Modern (CS) or traditional (HI) Khukuri?

TheDandyLion

TheDandyLion

Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
764
Before I start to hear the barrage of people telling me how "superior" the HI khuks are you need to hear me out. I really like the look and modern materials of the Cold Steel khukuri over the more traditional HI. I also prefer the still thinner blade of the Cold Steel and the FFG as opposed to the massively thick blade of the HI. To be specific I'm comparing the Chiruwa Ang Khola and the Kukri Plus, similar blade length but like I mentioned earlier its the thickness and blade shape/grind that I prefer over the HI so I want to know which you guys think is better?
Note: I'm talking about in the outdoors as a large wood processing tool that would see hard use over long periods of time.

Thanks,
~Jake
 
I don't own either but I would imagine the kraton or similar modern rubber handle will be more comfortable for what you're describing. As well as the modern shape and grinds bite on the wood. I've also wondered about the HI knives as I've heard alot of people recommend them here. It will be interesting to hear from someone who has used both.
 
You sound like you have already made your decision...

Buy the cold steel for nothing more than you want to buy one. Then after a while buy a HI blade and see what everyone is talking about.
 
If you already prefer the CS why do you care what other people think?
 
Yep. The less people buy from HI the cheaper I can get their awesome blades!
It just feels kind of mean if I say it like that, because HI is nice and uses their profits to help blade smiths and their families to survive.

Anyways get both and let us know. The one you don't like you could resell here in the bladeforums.
 
I really like the horn handle in my Sirupate. It's really comfy but the shape does take a little getting used to. Once you practice a little, it is like an extension of your arm.
bleedingfinger said:
I don't own either but I would imagine the kraton or similar modern rubber handle will be more comfortable for what you're describing. As well as the modern shape and grinds bite on the wood. I've also wondered about the HI knives as I've heard alot of people recommend them here. It will be interesting to hear from someone who has used both.
Click to expand...
 
Apples and Oranges.


A real Kukri is a much different animal the thin bladed Cold Steel.


I'm not saying that folks don't like the thinner KLO's,

...just that they are very different in use.


To use a real Kukri efficiently requires utilizing techniques that many knife users have not mastered.





Big Mike
 
It's hard for me to imagine the need to use a khukri to process large amounts of wood over a long time. I, too, live in the Northwest, and we have many modern tools to process wood that will outwork any khukri.

But I've tried both the kooks you mention. I had a large WWII HI kook that I put up against a GF carpenters hatchet in a contest of de-limbing downed trees. The GF was better, but not by much. The CS kook wasn't even in the contest -- too thin and not enough weight to go through heavy branches efficiently.

The CS would be better for brush, such as salmon berry, but there are better blades for that than a kook.
 
Big Mike said:
Apples and Oranges.


A real Kukri is a much different animal the thin bladed Cold Steel.


I'm not saying that folks don't like the thinner KLO's,

...just that they are very different in use.


To use a real Kukri efficiently requires utilizing techniques that many knife users have not mastered.





Big Mike
Click to expand...

I agree. If you ever take a look at a really well done Kuk you'll see there's some pretty impressive blade geometry going on and that's only possible with a thick blade. I had a HI for a while and it had THE best convex grind I have ever seen. It was better then the grind on my GB by a fair margin. Truly well done. I personally don't consider the Cold Steel and similar thin kuks to be actual kuks. To me they're just bent machetes. Totally different thing. Not that one is better then the other but they are different.
 
I've used many traditional khukuri (from HI and Tora) and several Cold Steel models (the LTC and Gurkha). They all have their benefits. Your intended uses are important. For my needs, a thinner blade and lighter khukuri work much better. But my needs do not include a lot of heavy wood chopping. In my experience, the CS Gurkha will handle all the heavy chores you throw at it, as will a well made and heat treated, quality Nepali khukuri. I find the CS Kraton handles comfortable and easy to hang on to. I also find a well shaped horn or wood traditional handle a pleasure to use. They might be better for extended chopping, it's an individual thing. I will say I haven't had one Nepali khuk, out of quite a few, I could use with gloves. While gloveless they can offer great comfort and control, adding a glove causes the khuk to slip and slide to where safety is a concern. This is no big deal to me as I live in a hot climate, except when trimming a thorny plant or tree, but as you're up north you may use gloves regularly. The CS handle works very well with gloves.

The usefulness of a certain blade shape, bevel, thickness, and weight are dependent on the user and the use. Some love the big heavy choppers. I don't. They tire me. I find a lighter khukuri, 19-25 oz., can process wood well enough and not wear you out. But that's limited wood processing or camp work, not chopping for hours. I also find a thinner blade or bevel to be more versatile as it works on light vegetation as well. I don't see most people using a khukuri for heavy wood processing jobs, but more camp duty, brush clearing, and light/limited chopping. Serious wood processing would probably be a better job for an axe, which is how the people in Nepal do it I hear.

If you're interested in the CS Gurkha, pick one up. One sold on the Bay the other day for $115 lightly used. It is an incredible khukuri. The handle is well shaped and tough. The shape, weight, length, and handling is superb and closely matches the best versions of the British WWI/WWII military issue MK. II khukuri. I have experience with Carbon V and SK-5 and both steels are wonderful. Their very tough, hold a great edge, and are easy to maintain. I've hacked through seasoned mesquite and red oak with zero problems. It didn't even dull the edge. It also comes with a great sheath. If you like khukuri, beyond just one user, I also suggest trying the traditional version. I enjoy using each. Good luck
 
Guys, be sure you don't mistake the CS Gurkha for the CS Kukri Machete. The Gurkha has a 5/16" spine and is 22 oz. The CS LTC, which is no longer available, was like a high end version of their current machete at 1/8", but in Carbon V. Though thin and light, it was/is one of the best big blades I own. The Gurkha is much more like a typical khuk in handling though. Take care.
 
Well I guess I could have phrased it better but by heavy wood processing I didn't mean felling trees or something just doing a lot of light work. Also I wanted to ask because they don't advertise on the HI website what dimensions does the M-43 have? How will it preform as a woods blade?
 
I am waiting for Karda to chime in.

I will echo apples to oranges Big Mike.
 
jdk1 said:
Guys, be sure you don't mistake the CS Gurkha for the CS Kukri Machete. The Gurkha has a 5/16" spine and is 22 oz. The CS LTC, which is no longer available, was like a high end version of their current machete at 1/8", but in Carbon V. Though thin and light, it was/is one of the best big blades I own. The Gurkha is much more like a typical khuk in handling though. Take care.
Click to expand...

I was gonna point this out.

5/15 with a 12 inch blade is only "thin" when you are dealing with the monster thick khukuri.

The machete's are a completely different deal.
 
At one time I had a book about the Burma campaign in WWII. A whole chapter was about jungle knives, They carried a large collection of them plus an axe. For the most part the heavier blades were used for heavier chopping. The heaviest IIRC was the kukri .My big kukri is like the military pattern and is 24 oz. A lighter one is 18 oz. In a chopping tool weight is what it's about !
 
both are verry effective tools, but a big part of the fun is the estetics themself. the CS kukuri might have a steeper edge angle than the HI kukuri wich will reduce its penetration in general wood work but increse its wear resistance, most HI kukuris have a fearly thin grind wich will increse raw cutting power and increse ease of sharpening.
 
TheDandyLion said:
Well I guess I could have phrased it better but by heavy wood processing I didn't mean felling trees or something just doing a lot of light work. Also I wanted to ask because they don't advertise on the HI website what dimensions does the M-43 have? How will it preform as a woods blade?
Click to expand...

From what I've read, the HI M43 has changed a bit over the years. WildMike had a Bura made version which weighed about 24 oz. many I've seen are closer to 30-32 oz. At 24 oz. I would think it would be a great all-arounder. The heavier versions are great choppers, but a bit heavy for my taste YMMV. I'll add that for a heavy khuk, that model is well balanced and handles nicely. I just wouldn't personally choose the big ones for light limbing work as, once it starts to go somewhere, it tends to want to finish its arc! I'd love to handle an old, light Bura model.

mete said:
At one time I had a book about the Burma campaign in WWII. A whole chapter was about jungle knives, They carried a large collection of them plus an axe. For the most part the heavier blades were used for heavier chopping. The heaviest IIRC was the kukri .My big kukri is like the military pattern and is 24 oz. A lighter one is 18 oz. In a chopping tool weight is what it's about !
Click to expand...

Mete, I've read a few books on the fighting in Burma (it's fascinating) and you're right about various cutting tools being carried. According to the best info I've found, the khukuri was preferred over the machete, and both were considered inferior to the Katchin Dha. The true native Dha was more like a Japanese sword to my eye and I'm not sure why it rated so well. I suspect it worked very well when used by the Katchins and that could have been observed and compared to the GIs swinging their tools. Had Gurkha been swinging the khuks, the perception could have been different. Merrill's Marauders were issued British Mk. II khukuri and seemed fond of them. My personal Mk. II range from about 23 oz. to almost 25 oz, all being about 17"-18" OAL. I personally prefer the lighter ones. It seems that cutting bamboo, some up to 6" in diameter, was common. The word was that machetes performed poorly on this large bamboo and, I believe, this is where the khukuri preference comes in. We have to remember they were cutting trails large enough for hundreds of men, mules and horses to follow. They also switched out cutting teams regulary due to fatigue.

Dandy, for the sort of work you're talking about, The CS Gurkha would do very well, as would many traditional khuks. The FFG of the Gurkha makes it a great slasher for light stuff and small limbs, yet it chops well. Lighter, thinner traditional khuks would do well at this also. HI was selling 16.5" WWII models (a great model!) at around 21 oz. and I always figured those would be awesome khukuri. If funds permit, I'd try to grab a Gurkha off the exchange as they pop up at good prices, and then snag an HI DOTD to try both. I think you'll like both. Do a little research on HI models, just make sure they're reviews of use instead of table top reviews and water bottle cutting (which are fine:thumbup:, but won't help you), and see what models regularly receive praise for camp and trail use. Good luck.

ETA: I personally wouldn't get the Gurkha Plus model. It has a guard which seems to be for fighting, but I can't imagine it makes wood work any easier. I've read one review where the user said it didn't hinder chopping, but it just seems like it would get in the way to me. Maybe someone with that particular model can chime in and shed more light.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top