Which one next? (And share some pics)

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xylum

Joined
Dec 11, 2011
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187
I need help, like many of you, I can't decide which one to get next. For background I started with a 15" AK, then grabbed a KLVUK. These were awesome, here they are chopping up a tree that I cut down in the back yard. (We needed the sun, best decision ever.)

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I used the KLVUK a lot around the yard. The AK was just too pretty to use regularly, but I'd still get it out occasionally. I forced a vinegar patina on the KLVUK just for some protection and it worked well. Meanwhile, I picked up a 21" Chitlangi, here she is with the KLVUK.

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I'm not sure what to do with the Chitlangi, a little too heavy (31 oz) for use as a machete on lite brush. Maybe it's just a big knife to fondle sometimes?

One day I decided to patina the AK, I had some lemon enzyme vinegar in a spray bottle so I tried it. It rusted fast, like 20 minutes, I was a little scared, but it came out pretty cool with a rainbow of colors.

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Next I did the full vinegar soak for a few hours, and it came out awesome. It darkened the blade, with the undertone of the sprayed patina, and gave it an overall dark-elvish feel. I was loving it, this compact dark elf blade. I was ready to use it. (Sorry no pics of the dark blade.)

Then it disappeared. Seriously, just gone. Was I robbed? I don't know. I had all three out one night, the next day the AK was gone. My best guess is some teenager lifted it, nothing else (like the laptop or guitars), just a knife off the wall. Maybe came in through a window? Anyway...

With a full on HI virus, I need to replace it. I just can't decide with what. I want a user. I'm trying to decide between a 15" or 18" AK. The 15" is a nice compact knife, what I'm really missing right now. The 18" is a full on chopper, which seems like the logical choice, since I already have the KLVUK for light work. Should I trade the Chitlangi, since I probably won't use it? Should I buy two AKs and trade the Chitlangi for a lighter one (26 oz)? I'm beginning to really understand why some of you have so many and can't seem to stop.
 
I'd trade out the chitlangi since you don't see yourself using it too much...As far as what replacement you should get, it sounds like you really want a large AK, and that's what I'd go for =] that being said, keep in mind that a new AK may look a bit different/worse than your last one, and it's up to you to figure out if that will ruin the deal for you...
 
Someone stole your AK? Do you have roommates or teenagers in the house. I'd go nuts if my house was burglarized.
 
John1112112 said:
I'd trade out the chitlangi since you don't see yourself using it too much...As far as what replacement you should get, it sounds like you really want a large AK, and that's what I'd go for =] that being said, keep in mind that a new AK may look a bit different/worse than your last one, and it's up to you to figure out if that will ruin the deal for you...
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I do like that idea, the 15" didn't have much power. It felt good, but if I'm really gonna chop something I could use something bigger. I think for a user, I wouldn't mind a few scratches and wear, it'll make it easier to just start using. But I do hear you, because the more I looked at it and held it my AK was tight.


Dirtbiker said:
Someone stole your AK? Do you have roommates or teenagers in the house. I'd go nuts if my house was burglarized.
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I have been going crazy thinking about. At first I was like, "Where'd I put that thing? I just had it out last night." I just moved, so the house is a bit sparse. I've got little children, so I have to keep them out of reach. I may not have had the windows secured, its an old house. Its a weird old house, kind of spooky, at first I was scared to look in the attic. I'm a grown ass man, but I've seen too many horror flicks where people disappear into doorways in closets and attics. It never ends well. I waited till I had the kids for the weekend. It wasn't as scary with kids screaming in the other room. The attic was anticlimactic. I've looked everywhere ten times. It's gone.

My only scenario is a punk teenager snuck in the window, grabbed it off the wall, and ran. Nothing else was gone. Laptop, guitars, money in drawers, all left alone. So it wasn't a meth-head robbery. The other idea is that its a rental house, and who knows who has keys. Former maintenance people? I might change the locks this weekend. I'm locking the windows now, and a bit nervous every time I come home. I check around for the khukuri, and inventory that nothing else disappeared. But yeah, I've been going nuts in my head.
 
2 recommendations for you Xylum.
1) follow up on your idea about changing locks. As you say who knows where keys to your new place exist. Make it a bit tougher for anyone to take the rest of your collection. I just couldn't feel comfortable in a place where stuff turns up missing until I had it secured. Heck first thing I do in a new place is add alarms and locks and blank shotgun shells triggered by trip wires to each lower level window. Hehe, never seen a thief run so fast as the one that managed to get my spare bedroom window shimmied open and set off one of those blanks. My husband taught me how to make em, but some places sell similar items. Just secure one end of the trip to the window and one to the frame. Someone moves the window and BLAM!!! However, make sure you have some available to "demonstrate" to the police that they are merely noisy and non-lethal. Depending on your neighborhood you might get a visit LOL
2) buy one of each on the DotDs as you see the ones that strike your fancy. Or if the bigger AK has already gotten under your skin and you "NEED" it. Send Auntie and email.
 
also , something I realized after dealing with criminal behavior lots and lots --- generally people who break into your house know you really well, or know someone you know really well, workers can be shady but mainly in a few professions : roofing, painting, landscaping-- I have met many really good ones, but the bad ones were pretty exceptional, these 3 professions tend to have lots of "fallen" members of society , convicts, addicts( at least where I dwell, these are almost always small time criminals)
if you are missing a knife best to think about suspects in your circles first, then move on too : someone has enough moxy to slip into your house and only gank one good looking knife, that seems odd on its face. that seems like someone who has been there and knew what they wanted, unless knife was that easy to reach.

yeah either way , its one of the least pleasant experiences to have someone violate the very small amount of personal territory that you carve out of this world, I am extremely fortunate in that respect, I never leave home, and my job is less than 30 yards away from my home. I take care of both my elderly parents as well,my sister's boy is over there a lot, so I would be extra extra violent if I ever caught wind of someone in my house. because at that point its not even about the objects, its about putting it out there in the world that you are not a place to tread lightly.

good luck xylum on catching the thief, or finding the legged khuk, an HI is a painful property to lose especially to no good theefs
 
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xylum maybe you should keep that Chitlangi! Never know when you might need a fast blade! I photograph all my blades as soon as I get them as a safeguard and to show them off here while they are still shiny. Each one of them is like a fingerprint and they are pretty unique to most police. Maybe not in Nepal but in the US most have never heard of such a knife and it will definitely stand out in a pawn shop. etc. People will remember it! It does help. Sorry for your loss. If someone ran off with one of mine id just have to look for a shiny spot at the end of the trail of meat (good doggie!):D
 
2nd that-- dogs are truly a home's best friend. nobody will care about your territory or your stuff as much as your dogs
 
So I'm getting the feeling that if I want something for chopping, I need to get an 18" AK.
 
The 16.5's are outstanding, whether a WW2 or CAK-the Bhakta I got from Philll bites deeper than my 18" gelbu. And it's light enough that I use it for stuff.
As to the Chit...giiiiiivvve iiiit toooo meeeee lol
 
Alright, I got an 18" AK.

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This beast can chop like a champ, this is exactly what I needed to complement my 16" KLVUK. The KLVUK is fast and light, and works well in the hand as a short, heavy machete. This AK can take care of the larger limbs and trunks of the stuff coming out of the yard, chopping it up into nice firewood. It feels heavy and slow, but in a good way, it quickly chopped through some hardwood branches from the brush pile. The handle is a real dark satisal, almost ebony looking. The handle is bigger than my KLVUK, and it feels appropriate in the hand for the larger blade.

Happy sharking everyone, I'll see you all tomorrow eying the DOTD.
 
Oly frijole! That thing is beautiful! That there would probably be my favorite chopper too! Aunti sure picked you a nice one!
 
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