Why 15" ???

CD Fleischer

CD Fleischer

Joined
Oct 12, 1998
Messages
2,036
The 15" AK is Uncle Bill's best seller, followed by the BAS (also 15"). I am wondering why this is.

Is it just a practical size for most people?

Is it because the British Army adopted that size for standard issue?

Anyone have any thoughts...?

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com


 
Clay, I know that the British Army Gurkhas use my SN1 (well, not MINE, but more correctly, Lalit's), so that may be one reason for the 15 incher's popularity. However, I'd think that it has less to do with that and more to do with the size of the various 15 inch models. It's a good all-around khukuri - not too light to be a lousy chopper, and not too heavy to be a burden on the belt. Any thoughts from Cliff?

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
I'm not sure, Clay. Most of the khukuris made for local use in Nepal are 14 or 15 inches in length. Perhaps the length has been determined based on experience. Ten years ago I used to get a variety of sizes ranging mostly from 15 to 17 inches but we settled on the 15 inch as a standard size.

When I lived in Nepal the British Army always issued contracts directly to a shop that manufactured khukuris rather than to a dealer such as the Lalit Lama's Khukuri House in Thamel. But since the British Army is only recruiting at present perhaps 250 new Gurkhas per year things may have changed.

Uncle Bill
 
:
I wonder if the 15" size give or take a couple inches each way ( 13" - 17") isn't the most popular because of its everyday role in the lives of the people who use them?

If I understand correctly the people in Nepal are usually on the small size physically. That would make a smaller blade more useful I would think. I think that a lot of it could also be in the familiarity of the Kuhkuri. When the Kuhkuri is the tool a person has grown up with and used everyday since they were very young then their proficiency would be much greater I would think with a smaller blade than a much larger one would be for the average one of us.

Then there is the mindset of most people in the US wanting bigger and better. The 15" Ang Khola sells better than the 15" BAS. at a lower cost than the 18" or 20" AK.
I know it isn't a great deal of difference between the 15" and 18" but there is enough that most people wouldn't spend the little extra to get that much more unless they were really planning on using it.

Of'course if the money wasn't a problem they would probably shoot for the 20" Ang Khola and ask Uncle Bill to see if he could pick out a 22" one for them.
smile.gif

Thanks for listening>


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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.
 
In terms of the blade style its no surprise that the AK sells the best because when someone thinks of a khukuri that is usually what they have in mind (something for heavy work). Now as for the size, I would guess that the 15" model is the one that has the handle that is most comfortable to the average person. I have had few complaints about it from those who have handled mine. The exception mainly comes from those who use a loose grip. This can cause discomfort and it is removed when you switch to a bigger model as there is room for your hand to move around and not hit the buttcap (which can dig into your hand as its a bit pointed).

Personally I would reach for the 18" over the 15" unless there was some reason that I couldn't carry the extra 3 inches. The weight would not matter as any meal I eat weighs much more than the difference in mass between those two anyway. The extra length of the handle is the main attraction for me on the 18" model and the extra reach and chopping power are a nice bonus.

Regarding the 18" AK and the 22" one. The only reason I would take the 18" model is if I would require a lot of large range of motion cutting (like trail clearing). The much heavier weight of the 22" AK tends to fatigue me very rapidly as on brush cutting I have to stop it after it makes the cut and this is much harder than chopping - like a missed punch in boxing. After 20-30 mins of clearing branches I have a nice burn in my forearm. I am gradually getting more used to it but there is the very odd side-effect of one of my forearms being readily visually different from the other. This is not helped by the fact that my left arm is usually shaved, as should be a common trait on BF, and is made worse by the fact that my arm hair is very dark so the contrast is obvious.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 07 July 1999).]
 
I think that Lalit's contract was awarded in part because of his status as a retired Gurkha Warrant Officer with 22 years of experience, as well as his ability to provide excellent QC on the khukuris he supplies. This is not from the horse's mouth, but rather, my own conjecture (I've no idea what goes through the British Army's mind when they buy stuff)
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And to return to the 15 inches thing - I think it comes down to versatility most of all.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
:
Cliff,I think I saw where the bare left arm was at one time called
"Knife fighters mange."
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I think that all people who play with shavin sharp knives do that. My left arm is bare also,but that ain't sayin a whole lot as being Indin I don't have a lot anyway. However the side affects of one of the medicines I have to take causes hair to grow like crazy. Suddenly I don't have to wait so long for it to grow back in.
I also have more places to see how sharp my knives are.

I was accused of that ( knife fighters mange ) among other things when I was much younger. I do know that it was nice to have my reputation preceed me and not have as much trouble as I would have had otherwise even if the reputation wasn't deserved. I always "carried" though and more times than not,more than two knives. I was famous locally for my ability to throw knives and hatchets with a great deal of predictability. Splitting a 2x4 at 30 feet with a hatchet 9 out of 10 times and at least sticking it the 10th. gave rise to that somehow.

I agree with you about reaching for the 18" over the 15". I don't have mine yet,but from all the things you have written mostly I know the same will be true for me.
I think it might make a difference if the weight differences between the 18" and 22" were less and more like the differences between the 15" and 18". Do you think if the 22" weighed around 2 1/2 to 3 Lbs you might be inclined to reach for it more often instead of the 18"

To address the increasing size of your right arm perhaps you need another 22" to use with the left and get twice the work done in half the time? (big evil 's' eatin grin)

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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.


[This message has been edited by Yvsa (edited 07 July 1999).]
 
Cliff,

You will have to shave your right arm to match the left. Problem solved.

Clay,

Here is my speculation on why the 15" models are so popular. Most people buy the khukhuri for outdoor activities such as camping and hunting. A lot of other gear is carried besides the khukhuri so the lighter and more compact the better. It is more likely branches less than 2" are cut. There is really no point to getting something bigger. It may even be a hinderance as Cliff points out you have to stop the khukhuri.

Personaly, I like the bigger khukhuris. I tend to get careless during bush clearing. If the khukuri is a bit short I try to use part of my hand for chopping. The bigger khukhuri's are much more efficient for chopping large branches and trees.

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 07 July 1999).]
 
I wear shorts in the summer and use the leg hair rather than arm. And, I use a different spot each time so I really look like I have the mange...or am part leopard or zebra.

Uncle Bill
 
A 15" khukuri is a big all around knife, and it's good enough for Gurkhas, but they also have to carry automatic weapons.

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It is a matter of conveniance.The BAS is big enough,although I prefer the WW11, the frog allows flexibility and comfort in normal activities.

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Only your left arm Mr. Stamp
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, both of my arms are bare along with my right leg ( I have to prove to myself that my knives are sharp on a daily basis). I refuse to shave my left leg though so I can prove to people I actually do grow body hair
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.

thanks and take care
collin

just adding the smilies, didn't know how to do them when I first posted it so

[This message has been edited by RUDY (edited 09 July 1999).]
 
Collin :

Only your left arm Mr. Stamp
Click to expand...

It is a fair amount of hair removal.

I refuse to shave my left leg though so I can prove to people I actually do grow body hair.
Click to expand...

Not a problem I have.

Speaking of gurkhas and khukuris. I asked Bill about this awhile ago and he commented that the khukuris that used to be carried were a fair bit bigger in the past. That progression of style would be a fairly interesting account to read.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 09 July 1999).]
 
Cliff, I have no way of proving this but I noticed in Nepal's National Museum that you could almost draw a straight line graph plotting time vs khukuri size. As the date became later khukuri size diminished. Why?

My own theory is less hand to hand combat took place as modern weapons replaced older ones. Let's face it, a khukuri vs an AK47 doesn't work no matter how large the khukuri. But 200 years ago many times the guy with the biggest knife won the fight.

Just a theory.

Uncle Bill
 
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