Kukri vs Chopper (Weight vs Chopping Power), which do you prefer?

Misanthropia

Misanthropia

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Jul 10, 2011
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Here's a pretty broad discussion topic I've been thinking about lately (mostly because I haven't been able to chop anything recently :mad:):

When it comes to chopping, do you prefer the overall chopping power of a kukri (I'm talking 2lbs and 3/8" thick) or a more lithe, knife like chopper (something like the Junglas, RTAKII, or Hoodlum)? I would say limiting this to a survival/camping situation, where you would only choose one. I'm not trying to compare brands or specific products, just the philosophies behind the two.

I personally have a Himalayan Imports 18" Deradune, which at a little over two pounds is a pretty solid chopper despite its more fighter/utility shape. However, I must say I'm drawn to convention machete style choppers in terms of overall practicality, not too mention more comfortable handles and better mounting options.

How do you guys feel?
 
I have a hard time not giving a BS answer...

I like big knives (not Kukri) based on the conventional shape and my abilities to get finer tasks done with them. But that is sort of a BS answer because I have never tried a Kuk. I can imagine for pure chopping power the Kuks are great, but I have always passed on them because they just do not appeal to me as something that would serve a broader purpose. Perhaps I am very wrong in my thinking.
 
unit said:
I have a hard time not giving a BS answer...

I like big knives (not Kukri) based on the conventional shape and my abilities to get finer tasks done with them. But that is sort of a BS answer because I have never tried a Kuk. I can imagine for pure chopping power the Kuks are great, but I have always passed on them because they just do not appeal to me as something that would serve a broader purpose. Perhaps I am very wrong in my thinking.
Click to expand...

Basically this with Kuks and Larger blade knives switched around

Thanks for doin all the typin unit :p
 
One aspect that makes a khukuri a superior chopper is that the angle of the blade, like a properly set-up axe head, pulls the "worK" into the blade. In fact, if you lay a properly set-up hand axe on top of a similarly-sized khuk, you will see that the "sweet spot" of the khuk pretty much matches the blade of the axe.

As for versatility, the indigenous peoples use the khuk as a tool-of-all-work, noting of course the small knife (karda) paired with the traditional khuk for really fine tasks.

Of course, they do not post on internet forums, so what do they know. ^___^
 
I have a ontario kukri and love it. 3 years, lots of choping, and fine work can be done with this blade. u just have to know how to use them. there great knives great tools for limb choping, mines hair splitting sharp. you can use them from the jugles to the desert. There Awesome. the design has been around at least 400 years. COld steels version isnt as thick but works to. the ontario weighs alot more than coldsteel. I like heavy knives, I also use a sp-8 from them to. chops like a dream.
 
a good axe/tomahawk, followed by whatever balances my user skill (precise bites) with chopping efficiency (bite depth without binding)-depends on the target material most of the time. Khukris can do a great job depending on the time of the year (water content and temperature of the wood) and the type of wood you're working on.
 
In the past I have always preferred a straight blade choppers because they are what I know the best. I have used many Khuk's over the years (I own quite a few), they just don't do it for me most of the time. The best Khukri (sort of) knife I have which is converting me from the straight blade sickness is my Turley SERE Bolo which is Khukri like (thick, heavy curved blade); it is expertly convexed by Iz at Turley and can literally cut through a three inch limb in one whack (assuming you hit the sweet spot). NOTHING I have used before is as good a chopper with the exception of my Valiant Survival Golok which is of course a straight, much lighter blade. I think when it comes down to it, I use what I have at the time. If I had to choose just one for all tasks I would go with the Turley and the Golok and the BHK Outdoors Machete and the Busse NMFBM, and the.....I know that was more than one, but I refuse to play that game, lol.
 
I think a lot has to do with weight and how much you are willing to carry, along w/ how much chopping you have to do. A good kukri is overbuilt and can chop big stuff but weighs a lot, a lot both to carry and swing for long periods. I love my (HI) kukris but I am not a camper; if I had to hump one over a mountain along with a tent and stove etc I'd probably wish I'd brought a machete instead.
 
I like all of them, but I usually go for a larger knife, like a ESEE RC-6 or something like that, since it won't raise as many eyebrows as a kukri; although there is no comparison in performance. If I was going to be on a TV-show like Survivor or something and I could bring one or two tools, a kukri would be one of them.
 
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