Cold Steel San Mai 3 Gurkha Kukri

O

Oxydrene24

Joined
Sep 15, 2008
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:thumbup:

Hi bros out there, kinda new in the forum, so pls forgive me for any mistakes i make along the way.

Just got my Cold Steel San Mai 3 Gurkha Kukri (35ATCJ). Excelent workmanship especially on the grinds. Razor sharp from bottom to the tip. Wonderful kraton handle that ensures a good grip. Slices 5 pieces of paper like a penknife.

Tried it on my tatami ote ( 9 inch ). No problem, one strike, one clean cut. Definitely worth the $650 USD that i paid. Cos I live in thailand.

Any bros out there that have experiences with kukris are most welcome to share the pros and cons of this superb knife.

Cheers
 
Welcome to the forum! :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like fun hacking apart a tatami mat with a heavy blade like that. I actually have the CS kukri in Carbon V and I share your appreciation of it, and I especially like the modern handle design, though kraton can be hard on the hand after while without gloves.
 
Make as many mistakes as you want... ;)

I have a CS mini-kukri in Carbon V (I think). Its ideal for hacking back my tropical jungle...erm... garden. :D

If it was my money I think I would have preferred a Trail Master in San Mai but that kuk will do whatever the hell you ask it do I'm sure.

Enjoy!
 
I actually have 2 gurkha kukri's from cold steel, although they are the sk-5 type they are a impressive knife and I'm always on the lookout for a san mai or a carbon v,price has to right of course.
 
Really appreciate the quick responses brudders. Finally found a forum and community that shares the same passion for blades. :D

The carbon v CS kukris are no longer in production (pity). Personally I think that the carbon v model of the kukri in satin polish is CS original flagship model. Its cutting ability and edge retention are worth is $$. I am currently looking for one on the 2nd hand market.

The SK-5 high carbon kukris are 1080 carbon steel and have an ultra tough edge man, won't surprise me if they can outchop mid range katanas. hehe.

I love the San Mai trail master as well, saw it in the showroom the other day, thick and strong mune. Gives you the rambo battle feel. A high calibre piece.

My next piece would be the San Mai 3 Tai-pan. Its a double edge dagger. The tip and both edges look very impressive in the video they show.

Wondering if any bros can give me some advice or share some experiences. Cos I heard many bad reviews about double edged knives.

And sorry for being a little lengthy bros, as for the CS foldables range, I am considering the Black Talon and the Talwar. I do like the talwar but its just tat there was no graphic proof. Any bros out there care to share your experiences or recommendation? Maybe even other brands?

Cheers bros, very happy to join this forum. Btw, bro chasden tat's one huge mean NATCHEZ bowie you have there man. =)
 
Oxy, PM or email me -- I might be willing to let go my CS Gurkha Kukri in Carbon V (satin).

And thanks, yeah, the Natchez is very bad ass.
 
I like CS knives, but San Mai is a bit of a gimmack. VG-1 doesn't need any layering or sandwiching. Still, if you like the knife, keep it and don't think any less of it. It's attractive, tough and, as you've discovered, very sharp.
 
Confederate said:
I like CS knives, but San Mai is a bit of a gimmack. VG-1 doesn't need any layering or sandwiching. Still, if you like the knife, keep it and don't think any less of it. It's attractive, tough and, as you've discovered, very sharp.
Click to expand...

I've been strongly considering the purchase of one of these.
Please explain why you believe SM3 is a gimmick?
 
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The SM3 is a good breakthrough for CS. Alot of workmanship involved to do something like tat on a blade.

However, bro Confederate is not completely wrong either, I think wat bro Confederate means is that the 'core' blade of SM3 is made of VG-1 stainless steel and is already sufficient for many purposes, resistant to corrosion too.

In my opinion, the laminated sides of lower carbon steel further increases flexibility of blade and also resistance to corrosion.
=)
 
San Mai 3 is really blindingly shiny. People like shiny things...Porsches and such. I guess that could be construed as being not an important attribute. I think perhaps it is. It's aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
 
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I love CS gurkhas--period great weapons--but if im gonna work--hard--I use my himelayan imports anghola kuk---monster motherlover--hassan CHOP...

MY first CS kuk was Carbon V GK--then the great big long version of the ATC--the HTC

My wife bought me the san mai verion of the GK for xmas...I love it but easy to scratch

I usually polish it w/ 0000 wool and meguiars all metal polish and strop the edge..flings hair like a...well razor.

I gotta CS TM that has been WWWOOORRRRKKKK hardend rehandled and salivated over 4 20 yrs now.. the steel is almost crystalline lookin
 
Carbon V rusts easier on the edge ( less resistance corrosion ), cos its like super high carbon steel 1090. Very very strong and has edge resistance like HRC 60 plus plus.

SM3 is the like more modern piece that can withstand the tough elements of weather condition.
 
Can I jump in with a question for knowledgeable peeps...

I want to get a carbon version of the TrailMaster to hammer on.

What's the word on the new SK-5 steel? Is it worth hunting up a Carbon V version, ie, will it be substantially better?

Thanks!
 
SK-5 is good to go. Carbon V holds an edge a little longer, but that's about it for performance difference.
 
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