WWII and BAS an expert opinion

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
759
I am looking for advice from formites that are lucky enough to own a variet of HI Khukuris. I am planning to purchase several Khukuris(Malla, GS, etc) when money permits. My next purchase was going to be a 16.5" WWII since from my research I assumed it would be similiar in size and balance to my 15" BAS. However, after reading a recent forum segment someone said that the 16.5" WWII had the same size blade but with a shorter handle as the 18" WWII. I think that skill with the Khukuri comes from everyday use and this is the one that I felt would fit the bill but after watching the convention video,(which I recommend everyone get), the 18" WWII appeared a little big for my immediate use. Can anyone tell me if the 16.5" WWII is closer in size and balance to the BAS or the 18" WWII.
 
The 16.5 WW2 is the one Sarge took into his sleeping bag at night in Afghanistan. It's got the best balance for me at 5'4" and Sarge loves it too.

The 18" WW2's have shown a tendency to get shorter in the blade and longer in the handle. Great if you have big hands. Seems to me to be a half inch bigger blade and an inch longer handle. I'd rather see an inch longer blade and a 1/2 inch longer handle.

Get a 16.5" WW2. When I had mine ( 2 ) it was placed ready to go. It has the rightness to it to tackle whatever job may come up. The 16.5's are still available, so grab one. If I had to, I'd take an 18" apart and shorten the handle.

But then I've never handled a BAS that sang for me.
 
I have been wondering about a WW2 for a good while now also.

Is the WW2 series good for small time every day farm work like cutting away some bushes, butchering a goat, fashioning some poles out of some young trees, digging in the dirt, and perhaps even hammering a nail or two? Which one of the two sizes would be preferable?

Or are other types prefered?

Ah, and also it might get used occationally on camping trips on the mountain and hunting trips on the ocean (not fishing, but hunting), but not too oftenly though. So it is the daily tasks of farm work that will have to be deciding.
 
I like the idea of something that works for small hands. I've done a little handle modification on my BAS and it feels much better. But weight and profile wise does the 16.5" come closer to the BAS or the 18" WWII.
 
I don't think the weight will be that close to the BAS but, I would get the 16.5" WWII. With it you will be well armed for almost anything that will come up on your camping trips also.

I am pretty sure that others have found similar measurements as I have with the WWII's. The 18" has the 12" blade and a long handle. My 16.5" has a 11.5" blade and a bit shorter handle. Kumar makes good handles and usually fit me very well. Smaller hands may want to modifiy just a bit. I use my khuks quite a bit and for sure Uncle Bill is right. Both models of the WWII are workhorses. I think the balance of the 16.5" knife will balance just a bit better. My .02 cents.
 
I just love my big WWII (18.5") by Kumar. I can choke up on it and it becomes pretty quick. Or I can slide my hand back a little and it chops like a demon. I have average sized hands but I like the versatility the long handle affords. Just my two bits.

Frank
 
I do the same thing with my 18in WW2. The ring is usually between my middle and ring finger but I move the ring over a finger either direction if I'm doing light or heavy chopping.
 
For whatever it's worth the 18" WWII is Duvon's favorite khukuri by far. He chokes up on the handle farther than I'd like to but seems to handle it just fine. Duvon does a lot of very fast grip switching during his katas and he claims the WWII is the best khukuri for this and also claims with the choked grip it has the best balance. I think it's one of the best all purpose all round khukuris we offer + it's got a very respectable track record.
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
For whatever it's worth the 18" WWII is Duvon's favorite khukuri by far. He chokes up on the handle farther than I'd like to but seems to handle it just fine. Duvon does a lot of very fast grip switching during his katas and he claims the WWII is the best khukuri for this and also claims with the choked grip it has the best balance. I think it's one of the best all purpose all round khukuris we offer + it's got a very respectable track record.
Click to expand...


**sigh**
>>adds 18" WWII to list of "must-buys":)

Maybe I can just pick one up in person at the class?
 
Was the WW2 sold here once a military issue knife, like the M43, or was it designed after an individual kukri that was used?
 
I think there were probably several issue model khukuris made in different times and places during the CBI campaign years of WW2.

It may be modeled after a specific type or the Birghorka kamis may have developed a generic more or less splitting the difference.

John Powell is the one to answer this one.
 
For everyday carrying & use, the 18.5" WWII is a great choice. The 16.5" is a great khukuri, but I like the slightly longer length & the handles on the 18.5"; horn or wood. I like horn the best, but have never seen or handled a bad wood handle from H.I.
 
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