KABAR Kukri vs Ontario Kukri

Karda said:
None of those are a Gurkha khukuri in any sense of the word other than the marketing. They have No traditional materials or construction, are not made by a Kami and they have no "cho", "Sword of Shiva", Chakma or Karda or any of the things that make a "real" khukuri. And they have no puja blessing.

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When I buy a knife I rarely, if ever look specifically for steel from used leaf springs, kami crafted with a cho, chakma and I have many smaller quality knives instead of a karda. I'll also do quite well without a puja blessing, or any blessing for that matter. None of these things really add to the quality of the blade, in fact some are draw backs, such as the difference in heat treats with different kamis, some experienced, some not, quality control etc.. I know HI makes some great knives, I've also talked to people who have gone through dozens of them trying to find a few that are heat treated perfectly. The variance in heat treating alone leaves me weary. I know some are some absolutely great knives, and there are some master kamis out there, but I like consistency, but I also like modern engineering.

There is really no need to pretty much discredit other kukris because of the things you mentioned above, there are plenty of good kukri style blades out there of equal or better quality than traditional ones. That said, I still plan on buying a 20 inch CAK soon to compare it to my Busse Zilla, i'm sure they're great knives, but inconsistencies i've heard from several people here, who are respected members have left me leary. I don't need a 15 inch blade snapping in half, maiming me because it was HTed to 65RC by mistake by a new kami.

I'm interested in Kukris for one reason, and one reason alone, function. I don't care about ANY of the tradition or culture behind it anymore than I would about the company that makes my chainsaw. I don't care about blessing or anything else for that matter. The blade style is superior for chopping, and that's all I care about in the end when choosing a kukri style blade. Besides, I much prefer modern handle materials/shape.

This isn't a knock against H.I. or any other traditional kukri companies, i'm just saying that it doesn't need to be built in a shack to be good, and that modern equipment and heat treating can go a long way.

Flame suit on.

Edit - Before any responses, I realize by posting this it's going to start a long, drawn out, argument, so i'm withdrawing right now and am not even going to check back. Just offering my 2 cents.
 
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I don't know where you get your information from, but in 20 years of outstanding business and customer service, there have been only a small handful of failures resulting from proper usage. As expected with any company/product. Any others resulted from improper knowledge and usage of the user or outright abuse or outright scamming. Each and every one of the proper failures was handled by Yangdu to the customers satisfaction. None resulted in anyone being maimed. Only a master Kami will set pine on a blade, so your New Kami theory is purely conjecture. Rest assured that a new Kami will have his work well checked by a master.

I am not pretty much discrediting the other khukuris, as i stated they are fine for what they are and the $20 or so dollars you pay, but they don't deserve to carry the honorable name "gurkha" anywhere on them/associated with them and i don't see any reason to discredit imported khuks or H.I. on the basis of comparision, there is none.
 
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The functional reasons were explained to you.

In nine years of reading here, and eight years of participating, I don't recall reading about any incidents of serious injury resulting from blade or handle failures from HI, and can only remember maybe a half dozen failures of any kind, all of which were rapidly replaced under warranty. Even with limited experience, you're clearly determined not to be swayed in your opinion, so I'll wish you the best of luck with your choice--much like I wish my cousin's boyfriend luck with his assertion that nobody in the world makes a better hamburger than McDonald's.

Something else that comes from nine years of reading here---I don't think you're really going to leave and not check back, although in an effort to appear to stick by your claim I'm willing to bet that you WILL decide not to contribute to this particular thread again since I'm saying this. Mind you, not willing to bet very much... ;)

230grains said:
When I buy a knife I rarely, if ever look specifically for steel from used leaf springs, kami crafted with a cho, chakma and I have many smaller quality knives instead of a karda. I'll also do quite well without a puja blessing, or any blessing for that matter. None of these things really add to the quality of the blade, in fact some are draw backs, such as the difference in heat treats with different kamis, some experienced, some not, quality control etc.. I know HI makes some great knives, I've also talked to people who have gone through dozens of them trying to find a few that are heat treated perfectly. The variance in heat treating alone leaves me weary. I know some are some absolutely great knives, and there are some master kamis out there, but I like consistency, but I also like modern engineering.

There is really no need to pretty much discredit other kukris because of the things you mentioned above, there are plenty of good kukri style blades out there of equal or better quality than traditional ones. That said, I still plan on buying a 20 inch CAK soon to compare it to my Busse Zilla, i'm sure they're great knives, but inconsistencies i've heard from several people here, who are respected members have left me leary. I don't need a 15 inch blade snapping in half, maiming me because it was HTed to 65RC by mistake by a new kami.

I'm interested in Kukris for one reason, and one reason alone, function. I don't care about ANY of the tradition or culture behind it anymore than I would about the company that makes my chainsaw. I don't care about blessing or anything else for that matter. The blade style is superior for chopping, and that's all I care about in the end when choosing a kukri style blade. Besides, I much prefer modern handle materials/shape.

This isn't a knock against H.I. or any other traditional kukri companies, i'm just saying that it doesn't need to be built in a shack to be good, and that modern equipment and heat treating can go a long way.

Flame suit on.

Edit - Before any responses, I realize by posting this it's going to start a long, drawn out, argument, so i'm withdrawing right now and am not even going to check back. Just offering my 2 cents.
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I have two HI kukris and they have taken some serious use over the past two years. No hassle no problems and long lasting edges. The handles are trad style tang and I thought maybe not very strong. How wrong I was. They have survived much abuse out and about and around the garden bouncing off the occasional lump of stone. No hesitation in reccomending them.
 
I just recieved the Kabar Kukri as a gift. Compared to my Collins Legitimus Columbian Machete, it doesn't cut as deep. I find for the smaller stuff (less than 1 inch,the Collins cut faster (one swing), while the Kabar took a few extra swings. Chopping down onto thicker wood, the depth of the cuts was about equal, however the Kabar was more rigid and didn't get stuck in the wood as much, it faired slightly better at this task, but only marginally. I also found that using the Kabar Kukri put alot of strain on my wrist as the blade would constantly want to twist in the direction of the wood grain. I probably wouldn't baton any wood with the Collins, I would with the Kabar, but it's not the best for it because it is still relatively thin. I think that these kukri-like-objects are good for the money, however without the true thickness and weight of a traditional Kukri, the benefits of the curved design are rather negligible.

PS I realize that this thread is rather old, but I've found it useful still
 
These people know of what they speak. Listen to them. Learn from them. I have 2 KLO's. I like my Ontario. It has worked very well for me. I have also had the chance to handle a few of Karda's HI Khukuri's, & agree, they are in a whole nother class. You will know what i mean when you handle one. They are not for everyone. I also had the chance to do some chopping with his BABK (big ass bowie knife), sorry forgot the proper name. OMG---did that thing chop, WITH AUTHORITY !!! It is on my gotta get list some day. Life happens, so i buy blades when i can.
 
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