Has anyone done a Chop-Off between the various Khuks out there?

Zombie Zeke

Zombie Zeke

Joined
Nov 26, 2006
Messages
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I was watching Ankerson's lovefest :thumbup: with the Battle Mistress versus everything and #WINNING! :D on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL040FBF44FCE2F000 and it got me to thinking about those of that love the bent blades but don't have a long enough paper route to get them all...

Something along the lines of the Killa (whatever version) vs Ghurka Khuk (San Mai or whatever) vs the Always awesome never to be underestimated Himalayan Imports AK (or Bonecutter or Foxy, just in the ballpark). :thumbup:


I really can't be the only one that has wondered which one of these is the boss, right?
 
All lot of this stuff you are talking about has to do with strength and mostly, technique. I have seen some very good chopping in hard woods with the CS ATC, a knife that is VERY rare but was one of the best tools to ever come out of the CS conglomerate. Properly tuned CS kuks can provide splendid chopping power, but it depends on WHO is behind them. Lots of variables here. If a kuk is too heavy, that tends to slow the blade down...certainly there is much greater fatigue evident than with a lighter blade. I have also seen Collins 1005 machetes that were 'thinned' out which could probably give anything Busse has ever created a run for their dinero. The right guy with even a cheap magnum kuk from CS could be an amazing challenge for Ankerson, not to mention Hossom with his tuned 18 inch Ontario!
 
I prefer modern Kuk knives. I hate those wood sheaths (useless) and I don't like the wood grip on the traditional Kuks...
 
Ha ha Karda I posted that whole chop off list in my opening post...but thanks man.

So far no one has actually chopped apples to apples with modern khuks? That's nuts, there is so much talk on here of this being a better choppah than that...you'd think that there would be someone out there that had been there, done and took a pic or vid...
 
Revolverrodger said:
I prefer modern Kuk knives. I hate those wood sheaths (useless) and I don't like the wood grip on the traditional Kuks...
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Many people feel exactly opposite as you feel.
It doesnt mean anyone is wrong, but that people tastes and preferences are different.
 
Zombie Zeke said:
So far no one has actually chopped apples to apples with modern khuks? That's nuts, there is so much talk on here of this being a better choppah than that...you'd think that there would be someone out there that had been there, done and took a pic or vid...
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I added a couple links to other forum & reviews.
Many truists feel that one should compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Meaning that you should compare traditionally make khukuri with traditionally made khukuri and khukuri like objects with khukuri like objects for a fairer comparison. That is probably why you don't find many comparisons between the two.

To me it's sort of like trying to compare a Mag-lite flashlight with an Everready or a Ray-o-vac.

I cannot give the comparison you are asking for because i've long since given away or sold any khukuri like object i've owned
upon finding and using the H.I. product. But my reasoning was that i prefer the traditionally made khukuri, Both for it's ability and it's aesthetics. Plus, i like the fact that each one, although the same model, is different from another, essentially making it a "custom" piece that is made for me. I also like the fact that my purchase helps directly feed, clothe and school a kami and his family/children and keeps alive a history and tradition of knifemaking that has been passed down in his family for generation immemorial.

Some prefer traditional and some prefer modern. Tastes are different.
 
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I still have some Kabar Kukri Machetes along with the CS Kukri (not the San Mai version) around, along with my HI collection. I think it's really going to depend what kind of task you're going to put them to. Most of the KLO's have thinner blades and a very different kind of grind, and while they do okay on wood, they tend to seize up a bit more in my inexpert hands and they just don't last as long for all day chopping, and due to the thinner blades, they just don't quite have the same kind of heft. But they do a lot better at clearing light chopping tasks than the big heavy HI khuks I have (WWII, ASTK, and 2 Ultimate Fighters so far). I think the HI is a better all around blade though. A chop off seems kind of a limited test, because it's just one application. There certainly may be other blades that can do better at wood chopping, or whatever you want to put it to, but that doesn't make them better blades all around. What makes a good khuk good is that they're pretty solid all around at a wide variety of big knife tasks. And I'd much rather spend 100-200 on a handcrafted HI than drop 3 bills on a Cold Steel San Mai version.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
I still have some Kabar Kukri Machetes along with the CS Kukri (not the San Mai version) around, along with my HI collection. I think it's really going to depend what kind of task you're going to put them to. Most of the KLO's have thinner blades and a very different kind of grind, and while they do okay on wood, they tend to seize up a bit more in my inexpert hands and they just don't last as long for all day chopping, and due to the thinner blades, they just don't quite have the same kind of heft. But they do a lot better at clearing light chopping tasks than the big heavy HI khuks I have (WWII, ASTK, and 2 Ultimate Fighters so far). I think the HI is a better all around blade though. A chop off seems kind of a limited test, because it's just one application. There certainly may be other blades that can do better at wood chopping, or whatever you want to put it to, but that doesn't make them better blades all around. What makes a good khuk good is that they're pretty solid all around at a wide variety of big knife tasks. And I'd much rather spend 100-200 on a handcrafted HI than drop 3 bills on a Cold Steel San Mai version.
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Very well stated crimsonfalcon07!
And that there is the "rub" so to speak. Even in the traditional khukuri realm there are different sizes, weights and blade shapes for different tasks and some khukuri which are crossovers, doing adequately at multiple tasks, but not master of any one of them. It it pretty much why i shy away from comparisons, especially with companies with less variety or a single model.
 
Yeah Zombie Z, I've often wondered the same thing.

I have a traditional kuk and a modern KLO with a fully flat ground blade. Both are the same over all dimensions minus the grinds. (12" blades, over .25" at the spines) They are both on the cheep side quality wise so they are not the same as HI or CS. I've been meaning to try them out head to head but haven't had a chance yet.

I know people really seem to love their HI's but I too wonder just how they compare to the modern KLO's. It's cool to like the HI's for their tradition, or looks, or because they feed starving kids and all, but I don't see why they cannot be compared to other knives of similar design.

Just from using the two I have, I think the modern kuk is better for brush clearing and light duty, while people say the traditional is better at heavy chopping on hard wood because of its weight and thicker axe like edge. I'd love to see or do an honest head to head in a few chopping and cutting comparisons though! :)


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As soon as the right HI M43 pops up ( and I'm around to score it) I'll be doing a chop off between that and my Busse TT Zilla
 
I have a number of different Hi Kukris and tested them on 1/4" ply. I found that the Ganga Ram cut the deepest out of a number of
models, including the AK, Sirupati, and others.
I have a 16.5" GK chiruwa AK that I often use for chopping and find that it does better than a small axe, like the Wetterlings or Eastwing (14" or so).
 
BryFry said:
I know people really seem to love their HI's but I too wonder just how they compare to the modern KLO's. It's cool to like the HI's for their tradition, or looks, or because they feed starving kids and all, but I don't see why they cannot be compared to other knives of similar design.
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Pick up an HI. I think you'll pretty quickly understand why people say there is just no comparison. It's kind of hard to really understand it until you have one in your hand. They're built like tanks, and yet they are handcrafted by a master smith, who has the accumulated knowledge of generations behind his smithing, and HI is made to very different specs than the low quality tourist knives that it sounds like you own and are comparing. It's very rare on most knives to have a spine thickness of a half inch. That's pretty close to being the norm on HI khuks. Add to that the fact that every khuk is a handcrafted custom by some very talented smiths, and yet costs generally under 200 dollars, and you may start to get the picture.

Other things to consider: I haven't heard of a single HI owner who wasn't happy with their purchase. Maybe Karda knows a few? But they really take care of their customers, their smiths, everyone. It's like a great big family. Great customer service, better warranty than most companies out there.

And, I've done a chop off between HI and the comparably priced Cold Steel offering. For all around general utility, I stick with HI. Sure, the CS khuks do pretty good at light tasks. Heck, so does the $50 Kabar KLO. But I might as well just get a $30 Condor machete instead, if that's all I care about. The fact that the HI's can come in a very close second in light work, and easily outperform most other competitors (even some hatchets and axes evidently, although I hear there are some machetes out there that are very good choppers) in heavy work, and have the edge in looks, feel, and durability, make this contest a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. When you throw in things like pricing, customer service, and the fact that every khuk you buy helps support starving artists, as compared to a large corporation, it's small wonder that HI owners love their khuks.

Did I mention price? Because a BUSSE is going to cost you at least 500 dollars. I could buy 3 HI's for that price, maybe more if I strike lucky on the DOTD. The Cold Steel San Mai version is double the price. I can't think of anything else that would really be worthy competition.
 
Hey Zeke there are alot of things to consider when getting a kuk especially if you are going to be spending 500+ on a busse Zilla.

Ive owned and used a few kukri's and Including the Killa Zilla 2 and Cold Steel SK5 Kukri. Both wee great chopping tools but both had their drawbacks.

The Killa Zilla 2, while a destroyer, weighs like 33 ounces without a sheath and is so heavy that you can't chop for very long without feeling like your rotator cuff and wrist are about to tear. The handle is also really large and if you have smaller hands like me its hard to hold onto. Also its weight makes it bad at clearing brush and an absolute pain to carry. But for splitting and heavy chopping it really performs well. Its best attribute is its ability to split wood. It blows right through it with the same ability as a small axe.

The SK5 kukri is light, fast and chops very very well. It has better edge geometry than the Zilla and is way more comfortable to chop with for extended periods of time. It also comes with an amazing sheath. Its drawbacks are poor edge retention, less splitting ability than the Zilla and a handle that will evetually wear out.

Knowing what I know now the Killa Zilla is the exact opposite of what I want in a chopper. Speed and light weight is what I look for.

Im not sure how traditional kuks compare but Im sure with their weight and handle material they would be similar to the killa zilla.

If you're going to drop 500+ on blade I would buy a custom or an NMFBM/FFBM that will be more comfortable and out chop the Zilla.
 
Technique was, very appropriately, mentioned. Many suggest that when cutting a log in half with a chopping tool ("bucking") your cuts be at about a 45 degree angle, meeting in a "V." That takes a sharp tool and practice. The beginner will often find his khukuri "skipping off." Merely hammering into the bottom of the cut does not produce much progress. Large chips should be flying. This technique also lessens binding when using a KLO. (Of course, while lacking the "sex appeal," a saw works better.)
 
I like the cold steel kuk alot but SK5 is crappy steel in my opinion. I did get quite few chips with it.
An SR 101 chopper would be ideal in my opinion
 
I've done one with KH vs HI.
Brief enough and you can find it at H.I reviews.

So far i've tried HI, KH,Torablades and really old war models and still very much a learning curve for me.
What i found that worked for myself, is a curved handle with small neck, wide belly and about 3/8 of tapered spine to 1/4 at pommel.

A few models that i really like and not in sequence: ASTK, Gelbu Sotang, Tora Havildar, Tora Budhune and Pioneer khuk.
 
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