I have a WWII Specs are as follows:
Length: 16.5"
Weight: 21oz
Handle: Horn
Kami: Bura
The Khukri is fast and light (IMO) for a WWII Khukri which makes it a great battle blade. If I wanted a General purpose Khukri for combat my 16.5" WWII would be the Khukri that I would take. I've used it to clear trails, chop and split fire wood, chop frozen meat, cut up fruit and some general camp cutting. I bought it along with a Bura made 20" Sirupati that weighs 24oz. The WWII seems to chop a bit better them the Sirupati even though it weighs less. My guess is because the weight of the WWII is more compact and not spread out like in the Sirupati. Both have a lot of over lap but when it comes to more chopping I pick up the WWII and when I go against more brush and think I'll need reach I grabbed the Sirupati.
Last August I went camping and hiking up at Huntington Reservoir here in Sanpete County. The WWII came with me on the trip and some big hikes lashed to the side of my pack. There is a trail that goes all the way around Huntington reservoir and that trail is about 3.5 miles long. There was a lot of dead fall half way up the trail, 8+ small Douglas Fir trees had fallen across the trail and into the water. I had my SOG Tigershark on my hip so I pulled it out and used it to chop a few of the smaller trees. It was working but not very fast, so I pulled out my WWII and finished off the trees with it. It went at least twice as fast. I finished cutting off the tops of the trees, tossed them aside and continued on my hike. That whole weekend my WWII was the main wood processing knife.
A month later I got an 18" WWII that weights around 28oz. It hasn't gone camping or hiking yet, but it has seen some use in the back yard. So far so good! This next weekend My brother, his wife and I go backpacking up around Huntington Reservoir or up Spring City Canyon (depending on weather) and I'm considering bringing the 18" WWII along. My brother wants a 1 to 3 mile hike into camp. He plans to use this as a way to get out of the city (They live an hour north in the city) and start getting used to backpacking again. I can't hardly wait!
Over the years I've been able to hold and play with a few M43 Khukris. They feel alive in my hand. Last fall I did a side by side comparison of my 18" WWII and a custom M43. It was light night and day. Picking up and using the WWII you knew that it could chop and handle anything asked of it, but it felt like a static tool. Where as the custom M43 felt more like an extension of my self, hitting the sweet spot each time was easier and the aim was a bit better. This whole combination of things made the M43 feel more alive to me. Like it was helping me chop better. Since then I've used my 18" WWII more and feel even better with it, but that M43 was Magical. I think that is why more people are going towards the M43 more now then the 18" WWII.
By the way, my first WWII was a Chiruwa style WWII. The bolster gave out so I traded it in under warranty for some Kumar Karda's that got gifted to family members for Christmas. I kind of miss that Khukri. It looked dang good and felt great. Which makes me wonder if the Churiwa style handle has something to do with the amazing feel of the M43...... Dang, now I'm thinking about spending part of next pay check on a Chiruwa style WWII and I already have a Gun and some custom knives coming. :foot:
