Need Kukri Advice

M

Marine E7

Joined
Oct 19, 2012
Messages
82
Headed to the jungle. Need a Kukri.

3 Picks are

New BK21 Ka-bar / Becker colab 1095Crovan

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Fox-Knives-Pathfinder-Fixed-Blade--31305 I can find NO info at all about this brand or steel.No charts,no reviews, no cut tests.....nada.
Anyone have a test or info on this NITRO-B? is it good for a heavy-ish chopper? Will it chip? how does it compare to 1095crovan?
ANY info on this steel or brand would be great

last: [Do not link to eBay sales, period. Deal spotting is not allowed.]
No reviews or info on this guy or steel. 1 expert told me D2 will chip the first hit and keep on chipping.Not sure this blade shape is right.

Thanks in advance. Need to order soon.
Bladehq does not have the BK21 yet. any know who has best price on this ( if yall think its best)

Semper FI
Gunny
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You can find reviews and tests on U-Tube. Also, check out the Ontario Knives Kukri. 1095 carbon steel and made in USA. It's also almost a half pound lighter than the Pathfinder, but it's still 1/4 inch thick. I have one and it's fantastic.
 
Hmm maybe I am searching wrong. I see zero Fox Knives Pathfinder on youtube.Not on the knife or steel.
Will check again
 
The BK21 is new with little hard use data available. The FOX Kukri has been around for years with little data of any kind available except for one guy on the forum that recommends it for everything, and doesn't actually have one.

I don't see your third choice but I was in your shoes once about to deploy in the Marines and I would say to get a CS Gurkha Kukri. It's a known product, it's a tank, great steel, the best stock sheath around and it is bullet proof. It is also easily replaceable if something does happen. Mine is going on 6 years old and has worked harder than any other blade I've ever had.

Good luck on your search and Semper Fi!
 
Marine E7 said:
Headed to the jungle. Need a Kukri.

3 Picks are

New BK21 Ka-bar / Becker colab 1095Crovan

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Fox-Knives-Pathfinder-Fixed-Blade--31305 I can find NO info at all about this brand or steel.No charts,no reviews, no cut tests.....nada.
Anyone have a test or info on this NITRO-B? is it good for a heavy-ish chopper? Will it chip? how does it compare to 1095crovan?
ANY info on this steel or brand would be great

last: [Do not link to eBay sales, period. Deal spotting is not allowed.]
No reviews or info on this guy or steel. 1 expert told me D2 will chip the first hit and keep on chipping.Not sure this blade shape is right.

Thanks in advance. Need to order soon.
Bladehq does not have the BK21 yet. any know who has best price on this ( if yall think its best)

Semper FI
Gunny
Click to expand...


Khukuri House. some of the best khukuri in the world.
 
Marine,
Ck.out Himalaya Imports if you want the real deal...they are a part of Bladeforums! In my time I have had quite a few & still have a large # in my collection.Be advised they can become addictive.Ck.out their various sizes & blades....some oldtimers are still on their forum.As a matter of fact one of the guys who have bought HI Kuks is a mod here name of "Blues"most honest & nicest guy I have ever met.
Jim
 
I would recommend you getting the KA-BAR Becker BK21 from your choices. I've read and watched nothing but rave reviews from those who have used it.

As for Fox, stainless steel a good kukri does not make. Lastly it's best you buy from a reputable company with a good warranty in case anything happens.

I don't know if you literally mean a real jungle but I think the Becker is the best choice, it's thinner blade profile would seem to excel in an area like that, also the coating would help prevent rust, 1095CV is great steel and the BK21 is made in the great old US of A.
 
I have a BK21... it's a well regarded blade, and I think even at that it's under valued for what it is. Not under valued as is cost ratio vrs performance...though that I believe is also the case, but rather the esteem one heaps upon a well built blade... as well regarded as it is.... I think it's a better blade than most folks give it credit for.

just my 0.02....YMMV
 
Anyone ever test regular 1095 VS Crovan as far as rentention and toughness or rustiness?
I wonder if it is marketing or somehow it ( in real world) is better

Got the BK21
Kinda bothers me though. I am a steel snob with S30/90v,M390 and 3v knives.
1095 makes me cringe. Vikings used it =P.Must be somthing better then can use by now.

Price seemed high vs other Ka-bar Kukri...seems we pay double because it has some guys name on it.
Anyone know if this fits onto the worksharp K&T? ( old version)?

Anyway grabbed the BK21
Thanks for the info. Will try it out.
 
Not to be rude, but His name is Hank Reinhardt.
In reference to his significance and the modern kukri, we would very likely have ones that weren't balanced correctly, made to work more as choppers, less as a fighter/slasher and very likely wouldn't have the "history/soul/commonality" in the U.S. that we do.

He was a Huge fan of the design, and an absolute Genius when it came down to designing a weapon or a knife that was function over form, but executed well enough to not "show" the pure utilitarianism in the design.
---------
I suggest you do some reading on who this "some guy" is, and many would appreciate it if me respect was shown a a significant member of the knife community that we recently lost.
If you are going to buy a product with his name on it, wouldn't it be beneficial to know who he is?


Enjoy your new BK21, it is one of the best designed kukris available today.
 
You won't be disappointed, it is a great blade and one of the best modern kukri model's out. I've wanted one since ever since I first saw one but unfortunately I can't justify buying one since I already have a Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri that fits it's intended place.

1095 Cro-Van is not normal 1095, it's a different steel that's superior to regular 1095, it is known to be able to take and keep a very nice edge for a long period of time. It is a high carbon steel so it will rust but because of it's coating this is mitigated somewhat. The steel is not as tough as say 5160 but it still is relatively tough and holds it's own quite nicely, same steel as the rest of the Becker line like the legendary BK9.

The Kabar kukri is made of 1085 steel, has a rubber handle, and is made in taiwan while the bk21 is made of 1095CV, has a grivory handle, and is made in the USA.

The late Hank Reinhardt was a legend in his own right, being a great authority on blades, especially swords and helped design a few as well and of course the the original Blackjack kukri which is the precursor to the bk21. I believe it has his name on the blade to honor him and the contributions he made.

I know it's easy to be a steel snob or elitist with all the great steels out there but just remember this swords which need to be extremely tough to handle rigorous cutting through soft and hard targets of different types are still made from the same carbon steels they have been for hundreds of years. Most modern productions still use 1050-1095/5160 steels and are regarded with very high esteem. Of course their are better "super steels" that may make a better blade but you would have to pay a great deal more for a large blade like a kukri.

All in all I think you made a great choice and if it doesn't fit your bill which I really don't think will happen you could always have a custom maker build you one to your exact specifications.

Also your thoughts or even a review on the blade would be welcome, it has not been out for very long so more thoughts on those who own and actually use it would be great.
 
75 bucks at the BX. They sold like hotcakes!
Will test it in the morning

I expected it to be more Cold steel-ish.
FANTASTIC handle.Good fit and finish.Not that I care.
One shotted a 3.5 inch limb or so.
The feel of this thing is amazing.
Edge stock was not bad. 3 min on the Worksharp ,now it is fully convex and much sharper.
The more I hold this thing the more....right it feels.
I dont think this coating is what we call HAIII or DLC. It is better then just black paint.Doubt it lasts forever.
1095 (crovan anyway) seems to get a mirror look to it fast,real fast.
Faster then the M390 Bradford I just did, anyway.

Normally I use my WSK&T to sharpen. Wonder what I can use in the field to keep this edge going.
Anyone try the work sharp portable system?
 
The work sharp field sharpener is nice. A cut up piece of mousepad and some sandpaper can be rolled up pretty tiny and do well also.
 
Never did get an answer back from FOX.
I asked them for info on NITRO-B...mostly how it compares to 1095.
 
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