Kukri vs Recurve

S

Silverthorn

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Apr 24, 2011
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Ok guys and gals,

I am looking for the opinions of people who are physically experienced with both Kurki style blades, and serious Recurve blades.

I have a KLO (Kukri like object) that I like so far, buuut it is more difficult to use correctly than a more traditional knife or a recurve.

Is it worth really working and getting the hang of the Kukri style of blade completely, or is a deep belly recurve as effective a chopper ?

To me the Kuk blade style seems to be easier to land a glancing or deflected blow with and that's dangerous, whereas a recurve doesn't seem to do that as much, at least to me. (could be my straight spine knife muscle memory)
Anyone have feedback here?

I know a lot of Beckerheads are also Kuk guys and gals, so I figure this is a great place to ask.

Basically what I am asking is can a recurve of similar size do almost exactly the same duty, and do it just as well as a kuk.
If it cannot then my second question is, anyone have good tips for learning and teaching how to handle a kuk style blade safely. (I have read the Hi safety thread, looking for more detailed tips)

Thanks in advance for any help/feedback


Should have called this off topic huh ? ..lol sorry about that
Silverthorn
Beckerhead #128
 
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I am no expert by any stretch, but have had a few glancing blows with my Ontario Kukri. It definately got my attention because mine is razor sharp. Luckily it did not make contact with my leg. The HI forum would be a better place for an accurate answer, IMHO.
 
I also am no master but the way I feel, is it's a problem with the rounded handle. Sometimes spins in my hand when I hit a log at full power.
but that's just my .02
 
Im basing my opinions off of using both the Kabar kuk and the cold steel magnum kuk (which is more of a recurse than a kuk. I think you end up with more chopping power with a snap cut technique with the Kabar kuk, it just seems to have alot more force on impact. Now as far as regular chopping the cold steel being longer packed more power. But I love the Kabar since I really don't have much wide open areas to get full use the whole 17 inches the cold steel packs. Although a recurse is easier to sharpen since the belly isn't as prnounced
 
Two of the same size then I would go with the kuk since I think it packs a better punch in the blade design
 
1) Blade grind contributes with the glancing blows. Many kuks have convex, almost hatchet like grinds, so the shoulders give less margin for error in case the strike is not head on.
+
2) Traditional kukris have cylindrical handles. Very easy to get a not-quite-aligned -grip, or a perhaps a tendency to slightly rotate the wrist
=
potential for glancing blows

I've found the Kabar Kukri less "glancy" (TRADEMARKED! :p) because the hollow grind allows for more margin of error, even with the cylindrical handle. I've found similar results with the cutlass.

That said, I've found that I do less glancing blows with my kukris over time, so the practice is making me less of a n00b ;)

As for recurve vs traditional kukri blade, I personally like kukri blade. I think of it this way: The lighter stuff (kabar kuk, cutlass, other recurves) are easy to bring up and swing around (which is good, if one wants to use them for machete work), but don't pack as much punch on the way down. More effort has to be put into the the swing for choppier results; a lot of muscle into a swing can lead to less controlled cutting. The heavier stuff is harder to bring up, but is easier to bring down. Easier to control the tool and only snap at the end, for more control.

Silverthorn, if you want to try out a couple of kuks, let me know. I'll send them your way, you can use them to do whatever it is you need your kuks/ recurves to do, and then you can send them back when you're finished. I also have the Kabar kuk and cutlass as well. All I ask is you share your experiences here via review so we all can learn from it :D
 
Thanks guys, and Awesome offer Qeth, I need to plan a proper camp out to take you up on it..lol
How do you like your Kabar Cutlass ?
 
Silverthorn said:
Thanks guys, and Awesome offer Qeth, I need to plan a proper camp out to take you up on it..lol
How do you like your Kabar Cutlass ?
Click to expand...

Haven't put it through its paces as much as the Kabar kukri, but it feels like a differently balanced Kabar kukri. Hoping it puts up as much fight as its cousin. Been trying to head out and use some of my choppers for a side by side review, but the weekends end as soon as they start. Once I do, I can give you a better report.
 
Anyone else have insite to chime in ?

I know there are some more hard core Kukri people here.
Lets hear form you guys.
 
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