WWII or Panawl

B

Ben E Hana

Joined
May 19, 1999
Messages
223
I really like the looks of the WWII but I like the idea of a full tang knife.Can someone who has used both give me a comparison?I guess what I am hoping is that even though it isn't full tang the WWII will be tough enough in the tang and handle to do some heavy chopping without coming apart.thanks,
troy


------------------
"stupid is as stupid does"
Gump's momma
 
I have used my brass-handled Deluxe World War for over a year to chop everything from seasoned black walnut to PVC and sheet metal with absolutely no effect on handle or blade. The brass handle won't crack or rot, and isn't bothered by bugs
smile.gif
. The only downside is that it probably shouldn't be used with ungloved hands in subfreezing temperatures. Haven't tried the Panawal, but flat tang slab handled khukuris are reputed to transmit more shock to the hand than stick tang models like the WW. I'll defer to any forumites with experience to confirm or deny that reputation.
 
Ben, I own and have used both and I don't think that there's any significance between the two in terms of their functionality. Both knives are indestructible and I don't find that one type handle absorbs any more impact shock than the other, contrary to what I've been told. Perhaps if you chop on large pieces of hardwood for extended periods of time you might be able to tell a difference in their respective shock dampening characteristics, but I've used each of mine for hours at a time to chop shrubs and small trees and one khuk feels just as good as the other. I think the most important factor is how the khuk fits your hand. I find that the handles on some of my khuks are just a little too small to use comfortably for long periods.

So, my advice is to go with whichever khuk you most enjoy looking at since you'll be spending a lot of time together. Either of the two khuks you mentioned will serve you well, and durability will not be an issue, regardless of the one you choose.
 
Sorry to throw confusion back into the game, but I'd wait and see what the new Panawals look like before making your decision. They'll be here in about 5 days, and if they're what I ordered, I'm thinking they might become a favorite.

Steven F: Remember the thickness and quality of your "one-of-a-kind" GH scrolled-buttcap AK? Well, we've applied that blade to a Panawal handle with horn slabs - should be pretty nifty. Look for them soon.

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Good point, Craig. Troy, what Craig is referring to is a unique AK that I was lucky enough to get that represents the higest level of old-world craftsmanship. I own a number of khuks and none, regardless of price, is better crafted than that particular AK. And, from what Craig has told me, the new Panawals are of the same quality and utilize the same basic blade style; the difference being that the Panawals will have a full tang with horn slabs (a really nice-looking combination). So, all things considered, if I were you I just might have to opt for the Panawal -- I would at least wait to check them out before deciding. Put it this way, Troy, the last thing in the world I need is another khuk, yet I'll be buying one of the new Panawals at some point if they turn out to be of the quality of my AK. I already have an older Panawal, and it's a fine khuk, but the newer version promises to be even better.
 
I guess I will have to get both.It is a funny thing:my wife really has no interest in my knives.But I told showed her the knives on the GH website and she seems to like these.
troy
 
Ben E Hanna,

I haven't owned a WWII (yet) but have a Service Number 1 model and ,until recently, owned a Panawal. My SN-1 was purchased in April of last year. I haven't used it often but when I did, it was used without mercy. I used it to clear out a bunch of fallen limbs (up to 4" in diameter) after last years hurricane, to section a dead Orange tree in my back yard and to provide the firewood for a weekend in Ocala National Park. There's a better chance that your arm will come out of its socket before the handle comes of your Khuk.

The handles are held in place with some sort of glue that the Kami's have developed over the last 1000 years or so. I've heard that it's made of tree sap, eye of Yak, and the fresh droppings of 7 year old albino Yeti's
smile.gif
.

You can talk to Maddog 2020 about it. He has removed the handles of a couple of Khukuris and replaced them with Cherry wood (I have one of his masterpieces). About the only way he could get a handle off was to boil it in water for quite a while. It destroyed the pot, made his kitchen unusable for a few hours and evoked terrible threats of death from his wife.

So my friend, have no fear. These things are built to last 2 lifetimes. My only problem is trying to figure out how to get that 2nd lifetime so I can check out the warranty.

Blackdog

------------------
The GH Forum Photo Galleries & The Bowie Design Gallery
 
Blackdog: your posts are alway so funny to read! You have a way of making truth seem more . . . well . . . humorous. You should be one of those guys that has the job of firing people in your company! I'm sure they'd leave smiling.

As for the Panawal, I think it will be ushering in a new age of quality. I paid significantly more for them than I do for the other khukuris I have, so the price will be a bit higher than the other models (still reasonable, though). There are a lucky few who ordered Panawals while we were out of stock and before I took them off the website. These guys will be getting the deal of the century by getting the new panawals at the older price.

I am hoping to God to find my digital camera so I can get busy posting the new inventory. IF not, I'll probably have to go buy another one, as it is a tool I use almost every day.

Steven: glad you hold your AK in such high regard! It makes me proud of the kamis. I'm told that all of these new models (and the restocks of the older ones) have been made to that high standard. But rest assured, NONE of them will EVER have the scrolled buttcap - you've got the only one.

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Popularity report: Since the inception of this post, Panawal sales have outstripped WWII sales significantly. We still ship plenty of WWIIs, but the Panawal is a real welcomed addition to the line.

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig, I think the extra money paid was well worth it and I'm glad you kept the full tang khuks. I finally received my 18 inch panawal and am very happy with it. The mini-me is really cool too! I really recommend the larger khukuris for taller people (I'm only 6 ft). I have two fifteen inch khuks and the handles are too narrow for my hands. The eighteen incher has a nice fat handle that feels really comfortable. Something I've been using lately is this Easton extra thin baseball bat wrap. It makes the handle feel a lot more comfortable. Especially my brass handled WWII. The wrap stretches so it covers the handle really well even over the center ring. Try it. The only thing I dont like is that the Easton logo is imprinted, but you can barely notice once it's on. It really improves the comfort level, and when you swing the pull is distributed over your whole palm not just on the center ring.

Craig you mentioned a second run WWIII, how about making an 18 inch WWIII?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top