Shopping for a Kukri, but wanting a Guard has made it difficult

Kailash Blades said:
Thanks to everyone who suggested us!
The scourge definitely ticks the bill for a guarded khukuri with wow factor- I'd suggest the anniversary if you're wanting to prioritise practicality in outdoors tasks.
Another thing worth keeping in mind is going for a traditional khukuri and adding a guard to it- there's a few advantages to it.
1- it'll come in a touch cheaper than the scourge in all likelihood.
2- you'll be able to experience a more traditional and authentic khukuri balance.
3- if you choose a blade with a bit of history behind it that can add cool factor too.
Here's an example of a standard plate guard we've done and can easily add to any traditional blade.
https://bushcraftusa.com/forum/thre...h-kukri-its-here-final-in-hand-photos.268835/
If you let me know a little more about the kind of work you're wanting to do with the blade I'm sure I can help suggest a model to go with as well.
Take care,
Andrew and the team at kailash.
Click to expand...
I like how the guard is functional yet discreet. It doesn’t detract from the kukri silhouette at all. Awesome work.
 
DocJD said:
I suspect those ridiculous prices on Cold Steel's new CPM 3V Kuks and Bowies will eventually have to come down significantly . Way too high for what they are , IMO , and I'm a long time fan .

I have an older Gurkha Kukri Plus in O1 , that's plenty tough for anything short of chopping concrete or metal . It didn't cost anywhere near $600.

Edit: The CS Kuk is shown as "coming soon" for ~$490 +tax with free shipping at one non sponsor . That's less than $500 . Depending on your tax rate ?

No telling when they'll arrive , and I think you can do much better elsewhere for that kinda $$$ !
Click to expand...
Yeah, those prices are insane considering you can get a quality khuk from Kailash, Khukuri House, or HI for $200-ish or even a tad less. And you get to support Nepalese craftsmen.
 
justjed said:
Look up Kailash Knives, specifically the Scourge...
Click to expand...

My suggestion as well. I don't have one yet, but they are my first recommendation. Absolutely beautiful, and functional. There are some really great use reviews.

unwisefool said:
Busse Killa Zilla. Not my picture

I got a lot of fun and use our of my Busse KZII. I've since sold it off, to fund more customs. An hard poke in in the ribs or guts, and it would come out a person's back....

4NarZCn.jpg


View attachment 1525366
Click to expand...

co556guy said:
Not sure why you want a guard, but a custom maker should be able to whip out one with a guard if you're so inclined.

A khuk is not a stabbing weapon, the entire design of the blade basically makes it super choppy/slashy. If you want to stab, get a knife where the point is in line with your fist when wrapped around the blade's handle.
Click to expand...

There are fighting khukris that lend them selves to a stab.

I've seen Ghurka training which included stabbing attacks.

With many of the fighting oriented khukries the tip is put in line with the thrust by stabbing forward, upward or by turning the elbow out (which is how the training pictures I've seen show).

Lynn Thompson sold the Ghurka Khukri for decades and demonstrated on video stabbing with one.


I would not choose my wide bladed 5 fuller khukri for stabbing, but my Sirapati khukri does well.

A guard does add security.


The wider bladed khukri with thr five fuller would still poke through a person's guts or neck in a pinch.


When I extend my hand and arm in a forward trust, the point naturally aligns with the thrusts


j0sgSCn.jpg
 
Last edited:
Holy crap that was some really good edge retention chopping horn with a performance grind! Really like the little guard too. OK, gonna have to buy one of these, but which one . . . ?
 
I have the BK21..... I can't imagine trusting anything else...it's a Beast, and Fast. With the high quality, and lower cost, it's a no brainier!!!

You won't regret it, and you can Beat it!
Mine is a chopping Mo'Fo
 
Zombietools has a kukri, and I'm pretty sure it has a guard...

I dont own one myself, but would like one someday!
 
I think the premise of the original post deserves some consideration in order to choose the best blade. If someone posted that they wanted a bayonet but didn’t want the ring that attaches it to a rifle because it gets in the way, many folks would say to just buy a dagger type knife. It serves the same function but doesn’t have the ring. Similarly, if someone said they wanted to buy a small hatchet to prep vegetables most folks would guide them towards a chef knife. Changing the tool to meet an uninformed request isn’t the answer.

A kukri is, what a kukri is. The guard on the CS Kukri-Plus was a marketing move designed to appease customer requests, not for any practical purpose. The vast majority of the thrust that occurs while using a kukri [correctly] is toward the butt of the kukri and thus, the butt is flared.

To use a baseball analogy, the kukri is not supposed to be used to swing for the fences. It isn’t designed to be used to chop down 24+ inch diameter trees using 90% of your force or to stab 55 gal drums. It’s a tool that is used in a measured way, using light to moderate force and allowing the blade to do the work safely. When used correctly no guard is needed or the people that created the kukri and used it as a real tool, not a novelty, would have made models with a guard. As with all tools it is important for users to understand the tool, it’s uses, parameters, limitations, and safety.

It’s also important that if you are an experienced Bowie knife owner and you see a post that someone wants to use a Bowie knife as a rock climbing tool, you don’t just give recommendations for your favorite Bowie. What should be done is to advise against using a Bowie in rock climbing and possibly point the person to a rock climbing forum. In this case, possibly, the kukri is the wrong blade for you. A large heavy bladed bowie might be the better (safer) choice. Or, it may be advised to get more experience with the safe use of a kukri before purchasing one.
 
kukris.com has a lot of kukris with finger grooves and guards. If you just shop around there a little bit I'm sure you'll see many blades that you immediately want! I'm glad they have a wishlist feature there, I add a lot of kukris to my wishlist! I have a little 5" black blade villager kukri on the way right now! Kukris are awesome and very sharp! I've got my finger nipped a time or 2 when I wasn't being as careful as I should be with my GK&CO AOEF 11" issue kukri. It doesn't have the flared end that Shortwinger mentioned above, it has an exposed part of the tang extended out. I think the flared butt end makes a lot of sense and will be getting a Special #1 issue Kukri next with the flared butt end. The little one I recently ordered is of that traditional style and I think I am going to prefer it to the modified style of the AOEF. Like Shortwinger said, the Nepalese people who designed kukris made them that way for a reason...they work. But they sure are making a bunch with crossguards and things like that. Kukris.com has something for everyone!
 
not getting into any brand secifically
but more a comment on handle design.
imho, go with an integral guard handle
rather than one with a separate guard assembly fixture.
just my 2 cents
 
Many things to mention, firstly antique Khukuris on occasion have guards, but not the type we in the west are so found of. I would say guards are not traditional. But it has arisen as a request from customers. And it could be good or bad but a company must (?) listen to its customers. I would ask the question why you want it and if its really necessery? I just cant think of any example were someone has slipped with their hand and cut themselfes, griprings makes it more difficult. I am sure it must have happened but very very rarely. Many knives dont have any kind of guard, I think its dependning on use and tradition.


But if you want it why not? Most companies can ad it, Kailash is mentioned in the thread specialises in custom making, have alook at their work and see if you like it.
 
Hey guys. It's been a while since I made this thread, and I just wanted to post an update as to how things turned out.

Me1mjDZ.jpg


hr7cjNL.jpg


rE1ZgpW.jpg



Both are very different Kukri's that have different attributes, and I don't think I could choose 1 over the other, I enjoy them both equally.

Thank you to everyone who chimed in on this thread and helped me find the Kukri (or Kukri's) I was looking for.
 
DayofReckoning said:
Hey guys. It's been a while since I made this thread, and I just wanted to post an update as to how things turned out.

Me1mjDZ.jpg


hr7cjNL.jpg


rE1ZgpW.jpg



Both are very different Kukri's that have different attributes, and I don't think I could choose 1 over the other, I enjoy them both equally.

Thank you to everyone who chimed in on this thread and helped me find the Kukri (or Kukri's) I was looking for.
Click to expand...
Handmade and production side by side, both beautiful. Thanks for sharing this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top