WWII question

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bennyjenkins

Joined
Dec 18, 2006
Messages
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How is the balance of a WWII? Is it lively in the hand, or more forward in balance? I've been eyeing one for a long time, and I need some help in deciding to pull the trigger. I've been going between a M-43 or WWII and it looks like the WWII would be the handier of the two. Hard to tell without actually handling one, so I'm hoping the folks on the forum can steer me in the right direction.
 
The M-43 is very lively in the hand. And so is the WW II.

The M-43 is an inmproved version of the WWII. the handle was dropped a bit to increase handling characteristics on the thrust. it was also made a bit pointier to aid in this respect as well.

The blade was drpped a bit more as well this combined with the handle drop increases the amount of whallop when the blade chops, it also increases tip speed (this is also due to a lighter blade than say the Ang Kholas) which combined with the thinner edge increases shearing force.

The WWII is considered to be a good compromise between weapon and tool. The M-43 is in a class of it's own being an exceptional weapon and an exceptional tool. Both handle VERY well.

The only area where an M-43 doesn't perform as well is in the rare case where one is using the spine of the blade. The dropped handle makes it a bit clumsier to use in those instances.

The other big difference with the M-43 is the M-43 uses the chiruwa style handle. While the WWII uses the traditional handle design. Both handle designs work very well so that is a non issue to me.

I can say from a practical standpoint that my M-43 exceeded all my expectations over the several years I spent living in the bush. And remains my most favored and trusted blade today.
 
The WWII that I have was made by bura a 18 and I would trust my life on it any day of the year. It is very lively in the hand easy to use . Like uncle Bill said it's the best khukuri for the combo of work and weapon.
 
Personally, for general utility I prefer the WWII over the M-43. The M-43 offers one basic chopping grip. It really excels with the forward lean of the blade. I actually place the WWII and the M-43 as the closest "cousins" of the tool/weapon category.

I find, for me, that the WWII is a great tool that is a very serviceable weapon while the M-43 is a fantastic weapon that can hold up to rigorous chores.

I like that by shifting my grip forward or back I can make the WWII perform like two totally different animals.

In short, I keep the WWII in my camping gear. The M-43 lives next to the bed with the firearms.
 
My M-43's are 18" which is the standard size for that model.

The WWII comesa in both a 16.5" and 18" size.
 
No the M-43 don't generaly have the same type fullers as on the BDC and the dui chirra's.

They do have the top fuller that you see on most all kuk's.

Fullers such as those on the dui chirra are not needed on the M-43 due to its being hammered thinner toward the edge. This thinner edge is one of the keys to it's amazing cutting ability.

The M-43 is also pointier than the WWII, and it's point is on centerline of thrust which makes it even better in weapon use. After all it was designed for military use. The M-43's (MkII military designation) were very popular in WWII and in the Indonesian insurgency in 1956. They earned a fearsome reputation.
 
wildmike , my bad I never really looked at the fullers on the BDC's & Dui Chirra's to notice there was a difference. Learned something new I guess.
 
bennyjenkins said:
The M-43 is starting to sound like a bigger version of my 14" BDC. Does the M-43 have any fullers?
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Which are you talking about? Most people use the term "fuller" interchangeably to mean the "Aunlo-Bal" or "Sword of Shiva" near the spine, others use the term "fuller" to describe the "Chirra" that are present on the BDC, Foxy Folly Etc.

The M-43 has the Aunlo-Bal but does not have any Chirra.
 
Thanks for clafifying Kafrda, chirras are what I was talking about. Is the hollow on an Ang Khola considered a chirra?
 
bennyjenkins said:
Is the hollow on an Ang Khola considered a chirra?
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No. The Term "Ang Khola" Is Nepali for "Back Hollow".

"First Khukuri- Recommendations and Reasons" Thread said:
“Ang Khola” means “back-valley” or "back-hollow", referring to the forged depression on the posterior blade spine that provides for forward weight distribution and fearsome chopping ability.
Click to expand...
 
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