New to kukris and hoping for some information.

[Dirtbiker]

The CS kukri is a fine tool but is lacking in soul. If you havent held a Himalayan Imports made kukri you owe it to yourself to do so. You mentioned wanting a blade partially s a collectors item. The only way a CS kukri is a collectors item if it is left unused it its box, the moment you use it the collector value it gone.

I have several well used HI kukris made by Kamis that are no longer with HI and they are worth more now than when I bought them. A kukri, made by hand and signed by the artist will always be worth having over a (abeit quality) identical, mass produced item made by the 1000s.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Just buy both and then return the CS to Amazon within 30 days

 

[HoosierQ]

Thanks! So far I'm liking the M43, the 21" Gelbu Special, and the 18" WWII. Which one of these would best fit the tasks above? I like the pinned tang of the M43 as it seems like it'd make for a more robust piece, but I know peened tangs of traditional style were plenty strong. As far as combat I'd like one with enough curve for good chops but a point that can still be used to stab (not sure if this was done traditionally speaking). Any thoughts?

You are darned right you like the M43!!! It is a fully functioning replica of the Kukri used in the British Army in both World Wars...and beefed up for today's chopping taskes.

I am NOT an advocate of the knife as a weapon for most folks. However, the Kukri is really the best pattern (to the extent my limited experience allows me to imagine) for use as a weapon because of the natural striking motion...it's like striking out with a tomahawk with a much sharper and longer cutting edge.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that a KLO (derogative term, kukri-like object) will do. It won't. I know. I went there. I left. Only a real kukri. There are other great big knives. However only a real Kukri is a Kukri. Few things are this simple in life...this one is.

 

[GregY]

Another vote for the KLVUK as a 'first khukuri'. It's what I did and I'm really enjoying mine. It's a versatile tool, that you're not afraid to beat up on (either because it's fragile or because it's too pretty) and at that price you can't go wrong.

With the KLVUK they tend to come in batches, and you have at least a little choice of what you want. The one that said 'pick me' to me I chose because I liked the shape of the blade (it had both belly and point, and IMO a knife that doesn't have both is just too specialized to be of interest to me), and the angle and wood color of the handle.

First day I had it, I was chopping pine branches off with it. No damage of course, but it did wind up covered in sticky gunky residue. What finally got that nasty junk off was Hoppe's #9 and a bronze brush. Not sure I would have been so comfortable doing that, either the chopping or the cleaning with a 'prettier' khukuri.