WWII 16" vs 18"

F

fausto nasafiaschi

Joined
Aug 6, 2000
Messages
506
I would like some advise, out of the experience of the fellows forumites, as to which one they like better (and why) between a 16" and a 18" WWII. I have a 15" AK, an AK bowie, a gelbu special and a 18" ak and I have on order a 16" UBE and a 18 KUmar Kobra.
I'm looking forward to expand my collection in the future more khuks and one would be the WWII, but I cannot make up my mind as to which size I would like better.
Thanks in advance to all for your advice!
Fausto

 
Fausto, it's obviously a matter of personal preference. But it seems to me that the size of the individual using the khuk would determine its size. I'm over 6 feet tall and weigh over 200 lbs. -- I prefer the 18 incher over the 16 inch version, but a smaller guy might prefer the smaller khuk, especially if the khuk is going to be used for long periods at a time. One thing about dealing with Uncle Bill is that exchanges are never a problem, try one khuk and if it isn't right for you, exchange it for the other one. With HI, you can't go wrong!
 
Steven is right. Consider your physique and purchase accordingly. As Steven mentioned, you can always exchange the khukuri you got for the other one, or if you have HIKV really bad, get both!

wink.gif


------------------
Harry
HI Khukuri Range Safety Officer
 
Having acknowleged the above, most seem to like the 18" WWII. What is a shame, is that there's no way to handle them first before buying. I took 3 12" HI's up to the khonvention yesterday.

Most everyone liked the baby AK and I kept hearing that it ought to be able to do more than you'd expect.

Baby Sirupati #2 was alright by most folks. Nothing special. Baby Sirupati #1 had less drop at the point by maybe half an inch, had an 8 1/2" ( #2's was 8" ) and a much slimmer handle. I'd give the guys there #2, then #1. You should have seen their faces. A bunch picked up #1 and inside about a minute were out of their seats, trying katas with it.

Some are just plain "righter" than other khuks, and you don't know til you hold them. My 16" is a good solid dependable knife, but the Hanuman with the 18" WWII blade, Lord have mercy... lust at first touch, strong spirit.

On the other hand, there's something to be said for Bill putting the knives up for sale and somehow haphazardly letting karma make the choice.
 
thanks for your answers. From the use point of view I leave in a urban are (when I'm not onboard a ship) and I'm 6'x 170lbs. The only use I foresee for my khuks is as hiking knives, for this I have my 15" ak, the ak bowie, a 15" villager (present of one of my ghurkha security) and the 16" UBE on order. It is more, as Rusty says, about finding a "righter". I'm keen on longer blades when it comes to slender designs.I don't particularly fancy a long & bulky blade. On the other hand I have a 18"ak that I really like. My question was more to get a feeling of what the forum feels as to which of the two is the best one in terms of general feeling. Rusty is very right though if worst comes to worst I may get two.
 
In that case, go for the 18" WWII. Remember that they were carried by a bunch of little people in WWII. Pala ( HI owner Kami Sherpa ) and I were eyeball to eyeball and nose to nose when we met and I'm 5'4".

How do I describe it other than not perfect at any specific task but almost perfect ( about 95% ) at everything...

To me the WWII blade on the Hanuman handle is, as the skeleton in the coffin in the Busse ad goes, the one to take with you when you have to go, just in case. That is me.
 
Depends a lot on what you want the khukuri for. For serious hiking (where every oz counts) and as a weapon, I would take the 16.5" because it is lighter. I like both versions but prefer the 18" because I usually will do some chopping when I'm out.

My 18" WWII is one of my favorite khukuri's. I find that it is the biggest khukuri that I can carry comfortably on my belt. It has to be flipped out of the way when I sit down.

Numbers from memory.

684 g 18" WWII
573 g 16.5" WWII

In terms of chopping performance the 18" WWII has it all over the 16.5" WWII. It chops better than the 15" Ang Khola and is pretty close to the 18" Ang Khola on hardwoods. It takes 10 wacks to go through a 2x4 with the 18" WWII and around 15-20 with the 16.5". I'm about 5' 11" and 170 LB. Despite my size, I like the really big khukuri's, too.

Will
 
Rusty and Will, I 'll take your words on this matter and go for the 18", when I will be again around the USA. Until the knife is in one's hands it is not possible to understand how it feels, and the sensation that we get out of a knife are very personal to each one us. I will have to wait until I will receive the box from HI to check it with my own hands and eyes.
thanks.
 
I passed near Genova 2 years ago when travelling to Barcelona. Nice and famous town.
How do you get your kukris ? I mean how do you purchase them ?
 
When the ship I'm working on sails around the US or calls an US port, I contact uncle Bill by e mail and get the goodies sent to the port agent. To pay I send my grlfriend or the agent himself to a post office to make a money order. (going thru custom in Italy will be a differnt story...)
Fausto
 
Yes Uncle Bill I have an UBE 18in. I have my connection in Sacramento but I am always interrested in other ways of getting your beauties specially when people are near me.

Kurdy
 
UBE is Uncle Bill Especiale.A special designed kukri. You can find pic somewhere in HI forum just look for UBE in topic name.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top