Khukuri, he ultimate survival knife? (pic intensive)

[Cpl Punishment]

A kukri might well be among the worst survival knives, in my view. Why? The size and weight. How many people would be willing to EDC a kukri? How many people would carry it on top of all their other gear? Kukris have the problem that all other big blades have, and for the big kukris, it's even worse, since they are extremely long, thick and heavy and to top it off of awkward shape. A great tool if you have it with you, but will you in fact have it with you when the smelly stuff hits the air conditioning device? For survival knives, many rather smart people tend to favor knives that you can actually EDC even outside a combat zone or a tropical jungle. Knives like that don't make great choppers, but they don't weigh you down either, nor do they get people calling the police on you quite as much.

This keeps coming up.
Where are you going to be where you can both:
1.) Get into a survival situation requiring a survival knife to get you out of it
AND
2.) People will call the police on you.

If true EDC was really a factor, people would champion the folder of less than 3 3/4" length, as that's the knife you can have in the most jurisdictions. So what does that have to do with what you purposely carry out into the wilderness where you COULD actually get in a survival situation requiring woodscraft?

Do I carry a kukri with me when I go out further than my backyard? YES. I even have it often IN my backyard, it's a very useful tool.
Do I also carry other knives in addition to the kukri (besides the Karda)? YES.
Why?

It goes back to what was taught/beaten/hammered into me as a kid: BE PREPARED.
It was de riguer to have a large chopper, medium sized knife, small knife with you, as well as more than one way to start a fire, a way to carry water, and season-appropriate clothing/shelter. IF you have that and are knowledgeable on how to use it, you have a darn good chance of making it.
The extra couple pounds of kukri isn't going to kill me, but not having such utility IF I need it, just might.

I don't mean to jump in your stuff Elen, just my counterpoint to the Devil's advocate. . .

 

[Yoshi]

Cpl, I agree with you on this one a 100%

 

[Elen]

This keeps coming up.
Where are you going to be where you can both:
1.) Get into a survival situation requiring a survival knife to get you out of it
AND
2.) People will call the police on you.

Well, just about any urban environment for one thing. Survival isn't just prancing around in the woods in this day and age; not all survival situations require woodscraft. Urban environments have people. Lots of people. But seriously speaking, I wouldn't consider people calling the police a real issue. The sheeple friendly aspect does pop up here from time to time, so I figured it worth mentioning, as some people do let those things affect their carry decisions.

I certainly agree that it's best to be prepared, but I would also claim there's a limit to being reasonably prepared. Otherwise, we're going to have to carry an enormous load of gear everywhere we go, which just isn't practical and can't be done. And I'm talking enormous - firearms, sleeping bags, cold environment tents, loads and loads of water and rations, you name it, it's gotta to be there to be as prepared as possible. To some people, yes, a kukri is practical to carry all the time. But no one can honestly claim that it would be practical for most people, not even most knife enthusiasts. Or, well, they can, but they would just be wrong.

As for the bit about folders, that's where we go into the realm of making compromises between maximum practicality and maximum performance. No folder on earth is as reliable as a well-built fixed blade, and that dictates that fixed blades are superior for survival purposes. A small to medium fixed blade isn't much harder to carry than a folder, and is a hell of a lot more reliable. Ergo, that gets to be the EDC and go to survival knife of a lot of folks.

Now, for you guys over in the States, there seems to be a massive folder craze, likely because of the legal situation banning carry of, especially large, fixed blades. Do note, though, that America is not the world. I dare say that in most of the world the legal situation is different, and the population isn't "forced" to carry folders. Here in Finland, for example, there is no other reason to carry a folder except the small size and weight, since carrying a folder is exactly as illegal (or legal, depending on where you're taking it and why) as carrying a zweihänder or that kukri, if you'd prefer.

Otherwise, yeah, I agree with what you said. Nothing beats being prepared for the unexpected, and being equipped to face that unexpected, whatever it is. Unfortunately, as I said, practicality creates certain limits to just how well equipped we can be.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Sadly, in significant parts of the EU, even a lock-blade folder is illegal -- except in narrow circumstances. Don't visit the UK, for example, with a small fixed-blade on you and, if discovered, expect to have happy times with law enforcement types.

In reality, it's typically all about compromises and practicality.

 

[CanDo]

That was a extremely comprehensive, and well written review. Good stuff!:thumbup:

One question. Were you wearing gloves during the entire exercises? Reason I ask is the ridge. From what you wrote, it helped with a secure grip while chopping, but if you had un-gloved hands do you think it would create a "hot spot" or blisters after a while?

Thanks for the great write up.

Alright. You seem to have had much better results with your Khukuri then I did when I put it up against my hatchet. Perhaps I need more practice with the Khuk, and then try it against my hatchet again. For comparison, I was using the exact same model as what you used.

Along the lines of Tarmix's question. Do you also think using gloves provide a good shock absorbtion against the full tang chiruwa handle? I know my khuk left a nice bruise on the inside of my hand.

For most of my work with this blade, I was indeed gloved. Chopping the big tree and about 1/2 of the little logs for the shelter were ungloved though without any problem. I don't really know what this "shock" is all about. Maybe I'm ignorant of friendlier blades, or am just taking softer strokes than I should be, but there aren't any issues. One could always try cord-wrapping the handle, or removing the ridge if it is a problem.

As for me, personally, I'm seriously leaning towards the 12" model. If I need something bigger, I'd probably just go for an axe.

"Do It! Do It!" Please post pics once you have it

 

[bulgron]

"Do It! Do It!" Please post pics once you have it

lol. No peer pressure there.

I won't be buying myself any more knives until after Christmas. But if (when?) I get one, I'll be sure to post pictures of it in action. :thumbup:

 

[the possum]

Here in Finland, for example, there is no other reason to carry a folder except the small size and weight, since carrying a folder is exactly as illegal (or legal, depending on where you're taking it and why) as carrying a zweihänder or that kukri, if you'd prefer.

I would carry a zweihander every day if I thought I could get away with it.

 

[wildmike]

Elen your lack of experience shows.

I've used an
-43 kukri as my main survival blade when actualy having to survive for a number of years.
It enabled me to build several excellent shelters (including two trappers cabins), build traps. Chop wood, and create a great variety of tools.

While I could have survived well with just my 5 inch blade. The Kukri enabled me to thrive instead. The weight is less than most of the axes reccomended here on the forum and the versatility is far greater (which is tough to say due to the fact that I am a big fan of the versatility of the axe).

For that several year period I did EDC the kukri with no problems at all. I(n fact it was easier to EDC than many smaller blades due to the well thought out sheath system which developed over quite a long period of use.

When I camp now I generaly have an end date in sight. Even so when I go my kukri is always along.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Khuks are just off the end of my weight range. They sit in a niche between when I'd use a golok and when I'd jump to an ax. Not very keen on brass and wood type stuff either, but if I had one it would have to be a proper one that I put modern handle materials on.

I do like that they make a commitment to delivering shearing force rather than just being a big heavy knife, perhaps a bowie of similar heft. I do like the way the handles tend to terminate too. They are rather like a good kitchen knife in reverse. With a kitchen knife the strain is taken out by making it harder for the hand to go forward, with these there is a barrier to the tendency for it to want to escape. Cool. Birds beaks are common enough but not things that address the palm side rather than just the finger side. That said, I've only played with a couple of little ones that belonged to someone else. Although I did like them enough to wonder about terminating a #2 like that.

 

[pitdog]

Any mods out there, would it be possible to change the title to "the" instead of "he"?

Edit post and click on advanced, that way you can change the title !:thumbup:

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I've carried mine through the woods attached to my hipsack for hours on end. I find that they are the most versatile cutting tool- skinner, chopper, drawknife, fillet knife....
I do like the different handle on mine more than a traditional handle.

 

[brians]

I've carried mine through the woods attached to my hipsack for hours on end. I find that they are the most versatile cutting tool- skinner, chopper, drawknife, fillet knife....
I do like the different handle on mine more than a traditional handle.

CLAK,

Where did you get that beauty?

B

 

[kgd]

I think I'd like to get a kuk one of these days.....

 

[Summitmonkee]

I've got one of these on the way! Fantastic review!

 

[Bushman5]

Great review! :thumbup:

But as for the question in the thread subject... While I do find kukris fun and effective at chopping, let me play the devil's advocate since no one else has done it yet in this thread. A kukri might well be among the worst survival knives, in my view. Why? The size and weight. How many people would be willing to EDC a kukri? How many people would carry it on top of all their other gear? Kukris have the problem that all other big blades have, and for the big kukris, it's even worse, since they are extremely long, thick and heavy and to top it off of awkward shape. A great tool if you have it with you, but will you in fact have it with you when the smelly stuff hits the air conditioning device? For survival knives, many rather smart people tend to favor knives that you can actually EDC even outside a combat zone or a tropical jungle. Knives like that don't make great choppers, but they don't weigh you down either, nor do they get people calling the police on you quite as much. Something to consider - but it in no way detracts from the performance of a well made kukri.

I am more than willing to EDC my Khuk, a simple ashoulder rig and it tucks away nicely. as for weight, meh, moot point, i'm already carrying an axe and 8+ knives with me.

 

[OldPhysics]

Nice pics. I'm a fan of the khukuri too!

That review was VERY good too!

Does this mean I can look forward to a Fiddleback Khukuri one of these days?:thumbup:

Good review, by the way.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I don't ever carry my 16" Ang Khola AK in the woods. Primarily cause my wife insists on carrying it herself.

It's a damn good tool to have when your dead serious and out in the boonies. I've had a couple of negative wilderness experiences that have given me an affinity for fire, the quicker one is made, the better. That's where the khuk really comes to play, is when you're soaking wet, about half ass hypothermic, bone tired, weak, and your coordination is out the door.

I dont want to screw around with mini axes, or the do it all survival tool of the week, I want a big, sharp freakin' chunk of steel I can rely on, and my HI khuk provides it.

Nice pics and review!

 

[rio]

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

CLAK,

Where did you get that beauty?

B

I get all of mine from "Kukri Dude" a local guy who married a Nepalese woman and get's the inlaws to ship them here. I think mine was $45 Canadian!

 

[Elen]

Elen your lack of experience shows.

I've used an
-43 kukri as my main survival blade when actualy having to survive for a number of years.
It enabled me to build several excellent shelters (including two trappers cabins), build traps. Chop wood, and create a great variety of tools.

While I could have survived well with just my 5 inch blade. The Kukri enabled me to thrive instead. The weight is less than most of the axes reccomended here on the forum and the versatility is far greater (which is tough to say due to the fact that I am a big fan of the versatility of the axe).

For that several year period I did EDC the kukri with no problems at all. I(n fact it was easier to EDC than many smaller blades due to the well thought out sheath system which developed over quite a long period of use.

When I camp now I generaly have an end date in sight. Even so when I go my kukri is always along.

It isn't lack of experience, it's simply a different perspective as to what is a "survival knife", Wildmike.

You used a khukri as your survival blade to build cabins. Cabins are rather permanent types of shelter, and slow to build. That sounds to me like your survival situation was somewhat of the planned kind: that is to say, you decided in advance or foresaw circumstances that dictate that you were going to have to go living outdoors for an extended period, and then you could stock up well in advance with tools and equipment before you left. In such a situation, a khukri would of course be a great blade to take with you. In such a situation, I'd happily lug a chainsaw with me, as well, if it was doable.

But, that's not what I was thinking when I called khukris poor survival knives. I was thinking of those unexpected, unforeseen types of survival situation, that strike so suddenly there is little possibility to stock up on large and heavy tools, unless you're lucky and happen to be already carrying them. Situations ranging from, say, a mugger jumping at you in an urban environment to a short hike in rather familiar surroundings going bad due to physical injury, unexpected weather or such things. Situations where you typically aren't carrying everything and the kitchen sink with you. Some people, of course, carry a lot of stuff everywhere. Most people don't, however, and even most survivalist types don't fancy carrying an axe or khukri everywhere.

So, to sum that up: as I see it, khukris make a good tool, but don't make a good EDC and in that sense aren't a very good survival knife, because it's unlikely one will have a khukri around when things go bad, due to the weight and size of those tools limiting most folks from carrying them everywhere and all the time. On the other hand, if you do happen to have a khukri when you find yourself in a survival situation, then you're pretty well set indeed as far as knives go.

Personally though - if I'm going to carry something in the khukuri weight ranges, it's likely to be a really big axe.