Tomahawk or Kukri

[MrTroubleSnake]

Whats up Ladies and germs, This is my first posting and i would like to give a shoutout to Bladeforum for creating such a site for us blade fanatics. So here we go, If you were engaged in an eyeball to eyeball combat would you prefer a tomahawk or a kukri machete and WHY?

[Daniel L]

I'd take a real kukri (ok will stretch for the machete) only because under duress, you have a bigger margin of error to making sharp contact - 12" blade kukri versus a 3" edge of a tomahawk.

Granted, the hawk compresses the force into a smaller space and you could cause damage by hitting the opponent with the shaft. But on a moving target and a massive adrenalin dump I'll take the kukri. Probably will have slightly faster recovery on a missed swing too, overall weight being equal.

[SeaxyBeast]

Take one of each and fight two-handed.

[JayGoliath]

Khukuri- part axe part knife.

[12345678910]

Smatchet

[scouter27]

smatchet

ftw!!!

[shangchi108]

Tomahawk. The ones designed for combat usually have two different striking surfaces: an edge and a spike, and they can be used for techniques that involve hooking a limb or another weapon.

[Nicegy525]

both have advantages and disadvantages. The key is picking one you prefer and learning to play to its strenghts. In my opinion though, the Khukri may be more forgiving in the gross motor skills area. A tomahawk may require more precision.

[MVF]

I'd take a real kukri (ok will stretch for the machete) only because under duress, you have a bigger margin of error to making sharp contact - 12" blade kukri versus a 3" edge of a tomahawk.

Granted, the hawk compresses the force into a smaller space and you could cause damage by hitting the opponent with the shaft. But on a moving target and a massive adrenalin dump I'll take the kukri. Probably will have slightly faster recovery on a missed swing too, overall weight being equal.

Yeah, there's the rub

[JParanee]

Neither

I love both of them and they are devastating weapons but in most formats they change directions slowly and recovery from an over swing can be slow

Would pick a proper fighting Bowie

They can thrust and cleave slice and back cut

There is a reason the Bowie iS considered the king of fighting knives by many

If I had to pick between the 2 It would be a lighter than normal fast Khukuri like a HI DUI Chirra or this custom fighting Khuk by MS Jason Knight

[Nk47]

Both of them have been "field approved".
So I really don't think you can go wrong w/ either of them.

For what it worth, I personally really don't feel comfortable w/ the kukris or machetes in general (even though I really like the shape of the kuk. and the history behind it): I'm way too afraid I might accidentally chop my another arm or leg.

Thus being said, having used machetes in the wood to cut some trees, if you feel comfortable w/ it, it's a pleasure to use.

[Edwood7]

I would take a good tomahawk over a kukri knife. Something with a back spike, to have a back hand strike available if a miss my target. A light and fast hawk paired up with a good knife.



That being said, I also think that a Bowie knife is a much better fighting knife than a kukri, it allows for more offensive applications. I’m thinking of having a custom made knife like this one.



I carried a hissatsu knife for a time but it really was not of good quality. A good long knife is always a good weapon.

[Maddogg774]

KillaZilla II!!!

[Edwood7]

KillaZilla II!!!

I will see your Killa Zilla II





And raise you an RMJ Berserker.

[MrTroubleSnake]

to Edwood7;
Hey Ed, does your military teach to 'hawk fighting ? Or did you train outside of the military?

[rpn]

I love my Tamang...it's fast and nimble. The Battle Rat is pretty sweet too...

[Edwood7]

to Edwood7;
Hey Ed, does your military teach to 'hawk fighting ? Or did you train outside of the military?

I got some training in improvised weapons (like camp axes and entrenching tools) in the army, but I got my first introduction on the use of the tomahawk in Coronado Ca. during my time a spent there training with the US Navy.

[Thomas Linton]

How is a 'hawk at thrusting?

[Rugger]

Everyone appreciates the academic aspect of "which is better"- but this is, after all "Practical" Tactical. Given these choices, and many more- I'd personally opt for something air-deployed or belt-fed. Other than Edwood, I personally know of damned few folks who have the opportunity or responsibility to walk around with huge bits of steel. I've met a few folks who walk around with something outside the realm of a CCW pistol, or a folder or a small utility fixed blade. Those folks creep me out. And more times than not, they are either spoiling for a fight, or are so paranoid that they are the ones who will over-react to damned near anything and either hurt people, or get hurt themselves. That sort of bad energy tends to draw more bad energy- some folks just wind up in fights more than others. I've seen my share of guys who essentially mean well get jammed up & hauled off to jail with pockets full of all sorts of random & sundry when they think somebody had "dissed" them. Standing outside of a bar with a broken nose and a cheap butterfly knife in both back pockets and a bit of garden hose w/ a huge hex nut on the end of it jammed down your pants will get you a bologna sandwich for breakfast in a small room that you're not allowed to leave for a while. Real life isn't a Ren Faire where furry boots and huge bits of steel get you out of a jam. Don't mean to piss on the thread- again, I appreciate the academic aspect of it. I love my big blades, but they stay @ home. A smile & the ability to avoid stupidity will serve anyone better than a stack of hardware- unless, of course, you're being paid to take out the trash.

[Dwight McLemore]

Rugger! That is pretty good words. Good words in that it shows the perspective about that 'bad energy' that is 'out-there' . Big blades, tomahawks, and the like stay here at the house and of course when I get out to the deep woods....not very often these days. No matter how effective they are or were these 'monsters' are what one might call, dead weapons and relics of the 18th & 19th Century ( and maybe earlier) A smile & the ability to avoid stupidity will serve anyone better than a stack of hardware- unless, of course, you're being paid to take out the trash. . Totally agree..... I hate folders and little knives but that is what I carry. I guess those big knives are a hobby that really means something to many of us.......I don't know what it is but we just love the hell out of them.....they speak for the American frontier and a time when things were simpler and not as politically correct. I suppose no matter how effiecient we become with these knives we who love them know that it is more martial art than a profession of arms in the modern world I just finished a book on the Kurkuri which represents a few years working with that thing and have to say that it falls into the category of a 'Field Knife'. I've gotten hooked on this weapon. BTW just got a royality check from my publisher...Thanks to those of you who made the investment to buy my books. Have a great holiday and christmas.