Which One/

B

Boltface

Joined
Nov 29, 2013
Messages
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Hello Folks,

Newbie on the scene!

I have been looking and reading about these knives in search of a present for my grandson either for Christmas or his birthday in March. He'll be 16. I think one of these with be much appreciated by him. He has various folders and fixed blades and also shoots so he should be right at home with this given some safety instruction.

BUT, I'm overwhelmed with the number of choices, long, short, heavy, not so heavy, designs....

So here are my thoughts and questions:

I'm thinking 15 to 18 inches OAL.

A not so heavy, more of an in the middle of working and fighting but leaning a bit toward working.

Should the choice also consider the shape of the handle? I'm thinking about it flying out of your hand when in use.

Some of the pictures of wood handles look dark and some seem to have light colored wood which doesn't seem as appealing. Is this just the pictures or you get what ever is available?

Is the bone handle more subject to breaking and cracking, making wood more practical?

Lastly, I notice a number of comments about the specific individual that made the blade. Is it possible or even practical to request a specific maker?

Any thoughts on the above or anything else is much appreciated.

Thanks
 
Welcome to the forum!

For a first khukuri, I'd recommend one from this list:

The following models are warranted for "Field Use" and are warranted against breakage during "normal use"...

1) Chiruwa Ang Khola (the only khukuri warranted for use as prybar)
2) Ang Khola
3) British Army Sevice
4) World War II
5) M-43
6) Ganga Ram Special
7) Bonecutter
8) Pen Knife
9) Ang Khola Bowie
10) Amar Singh Thapa Khukuri

from http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/653192-Himalayan-Imports-Limited-Lifetime-Warranty

Some information about specific models can be found in this thread titled "First Khukuri- Recommendations and Reasons":
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/601448-First-Khukuri-Recommendations-and-Reasons

Such as, "...Uncle Bill favored the WWII model as an all-round khukuri and rightly so...This is probably the best combination of weapon and tool in a khukuri that can be had...The WWII will chop, split wood, balance, and maneuver well. Its relatively longer handle also facilitates different grips. This model hits above its weight class, is faster, and is less tiring than other heavier models.The WWII is also easily packable for trekking and camping."

Any khukuri on that list should be fine, though. Choice of which model can come down to personal appeal, how it looks to the buyer. Within each model, there is usually some variation of weight possible; with HI khuks tending to be plenty strong, my personal preference is for non-chiruwa khuks running on the lighter side for their lengths, but YMMV.
 
I can't add anything to what Mr.Tall said. He said it perfectly. I think highly of the WWII also. I don't have a M43 but hope to someday.

My first thought was on the list also, the Pen Knife. I truly love that knife. It's not a beast chopper but it's right handy for many applications.
Any of the knives on that list would be appreciated I'm sure.

I suspect you wouldn't have much luck requesting a specific kami. I could be wrong on that. Auntie may have what you seek by a specific kami but unless it's a kami currently working for them it probably isn't going to happen.

For what it's worth they don't ever seem to have any bad kami's so I wouldn't be at all concerned.

Do keep us in the loop as your search continues, I personally love to watch things like this unfold. And keep in mind your introducing your grandson and possibly yourself to a serious addiction.

Most of us here are active and untreated addicts ourselves. It's not a bad addiction really. Not good for bank accounts, and the shark attacks on Deals of the Day can be frightening but over all not bad.

DOD is an excellent place for you to look. Auntie just post some blades, some blems, some not, once in awhile. Generally early afternoon but could be anytime. Most of us live for the DOD's.
 
Addressing some of the other questions:

Should the choice also consider the shape of the handle? I'm thinking about it flying out of your hand when in use.
The traditional flared handle on all of these models should be pretty secure with no problems of flying out of hand.

Some of the pictures of wood handles look dark and some seem to have light colored wood which doesn't seem as appealing. Is this just the pictures or you get what ever is available?
The most common wood handle is satisal (a type of rosewood, generally dark), and some lighter woods include asare, dhar, and neem. A given model might have a couple different wood handle options available. You can choose from what's available in stock, based on your personal preference. Special orders may be another option.

Is the bone handle more subject to breaking and cracking, making wood more practical?
Bone handles occasionally come up, but horn and wood are the two main options. I don't know about the strength of bone handles, but horn and wood should both work about equally well (given occasional oiling).

...Is it possible or even practical to request a specific maker?
If, for example, you contact Yangdu about getting an Ang Khola and there is one in stock that's 16" and 26oz by Tirtha, and another one that's 15.5" and 20 oz by Rajkumar, then sure, you could pick the knife based on the maker (but you might be more interested in the weight considerations). For special orders, you might be able to specify a kami (depending on the current situation). Special orders would take some time to make and ship, while the ones already in stock in Reno would only take a few days to get to you.
 
A wood handles 15" AK is a great starter khuk. Not too heavy, not too light. Plenty of robust utility. If you think the high polish on the blade might keep him from using it, check out the KLVUK. They usually come in the 15-16.5" range weighing in at right around 1lb. They generally come with a scale on finish so they are both rustic looking as well as very practical. The handle is usually made out of asare which is a little light in color, but it is TOUGH as nails. I haven't tried staining mine yet, but it's such a thirsty wood, I would think it would drink the stain deeply.

The KLVUK is less expensive but comes with no sheath. Fantastic value, though.
 
Steve Tall's advice is good. I would add that the length and weight of your choice should depend somewhat on how strong and fit your grandson is. The 18" models can be pretty heavy for extended use and carry. If you've never held an HI khukuri you might be surprised at how massive the larger ones are, especially the heavy chopper designs such as the Ang Kholas.

If you buy from the HI web site the selections are somewhat limited to certain lengths and weights. If you follow this forum, Yangdu's DOTDs (deals of the day) are often more varied, but you have to be fast to get one, since they are in high demand.

Since this is for a special occasion and time is limited, best bet is to send Yangdu an email and ask for her advice and what is available. I wouldn't worry about a particular kami for a first khukuri. All the HI kamis are good. Forumites develop preferences, but that's usually after acquiring several khukuris.

Your point about the different looks on handles is a good one. When you buy a DOTD on this forum you see one or more pictures of the exact knife, whereas the HI web site only shows generic pictures. There's bone, buffalo horn and wood. I personally prefer wood because I understand it better, but horn has a nice look and feel, and I haven't seen any complaints about bone. In my personal opinion the best wood is satisal, which is usually a beautiful dark color with nice grain. Neem wood is also very nice, but you have to know how to polish it to bring out the grain and color.

About "flying out of your hand when in use," that's what the ring in the middle of the handle is for. It fits between the fingers and locks your hand onto the handle. Takes some getting used to, but worth it. A khukuri isn't meant to be held in a tight death-grip during use, which is why some westerners complain that the ring digs into their hand. There are also a couple of models that don't have the ring, and some people file them off, so in the end it's a matter of personal choice. The pommel flare also helps to retain the knife in the hand, especially in damp conditions, but it's mostly the ring.

Another issue is whether to get a polished blade or satin finish (called "villager" in HI parlance). They are similar in quality and price, so it depends on which look you like. The satin finish is a little easier to maintain if a knife is intended for hard or frequent use.

Whatever you settle on, I'm sure your grandson will like it, and if you get him one for Christmas in December, he'll probably want another one for his birthday in March. Maybe a Giant Chitlangi Bowie. :) You can use the forum search box above to see what those look like.
 
I was also wondering about the practical differences between bone, horn and wood. Thanks for your replies.

One more thing between horn vs bone and wood. The horn handle has a glossy finish that can be slipper when wet (sweat, rain, whatever). As opposed to the porous finish of wood and bone. For which both has a better ability than horn to absorb moisture while keeping the grip.
 
davidf99 said:
Whatever you settle on, I'm sure your grandson will like it, and if you get him one for Christmas in December, he'll probably want another one for his birthday in March. Maybe a Giant Chitlangi Bowie. :) You can use the forum search box above to see what those look like.
Click to expand...

Are you talkin to me Df99?

9394d630d9ffeb31afd356de801d09d8
 
Wow lots of good information.

The handle discussion was very helpful. I'm now leaning toward the satisal wood. The points about flare on the end of the handle and the ring helped my understanding as far as holding onto the knife.

Blade Finish - I didn't realize that there were two finishes, well really three I guess counting the scale. They all looked polished to me. Oh crap another variable. :) I never saw those options mentioned on the web site. Looks like the intended use is what may drive the finish decision. He's splitting firewood for his dad so there might be some kindling spitting/battoning in addition to other things.
What finish do you guys get?

I saw the Bowie on the web site but the above one looks to be 'much' larger. :) Good grief the second photo makes it look like it requires two hands. This time I definitely want a khukuri.

As far as makers go I just keep seeing Rajkumar's name mentioned but I'll just put that aside.

KLVUK was mentioned where is that or what is the full name? Or do those just show up in the DOD post?

There's the intended use vs 'the look' thing that's currently on my mind. I much prefer the AK look vs the long skinny look of the Kobra. But the AK look brings with it weight what I was trying to keep down.

As I've continued looking today I much prefer the rounded back of the M43 over the angled back. I didn't see any M43 OAL or weight mentioned on the web site but in looking through notes on this site it seems as though some of varying lengths have shown up on DOD. My impression is that the M43 tends to be on the heavy side like the AK. Also it appears that there is no ring on the handle of the M43. True?

Any positive or negative thoughts about the M43 other than cost?

A couple of years ago when I was trying to pick out a butterfly for him I struggled over the design of the handle and the blade shape fortunately he loved the one I picked out. So hopefully it will work out this time.

Any and all guidance is appreciated.

Edited to add: And what of the Foxy Folly? Since it seems to be a take off in some manner of the M43, where can I find it?
 
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Ha, you're beginning to see why some people end up with twenty or thirty of these blades over time, or many more in some cases.

Roughly speaking, the HI khukuri models fall somewhere along the spectrum from light, fast fighting knife to heavy chopper. The Kumar Kobra is at one end, mostly a fighting knife though of course you can use it on vegetation. The Ang Khola (which includes the Chiruwa Ang Khola or CAK with the two-pin handle) is at the other extreme, a heavy chopper that can also serve for self defense in a pinch. So can a crowbar or baseball bat for that matter.

The M43 is closer to the Ang Khola on that spectrum, but perhaps a little more multi-purpose. Until recently the AKs and M43s tended to run quite heavy, especially at 18" and up. Even a 15" AK is a bit like a small axe and can do most anything. This year there have been some middleweight AKs and a few middleweight M43s (that is, under 30 oz weight) available as DOTDs (or by emailing Yangdu directly), perhaps in response to forumite requests.

The KLVUK might be an excellent first choice. The initials stand for Keshar Lal Villager Utility Knife, and Keshar Lal is the name of the kami who makes them. It was introduced during the past year and has proved very popular with forumites. You can find out about the KLVUK by entering "KLVUK" in the search box above and reading some of the postings, which include photos.

The KLVUK is a "true villager" in that it is closer to what Nepalese farmers are likely to use in their work. Less labor goes into the cosmetic aspects, so it is significantly less expensive than other comparably sized HI blades. The forging scales are left on the sides, which gives the knife a rough and ready blackened look that many people like. The quality is just as good as the more finished blades and the KLVUK comes in a very convenient size, usually around 16" overall length and 16-20 oz weight, with a spine thickness of 1/4" to 3/8".

The handle is usually asare wood, which is a tan color, not as pretty as satisal in my view, but strong and comfortable. The KLVUK has the benefit that it is not too pretty for rough use. People often say that they got their first HI khukuri but it's so beautiful that they are reluctant to make it a user. You'll never have that problem with a KLVUK. They are robust enough for most chopping tasks and for batoning, and light enough to take camping or hiking. They are not available at the HI web site, only here as forum DOTDs or by direct mail request to Yangdu, which is what I would recommend if you want one before Christmas.

If good looks are very important, you could ask Yangdu about a middleweight M43. The Foxy Follys are very beautiful but in my opinion too beautiful for a user, and the deep fullers make them a thin blade, not as robust as an equivalent sized M43. Also they come up for sale rather infrequently and are on the expensive side. If cost is not an issue you could request one from Yangdu, but it wouldn't necessarily be available in your time frame.
 
The Giant Bowie has the "villager" finish mentioned earlier. The normal finish on most or maybe all of the blades on the website are mirror finished and are absolutely stunning! Some say they prefer villager because is easier to clean. My opinion is that the mirror polish is easier to clean and if you clean it right after use it is less likely to stain. Mainly depends on how long you use it during a chopping session, what kind of stuff your chopping, and many other factors. Villager finish doesnt show staining as easy as mirror finish so you are less inclined to keep polishing it to get it back to new condition. The differences are really a matter of personal opinion and vary greatly between all us Khuk users.
The KLVUK you mentioned is DOTD usually but you may be able to contact Aunti Yangdu and get one. They are great all around choppers and one cannot go wrong with this one. The wood is lighter colored and is really unique in its texture and shock absorbing properties. Batoning is super hard on the handle and the blade for that matter so if you plan to split and baton piles of firewood then the heavier Ang Khola, M43, or Chiruwa Ang Khola (among some others) may be the better solution.
 
Foxes are only about 1/4 in thick at spine and if hes wanting to split and baton I dont think this would be a good choice. They are stunningly beautiful tho.
davidf99 said:
The Foxy Follys are very beautiful but in my opinion too beautiful for a user, and the deep fullers make them a thin blade, not as robust as an equivalent sized M43. Also they come up for sale rather infrequently and are on the expensive side. If cost is not an issue you could request one from Yangdu, but it wouldn't necessarily be available in your time frame.
Click to expand...
 
OK, Thanks for explaining the KLVUK, blade finishes and Foxes. Ya'll are a huge help!

I sent Yangdui a note yesterday asking about M43 OAL/weight. When she replies I'll ask about KLVUKs.

At this point if I can get a reasonable size M43, preferably down in the 16" range I'll get that for grandson and a KLVUK for me if it's available. If I have to wait to give it to him in March for his birthday that will be ok. It's just that when you decide you want something.... well you all know how that is!
 
I didn't ask about the WW II because I much prefer the look of the rounded back of the M43. I'm probably being entirely too picky. :)
More on the KLVUK "in a few days".
 
Dang it, now want a Giant Chitlange Bowie. Honey, ndoghouse has one, I should too. It's only fair.

Ok, I'll get off the computer and do the dishes, no problemo. Please don't hit me no mo, I'm working, I'm working hard!
 
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