sandy Jerk has made his run, I'm gonna hafta save up & get me one of those long Sirupati's. Tom Holt makes it sound mighty handy. Is that Pappy is using to decapitate those poor little rattlin' critters on the ground? By the way, Dan, what was Pappy's final count of critters dispatched this summer?
 
20" AK. Over 3lbs, old style convex edge made 2+years ago, pre habaki bolster model, unmarked by kami who made it.

This "old" HI khuk is PERFECTLY hardened. Sounds like a tiny Tibetan singing bowl when you run a steel down its edge. Cuts like a demon whether for felling or splitting. You just have to make sure you've got enough stuff in front of it when you make a full force swing, or she'll keep on going no matter what's on the other side:eek: ;)

Had a close call with my shin when I first got this one (my first khuk btw), so close a call that I had to sit down because I felt cold, sweaty and light headed after the full force, near miss on my leg.
 
My vote would go for my 18" Chiruwa AK by Sher. Decided to test it by chopping through a seasoned oak log that was about 9" deep. It was hollow on the inside so after I was done chopping I stuck the blade in there to see how much it would flex. Yea Right:D, all my weight would not do a thing.

Usually I will take one of my 16.5" chiruwas with me when I go for a walk, or out in the bush. They all weigh in at about 2lbs and I can swing them a little quicker. My 16.5" Sher Chiruwa fits my hand perfect and feels a lot lighter than 2lbs. I might be able to get through stuff faster with this one than the 18"Sher.
 
My GRS is a 2 hand Khuk. No doubt about it. I could make the handle more skinny, but it has this awsome rope pattern all the way around the middle ring, and I could never do that. It is a very early GRS, I am told Sanu, that I bought off of YVSA, a truely amaizing tool for felling or chopping.

I really like my M43, but like Rusty, I think I too will save it for battle. Aggression just seethes from its pores.

My 18" Sanu GS is a definate worker. I bought it on a deal from the Sarki shop where,I finished the handle. Terry had already placed a shaving convex edge on it, and from the looks of it this one has some stories to tell. It is more "front heavy" in the hand than the M43, but weighs about the same. The chiruwa style of the M43 moves the balance back abit. The way the blade is shaped makes it an excellent chopper, but no where near the 18" AK I owned awhile back.

My Durba BAS, is still undergoing a facelift. (One day when I find a appropriate piece of Pink wood I will perhaps finish it.)
This is the one I almost placed a pink plastic handle on to disrupt the evil telepathic transmissions of Tsimi to his dark minions. Although that large pink khukri handle dissapeared before I was finished with fitting it to the Durba. One day it will be found, and once again maybe we, the woodchucks, the lovers of 12" khukris, and the brotherhood of all good, can ban together to overthrow the dark lord once and for all. But let us hope that this blessed plastic handle with the 7 sacred rings, and the single rat-tale hole that binds them all, is not found first by one of his wondering dancing ladies... yes... we can only pray.

Finally, my Durba 12" Surp, is probably the ultimate in fighting knives. A little longer than usual, with a smaller handle than usual, and less bend than usual. You could hike all day with this baby on and never know it was there untill you needed it.
 
Voted "other" even though the big 30" AK is an Ang Khola. Just seems to be in a category all it's own. Kinda hard to handle but I'm still strong enough to do it. Like the smaller ones better just because they are easier to handle(less damage if you goof up). These things (all khuks) require respect and care in thier handling or could be a costly mistake! Good poll.
 
Have no fear Dave you can fix the handle on that Durba BAS up right. Woodcraft down in Austin sells some wood called "Pink Ivory". It's hard, dense, and by golly it's pink. I've made up a couple fancy neck knives for ladies using it for handles. It's pricey 'cause it only grows in a part of Africa controlled by the Zulu tribe. Check it out at; http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft...alse&mscssid=00067D6953F64EDDB5CA4CA2EC632040

Best chopper? My Pen knife will out chop anything it's size and many things larger.:D But, if I need lots of wood in a hurry I reach for my 18" AK.

Sarge
 
My YCS has the perfect combination of concentrated mass and extra deep belly to be the perfect chopper for a guy my size. I have an original GRS made by Ganga Ram hisownself that would undoubtedly do a better job, if only I were twelve inches taller, forty pounds heavier, twenty years younger, and in decent shape:D
 
Mine is my 22 inch GRS. I can handle it one-handed for a short time, then have to switch to two hands for safety reasons... :D
 
Originally posted by Berkley
My YCS has the perfect combination of concentrated mass and extra deep belly to be the perfect chopper for a guy my size.

Dayum but that makes me feel good!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
 
5 rattlers
2 Mocs.
3 copper heads
some adders that are ugly critters.
One of the Moccasins was the one chopped out of a tree. I need to work on my accuracy. About an inch and a half of body went with the head. I was aiming to hit just behind the head. :)
 
Have no fear Dave you can fix the handle on that Durba BAS up right. Woodcraft down in Austin sells some wood called "Pink Ivory". It's hard, dense, and by golly it's pink. I've made up a couple fancy neck knives for ladies using it for handles. It's pricey 'cause it only grows in a part of Africa controlled by the Zulu tribe.

Sarge,
Is it as toxic as they say it is? I have heard that if you get a splinter of it in you it takes a special medicine to cure you of the toxic nature it has. Also, the story came from the Shop Talk forum that one of the knifemakers almost died while the hospital tryed to find the right medicine to treat it. If I use electric tools they say to get a very good dust collection system and resperator cause of the same toxicity.
You have worked with this stuff, is it true? Or have I been had??:o

Thanks,

Dave
 
I know some of those African woods like Purpleheart are somewhat toxic. The splinters can get your attention for sure! Haven't died at least I don't think I'm dead yet, maybe, I don't know.
 
Dave, it's not good to inhale wood dust regardless of the wood type. I've heard stories about folks having serious allergic reactions/respiratory distress when working with purple heart in particular.

I've made about four handles out of the pink ivory and never had a problem. I would like to stress that excluding my cheap, six inch wheel bench grinder, I do not own any power tools of any kind. All my cutting, carving, sanding, and finishing, is done entirely by hand and that just doesn't generate the airborne dust cloud associated with power tools. Use a good dusk mask and goggles, wash your hands before eating/handling food, and I think you'll be just fine.

Sarge
 
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