Kukri, which one and what are they best used for

In the same vein as some of the last posts. I can picture bladesmiths (as may be still found) in these native areas and also in the Phillipines, crafting one of of a kind blades for men.

The artisan may sit down with the prospective buyer and work out the dimensions of the kukri in this scenario, based on the man's size & strength, perhaps income?, intended use - then craft his blade for him. Thus making each one the same but quite different. Some changes being subtle and others being more pronounced.

In the years of this past decade for instance, we're accustomed to picking up our Spyderco, Benchmade...the rest of the big makers, catalogs and buying the same model - 1000 of us will have the exact same knife.

That makes real kukris unique to me. I'm sure blades and weights may be closer than 20 years ago, but still not like Benchmade ripping out 1000's of 940's with different steel and handle colors being the diference.

Respectfully :)
 
cziv said:
In the same vein as some of the last posts. I can picture bladesmiths (as may be still found) in these native areas and also in the Phillipines, crafting one of of a kind blades for men.

The artisan may sit down with the prospective buyer and work out the dimensions of the kukri in this scenario, based on the man's size & strength, perhaps income?, intended use - then craft his blade for him. Thus making each one the same but quite different. Some changes being subtle and others being more pronounced.

In the years of this past decade for instance, we're accustomed to picking up our Spyderco, Benchmade...the rest of the big makers, catalogs and buying the same model - 1000 of us will have the exact same knife.

That makes real kukris unique to me. I'm sure blades and weights may be closer than 20 years ago, but still not like Benchmade ripping out 1000's of 940's with different steel and handle colors being the diference.

Respectfully :)
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We are on the same page on this issue. I may be wrong, but I've always thought of real kukris as custom knives; hand made, each reflecting the leanings of its makes, no two of the same design are exactly the same.
 
I had to laugh at the mention of edge geometry and Cold Steel's (or any) machete. Machete's are basically sharpened sheet metal. And Cold Steel barely does that, though my latest Barong machete from CS has a much better edge on it than my Panga or Kukri Machete had. It's still not sharp, but at least it doesn't look like the edge was put on with a torch. A belt sander or good file is essential for machete users. Also, IMO, anything with a geometry more complicated than sheet metal with an edge is not a machete, but a full fledged bush knife. And yes, under this definition, many scandinavian ground blades are very small machetes, though the leukus aren't that small.
 
me2 said:
I had to laugh at the mention of edge geometry and Cold Steel's (or any) machete. Machete's are basically sharpened sheet metal.
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Why laugh? Edge geometry and blade grind are two different things; you don't need a secondary bevel to have edge geometry. In order to sharpen your sheet of metal you need to choose the optimum angle in relation to the steels characteristics. That's a function of edge geometry. Cold Steel machete's edge geometry problem is mostly that the edge angles don't align, and therefore the edge is not centered. A couple of swing and the edge rolls.
 
Because the idea that CS puts any thought into it is funny. I've never seen a sharp machete when it was new, with the exception of Condor. The most geometry a machete gets usually is a rectangle with a trapezoid on one end. A triangle would give too much credit. We users understand it, but either most manufacturers don't know or don't bother, maybe because they assume we'll do it to our liking anyway. IMHO, Cold Steel could sell a lot more machetes if they just made sure the bevels were relatively straight, ground a little finer than 24 grit, and met at a point instead of a 0.5 mm flat. Keep in mind this applies to the S.A. made ones. The mostly discontinued Chinese made ones seemed to be done better. At least the 2 I've bought were.
 
Preacher Man said:
Both the links you posted list 19" as overall length. The "1095" listing is a typo. Condor uses 1075 for their carbon steel machetes. 1095 would be too hard for such a big, heavy chopper.
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Spring-tempered 1095 is used for farm harrows and disks. Hear the rocks being hit as the field is being prepared to plant?
 
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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No, it was that surgical stainless POS extreme ops series deals....
 
me2 said:
Because the idea that CS puts any thought into it is funny. I've never seen a sharp machete when it was new, with the exception of Condor. The most geometry a machete gets usually is a rectangle with a trapezoid on one end. A triangle would give too much credit. We users understand it, but either most manufacturers don't know or don't bother, maybe because they assume we'll do it to our liking anyway. IMHO, Cold Steel could sell a lot more machetes if they just made sure the bevels were relatively straight, ground a little finer than 24 grit, and met at a point instead of a 0.5 mm flat. Keep in mind this applies to the S.A. made ones. The mostly discontinued Chinese made ones seemed to be done better. At least the 2 I've bought were.
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You are absolutely right. In general I like Cold Steel, but their machete quality control is abysmal. My Kabar kurki machete came well align and sharp enough for a chopper. A fellow forumite sent me an Okapi machete and the edge needed no correction. Of the three CS Kukri machetes I bought (2 were gifts) only 1 had a well align edge, (the first one I bought) and I suspect that one was made in china. By the time I bought the other 2 they were making them in South Africa, so I think you are onto something there.
 
Well what if someone in a village made a kukri out of scraps from a garbage dump?What if he just made it up as he went along so it would look and work like others in the village, would you want him to make you one like his?He might be in Pakastan,India or Nepal but his area has been using the kukri for hundreds of years.
 
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kitkat52 said:
Well what if someone in a village made a kukri out of scraps from a garbage dump?What if he just made it up as he went along so it would look and work like others in the village, would you want him to make you one like his?He might be in Pakastan,India or Nepal but his area has been using the kukri for hundreds of years.
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Personally, I would appreciate a well made village kukri. Many kukris are routinely made out of the spring-leaf suspension of broken-down trucks, so you can say its scrap, its just very strong scrap.
 
so considering there are two types of kukris, machete and traditional. I am at another cross roads (Might just get both). I really like the condor but is it just a machete with a recurve. I have a bolo and honestly dont know if it will perform much different. As for traditional seem heavier and function is chopping primarily. But chopping well. Clearing would probably get tiring. I am assuming the HI kukri will chop significantly better than a machete kukri. Does any one have any side by side experience comparing the machete to the traditional?
 
soapboxpreacher said:
so considering there are two types of kukris, machete and traditional. I am at another cross roads (Might just get both). I really like the condor but is it just a machete with a recurve. I have a bolo and honestly dont know if it will perform much different. As for traditional seem heavier and function is chopping primarily. But chopping well. Clearing would probably get tiring. I am assuming the HI kukri will chop significantly better than a machete kukri. Does any one have any side by side experience comparing the machete to the traditional?
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A kukri machete is not really a kukri. That's why many refer to kukri machetes as Kukri Like Objects (KLO). A Kukri machete is a machete shaped in a way that takes advantage of the shearing effect and and weight forward balance that characterize a kukri. That advantage can help it to chop better than some other machete designs. There are several types of kukris, Sirupatis (combat/martial arts kukris), Ang Kholas (dedicated choppers), several military models (weapon/tool/chopper combination), several type of hybrid models (each trying to strike a better balance between tool/chopper/weapon), etc, etc. Some sirupati and hybrid kukri models can perform traditional machete tasks well, but for the most kukris are better choppers than slicers.

Now, to address your question, yes, a real kukri will significantly out chop a machete. I've done camp clearing and chopping tasks with my kukri machetes and my HI Foxy Folly. The Foxy Folly performs camp clearing well, but not quite as well as the machete. When it comes to chopping, there is no comparison. The FF out performs the machete significantly. Keep in mind that the FF is design to be a Jack-of-all-trades (good at all tasks, but master of none). An Ang Khola (which is design as a dedicated chopper) would do even better at chopping, but wouldn't do camp clearing as well.

What you need to consider is what do you need/want your kukri to do. If it's just or mostly chopping, an Ang Khola or M-43 would serve you well, and you may want to jump directly into the Kukri bandwagon. If want a more all-around tool, a WWII, YCS, or Foxy Folly may be better choices. If that's the case, you may want to start with the Condor and see how you like it. A real kukri is considerably more expensive than the condor and depending on your economic situation you may want to know if you really like the kukri before making a larger investment. If money is no problem, go for the real thing.
 
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kitkat52 said:
If you are talking about HI ok but if you are talking about Kukris in general that is another story.That is a story that
involves confusion.If you are into conformity and everything is 1.2.3. ok.I know better.You sight HI imports like they are the divine ones but they
have only been around as an exporter since the 1980s.Bill Martino had a vision of helping the poor.Many have made from these things.I know India and Pakastan have produced many of these knives also.I agree with some of your thoughts but only some.The style of the kukri was brought in by war or through culture.Some say it is from Egypt or from the Greeks.The Greeks had a sword called the kopis that may have been copied.Alex The Great invaded what today is Pakastan not Nepal with the kopis.It would have been copied by the people of India and later inroduced to Nepal.But does it matter?No more than if the kukri is made in Pakastan or India.If it is well made people will buy it.
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Seriously, I don't know if you are trying to troll me or if there is a language barrier or what? I am not an HI kool aid drinker: I listed three different sources of Nepali made kukris. As far as the distant origin it matters not ~ a kopis or macheira are not a kukri any more than a Cold Steel kukri machete is a kukri. If a kukri machete is what worked best for the Nepalis you can be damned well sure that is what they would have made as it requires less steel (valuable commodity) and labor. Furthermore, the majority of kukri currently exported from India is junk and you would be hard pressed to find a quality kukri made in Pakistan outside of Pakistan.

Concerning materials used in Nepal (or any third world country) you are right that there can be variation. They will use anything that can harden ~ railroad track, rail plates, torsion bars, vehicle springs: if they are lucky they will use new steel but it is unlikely. This is one of the few advantages that Condor or Cold Steel have over village made kukris.
 
Steveomiller

We all see what we want to see at times.I respect your ideas.I only ask that you consider that millions have used this strong knife the kukri for hundreds of years.If you visit Pakastan,India today you can witness craftsmen making the kukri that looks very much like ones made in Nepal.Remember that this style of knife is all over the three countries of Nepal,India and Pakastan.All three have made these for many years.I will look forward to reading your thoughts as I try to learn more about the Kukri.
 
Thank Preacher Man, I think a traditional is more of what I am looking for. I already have a Machete that can clear well and is a bolo style so it has much of the weight in the front. As you stated I am looking for a jack of all trades. You mentioned a few, where do you like to buy these from? And what is a decent entry level one under lets say 80 bucks.
 
Kitkat, I am aware that the kukri has been/is being made in India, Pakistan and even Afghanistan. However, modern made quality kukris from these countries are much more difficult for the European or American to acquire with out visiting these countries and then hunting them down. Truly, I am not aware of a single source (except for antiques) for these. I have posted the name of three vendors of Nepali made kukri that are of good quality for the folks that asked.

If you have a source of quality, traditional kukris manufactured in India, Pakistan or Afghanistan please share them with us. Many of us would be very appreciative of this as we are students, collectors and users of these blades and would love to add to our knowledge and collections. If not the point is mute.

Example: If the folks had asked me who made and where to buy an Enfield rifle I would first tell them to look to the English/Scots, then the Canadians, and Australians, and lastly the Americans and then the Indians. Why did I not mention the peoples of the Kyber pass as a manufacturer for this rifle? Because it would be very difficult for them to obtain and would not be available through normal distribution channels. I hope that this makes sense.
 
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