Is this two to three times an HI kukri?

[arbytwo]

I get e-mails from Cold Steel and this one caught my eye. I don't know what this steel is but I question their claim that this kukri out chops any other. I don't mean to disparage Cold Steel products. The ones I have used have been well made factory items. But when they say this kukri is better than any other I have to ask, has anyone done a blade to blade comparison with this and an HI? Obviously, the Cold Steel comes out the loser in aesthetics to HI and basic physics would give the edge to a heavier HI M43, say 18", 32oz over this 22 oz. Finally, is there a way to keep Yangdu from seeing this? If she sees what others are charging for a lesser product, I may never be able to afford another HI kukri and I want one.



Fixed Blades
SAN MAI III GURKHA KUKRI


SAN MAI III GURKHA KUKRI
SKU# 35ATCJ

Your Price $559.99

Quantity


Gurkha Kukri (San Mai III) Gurkha Kukri (San Mai III) Gurkha Kukri (San Mai III) Gurkha Kukri (San Mai III) Gurkha Kukri (San Mai III)
SAN MAI III GURKHA KUKRI

Specifications:
Blade Length: 12"
Overall Length: 17"
Steel: VG-1 San Mai III®
Weight: 22 oz
Blade Thickness: 5/16"
Handle: 5" Long Kray-Ex™
Sheath: Secure-Ex® Sheath

The Kukri blade, with its markedly downward curved blade, has long been identified with the Gurkha Warriors of Nepal, the ferocious mercenaries who have wielded this blade for over 150 years in the service of the British Empire.

The Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri was inspired by Cold Steel President, Lynn C. Thompson's close association with Dr. Maung Gyi, chief instructor of the American Bando Association, and a renowned martial artist with wide-ranging knowledge and skills. Under Dr. Gyi's tutelage, Lynn gained insight into the full potential of the Kukri and learned it was not just a chopping weapon but a piercing, slashing, and smashing weapon as well. Smashing techniques allow the Kukri to function as a hammer or mallet or to deliver non-lethal blows in a self-defense role. A concentrated blow with the back of the blade can break bones or be lethal if directed at the head.

With Dr. Gyi's input, Thompson designed a longer, narrower point for the Gurkha Kukri with more distal tapering to the spine. This resulted in a thinner, sharper point which can be deeply driven into thick, tough targets with minimal effort.

Finally a masterfully designed Kray-Ex™ handle was added to maximize the blade’s fierce potential. Perfectly contoured and deeply checkered, it offers a superb non-slip grip and cushions the hand from the shock of the hardest blow.

The Gurkha Kukri's VG-1 San Mai III® blade will out-chop any factory or handmade knives; including swords twice its size, even expensive, hand forged Japanese Katanas. It's the heaviest Kukri on the market. The blade is almost an inch wider near the tip than at the handle, shifting the knife's balance point forward to allow a substantial blow to be struck with minimal effort, using inertia alone to complete the cut.

Each Gurkha Kukri is supplied with a Secure-Ex® sheath to protect the blade and allow you to wear it safely and securely on your side always ready to defend you and your loved ones.

 

[DarthTaco123]

It's for sure not 2-3x better, it's a good knife but it's for sure production price. I've found HI blades to do just as well if not better. It's for sure one of the closest to a real khukuri you can get when it comes to production knives.

 

[snowwolf]

It's called a nice KLO.

I got one of those in little less fancy steel. They are decent. I do like their Kydex sheath a lot.
IMHO the best KLO for the buck out there is the Ka-Bar 1249 Kukri.

 

[shortwinger]

I don't think you have to worry about Yangdu, she is a kukri expert and can hold her own with anyone. She has seen other companies and experts come and go and her and HI are still standing!

Also, don't get caught up in the groupies and fan-boys that make fun of the CS Gurkha Kuri by calling it all the cool names that go over on the forums. The truth is, the CS Kukri is a mountain of a kukri and something few will ever hold a candle to. I have many kukri of all shapes and sizes and only my HI Bonecutter has been able to hang in with the performance, versatility and longevity of the CS. They are different and I love them both, most importantly to me, they both do the job!

It's hard to argue that the traditionally made kukri is something special but don't get caught in the trap of being blind to this name or that, or get drawn into the manufacturer's dueling marketing campaigns. The hardest thing to deal with on these forums are the fan boys that force their favorite "company-of-the-day" down your throat and do nothing more than parrot talking points.

So I cannot speak to all the claims of CS marketing and I hope they don't mention HI by name but I can say with certainty that their kukri is a great blade and it does everything they show and more. It's never going to have the handmade charm of something like an HI kukri, but it is what it is, a fantastic kukri.