Bolo style

[wlf]

Bolo style knives are very popular in S.E. Asia. To many of us, our first introduction to this type knife was the terribly designed bolo knife that was issued in WW2. The kukri is a bolo design that has a more pronounced crook. At first glance this style knife looks a little ungainly to many westeners, but after you've been around some of the native people of S.E. Asia and seen them use it for everything from food preparation, to clearing brush you tend to change your mind. Great weapon too, of course. My favorite rendition of this style was the one Al Mar did called the Pathmaker. Al Mar put a false edge on the top of the knife which made it more valuable as a weapon. There are two versions of the Pathmaker, one a little bigger than the other. I like the one with the ten inch blade.
Comments? Leigh

 

[satin]

I like the Kukri, and the bolo both.
For a large outdoors blade, that might have to double as a defensive tool, I'd pick a bolo, a little more stab easy than a kukri, and my ideal design has a sharpened rear edge, for CQC work... not a terribly big one tho, 8 to 9 inches blade length, 1/4" stock, plenty of weight, but not an overly long blade, easier handling, even for a big weighty knife.

For a pure outdoors knife, a kukri, and larger, single edged Bolo... I like my kuk... but I know my limitations with it, and one is, I cant fight worth a damn with it, my "westerner" hands have Bowie use in their blood and a kuk' handles differently. I know Gurkha's make damn good use of 'em, but for me, they handle great for chopping, and would for lopping too... but the way I weild a blade for fighting, they have their limitations for me (any really blade heavy knife does, but a bolo like I preffer, would offer a nice compromise for me I believe.)

 

[GREENJACKET]

I agree with satin, that as a westerner I prefer straighter blades for most work. For me traditional kukris work best and are superb chopping tools. I struggle using them for finer work

The kukri design may well have originated from the Greek copis which was used to attack the enemy's head. The attack went over the top of shields, unlike the Roman attack that went for the knees. Before steel swords were made, copper swords were used and the copis design worked with this softer metal. It is a strong design.

The Nepalese attack with a kukri is more of a clever attack than the formal European and Eastern sword systems we would recognised. Infanty, weilding kukris, is akin to the Highland charge or bayonet charge. Highly effective as such momentum is desperately difficult to check so long as the attackers continue to push home irrespective of some losses. A determined kukri attack even in untrained hand is very difficult to counter.

 

[Sierra912]

Have always enjoyed a good kukri ever since FK did some extensive coverage of this bladeform years past. Bill Martino brings some of the finest kukris around into the country, and for a more than fair price.

I presently use a very simple golok that has been professionally sharpened (i.e. had a working edge put on it). OD nylon scabbard, Brit issue. Wonderful camp and field knife for heavy terrain. Superb CQB instrument. Teamed up with my ATC VN Tomahawk I now have a very functional edged tool/weapon "kit" on hand regardless of environment.

Kelly Worden is teaching Combat Machete tactics and techniques to special operations personnel. The machete he uses in training is of medium length and has a flat back. Again, inexpensive but time proven tool/weapon in trained hands and very easy to come by or replace nearly anywhere where a machete is a necessary item.

The kukri requires some work to get the hang of but once this has been accomplished it is a wonderful tool/weapon. Many variations of the blade on the market today so shopping around is encouraged. However, if you're wanting a truly good kukri Bill Martino is the man to get one from.

 

[Crayola]

I am a bit pressed for time, but I'll post more later.

I have an article (I am pretty sure it is in an old SOF issue) of a US Army officer who discovered khukuris. He set up a training program to train himself and his "group" in the use of the khukuri. Khukuris became his preferred Sentry Removal tool.

I'll post more later!

Oh, anyone try the Brigade Quartermasters khukuri?