One Kukri to rule them all> Killa Zilla

fbusmc

fbusmc

Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
2,062
Well, since I've seen these up in post and in the exchange, I figured it was ok to post these pics. I wanted to do some testing of different Kukris on the market and how they balanced and felt in the hand. Bought 8 from the Kukrihouse in Nepal. "shipping was a pain> $134 " I gave one to my son called the Iraqi freedom, with his rank, name and unit on it with the EGA on the other side. "they only charged me $12 for engraving the two Iraqi freedom kukris" Two Indian Kukris, a mini Kukri, dress kukri, and a variety to blades. "forgot to put my two cold steel Ghurka Kukris in these pics"
The Busse Killa Zilla was the most impressive looking and of coarse chopping ability of it was incredible. The only changes I would like to see in a cg model is a reduction in size of the blade length wise as well as putting a swell on the rear of the handle so when swinging it won't slip or squish the pinky.
all the Kukris had a swell in the rear which did well. The cold Steel Kukris felt the best, and the smaller Kukris from Nepal felt good. Chopping was great from all the Kukris with some of the really thick 3/8" doing some wicked chopping. Had to add in the little cold steel Rajah I. It is a carry Kukri that opens with a "pocket snag" when you pull it out of your pocket.. great for carrying when things might get interesting. Can't wait for the CG Killa Zilla to come out. my # 839 will not go anywhere though.. It is a Busse Classic.
I think I will put a few of the Nepalize Kukris on the exchange though.. too many Kukris!
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just a comparison shot between my sjtac EBS, my currahee, ZT0301s and the folder Kukri rajah 1
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I will of course be grabbing a Killa when available.
In the meantime, who makes this one:

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Well you certainly do something in style....:thumbup:

Of the HI ones pictured those with a proper "flat" grip I expect to be best....

Those with a central grip raised ring have me scratching my head as to how they would be comfortable...:confused:

My CS Khukri in Carbon V works a lot better for comfort since I took a dremmel drum to the checquering leaving me with a plain rubber grip which I sanded the balance of loose rubber off using lots of light grit paper which did'nt create further loose bits...I think I can take the convex edge even thinner on this and might strip the blade now and look to fully convex it like the KZ....

The KZ has had a lot of tweaking for my preferences.....smoothed the grips right down as I like smooth comfortable grips much better....then thinned the full convex blade....now it is a better chopper and close to the hilt it can be used for some nice whittling work....but is more of a Bergan carry for me....

Having said that I usually carry the NMFBM on or in my Bergan....so I am not unduly concerned on this point....

The CS Khukri is light enough to be carried on my webbing belt....about 25 oz's or so....lighter than the NMFBM in fact....

I am still thinking of how to tweak the KZ to make it lighter....I might try removing the grips and tapering the tang...I also fancy making some grips for the KZ which give the rear swell like on the traditional Khukri....eventually this will become my favourite chopper....I have waited too long for an Infi khukri...:D:thumbup:
 
The raised center ring is a feature of the "traditional" way of swinging a kukri, which involves a strange grip and lets the knife really snap in your hand. I think if you were using one in the field all day, swinging it like that, you'd have the grip strength developed to use that grip, but to me personally it feels a lot less secure, so I prefer stuff without the rings.

But there is a purpose for them from a usage standpoint.
 
Weird....I have used our MOD issue Khuk's since I was 18 ... now 46 .... never came across that.... and have worked with Ghurka's learning how to use them and never seen one with grips like that....cannot see how it works better than a standard grip :confused:

Just checked back on my pic's and the MKII/MKIII and MKIV have'nt got rings anywhere near as pronounced as those shown...the MKII/MKIII is smooth....the MKIV has a slight ring designed to split the two forward and two rear fingers...I must have just used the smooth MKII/MKIII's...you can see why fbusmc has gone with some para cord on the handles....those rings look way too pronounced...
 
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PeterPHWS said:
Weird....I have used our MOD issue Khuk's since I was 18 ... now 46 .... never came across that.... and have worked with Ghurka's learning how to use them and never seen one with grips like that....cannot see how it works better than a standard grip :confused:
Click to expand...

It doesn't work better, to me, but that's the description I was given when I asked the same question a year or three back.

If you look at the Himalayan Imports kukris, most of the traditionally styled ones have the rings as well. Some claim it's for easier indexing on the handle, some claim it's for long-forgotten religious reasons, and some claim it's for the thumb and forefinger snap grip. I've tried that grip, and it certainly sounds plausible, and lets you get a real whip into the way you chop with the kukri, but I would be afraid to use it for extended periods for fear of turning my knife into an unintentional projectile weapon.
 
The raised center ring is the traditional style.

It's really a matter of retention. A raised ring is not required for a good snap shot with the kukri -- essentially the same "whip" is the proper way to chop with a knife or machete. What it does is keep your hand from sliding forward on a stab, just as the bell bottom keeps the thing from flying out of your hand (which is why the loose grip on a chop really shouldn't be a problem, even if the kukri slides in your grip, it'll stop when the bell bottom reaches your hand.

Re Gurkhas: The Gurkhas use an M43 style kukri with no raised ring, however, if you notice, on their style of kukri, there is more bend to the blade, resulting in the hand being closer to a pistol gripping geometry on a stab, rather than angled forward. This angle of the whole hand helps retain that style in a stab.

However, I find the raised ring to be more comforting. I've stabbed my CAK through thick plywood with no problem, I don't feel comfortable enough with the M43's grips to try that.

BTW, if you have a death grip on the handle when chopping, the center ring will tear your hand up. With a proper grip, like Mustard mentioned, the thumb and index and middle fingers do the heavy gripping, so you shouldn't be gripping around the ring itself.
 
The ring does work for exactly the snap grip you describe, and it makes you entirely free from the pinched/crushed pinky stuff that a traditional hooked pommel gives you. Really adds a second "break" to keep your hand from sliding, as opposed to putting all pressure on the back of the hand. Does take some getting used to, though.

It's nothing new:
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...es?q=antique+khukuri&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&um=1

Many produced in war time did not have rings--it's a step that can be skipped to reduce production time. Efficiency doesn't always equate to improvement, however. ;)

Edit to add: CPL beat me to it. :D
 
Well....you live and learn....

My personal experience is that any snap on a swing comes from the wrist...not from a loose finger "rocking" hold....definately agree that for true power you hold any grip solidly...you would lose your grip IMO as well....
 
Look in the WS&S forum for Joezilla's video on proper machete technique -- he uses exactly the snap grip mentioned. You actually use both your wrist and the hand rock to increase the blade's speed. The wrist starts cocked back, the grip loose, with the blade rocked back toward your arm (picture the thumb, forefinger and middle finger gripping, ring and little finger extended with the last joint hooked over the scales). As you chop, at the last bit, you both snap the wrist forward and clamp your grip, snapping the blade into a firm grip. Do it too early, and you'll lose the speed you just gained and get a weak hit. Do it too late, and you'll hit with a loose grip and the blade can rebound, not expending the energy into what you are chopping.

No offense, but a lot of the videos where a guy is chopping with a death grip on the handle of a knife and unimpressive as to the kind of depth each swing goes to compared to someone using proper technique.

BTW, this technique also works with tomahawks -- although it's best to have a paracord or rawhide wrap at the end of the haft as a hand stop.
 
Lol....as I said....the snap comes from the wrist.... and a loose grip and a death grip are equally best avoided IMHO ....
 
The thing with a loose grip is that you never know when you might need a firm grip.....backswings can catch fronds and vines and branches....but each to their own.... experience and personal preference will always prevail....
 
Which models are the Kukri's on the second picture from the top, bottom row, third from the left and fifth from the left?
 
OMG. I love Kukris, and had no idea Busse made any.

Now I just save up for a couple of years and get one. How much did that run you-is it still available?
 
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