Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri San Mai III vs SK-5

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dandaub20

Joined
Mar 5, 2012
Messages
98
I've been wanting a Cold Steel Gurkah Kukri for a long time. Just debating on if the extra 200 bucks roughly is worth the stainless steel San Mai III AKA VG-1. Or is SK-5 decent stuff? I'm familiar with other steels mainly stainless because I'm more into folders. Any input would be greatly appreciated
 
Sk5 is high carbon steel and is tough enough for chopping wood. I'm sure the San Mai III is better but the price difference is a no go.
 
If you want a REAL khukri go checkout the Himalayan Imports sub-forum. Real khukris made in Nepal by Nepalese bladesmiths. You not only get a great tool design that has been around hundreds of years but you support a 3rd world cottage industry/art. Check out the KLVUK's or the "Deal of the Day" or blems. My first was a 16"X18oz "Village Ugly Knife". A basic finish, real world working tool.--KV
 
I'm an owner of 20+ Himalayan imports blades so you're preaching to the choir. As far as a modern kukri goes the Cold Steel Gurkha kukri is the way to go. As a second you can buy the Ontario kukri for about $70.

If the OP wants to look into a traditional kukri than yes be sure to check out the Himalayan Imports sub forum here on bladeforums.
 
I have himalayan and cold steel in sk-5 i prefer my cs. as far as the 2 steels id go sk-5 if u planing on hitting wood or bone. put a nice convex edge on her and she's beautiful. if u stricktly thinking home defence or tactical and are going to want that nice high grind convex that the sanmai has and dont care about mobey then go for that. but for outdoors use i backpack through northern ontario for multiple week trips and have never had a rust prob with my kukri. tho i do always either blue or mustard patina my carbon steels.
 
You could hold off a bit. Cold Steel is putting one out in O1 steel this year. Supposedly the price won't be much more than their SK5 version is now.

CSO1Page_zps0790b97a.jpg
 
I handled a natchez bowie at a store once in SK-5, it was plenty sharp and I sure would hold up fine. Save your shekels and sip the san mai
 
Here is the issue, CS has already proven that their std steels will break at changes in direction due to stress risers in the steels. I love CS designs, but I find that the only CS's worth buying are the San Mai blades because the lamination covers for the improper design that causes stress risers.
 
cobalt has a point. but i've pushed mine extremely hard and havn't had a failure. I have a fallkniven a1 which is also a laminate and havn't had any of the brittle chipping issues people always bitch about and i've dinged my share of rock and bone. dont know how the sanmai stacks up to the vg10
 
kvaughn said:
If you want a REAL khukri go checkout the Himalayan Imports sub-forum. Real khukris made in Nepal by Nepalese bladesmiths. You not only get a great tool design that has been around hundreds of years but you support a 3rd world cottage industry/art. Check out the KLVUK's or the "Deal of the Day" or blems. My first was a 16"X18oz "Village Ugly Knife". A basic finish, real world working tool.--KV
Click to expand...

Already have a REAL khukri from Nepal. I want a tacticool one :)
 
spareparts said:
You could hold off a bit. Cold Steel is putting one out in O1 steel this year. Supposedly the price won't be much more than their SK5 version is now.

CSO1Page_zps0790b97a.jpg
Click to expand...


I didnt know that. I definitely am going to wait. Thanks a bunch. And thanks to everyone else who responded. Love hearing other peoples opinions on certain knife related subjects
 
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