Lets talk Kukri... More specifically Killa Zilla 2!!!

TrailWolf

TrailWolf

Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
2,809
Hey guys been traveling for most of the summer (8 countries, woohooo!) and come back to see the KZ2 as a regular offering :eek::eek::eek:

So I've thinned down my collection significantly and pretty much settled on my NMSFNO & Skinny ASH as my go to all around camp blades, but cant help but be intrigued by the KZ2...

With that said, I've always heard so much about the Kukri being the ultimate in do all knife designs - time and battle tested and proven.

So.... what are your guys thoughts on the KZ2 as compared to other Busse standards for the "best" all-around camp blade? Advantages, disadvantages, overall opinions?

The busse "best" all arounders that come to mind are:

NMSFNO or SFNO
ASH1 or Skinny ASH
FSH
and, of course, the Battle Mistresses....

EDIT: As far as rounding out my collection - this is where I'm at right now:

IMG_4008.jpg
 
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I have not tried it out yet, but everyone who has says you don't need to batton, it just goes through on its own. the shape of the blade would seem to slice while it chops through vegetation, but if you were hacking through a big tree it seems like the nmfbm would be better with a straight blade, dont know for sure though
 
I can't speak to the TTKZ, but the KZ2 is a beastly chopper! All arrounder? Probably won't beat out your NMSFNO, just on weight alone. The B11 on the other hand, might. Light, chopping power, thinner, comfy handle, lots of belly.

I have only chopped with my KZ2. I have not tried much "bush crafty" stuff. I did choke up and try some shaving on a piece of wood. For that, I think it is better than my FBMLE. The blade has less height from edge to spine. There is plenty of room for you to choke up and put a finger above the talon hole, even without a choil!

I am planning on trying some kitchen work with it, just for testing. It has enough curve that you have about 6 inches of useable edge, and the handle will be elevated.

I am in the process of refining the edge right now. Convexing by hand. The edge is great for most of the length. Just the first 3 inches at the tip are way robust for me. once I finish taking some shoulder off, and getting it back to razor sharp, I will try it on some other tasks.
 
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The KZII is a great choice for a camp knife set of duties .... especially firewood .... the modified grind means it bites very deep .... deeper than the TTKZ and that is saying something .... if you wanted a knife and an axe and were looking to save weight ... the KZII is the answer.

Using the narrow section by the blade once sharpened properly to a razor edge .... doing fuzz sticks for fire lighting is easy and the knife is well designed in that respect ... detailed work comes easier than a constant deep edge such as the NMFBM .... and the deepest section for chopping is also very well done .... this will keep pace with a GFB Small Forest Axe .... and the tip can be used in a choked grip for skinning if need be .... plenty of versatility in the design ....

So all told it is a great choice .... the only thing it has which is inevitable is "weight" .... it works fine as a rucksack carry .... if you want it on the belt .... get a broad belt .... much like a mistress it is a large knife and benefits from plenty of support.

However, weight aside, it will save weight overall if you were thinking of an axe and a knife so it is worth considering.... because it can take down trees if need be no problem.
 
I am waiting on a BWM so I can compare the NMSFNO and the KZ2 and the BWM. I am going to say this so everyone can get mad already. The Fallkniven A1 is amazing as well, it chops almost as well as my NMSFNO.
 
Guys thanks for the responses so far...

@Bigfattyt - would love to hear how it performs in the kitchen!

@PeterPHWS - WOW - I use my 20" wetterlings A LOT and its good to know that the KZ2 can compete. I've never held a kukri so its a bit hard I guess for me to imagine how itd be used for different chores...

@JohnnyDarko - that would be a fantastic review as I have both the NMSFNO and BWM in my stable...

I think I'm going to have to hunt down more info with pics - or wait for the reviews - on the different ways to hold and use the kukri for different tasks...
 
Spent another 4 and 1/2 hours convexing the beast today. My shoulders hurt!

I have all the edge back to hair popping except the last 2 inches of tip. Still need to take some more shoulder off that spot.
 
Trailwolf... if you're ever near Purchase, New York, come by my office. You can handle a KZ2 in person. :D
 
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