Are there any kukri machetes built like ontario/rat/esee knives?

S

Samot

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Nov 1, 2009
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I have a Kabar kukri machete and I'm happy with it, but after receiving my Ontaio RD Pick Hawk, I realized how much better this kukri machete could be with a thicker spine and micarta handles. Ontario/RAT/ESEE are all known for that kind of construction, but I don't see a kukri style machete model from them. Am I missing something, or is there a company I haven't checked? I'd love to hear suggestions, but if I were ever to actually buy one, cost is a factor and I'd prefer if it were less than $200.

Thanks
 
The Condor Thai Enep machete is similar to a Cold Steel Magnum Kukri Machete, but is made with 1/8" stock, like the Ontarios. It also has a nice tapered wood handle.
 
gomipile said:
The Condor Thai Enep machete is similar to a Cold Steel Magnum Kukri Machete, but is made with 1/8" stock, like the Ontarios. It also has a nice tapered wood handle.
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The kukri I have is 1/8th. My new pick hawk is 1/4, which is what I was hoping for in a kukri. I don't own an ontario/rat/esee knife, so I shouldn't have assumed they were all as thick as the hawk.
Nternal said:
Ontario does have a kukri spec plus model. I was thinking of getting it too.
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I saw that one, and it looks very nice. It definitely has the thickness I'm looking for, but I want bolted on micarta handles like on the Ontario hawk.
 
there have been some Bussekin khuks, and Blackjack made a ESEE-quality beaut called the Marauder. Cold Steel's Gurka and their other high end khuks might be more along the lines of what you are looking for as well.

I have no qualms with any of my machete-quality khuks, nor with my Himalayan Imports pieces. Micarta and thick spines can be nice, but when you put function over form, I really don't see the need for incredible F&F on a tool specifically designed to be annihilated.

I bet if you pick up a Churiwa from HI with a flawed handle for dirt cheap, you can have a custom maker on here grind you out a pair of nice micarta scales for a reasonable price. Maybe 150 dollars total cost to you.
 
I own an Ontario Spec-Plus Kukri. I LOVE it. That being said, if you compare them to a true HI Khukuri there is no comparison, because they are apples & oranges. True HI owners will not even call the OKC Spec-Plus version a Khukuri, they call them KLO's (Khukuri Like Object). My OKC SP is 1/4" thick at the spine. HI ones can be 1/2" thick or more (not a misprint).
 
Becker has done something similar to a khukri so you should check them out for a quality blade with excellent fit and finish.
 
People have tried to get ESEE interested in a khukuri type blade and Jeff says he hates khuks and won't do it. Never say never, but I'm not holding my breath. A CS Gurkha with a full tang and micarta scales would be great, especially if they altered the blade to add a little more belly. Instead, CS introduced a new fighting version of their Gurkha for 2012. Crazy. Could there be more khuk fighters around than folks who would like a solid woods khuk? I doubt it. It sounds like you want a modern khuk, but I would say to check out HI as well. I have HI and CS and they both have their place. If you want to stick with modern khuks or KLOs, the CS Gurkha in SK-5 should make you a happy man. There are some great reviews on the web to watch and it's solid as can be. The rubber handle seems the weak point, though mine have held up fine for a long time. I've seen them on the web for around $130 and they have an awesome sheath. The Busse Killa Zilla looks like a monster, but is very expensive. I believe it's also heavy from what I've read. I have found I really like a khuk to weigh no more than 25 oz. for general use. I guess if I was really doing heavy chopping that would change, but I don't do much of that. The CS khuk is about 23 oz, so it's really a good size. Good luck.
 
TwinStick said:
I own an Ontario Spec-Plus Kukri. I LOVE it. That being said, if you compare them to a true HI Khukuri there is no comparison, because they are apples & oranges. True HI owners will not even call the OKC Spec-Plus version a Khukuri, they call them KLO's (Khukuri Like Object). My OKC SP is 1/4" thick at the spine. HI ones can be 1/2" thick or more (not a misprint).
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I was very careful in my request in the OP not to confuse a kukri machete with a kukri. I recognize there is a serious difference. I now recognize my request was very specific, and realize that it is because I love my new ontario pick hawk. It would be fantastic if I could find a kukri machete (my favorite type of machete) to match it. Unfortunately it doesn't sound like one is readily available.

Does anyone know what the Ontario or CS kukri machete looks like under the handles? Could the existing handles be cut off and replaced by micarta easily (without drilling? Are there already holes?). If I were to have the handles made, I'd love to be able to send a picture and measurements to the maker instead of the whole knife.


Also, JDK1 I appreciate the response and the recommendations. I'm aware of the cs kukri machete, and I'm sure it is great, but as I stated above, it turns out this post is less about finding a functional kuk machete (of which there are many, one of which I own) and more about finding one that matches my pick hawk.

Thanks for all the replies!
 
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Also note that the Ontario Kukri has a full flat grind. So, it's only 1/4" thick at the spine, and through the tang. I don't know what the tang actually looks like.
It's not poorly made, but it's grind leaves it a bit light,IMO. The Ka-Bar Kukri machete has more weight to it, a thinner stock, but it's flat(like a machete) with a hollow grind near the edge, and a V edge. If that makes sense.
 
foxx said:
Also note that the Ontario Kukri has a full flat grind. So, it's only 1/4" thick at the spine, and through the tang. I don't know what the tang actually looks like.
It's not poorly made, but it's grind leaves it a bit light,IMO. The Ka-Bar Kukri machete has more weight to it, a thinner stock, but it's flat(like a machete) with a hollow grind near the edge, and a V edge. If that makes sense.
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It does, especially since I have the Ka-Bar right here in front of me. Over time I've managed to make it convex at the very edge, but still I know what you mean. If I had my way, I'd want .25" stock with flat or convex grind near the edge.
 
A few of each:
Reinhardt kukri (good luck on finding this!)
BeckersOlder.jpg


Tora Budhune.
P1050288.JPG


I have the Budhune and it works very well cleaning the low-growing plants much like a parang, light and lively on hand.
 
JayGoliath said:
A few of each:
Reinhardt kukri (good luck on finding this!)
BeckersOlder.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice, so you're saying they do exist, I just can't have one. :)

I'd be all over a becker kukri.

I'll keep an eye out for those, thanks for the heads up.
 
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