comparing 3 big knives

1066vik

1066vik

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Nov 28, 2009
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Ok, Got me a new ESEE Junglas last week, a slightly used Condor kumunga off the exchange that arrived today, and a rehandled WWII machete I traded for a couple months back.
comparison photos:
all 3 in sheath, nekkid, comparing geometry, and thickness.
the Junglas is 3/16" thick plus powder coat.
Kumunga is supposed to be 3/16 or 5/32, but I don't believe it.
The Mr Shotty short chete is just under 1/8".
Spine on the chete is straight, the Kumunga has a slightly concave spine, and the Junglas has a slight offset to the handle so the sweet spot rides just a hair forward.
Grips on the Junglas (micarta) are very comfortable.
Grips on the Kumunga (polypro?) need work - I've got big hands and they're a bit too full for comfort - belt sander, here I come!
scales on the chete (cocobolo) are a bit small, but not uncomfortable.

If it ever stops raining, I'll post pics of some comparison cutting.
 

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Just got my Kumunga today new. I do have to say, it is 3/16 at the beginning of the blade, but gets slimmer soon there after. However, it fits my hand very well and feels comfortable without anywork to me.

Looking forward to the results.
 
HASSAN CHOP! All three look good, especially that machete! Let's see some action shots now you tease!
 
bump on this 'cause the condor and esee I like a lot! You get them out?
 
had a little bit of outdoor time between storms this weekend, and the kumunga is definitely the lightweight of the trio - but the grip is a LOT more comfortable in use than I thought it would be.
On thin woody stuff, all 3 performed admirably. Using a pinch grip all snap cut through stems up to 1/2" without much effort at all. At 3/4" thick, the Kumunga required a bit more focus/concentration to cut through, but it would do it. (as the lightest blade in this test, I was not surprised by this)
In addition to brush clearing, I chopped down a few 2" saplings to open things up and also tried batonning an 8" piece of firewood.
All 3 handled the batonning & saplings without any problem. The 2 thinner blades started much easier in the seasoned hardwood, but the Junglas had better "wedging" action. All 3 blades flexed in the wood, but returned to true.

The sheath on the Kumunga is nice. Thick leather, and tight - I'm actually hoping it loosens up a bit with time and use. The Junglas sheath is a very nice and versatile combination of kydex and nylon - check the ESEE website for better pictures and description than I'm able to do.

Yes, the Junglas is a better chopper, especially on well cured hardwoods, but all 3 did yeoman service on the honeysuckle I was clearing away from a walk-path.

One downside to the test - apparently I either hit a really hard knot, or a rock, as when I was cleaning the blades up Friday night, I noticed a ding up near the tip of the Kumunga -- the edge deformed/rolled, it did not chip, and I was able to clean it up some in a couple of minutes with an extra fine diamond, but there is definitely a nick in the blade now. (no damage to the Junglas or the `chete)

So far, the Junglas is my favorite due to combination of handle comfort, balance, and weight for cutting through things, with the cut down WWII machete in second, but the Kumunga is not lagging the machete by much so far. For the price point, I'm pretty impressed with what it's done so far. (I REALLY like the Junglas, though - even at 4 or 5 times the price of the Kumunga)

Pictures of the knives in use will happen once the weather settles down a bit. More to come if it ever stops raining here - I have a bunch of downed stuff I need to clear out. (which will also include quite a bit of quality chainsaw time)
 
Interesting tests. I actually got to use the Junglas and Kumunga today. I didn't do much, as I didn't feel well, however, the obvious weight difference didn't lead itself to as much of a difference as I thought it would. I couldn't tell easily that the Junglas was the better chopper. It was, it is just not as easy to tell as I would have thought it would have been.

I will definitely do more testing these two against each other, as I want to get a definitive answer as to the chopping difference in the two.

Thanks for sharing :thumbup:
 
TheGame said:
Interesting tests. I actually got to use the Junglas and Kumunga today. I didn't do much, as I didn't feel well, however, the obvious weight difference didn't lead itself to as much of a difference as I thought it would. I couldn't tell easily that the Junglas was the better chopper. It was, it is just not as easy to tell as I would have thought it would have been.

I will definitely do more testing these two against each other, as I want to get a definitive answer as to the chopping difference in the two.

Thanks for sharing :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good idea for a thread.

I'll be looking for your results and pics.
 
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