Kukri, which one and what are they best used for

soapboxpreacher said:
Heard they are dull and break easy. My buddy has one, he got it in iraq and loves it. Want me to get one. I think it is a little heavy and not very sharp.
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Note sure what you are trying to say. What is "they" that are dull and break easily and "one" that your buddy loves.

If by "they," you refer to HI kuks, I have more than a few and have used them fairly extensively. They arrive sharp and none has broken. I can't imagine what insanity it would take to break and AK model, but there are crazy people around.

If you mean khukuri's in general, your statement would be like saying, "Knives are dull and break easily."
 
sawyermullen117 said:
Check out Himalayan Imports in the manufacturers thread, they're amazing. They can do every task you pondered a kukri couldn't do.
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Removing a splinter with a khukuri would be . . . . . interesting.

Beyond a certain size, and axe is better for felling trees, but a saw probably beats either.
 
SBP, if you want a khuk for less than $80 with a decently sharp edge, you probably won't find it at HI unless you get lucky with a DOTD and get a good villager. One of the aspects of HI I have come to accept (after numerous purchases) is that the knives are truly handmade. DOTDs are NOT the most consistently well-finished knives out there. However, for the price, you will definitely get a superb and versatile tool that you can use for your whole life. Might take a bit of elbow grease to get it chopping properly, but elbow grease never hurt anyone.
 
the nature of the beast is that it's made blade heavy.
and a "genuine" nepali work coocree might not be the easiest thing to try and wield like a sword.
when held correctly orientated with a firm grip, the natural flow of it's downward swing aligns it tip down as would an axe.
it would take one very fit individual to slash side to side for an entire day with a coocree; it's not for the uninitiated.
there are of course many lengths available; a shorter one might be a better fit for a first time user.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Note sure what you are trying to say. What is "they" that are dull and break easily and "one" that your buddy loves.

If by "they," you refer to HI kuks, I have more than a few and have used them fairly extensively. They arrive sharp and none has broken. I can't imagine what insanity it would take to break and AK model, but there are crazy people around.

If you mean khukuri's in general, your statement would be like saying, "Knives are dull and break easily."
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Referring to the HI Kukri
 
This looks pretty good! I saw the tang as well...it goes almost to the end.

CTK490-13HC_H.jpg
 
I have the cold steel kukri machete and a chitlange from Himalayan imports along with a sirupate from kukri house. Kukris are good blades the CS one has to be sharpened a few times and while it will not hold an edge trying to chop heavy wood for long it does do really well at brushes, limbing and other basic camp chores. You can clean fish and game by holding it on the backof the fat part of the blade. As far as hot spots it will hurt your hand something fierce new. I remedies that problem with a simple mill file and about 5 minutes of time. Now no problem. My chitlange by HI is by far the superior chopper of my three but it is extremely heavy and doesn't get used often the sirupate from KH is probably the best all around kukri I have but saying for the two Nepalese kukris I spent about 100 dollars for one and about 85 for the other which included shipping I feel a lot better with my 18 dollar CS in the back of my truck as a true beater work horse. The HI lives mainly in the closet and comes out only to play with the KH lives hanging on my bed as a back up weapon. It's light enough to be fast big enough to create distance yet short enough to wield inside an apartment and heavy and sharp enough to go through fence post sized limbs in one swipe. Oh and a kukri can make fuss sticks using the small part o the blade closer to the handle. A good kukri even the cheap CS one after handle modification and a good sharpening paired with a 2-4 inch fixed blade and there should not be many if any woods jobs at all that you could not accomplish.
 
Thanks jamal!! Great info. I will more or less start cheap first. If I like it I will move on to a nicer one. Here is another option that looks interesting. 19 bucks on amazon!!!

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It is a United Cultery M48 Kommando Kukhri Machete. I know absolutely nothing about them. But looks to be a good starter like the condor.
 
If that is stainless steel stay away. Stainless works well for folders and even fixed blades but it is not as forgiving as carbon steel and has a tendency to chip and crack when used as an impact tool such as chopping.
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Thanks jamal!! Great info. I will more or less start cheap first. If I like it I will move on to a nicer one. Here is another option that looks interesting. 19 bucks on amazon!!!

UC2624.png


It is a United Cultery M48 Kommando Kukhri Machete. I know absolutely nothing about them. But looks to be a good starter like the condor.
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Ah, if only one could "see" heat treatment.
 
I have a Ka-bar kukri machete and I love it. I am a heli pilot and I keep it in the helicopter with me while working in remote areas to clean up and improve heli-pads.

The knife is built like a tank, chops better than a small machete and can still be used as a large survival knife, plus it's small enough to fit easily behind the seat or in a hat rack.

It is a 1085 carbon steel, came with a well ground 20 degree edge bevel and was very sharp out of box. I'm able to maintain the edge easily with my Spyderco sharpmaker. The handle is grippy and comfortable and the sheath is well made. This thing is probably the best $65 bucks I have ever spent on a work knife.

Just my 2 cents.
 
the KH lives hanging on my bed as a back up weapon. It's light enough to be fast big enough to create distance yet short enough to wield inside an apartment and heavy and sharp enough to go through fence post sized limbs in one swipe.
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Never drink the bong water...lol :)


I have a Ka-bar kukri machete and I love it.....This thing is probably the best $65 bucks I have ever spent on a work knife.
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Looks good. I like the CS Magnum kukri machete but don't know what steel it has. Must be inferior at 1/3 the cost of the Ka-Bar knives which are also known for high value.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Ah, if only one could "see" heat treatment.
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So it is terrible? I have read quite a few good reviews and one about a snap in half...once again...20 bucks.

But here I go back to the Condor seems to be a safe and affordable pick. The Kabar is $50 (2x the cost of the condor) and heavier. I do not know how sharp the kabar comes but I am assuming it is going to be sharp...all their stuff has been razor sharp. Just heavy...a slight minus.
 
J.Davey said:
From what I've seen and read, the KaBar Kukri seems like it would be a great 'water tester' to see what type of kukri you like. It's more robust than the machete type kukris, but not nearly as heavy as the CS SK5 and HI type kukris. I know it's on my short list of 'wants'.
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I like mine though I'm still looking at the HI CAK.

20100531_big_blades.jpg
 
Honestly if you want good quality and something you can work with i 100% think the kabar or the condor kukri both are great knives however i would say this Condor>kabar
 
I have the Condor - it's a great chopper/slasher - and goes through brush like nobodies business. The handle is also comfortable and I haven't had any issues with hot spots.
the CS rubber/plastic handles require gloves or you'll get blisters in a fairly short amount of time.
 
PayetteRucker said:
I broke one of those SW Bush Hogs...
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WOW! One of the places I buy from recommend it and really like it. Do you think it was just defective? And how sharp was the blade? One thing I believe is for certain is the handle is comfortable. Once again still leaning toward the Condor but I believe the handle isnt nearly as comfy as the S&W. Let me know. Thanks
 
soapboxpreacher said:
WOW! One of the places I buy from recommend it and really like it. Do you think it was just defective? And how sharp was the blade? One thing I believe is for certain is the handle is comfortable. Once again still leaning toward the Condor but I believe the handle isnt nearly as comfy as the S&W. Let me know. Thanks
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From a website:
The Smith & Wesson Kukri is constructed from 440C powder coated stainless steel
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Isn't this a folder or small blade steel? That might explain breaking it? I dunno?
 
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