ESEE Junglas VS Cold Steel Kukri SK5

S

sharp lupo

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Oct 11, 2010
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g__D5VuGGxE

I asked my GF for an early X-Mas gift this year and was promised a knife of my choice under $200. I told her I wanted a ESEE Junglas and showed her where she could buy one, she said Id have it the first week of Dec, what a girl huh!

Well today I happened to catch the new nutnfancy vid on the CS Kukri in SK5 and I am impressed! That thing is a beast and was going through tons of woods, and he said it chopped better than the ESEE Junglas but the Junglas is a great knife and hell will be reviewing it shortly. The ESEE has a better sheath system but thats not a deal maker for me.
I think I may go with the kukri it just seems like an all around better woods knife, plus kukris have one hell of a history behind the design.
They are about the same price.

I may just give her $100 and tell her I want both what the hell.
 
The Junglas is cheaper, has a nicer sheath (I know you said that didn't matter, but once you handle it you will be surprised), and has a better warranty. CS only warranty's their fixed blades for 5 years, and its only against manufacture defects, not break under use.

If you want both, then get both by all means. You can tell us which is better in a side by side. :thumbup:
 
I've always wanted a Kukri... Need to get one. ESEE, guys, please make one!

God bless,
Adam
 
I just got a Kukri today and I'd probably rather have the Junglas to be honest. I've not put this one though the tests yet (I destroyed a cheapo machete and just picked up two from a friend - one being this Kukri and we'll see how they do).

I've seen the Junglas in action, and its pretty impressive.
 
The Cold Steel in Sk5 I will get, but as it is now the ESEE Junglas is one of my favorite production big blades. I would say get the Junglas first and get the Khukri later.
 
jumpmonkey said:
I've always wanted a Kukri... Need to get one. ESEE, guys, please make one!

God bless,
Adam
Click to expand...

I think I'd rather see a DPX HEST in a 7-10" blade first, but yeah, a Kukri with Micarta handles sporting the ESEE name would be pretty cool.
 
My dad has a junglas and I had a CS kukri for a while so I guess Im decently educated so here goes

- fit finish and sheath goes to the junglas- the junglas has a nicer handle and finish overall. The junglas sheath system feels much better on the leg and is just more quality all around. Not to say the kukri isn't nice, but the junglas in just on another level of quality.

- How they feel- This is where I was surprised, It may be because I have small hands but the kukri's kraton handle is much more comfortable and ergeornomic than the junglas, but again if you have large hands it may be the opposite for you.

- Chopping ability- kukri wins this one. While I never got to use the junglas to chop, it is really light and very well balanced. Im sure it is a great chopper but I have never experienced anything like the kukri. The first swing I took with it it powered right through an inch and a half thick branch. One stroke. I chopped down a 5 in sapling in like 15 strokes. Seriously nothing chops like a kukri.

- Utility- The junglas is much better balanced and shaped for intricate or non chopping work. The kukri is very, very front heavy and it honestly feels more like a sword than a knife.

If I had to pick on i think I would pick the junglas. It has a lifetime warranty and looks soooooo bad@$$ :D Also uncoated SK5 will rust if you breathe on it. Seriously. I Am not buying anymore uncoated carbon blades after my experience with SK5. Always keep it oiled.

On the bright side with either one if you ever have someone try to rob you while carrying it you can fulfill the lifelong dream that everyone has of pulling out a huge blade and saying "Thats not a knife, THATS a knife" :)
 
I would try to find somebody with that same cold steel version and see if they would let you use to see if you like it. I have been interested in the cold steel myself. I have had HI, Kabars and both of cold steels machete kukris and have never liked them.

On the HI the handles really sucked and it wouldn't hold an edge at all then one the blade actually flew out of the handle. The Kabars needed improvement in the handles for me. The cold steels machete kukris didn't have enough weight to chop like it should.

The regular cold steel kukri has the crappy kraton handles. It would probably need the edge re-profiled as well. Re-handle it and re-profile the edge it would been an awesome tool I am sure. I would interested in how it compares to a 18" machete in a chop off.
 
KalEl said:
My dad has a junglas and I had a CS kukri for a while so I guess Im decently educated so here goes

- fit finish and sheath goes to the junglas- the junglas has a nicer handle and finish overall. The junglas sheath system feels much better on the leg and is just more quality all around. Not to say the kukri isn't nice, but the junglas in just on another level of quality.

- How they feel- This is where I was surprised, It may be because I have small hands but the kukri's kraton handle is much more comfortable and ergeornomic than the junglas, but again if you have large hands it may be the opposite for you.

- Chopping ability- kukri wins this one. While I never got to use the junglas to chop, it is really light and very well balanced. Im sure it is a great chopper but I have never experienced anything like the kukri. The first swing I took with it it powered right through an inch and a half thick branch. One stroke. I chopped down a 5 in sapling in like 15 strokes. Seriously nothing chops like a kukri.

- Utility- The junglas is much better balanced and shaped for intricate or non chopping work. The kukri is very, very front heavy and it honestly feels more like a sword than a knife.

If I had to pick on i think I would pick the junglas. It has a lifetime warranty and looks soooooo bad@$$ :D Also uncoated SK5 will rust if you breathe on it. Seriously. I Am not buying anymore uncoated carbon blades after my experience with SK5. Always keep it oiled.

On the bright side with either one if you ever have someone try to rob you while carrying it you can fulfill the lifelong dream that everyone has of pulling out a huge blade and saying "Thats not a knife, THATS a knife" :)
Click to expand...



Thanks for taking the time to post that was very informative!

Ive never had any problem with my sk5 trailmaster and rust I just clean it off after use and put a light coat of clp, no problems.

Also, one thing that really bugs me about ESEE knives in general is the handle
material, I HATE lined Micarta handles,and canvas for that matter. G10 would be sooo much better. I think I would also rather have the kraton grip of the CS because of this.

I want both
 
I prefer the Junglas. The Junglas handle is the most comfortable in all the ESEE knives to me. Way more comfortable than my HI Kurki. Not much chopping yet with either but the Junglas is by far better IMO

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Both will do the job, but there are definitely pros and cons either way...

One thing that nobody is mentioning is that the kukri blade shape is much more difficult to sharpen than the Junglas, so ease of maintenance easily goes to the Junglas.

Also, I can't say from experience with the kukri, but I'm guessing the kukri's strengths in chopping power might lead to weaknesses in other areas. The Junglas is a pretty good chopper, but also fairs well against the smaller branches, twine, and even weed like undergrowth that I encounter in the forests of WI. I'm not so sure how the CS Kukri would fair with the small stuff...

I took my Junglas out into Kettle Moraine State Forest here in WI yesterday for a 10 mile day hike. I spent the day searching for resinous pine stumps and fallen trees looking for fatwood. All day, for 4-5 hours, I would dig up a rotten pine stump or tree, chop it to bits with the Junglas and inspect the likely areas for fatwood to harvest and take back home. The Junglas is a machine at this type of stuff. It plowed through the forest and gave me so much fatwood I don't even know what to do with it now. Seriously. There is so much of that stuff out there in KM...
 
I like the way my Khukuri Ang Khola Supreme chops...almost as good as an axe. I have yet to try chopping with the Junglas. The downside is lugging that 2kg Khukuri around is no fun.

The cheapest and easiest way to sharpen is using half inch strips of silicon carbide paper taped to a piece of wood about 10 inch long. Then finish off by stropping on leather. Diamond rods will do the job too.

Having said all that, I like to check the Junglas someday as a lighter alternative. But if ESEE is making a Khukuri, I want one. Or Jeff could come back to Sarawak and work on an Esee Duku (Iban Tribal Parang). It would be a fantastic machete besides head collecting. :)
 
ESEE Vs. Cold Steal no contest ESEE
the junglas can chop with the best of them and you never hear about manf. defects w/ ESEE products but, if you do have a prob manf. or user created the ESEE warranty and customer service is second to none.
 
Now when will we see the 1/4" thick Junglas for even more chopping power? :D Jeff hates me.
 
If ESEE can take ready made Imacasa machete blanks and put handles on them (and whatever else they do), I don't see why they can't take Imacasa's kukri blanks and do the same.
 
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