Question for the kukri guys?

[selanne8]

out of curiosity, anyone know what size (length & weight) the sacrificial khuks are? 36 inches, 4lbs?

 

[Semper Fi1985]

ShortWinger,
Thank you very much for your knowledge, truth, and wisdom. First and formost i will not be chopping anything off other than some tree limbs, however with all the kukri talk i was just curious to if it was just a myth or legend but boy was I wrong. Im more of a hawk person but i think im catching the kukri fever. You guys might see me here more often now because I just want to learn more about these beautiful curved monsters.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

ShortWinger,
Thank you very much for your knowledge, truth, and wisdom. First and formost i will not be chopping anything off other than some tree limbs, however with all the kukri talk i was just curious to if it was just a myth or legend but boy was I wrong. Im more of a hawk person but i think im catching the kukri fever. You guys might see me here more often now because I just want to learn more about these beautiful curved monsters.

You're always welcome and stop by as much as you'd like. We love having new faces around here. The more the merrier and whatnot

 

[sweetcostarica]

"Khukuri fevah" is Jake's moto. He's got it, I got it, everybody's getting it. Welcome to the club Semper Fi1985.

 

[leebrewer]

The HI Kuks are heavy, sharp, tough and have a lot of inertia, but it still usually takes me a couple of good whacks with an 18-20" Kuk to fully lop off the average body part.

Don't be so hard on your self. A couple whacks is pretty dang awesome. You're probably goin thru some clothes too.

 

[Xringshooter]

Semper Fi1985,
Once you get into Khukuri's it's like the EBR, you can't stop with just one. And the khukri's don't cost as much so you can get a nice collection for the cost of one AR. I just started a couple of months ago and I'm up to 4, (and #5 should be at the PO today) all different, all for different reasons (display only, work, etc.)

 

[Helmut_S]

The cool thing is that they are truly handmade, i.e. forged. The steel used (5160) is really very good, and certainly no worse than 1095, which ColdSteel uses for their regular 'Kukri'. As to the SanMai, it is a) fairly expensive, and b) is probably not a 'working knife': the concept sounds good, sandwiching different steels and such, but the fact remains that the edge steel is brittle and fractures when hitting a hard enough object (bone, coconut shell, check the amazon.com reviews).
Personally, when I go 'modern' I buy Busse, and their Kukri version is called the KillaZilla, and it's only available on the 2nd hand market, and runs around $900, and is the most hi-tech version of knife around, like all Busses. It would probably chop right through the ColdSteel SanMai, and most other knives, for that matter. I do invest in both Busse and HI, and like both a lot, as they are almost at the extreme opposite poles of technology: both are semi-custom, in a way: one is true craft passed on through the generations with years of learning leading to mastery, the other is hi-tech limit-pushing small batch fab. Conversely, I have little interest in a U.S. or European made blade that is mass produced with commonly available steel, and carries a hefty price premium anyway. Why bother? Might as well get the real thing

 

[Zymologist]

I've got a fever and the only prescription is more Kukri!

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I've got a fever and the only prescription is more Kukri!

On the door of my store's front door we keep a cow bell tied to it in order hear customers come in. I took a sharpie and scribbled "MORE COWBELL!" on it. Amazing how many folks get the joke

 

[Karda]

On the door of my store's front door we keep a cow bell tied to it in order hear customers come in. I took a sharpie and scribbled "MORE COWBELL!" on it. Amazing how many folks get the joke

All that we see and more
Is but a door within a door.....

--E.A. Po'

 

[tikkidaddy]

Semper Fi,

First off, welcome to the forum! Here are a few things for your consideration.

One, the kukri models made today are mostly what you would consider farm tools and utility knives. The days of the large thin bladed kukri [13-15" blades] designed as a primary weapon or primary back-up are long gone. With the advent of the firearm the weapon role of the kukri drastically diminished and now even the military issues are more of a utility knive and cerimonial weapon, much like the USMC Ka-Bar is. That is not to say that they cannot be used very effectively as a weapon but, so can a hatchet or a folding knife or your e-tool. The overall plan has to go drastically wrong if you find yourself in a knife fight, if you catch my drift.

Here on this forum we more or less buy, sell, trade and share our passion for the kukri, you won't find many "cut your head off" type of posts. But to answer your question, you will find that even the relatively small BAS model [10.5" blade, 14" overall] will be more than adequate in a self defence role. With Cold Steel you have a few choices, going with the kukri machete which is a close second behind the Ka-Bar or going with the full Gurkha Kukri. Without doubt, the SK5 and VG1 Gurkha Kukri are the finest production kukri you can buy from anyone at any price. And they are very much designed along the lines of the old MkII's, that is to say they are weapons. These modern production kukri models are what is sometimes referred to as kukri-like-objects or KLO's. Meaning they are not traditionally hand made like the ones from Nepal and India.

So why is that such a big deal? The traditional kukri is made one at a time by skilled hands and shaped and hardened to accomplish certain tasks. The blade is hardened to three different levels so that the spine is softer and flexes when doing heavy chopping while the edge is harder to hold en edge but, not too hard that it cannot be sharpened easily in the field. Weight is placed in different areas for heavy chopping, light chopping and utility work, all under the skilled eye of the kami (blacksmith). The production kukri is cast from a mold, hardened the same throughout and no variationin size or weight. The blade is so perfect that it actually negatively effects performance by making the blade stick, much like a machete. The hammer marks and imperfections in the traditional kukri blade help to keep the blade moving through wood and the extra weight placed in the belly of the heavy choppers means that the blade does the work, not your arm.

So in the end it is up to the individual to decide if they like the modern production kukri or they want to experience the hand made masterpieces that HI brings out of Nepal. One thing is certain, they will all put a hurting on the boogyman!

What I feel one must understand is that the KUHKURI is a spirit--weapon/tool for survival. It must be suited 4 the individual using it. GET TRAINING. And when youre "through" get some more! If you can. At least READ--ON THIS FORUM---EVERYTHING U CAN that has been posted by those whove gone before us...If u understand the concept of bushido--youre almost there.

See...It wouldve been difficult 4 a Samauri to Survive in day to day life if he only had a big katana.

They had other knives 4 different roles.

I love my CS kukri; but they serve better as weapons...The GREAT THING IS that Aunt Yangdu offers genuine Nepalese KHUKURI...(yes, I spell them different for that reason) that will be better all around tools/weapons than any mfg. out there.

You need a KHUKURI you can depend on...HI provides that...And your helping out those who are less fortunate in the cash dept...You cant go wrong w/HI. You wont be sorry!!

 

[eman13]

+1 with what Tikkidaddy said, a REAL handmade Khukuri is no laughing matter (except when you are using it ) and is well worth the money. I found an old one at an antique store and it can eat and eat and eat.... I named him chomper!

 

[casio]

I could not have said it any better

Kabar and Cold steel make Khukuri like Objects. There is no comparison between KLO's and the real deal. H.I. make the finest of the real deal.

 

[Spectre]

Without doubt, the SK5 and VG1 Gurkha Kukri are the finest production kukri you can buy from anyone at any price

I've seen no evidence to support this. <shrug> (Meaning: I do indeed doubt it.)

To the OP, something like a 19" Chitlangi is a terrific combination of speed and power. I have an old WWII 16.5" model that is also a similarly great combination, but the WWII profile does indeed seem to have changed over the years. Tests I did a few years ago reinforced my belief that a single good blow from my WWII could indeed disarm someone, even if their limb was technically still attached.

John

 

[shortwinger]

I've seen no evidence to support this. <shrug> (Meaning: I do indeed doubt it.)
John

And yet you provide no evidence making your point. What modern production kukri do you think can compete with either the SK5 or VG-1 CS Kukri?

On the other hand, the evidence supporting the CS Kukri is everywhere and to be honest, it isn't even a horse race because there are very few modern companies that make a real kukri. And in this case what I mean by "real kukri" is that it is not a kukri machete or hybrid. Also keep in mind here that in my post I was speaking about the modern production kukri, not a traditional Nepalese kukri. I was also just trying to help someone and explain some differences not get into anything like this but, here goes.

The CS Gurkha Kukri has now been around long enough to have a verifiable track record with written & video footage of work and reviews that outstretch virtually any other kukri on the planet. My SK5 version has been a work tool since the day it came out of the box and has rarely even had the edge touched up. I have put it through many of the cut and chopping tests you see in the CS videos and those blades in the tests are not some special versions, mine did just about every one except for the biggest 4" ship ropes that I was not about to buy just for a test. I have hammered, cut, chopped, split, pryed, smached and even cut large mature frozen trees. VERY few other kukri could even hope to come close to keeping up, including most traditional kukri.

And the fact that it can work so hard and yet still compete with true "fighter" models speaks volumes. And while I say compete that is being generous because you would be hard pressed to find a traditional kukri (made today) that can really compete when you consider weight, balance, feel and speed. You can also forget about competing when it comes to edge retention... And please don't even mention modern Nepalese Sirupates and Chit's with 1/2 inch spines and weights measured in pounds as possible competition when it comes to fighters! Older antique military models will surely go blow for blow but most of the ones made today are not even close. And by not even close I mean that most framing hammers feel better in hand than these big fat heavy unbalanced monsters being made today.

I can hear all the arguments now, but all I can say is go out and get a video camera and prove your point! Lets see some of these alleged speedy sirupates and chits in action doing real work and then show the speed of a fighter! You can spend a full day watching videos of the CS Kukri doing all that and more. All of that equals evidence....

Disclaimer: While I am defending my original post and the un-substantiated <shrug> post above, please keep in mind that I still love the traditional Nepalese Kukri with my HI Bonecutter being one of my absolute favorites with well over a year of hard farm work to back it up. But you cannot just cherry pick facts and the fact is, no one has shown any evidence of any kukri made anywhere that can do what the CS Gurkha Kukri can do [on camera], period. While lots of people make fun of the CS videos few have dared to show their "game" on camera, only lip service and pretty table top reviews. Its been many many years since the CS videos came out and still no one has stepped up to the plate, and the reasons are obvious. I have tried many of these tests with other kukri and very very very few can come close on any individual test, never mind competing in all the tests. But like I said if you have "game" break out your video camera and strut your stuff.... Youtube is free and I'm sure hundreds of thousands of people are waiting to see it. No smoke, no mirrors, no mystical BS; just film it...

 

[Karda]

This is the very reason why i myself don't care much for the discussion of other products in our forum. Even in the Cantina......
Too much opinion and sooner or later the arguing starts. Breeding animosities is not what we want to do here.
Everyone should form their own opinion and most do.
There is no reason to be derogatory in statements regarding your Opinion