Cold Steel or Himilayan Import ??

Grego

Grego

Joined
Apr 22, 2007
Messages
402
I would like to get a Kukri, and have noticed that not too many manufacturers make one. I do not like the look of the Kabar, so that leaves HI or Cold Steel, and I refuse to pay the asking price for the CS SanMai III version which leaves the SK-5 or HI.

The leaf spring steel that HI uses...what is this steel close to in comparision and how does the HI compare to the SK-5 CS Kukri?
 
Not even in the same class. Design-wise, HI kukris are real kukris. CS kukris are a more "modern-machete-like" interpretation of the original kukri design.

Quality-wise, feel an HI and you'll see. They're an indestructible chunk of solid, but sharp, carbon steel. And properly heat treated.
 
HI is vastly superior to CS: it's not even close.
 
HI > CS

The Kamis are masters of their craft. Every knife is hand made, start to finish, with craftsmen paying attention to every detail. HI was founded on the principle of bringing honest work to hard-up people by producing high-quality products at reasonable prices. Cold Steel...meh.

The steel HI uses is probably 5160-esque. If memory serves, they buy large lots of used BMW truck springs from India to forge into khukuris.
 
Go with HI, you are getting a custom every time, and they stand behind the product.
 
WOW!!! you folks must really like their Kukris's. This has been a very convincing thread.

What about the handle material...horn or wood? as far as durability and the ability to resists the elements?
 
Another vote for HI.

They look better too. You help poor people to live and you don't get a plastic handle.

The only con is that they are addictive :S
 
Grego said:
WOW!!! you folks must really like their Kukris's. This has been a very convincing thread.

What about the handle material...horn or wood? as far as durability and the ability to resists the elements?
Click to expand...

I LOVE my HI's and I really dont have as many as others here. All of mine are "flawed" with handle cracks and what not 2nds if you will(offered over at the HI forum from time to time). But they work fine and i have noticed no problem.

The only thing I have noticed is there ability to stain. They stain fairly easy at least for me if I dont keep em nice and oiled. As long as you take care of em at the end of the day you should be alright.
 
I've had problems with my horn handles cracking on me, so I'd say to go with wood.

Others may feel different though . . .

EDIT: the real question is hidden or full tang?
The hidden tang is VERY thick on these knives and will easily take whatever you throw at it, but the full tang makes the knife a suitable pry-bar.

Some say that the hidden tang absorbs vibrations from chopping much better. I tend to agree with this assessment.
 
With HI khuks, you have to keep it cleaned and oiled unless you patina the blade and, with hard use, occassionally a chipped edge that takes some time to sharpen out. What I'd be shocked if you ever saw with an HI khuk is this:

P1300014resize.jpg


I've only ever seen (video of) one HI khuk that truly failed. And it bent after being over-torqued. The CS ltc khukri above snapped like a very brittle twig and dinged like a hitting a metal plate when it let go.

Go with HI.
 
On top of everything said here, HI offers a lifetime warranty on all khuks to the original owner of the khuk...not this 5 years business that cold steel offers.

HI khuks are made from 1095 truck springs. The kamis (bladesmith) try to harvest Mercedes truck springs if at all possible. Each khuk is hand forged, fitted, and finished. If you want the "real deal", you need to get an HI.

I've owned a couple of Cold Steel's KLO's (Khuk-like objects;)). They aren't bad at all, really. But they are just a khukuri shaped knife. I've never had one fail on me, but I've never wrenched on a CS KLO like I have my khuks from HI.

As far as handle material goes, it's all personal preference. Horn tends to look a little silky or glossy, but is sometimes slick (easily fixed with some sand paper). Wood is much more "mod-able" where you can sand, stain, and seal it to your liking. As far as hidden or exposed/slab (called Chiruwa by HI) tang, either one is fine. You'd have to be a gorilla to break either other them. I have both, and like both just about equally as well.

If you have any specific questions about HI khuks, the different models, or want more first hand experience, stop by the HI forum and ask a question or two:)
 
Go with HI. No question.
Go over to the HI forum and look through the picture thread, find the style you like and call Yangdu. You will be glad you did if you want a Kuk that you can depend on. HI service is also second to none in my experience.
 
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