BK9 or Junglas?

If you are going to get a Kukri, get the real deal at HI.

Carrying in/on a pack.... do you count ounces? This is where compromise comes into play (size, weight, chopping ability, ease of carry, etc). You like one thing and you believe it better for your purposes, but it weighs more. I suspect you are better off with a more traditional knife shape and it really depends on how much chopping you think you might be doing. The Condor Pack Golok (or one of similar size and shape) is a good choice, but it weights about 2 lbs. The Condor sheaths overall are pretty good. Or go with a 12" Ontario machete which run about $20. I just don't care much for their handles and love the Condor golok handle shape for comfort. We are also back to your original BK-9 and Junglas decision perhaps.
 
matthew.brian.smith1 said:
I came in here looking for recommendations between two big knives, but I ended up getting a bit of an education on a type of blade I'd never looked into before. That's why I like this place! With khukuri's in mind, I've found a couple by KHHI that look interesting. Not too big, not to small, etc. Thoughts on these:

http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=323332f1676
http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=3936f65111
http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=313630fc5113
http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=313638f87
http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=323136fd3d10

Again, this is meant to be carried on my pack as a chopper, to augment my BK7 and Mora. Thanks again, to all of you!

mbs
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This is my woods knife.:

http://www.thekhukurihouse.com/catalog/product.php?id=313633fc812
 
If you've got the cash for a Junglas and want a kukri, avoid the khukuri house and go with Himalayan Imports. The knives are more expensive, but you don't pay the $40 international shipping from KHHI, and you get a better blade. KHHI makes good kukris, but HI makes great kukris.

And if you're lucky, you can grab a blemish kukri off their forum here for around 30% less than the stuff in there store costs. They typically have minor issues like a small crack in the handle that has been repaired. They still function perfectly though.
 
Grease said:
If you've got the cash for a Junglas and want a kukri, avoid the khukuri house and go with Himalayan Imports. The knives are more expensive, but you don't pay the $40 international shipping from KHHI, and you get a better blade. KHHI makes good kukris, but HI makes great kukris.

And if you're lucky, you can grab a blemish kukri off their forum here for around 30% less than the stuff in there store costs. They typically have minor issues like a small crack in the handle that has been repaired. They still function perfectly though.
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I must disagree. if you take a close look at the detail of the Kukris from both you will note that many are the same. I have long suspected that HI buys at least some of it's stock from Kukri House.

Sure, HI is more expensive because they have already added the shipping charges they paid into the retail cost of their kuks. Then you get to pay additional freight from HI to you.

KH makes the real thing. No question about it. HI is just an importer.

The one advantage with HI is that they have US offices. I suppose that might count for any returns. The sole time I had an issue with KH was with a loose scabbard. They mated the wrong scabbard to the knife. I emailed a video of the kuk falling out of the scabbard. KH sent not only a new scabbard, but a free kukri to go along with it. I call that good customer service.
 
Contrary to what everyone else is saying, I think the Junglas and BK9 are the same in chopping ability. I have owned both 6 months ago, but now I only have the bk9. The Junglas feels much better in the hand though. The balance is just amazing. I remember picking it up for the first time and was just shocked at how balanced it felt. No other knife has done that for me. Alas, the bk9 kept up with it in chopping ability and excelled tad more in smaller tasks so I sold it. I might buy one again in the future lol..
 
ready73 said:
I would say the Junglas because it's thicker than the BK-9 and it still has the length. or an other option is an axe or hatchet like the Wetterlings wildlife hatchet.
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The Junglas and BK9 are both 3/16. (Kabar versions of the BK9)
 
mitch_mckee said:
I must disagree. if you take a close look at the detail of the Kukris from both you will note that many are the same. I have long suspected that HI buys at least some of it's stock from Kukri House.

Sure, HI is more expensive because they have already added the shipping charges they paid into the retail cost of their kuks. Then you get to pay additional freight from HI to you.

KH makes the real thing. No question about it. HI is just an importer.

The one advantage with HI is that they have US offices. I suppose that might count for any returns. The sole time I had an issue with KH was with a loose scabbard. They mated the wrong scabbard to the knife. I emailed a video of the kuk falling out of the scabbard. KH sent not only a new scabbard, but a free kukri to go along with it. I call that good customer service.
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I have to correct the above. HI IS a manufacturer. Yangdu Martino, the owner, began the company with her late husband Uncle Bill (who was there with the US Peace Corps) as a vehicle to assist the horribly poor people of Nepal. And this they do as best they can by providing a paycheck, as well as paying for kamis children to attend school, providing medical care for kamis and their families, hosting holiday "cookouts" often attended by street orphans, etc. Yangdu is from Nepal and her father is a former Gurkha (Assam Rifles). They run two shops in Nepal and have their own kamis, not kamis who wander around selling their wares. If HI sells a non-HI khuk, Yangdu clearly states it is from one of the Dahran kamis and not an HI. This is relatively rare, but it does happen when her shop runs acrossa khuk they think HI customers will like. Also, HI's customer service is impeccable. I haven't dealt with the khukuri houses. I understand them to be owned by one family with multiple online storefronts. I cannot attest to the quality of their products. I have read many, many reports of folks buying them and later saying the wish they had just gone with HI in the beginning. I have heard some positive reports though, so there are some happy customers. I can say that the khukuri houses are stealing designs (not a huge deal in the knife business I reckon) and cutting and pasting item descriptions directly from the HI and Tora websites, which is unexceptable in my book. This will keep me from buying their products. The bottom line is that HI makes, designs, and supports their own khukuri. Their US agent is the owner, Yangdu, and you will be dealing with her personally from start to finish and the HI US office is her home in Reno. She is known as "Auntie" around here. It is a term of endearment used for a reason. No offense Mitch, I just wanted to get that corrected. I'm glad you're here because the authentic Nepali khukuri crowd here is strong:) You should give HI a try yourself. One can never have too many khuks!

To the OP, HI has been selling some nice "user" blemished khuks on the DOTD recently for great prices. When Auntie says "hairline crack likely to go nowhere", she means it. I have never heard of anyone being sorry they tried HI and everyone needs at least one Nepali khuk:D. Take care.
 
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jdk1 said:
I have to correct the above. HI IS a manufacturer. Yangdu Martino, the owner, began the company with her late husband Uncle Bill (who was there with the US Peace Corps) as a vehicle to assist the horribly poor people of Nepal. And this they do as best they can by providing a paycheck, as well as paying for kamis children to attend school, providing medical care for kamis and their families, hosting holiday "cookouts" often attended by street orphans, etc. Yangdu is from Nepal and her father is a former Gurkha (Assam Rifles). They run two shops in Nepal and have their own kamis, not kamis who wander around selling their wares. If HI sells a non-HI khuk, Yangdu clearly states it is from one of the Dahran kamis and not an HI. This is relatively rare, but it does happen when her shop runs acrossa khuk they think HI customers will like. Also, HI's customer service is impeccable. I haven't dealt with the khukuri houses. I understand them to be owned by one family with multiple online storefronts. I cannot attest to the quality of their products. I have read many, many reports of folks buying them and later saying the wish they had just gone with HI in the beginning. I have heard some positive reports though, so there are some happy customers. I can say that the khukuri houses are stealing designs (not a huge deal in the knife business I reckon) and cutting and pasting item descriptions directly from the HI and Tora websites, which is unexceptable in my book. This will keep me from buying their products. The bottom line is that HI makes, designs, and supports their own khukuri. Their US agent is the owner, Yangdu, and you will be dealing with her personally from start to finish and the HI US office is her home in Reno. She is known as "Auntie" around here. It is a term of endearment used for a reason. No offense Mitch, I just wanted to get that corrected. I'm glad you're here because the authentic Nepali khukuri crowd here is strong:) You should give HI a try yourself. One can never have too many khuks!

To the OP, HI has been selling some nice "user" blemished khuks on the DOTD recently for great prices. When Auntie says "hairline crack likely to go nowhere", she means it. I have never heard of anyone being sorry they tried HI and everyone needs at least one Nepali khuk:D. Take care.
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No offense taken. I reserve the right to be incorrect at least daily. :D
 
mitch_mckee said:
No offense taken. I reserve the right to be incorrect at least daily. :D
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Good deal Mitch, I find if I'm wrong more often than right, people will leave me alone;) If you haven't visited already, let me cordially invite you to visit the HI forum and Cantina. You will find like-minded folks there where the topic is all things khukuri! Take care.
 
jdk1 said:
Good deal Mitch, I find if I'm wrong more often than right, people will leave me alone;) If you haven't visited already, let me cordially invite you to visit the HI forum and Cantina. You will find like-minded folks there where the topic is all things khukuri! Take care.
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Thanks for your invite, jd
 
I know I'm a bit late to this party, but thought I'd add my two cents.

I'll echo what others have said about the BK9 and the Junglas. They're both great, but between them they seem to define the divide between knife and machete. I personally have a BK9 and have been very happy with it.

Your BK7 can chop a fair amount on its own, and while the BK9 will undoubtedly be better, I don't think its worth carrying both of those large pieces of steel at the same time on foot. Also, I would venture to say that if you're looking for something to help process firewood that can be easily taken in or on a pack, that I would actually suggest taking a look at a small folding saw.

For me, if a piece of wood is bigger than roughly wrist/forearm thickness I'll usually forget about trying to chop it and use the folding saw instead. Its not that the BK9 can't tackle anything bigger, its just that after about that size, it becomes much more work than its worth if you have something else better for the job.

If I'm not mistaken, Ethan Becker (designer of the Becker knives) said that he had roughly that 4-6in diameter of wood in mind when designing the BK9. The BK9 is supposed to help you build a shelter very quickly, and for outdoor shelter building you don't generally need anything much larger than that size.

I take my folding saw to cut the wood, and the BK9 to chop (for fun) and split wood for kindling. In your kit, the BK7 could fill the same role and all you need to do is pick up a cheap 6-8 in folding saw and you'll be good to go.

If you're somewhere with lots of underbrush, then maybe you should be looking for a machete instead of a large knife or saw.

Good luck with whatever you do :).
 
Yup. I have a little experience with the CS kukri machette. Thicker that most machetes. Bilg curved design that is very efficient. Not much to fail. 1095 (or so) tool steel. good chopper. cheap!!!!

i bought three, gave two to my daughter & her husband for zombie defense, and have another in the emergency pack in one of the cars.

Do reccomend.
 
matthew.brian.smith1 said:
Does anyone have any experience with the Kabar Kukri? How about the CS Kukri Machete? Thanks!

mbs
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Kabar kukri machete is great. I get that it's not a real kukri, but whatever - it chops like a frigger. Gave mine to my best friend (who lacked a large chopper) but you could do worse than one of those.

---

Beckerhead #42
 
Have 'em both. I like the grip (I have the micarta scales) and the speed of the BK-9. Nothing wrong with the Junglas though. They're both great choppers.
 
I have owned and used an Ontario RTAC II for a few years now and love it. I picked it up slightly used from a neighbor friend, i think the RTAC II is basically the same design as the ESEE Junglas but dont quote me on it. I checked out the BK9 a few months ago and it was very nice, only problem for me was that the BK9 just has a small handle and dosnt seem to accomodate large hands very well, other than that i liked it and the BK9 has a nicer sheath than my RTAC II but ther are many kydex custom sheaths out ther.
 
First off, thanks to everyone for their input. I was shown a different direction into which I looked (kukri) and decided to give one a try. I opted for the Ontario Kukri.

http://www.ontarioknife.com/catalog/item/319

Not a true Kukri, I know, but I figured it would at least introduce me into a type of blade I'd never considered, much less had any experience with.

Again, thank you for your help and input. It should be here in a couple of days. You know I'll post pics when I get to take it out!

mbs
 
I own the Camillus version of the BK9 and the Junglas ..(along with many others, SOG tigershark SEKI original version, cold steel carbon v trailmaster, Blackjack MAMBA, Gerber BMF, and so on.. and so on....) I am kinda long in the tooth as they say.


I must say for me I prefer the Junglas over the BK9... mainly for the balance , handle and sheath... Both are great knives.... Both will chop.... But the Junglas is something different and very different than what I have owned in the past... It feels natural... Balance is excellent... and the sheath is perfect...

Definitely not a safe queen... but it is and feels like it is made to be used.

But hey...one knife guy's opinion..

TAO
 
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