KLVUK Quick Comparison

P

peak

Joined
May 13, 2012
Messages
120
Got the knife last week, it's quickly becoming my go to knife due to the low cost. Quick comparison between HI dui chirra, HI klvuk, and CS gurkha.
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In order:
Slicing: CS, klvuk, dui
Balance: CS, klvuk, dui
Chopping: dui, klvuk
Handle Comfort: CS (plastic), klvuk(wood), dui(horn-hate it)
Edge holding : Almost the same between these steel, certainly better than 1095crv.
Sheath: CS (kydek), dui (leather over wood), klvuk ( none, I made a cheap one)
Weight : klvuk, CS, dui
Cost: klvuk, CS, dui
Wood processing: klvuk, dui. (Actually I like straight knife better, kukri shape are a little odd for this. Certainly doable but not as quick).
Conclusion: if you a user, not a collector and are in the market for a real kukri or any kukri shape object, klvuk are the best choice. I would even take this over others HI kukri due to the low cost and low weight, and overall performance. The unfinished and unpolished blade add great character to the knife. 5 out of 5.
 
peak said:
Conclusion:...I would even take this over others HI kukri due to the low cost and low weight, and overall performance...5 out of 5.
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Love your honest review peak. This is why I was excited about the curved spine Ugly Villagers and this latest design KLVUK. These are home grown Nepali style farmer's tools. So by design they work.
We westerners with good intentions want to change the Kukri to make it better more effective. All logical motives. But the Kukri has had centuries of refinement and is just right. Himalayan Imports is heading in the right direction (IMO) with this line of 10" to 11" smaller traditional villager knives. These Kukris appeal the the outdoor's man/woman who need effective, heavy-duty but light gear period. For me the CS Gurkha Kukri is the max weight I would carry so the KLVUK would be taken out camping more often.
Anyway, nice job!
Got your back.jpg
 
sweetcostarica said:
Love your honest review peak. This is why I was excited about the curved spine Ugly Villagers and this latest design KLVUK. These are home grown Nepali style farmer's tools. So by design they work.
We westerners with good intentions want to change the Kukri to make it better more effective. All logical motives. But the Kukri has had centuries of refinement and is just right. Himalayan Imports is heading in the right direction (IMO) with this line of 10" to 11" smaller traditional villager knives. These Kukris appeal the the outdoor's man/woman who need effective, heavy-duty but light gear period. For me the CS Gurkha Kukri is the max weight I would carry so the KLVUK would be taken out camping more often.
Anyway, nice job!
View attachment 305935
Click to expand...

+ 1 agreed . Still waiting for mine to arrive, surely when I get a hold of it I'll use it asap. :)
 
sweetcostarica said:
Love your honest review peak. This is why I was excited about the curved spine Ugly Villagers and this latest design KLVUK. These are home grown Nepali style farmer's tools. So by design they work.
We westerners with good intentions want to change the Kukri to make it better more effective. All logical motives. But the Kukri has had centuries of refinement and is just right. Himalayan Imports is heading in the right direction (IMO) with this line of 10" to 11" smaller traditional villager knives. These Kukris appeal the the outdoor's man/woman who need effective, heavy-duty but light gear period. For me the CS Gurkha Kukri is the max weight I would carry so the KLVUK would be taken out camping more often.
Anyway, nice job!
View attachment 305935
Click to expand...

Right again SC.
The whole reason i came looking for a kuk, found HI, this forum and have my KLVUK right now.
I also took off the black paint and i am glad i did. Looks nice. Going to do a mustard patina i think.

Kind of surprised the HI kuks didn't get higher marks for being hand forged and hammered.
 
Nice review and comparisons, peak. How did you remove the black forge finish?
 
Shaggy said:
Nice review and comparisons, peak. How did you remove the black forge finish?
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For me it was Scotch pad, & 3in1 oil.
and a lot of elbow grease.

My earlier attempts at mustard patina kinda loosened it up a bit.
But as i said there was rust under the protective coating already.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for sharing
 
Thanks for the review. I've been lurking myself wanting to get an HI khukuri and am definitely going to consider one of these.
 
Finally finish with the ugly sheath to go with the ugly knife, and the lanyard hole.
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Yes, it's from this laptop bag (eddie bauer) that had a broken zipper. Cut out the cover (cordura nylon fabric) to the shape of the knife and hand sewn. I double stitch it and sewn on the belt loop from the scrap of the bag. Finish it off with heat on the sewn area to melt the fabric.
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Awesome job!! And recycled too. Looks like we were both channeling our inner McGyver.
I tell you, i had a lot of fun refinishing the knife and cooking up this hobo sheath.

But laminated plastic, cardboard, duct and metal tape, is *quite* strong, thin and waterproof.

I wrapped it with the twine for looks and to give it some grab stuck into a belt...
Also is 100+ft of emergency cordage.

Thanks Peak, for not making me feel anymore like the big dork my wife kept telling me I was for making the "redneck sheath" as she calls it.
(She has been raggin' me all week about making a duct-tape wallet to go with it...)

Whatever... laminated stuff is strong, and we got a 3ry old boy. so, unsheathed is a no no no..











 
Browning A Bolt said:
You guys got some nice sheaths going there.
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I forgot to take a photo before i taped it up..
but i lined the inside of the sheath with aluminum metal duct tape. That stuff is slick and protects the little plastic parts from getting ripped off by the knife.. It also resists oil.
I used it to strengthen up the throat and tip of the sheath also. Plus, shiny aluminum foil looks a tad better than plain ole duct tape.:rolleyes:
 
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