Atlanta cutlery goverment issue kukri

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Kevin the grey

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
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I am looking at the goverment issue regimental kukri . It seems well made . are they a good choice . Also it has a hardwood handle .Are they more or less durable than the buffalo horn handles ? I would rather have a buffalo horn handle . It seems to only be available on the officers model which seems to be a light duty model .
 
you will find much better quality in a knife from Hi Imports--as far as the handles being durable--the wood and horn are both equal i think--i perfer the horn myself :eek: :) :eek:
 
I try to find hi imports on the web . I come up with no links on a google search . The goverment regiment kukri is a $ 25 knife . How much are the hi imports ?
 
Go to the Himilayan Imports forum here at Bladeforums. It's under "Manufacturers"...

From there you can find a link to the H.I. site.

There are "deals of the day" (not everyday) that are quite reasonable considering you are getting a quality handmade tool that will last you for the rest of your life if you don't abuse it. They are impressive tools and a formidable weapon.
The H.I. Kukri are a far better product than any other. There is a reason they are the most sought after...quality.
There is a wealth of info on the H.I. forum...stop in and say hi!
 
Those HI products are definitely quality . I do not consider a knife that is five times the price to be a little more money .I have no doubt I would be more than satisfied with their quality . I must refrain from looking much beyond the price of the goverment issue to satisfy my needs .
What I need to know is if the goverment issues are of adequate quality in their own right . Are they just banged out or will they grace a hunting camp as a valued tool ?
 
When you go the HI forum, look for posts by Yangdu (the wonderful lady that runs Himalyan Imports) that say "Deals for ....", where the .... is a date. You will find some excellent deals, but you have to be quick to get an email off to her. These items are taken very quickly. She makes these posts a few times a month.
 
But found after much research and extremely strong opinion, that the Himilayan Imports, though cheaper, in my case were considered better. I know that you are looking at a Atlanta Cutlery, but on other forums, have heard bad things about their Khuks. Really bad things.

I wanted to pay a lot more for a machine made Khukri (over $200) from Cold Steel, but found after a lot of research as well, that the lower cost, but better made HI was the way to go. Plus, you'll get something handmade and no two are the same.

Just go to the Himilyan Imports forum and see. Spend some dough, own something that's a conversation piece, and a users knife for life.

Your profile says you "don't have hobbies, you have passions", well these are passionate people who make the knives, and passionate owners. I have rarely seen such strong feelings on knives other that Busse and Chris Reeve owners.

This knife is coming from some guys half way around the world to you!


Cliff
 
I've owned an Atlanta Cutlery Khuk in the past and I have some Khuk's from HI.

The Atlanta Cutlery piece is worth what you pay for it. Caveat emptor...

The HI's are worth every nickel you pay for them. They are very good pieces for the money. They are tough, hold edges very well, virtually replaces a hatchet/small axe and you get something hand forged that would cost you three time what you paid for it if you bought it US made. They are worth it even if you have to scrimp a little to get one.
 
Kevin the grey said:
Those HI products are definitely quality . I do not consider a knife that is five times the price to be a little more money .I have no doubt I would be more than satisfied with their quality . I must refrain from looking much beyond the price of the goverment issue to satisfy my needs .
What I need to know is if the goverment issues are of adequate quality in their own right . Are they just banged out or will they grace a hunting camp as a valued tool ?
Click to expand...

Here ya go Bud.It is made with the finest Pakistan steel.Buy it now for only a nickel,and it even comes with a free item.Go for it! :D

http://cgi.ebay.com/GENUINE-GURKHA-...558157724QQcategoryZ88922QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
Admittedly I'm a big fan of HI but they've been recommended enough in this thread already. You asked about AC, so here goes...

I kinda mini-reviewed an Assam Rifles a ways back.

Clicky.

I still feel pretty much the same today - it's worth the money, but no more. And remember, there are better khukuris being made. Don't make the mistake of thinking that AC's khukuris are representative of the genre.

Will the AC's grace a hunting camp as a valued tool? It depends on how much work you're planning on doing with it. I'd be surprised if one broke through casual useage but plan on doing a lot of sharpening.

What kinds of tasks are you expecting to perform in the camp?
 
I owned an atlanta cutlery kukri and it lasted about a month of chopping. The handle totally disintegrated and the blade bent. the edge sucked and when I sharpened it, it would not hold as the steel was to soft. Even the ghurka house kukri was much better for not much more. But the HI kukri is by far beyond equal. My 15 inch AK has been through years of abuse (about 7 I think). Can't beat that.
 
The wood-handled, full-width/length tang khukuri you are describing is a poor replica of a khukuri issued late in WWII (often called a "K-45"). The issue khukuri, in Indian and UK units, has had a horn handle and hidden full tang for decades. Atlanta knows better but . . . . .
 
Well gentlemen , I cannot help but feel that the Atlanta version of the kukri just doesn,t cut it . I don,t mind an inexpensive knife if it does an adequate job . From what I have read it barely qualifies . For the moment I wiill look into HI imports bargains and wait until one comes my way . I am glad to see the knife got a valid review and was not looked down on because of its price .Thanks
 
Kevin the Grey,

My first Khukuri was the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri w/Concealex sheath. Good blade, but after a discussion on Sword Forum International, where I mostly dwell, I learned of Khukuri House, located here:

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/

After learning all that I could, I ordered their Operation Iraqi Freedom Khukuri (OIFK). Cost of the knife was $49.99 USD, and S&H of $34.32, for a total of $84.31.USD. Time from order to delivery, 15 days.

All it needed, for me at least, was a sharper blade, and the same on the small skinning knife. I cleaned it up, then instead of using a coat of oil, used Mother's Carnuba Wax. This is a practice I use on all of my blades- from swords to smallest knives... Works a charm in protecting metals and leather in salt air, humid land...

How does the OIFK compare to the Cold Steel? Better in every way. The Cold Steel offering cost me $229.99 PLUS S&H... Which one do I like better? The OIFK from Khukuri House... Check 'er out here:

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/C...p?PID=a8baa56554f96369ab93e4f3bb068c22|5f4448

The tempering is differential, the spine is a solid 9mm until the last 1.67" from the point (where it rapidly moves to the point), the weight is about 26oz., and the blade is 11" in length... Very nice weight, balance, and "feel." Transitioning to a different angle of attack, while IN the attack, is not difficult. This blade is truly a joy to work with...

True, the Khukuri House OIFK is not the same cost as Windlass' offering through Atlanta Cutlery, but one heckuva blade... Again, IMHO, better in every way than the CS Gurkha Kukri...

Take care, stay safe, and have fun...

Carter
 
You are really comparing apples and oranges.

The Indian Army kukri is a barely adequate knife designed to be cheaply replaced when lost, stolen, broken, etc.
 
The khukuri made in Nepal are not through-hardened and then differentially tempered, leaving some areas less hard than the edge.

They are differentially hardened, leaving the unhardened areas dead soft. The hardened area ("sweet spot") is tempered by the residual left heat in the blade after the partial quenching -- if the smith knows and applies his craft.

I cannot help but observe that an HI "village" model, superior in f & f to the "Freedom" model, would cost less delivered. You would then be dealing with a U.S. representative (Aunt Yangdu, with Uncle Bill's passing) of a company with an unsurpassed reputation for both quality and warranty support. (Trouble is, folks rarely buy just one -- or two -- or three.)

In any case, purchase of a Nepal-made model sends $$ to one of the poorest nations on earth.
 
I purchased a few Atlanta Cutlery "knives and swords" back in the mid 90`s, including the govt issue kukri and I think that I can sum up the quality through the following... :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: !! Hey what can I say, I was a dumb kid back then. Now in Atlanta Cutlery`s defense, they do sell a few quality NAME BRANDS, but they seem to pride themselves in also selling the most godawful crap from Pakistan, China, and India. I am sure for a few dollars more, a much higher quality kukri can be found. I believe that Ontario in their Spec-Plus line offers a kukri in the 30-40$ range.
 
I own 5 HI Khukris and one sword. I have used the 12 inch model for several years while roaming the woods of Northern Michigan. This kinfe is carried in a handmade sheath by T. Sisco. The knives are lovely and functional but please note that quality control is not always the greatest from HI. If you get a knife from them that has a loose handle (like I did) or other problems with the sheath (like I did) be prepared to send them back to HI. They (HI) are easy to deal with but sometimes I read reviews of thier products and they are made out to be perfect...they are not. Thier kinves are not always sharpened when a customers gets them, and you must do this yourself. I have a new 12 kuk that came in that condition and I have having a hard time getting a good edge on it. The heat treating may not be the best on some of thier kinves, be prepared, but my other HI 12 incher takes an edge quickly and keeps it.

If you want a kuk that is made to exacting US standards, sharp out of the box without any surprises, I would stay away form HI, maybe look at Cold Steel's offering. If you want a truly handmade, handforged, beautiful and deadly blade that may not be perfect and may need some work....HI are great.
 
If one wishes to buy a somewhat kukuri-shaped object like that sold as "Cold Steel," just but the same product labeled Ontario. You will save mucho $$$ -- and still have a somewhat kukri-shaped object with Ontario's QC. As to the latter, you might want to research the reputation of that QC.
 
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