Buying an AFFORDABLE kukri

[unky_gumbi]

The picture has nothing to do with politics, it is a picture of one of the most respected and feared military units in history. How many people would rather die then not be chosen to serve their unit/country?

The blade's distinctive forward drop is intended to act as a weight on the end of the blade and make the kukri fall on the target faster and with more power. For attacking the kukri is most effective as a chopping, slashing weapon, though it can be used for stabbing.

In combat, the kukri is basically used in three different styles: stabbing with the point, slashing or chopping with the edge, and (rarely) throwing. Because it has an angular blade bending towards the opponent, the user need not create an angle in the wrist, which makes a kukri more comfortable as a stabbing weapon. Its heavy blade enables the user to inflict deep wounds and to cut through muscle and bone. Gurkhas were known for using the kukri to chop off an enemy soldier's head with one stroke.

A kukri may be used in stealth operations - to slash an enemy's throat, killing him instantly and also silently.

While most famed as for use in the military, the kukri is most commonly used as a woodcutting and general purpose tool, and is a very common agricultural and household implement in Nepal.
A kukri

Although a popular legend states that a Gurkha "never sheathes his blade without first drawing blood", the kukri is most commonly employed as a multi-use utility tool, rather like a machete. It can be used for building, clearing, chopping firewood, digging, cutting meat and vegetables, skinning animals, and opening tins.

The kukri also has a religious significance in the Nepali form of the Hindu religion. During the annual Dashain festival, kukris are ceremonially blessed.

 

[cziv]

The picture has nothing to do with politics, it is a picture of one of the most respected and feared military units in history. How many people would rather die then not be chosen to serve their unit/country?

Maybe in your country/mind/comic book collection they're the most feared military units in history.....who are they btw so I can revere and fear them as well?

Quote:
The blade's distinctive forward drop is intended to act as a weight on the end of the blade and make the kukri fall on the target faster and with more power. For attacking the kukri is most effective as a chopping, slashing weapon, though it can be used for stabbing.

The knife "stabs, slashes and chops." So does my $9.97 CheaperThanDirt heavy-use Bowie knife. It even got a 4.5 on the Noss destruction test. I'm sure it's capable of all those those feats and more. :thumbup:

Anyway let's talk kukris or move the thread to Prac/Tac.

The OP is looking for an Deal Spotting removed.

 

[orthogonal1]

When I look for kukri knives, I usually look for a "used" knife. Lots of British models out there.

The 'Bay is full of nice kukri knives that will serve fine for an introduction to the design in the $30 or so range delivered. I look for the made in India ones, but I have had good luck with ones made elsewhere. It isn't like the design is particularly unique.

I have gotten lucky locally, but this really depends on the stores visited.

Until you know you like the design, I would NOT recommend investing in one of the more expensive (greater than $50) versions. Besides, we are generally discussing inexpensive carbon steel here, not some high tech wonder metal.

 

[cziv]

In the first link of my last sentence "affordable kukri" has (supposedly) Government Issue Ghurka Kukris for about $50 on the 2nd page.

If you click on one you like, they all pop open to a window with an eBay auction. Like this one here. The are made in Nepal and look solid. ??

EDIT: Hey You Missed One! I got it for you though.

 

[Skytorn]

*picks up his kukri buying advice and gets the hell out of here*

 

[Bastid]

In the first link of my last sentence "affordable kukri" has (supposedly) Government Issue Ghurka Kukris for about $50 on the 2nd page.

If you click on one you like, they all pop open to a window with an eBay auction. Like this one here. The are made in Nepal and look solid. ??

EDIT: Hey You Missed One! I got it for you though.

I put too much time and effort in here to deal with your arrogance.

If you are not going to follow clear rules. Do not post. Since you got so upset over a warning. I thought you might like an infraction better.

 

[Karda]

*picks up his kukri buying advice and gets the hell out of here*

No need to run, Skytorn, just learn to ignore Trollish behavior. If you want a workhorse, H.I. is the way to go. It may be about double your price range, but the quality, service and warranty are the best in the khuk industry. You are welcome to browse the forum and ask any questions you need answered, there are a lot of knowledgeable folks, who are willing to help.

 

[SilverFoxKnows]

Skytorn, if you're patient and quick there are some great deals to be had over at HI. And I wouldn't worry about buying a blem. My oldest and most used khuk was a blem. There was a little filler in between the butt cap and the wood. And a spot of surface rust near the tip that came out with an SOS pad. I got it back in '02 and would trust my life to it.

Frank

 

[unky_gumbi]

I would like to apologize to the OP for letting myself get pulled into a senseless argument that was outside of the intent of his thread, but as Karda says put a little extra into your Khukuri or watch the blem list in the HI sub-forum and you will have a tool that will last you for years and give you hours of pleasure using it. I know that I got a lot of knife for the $100 I spent even though its not an HI, but my next one will be an HI

 

[Karda]

I would like to Apologise too. My intent was not to get into an argument, but just to help the OP spend his money in the wisest manner possible.

You got a very nice KH Khukuri from what I've seen, Unky.
It should serve you well.

 

[unky_gumbi]

Thanks its my bush tool of choice, had to do a little handle mod to get it right for me, I still want to try a HI though

 

[cziv]

My apologies all round if I hurt anyone's feelings or offended their sensibilities.

I just spent a bit reading the Rules of this forum, Spark's FAQ's and every other Rule I could find.

That said, I was at fault for posting a few links to "non-member" kukri pages. I didn't think much of it at the time since I see it in other threads.

I removed one myelf and I think that got interpreted for being smart a** but my intention was clowning around. I guess I won't do that again!

My opinion of the kukri as a proven but IMHO, "dated" war blade, is just that, my opinion. Others were offered that were 180 degrees opposed. That's good discussion to me anyway but not adressing the OP's question on price point.

Anyway, kukri's are most definitely amazing chopping machines / blades and in the search I made last night, I was amazed at the various prices I saw!

Some were as low as $10 and didn't look that bad. I found kukris in every price 10's 20's 30's 40's and so on up the ladder. Most claimed to be from Nepal. I don't know if that's good or bad but it sounded right.

Trusting the member's recommendations of the HI forum & company, they apparently have the best kukri's and with followers who swear by them. That's the kind of feedback that a company really wants for their products. A sure sign of quality is the volume of satisfied customers.

I imagine that if you want more than a cheap knock-off job like I got from Cold Steel, that's what you want to be saving for. $50 sounds really cheap too. Good luck on your kukri search Skytorn.

 

[erichsen]

For the price you are looking for (under $50) you can snag one of these from Atlanta Cutlery. -It is a solid, full visible tang monster with a 12" blade that's more than .25" thick. Made in India in the traditional fashion from truck springs.

It's not as nice as an HI blade, but it's good bang for buck IMHO. :thumbup:

...Or for even less money I picked up this cheapie at a surpluss store for tweny bucks. -also has a 12" blade that is around .30" thick at the spine, but it is fully flat ground like a CS kukri.

..I figure it'll make a good beater to throw in my trunk.

The top example looks to be a 13" Windlass Cutlery Assam Rifles model, definitely made in India, but as I understand it not particularly "hand made" other than perhaps riveting the rosewood handle slaps to the blade. I bought the same model for yard work, not wanting to damage my better examples. While these Windlass knives appear to have a decent temper (still a bit soft for my tastes though), the balance and grip are not quite right in my opinion and further, not all that comfortable without gloves. The included Chakmak and Karda look to be exactly the same, stamped out from sheet steel and epoxied into the small handles. The Karda/Chakmak are more or less useless, with blades that are extraordinarily thin, soft and with regard to the "Chakmak" won't be of much use in steeling the edge. Since these are accessories on a fairly large, heavy under $25.00 knife, you get what you pay for.

For general purpose 'round the house chopping, they are "adequate" examples, nothing more. I think I found mine online for perhaps $18.00. Some rasp work and sandpaper were necessary to get the ridges of the grip into a more comfortable shape and a file was necessary to bring the edge to a usable form, but for $18.00, to be expected. It is no replacement for my "real" Khukuris in terms of edge holding, ergonomics or quality of workmanship.

-E