The best kukri around-which one?

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karl283

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May 21, 2008
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Just Curious what some of you thought of the different types of kukri's around, I have 2 gurka kukri's from cold steel-sk5 type and I am very impressed with them,excellent cutting power,very sharp.
I am looking into maybe purchasing a 20" Ang khola from Himalayan Imports, or maybe something from gurhahouse.
If anyone has some pic's of cold steel next to a HI or a different brand I'd like to see the difference in size,shape,thickness.
 
Most around here will likely tell you to go with a Himalayan Imports kukri, and I am one of them. I picked up a Chiruwa Ang Khola a little while back and it is a monster; a fine example of old-world craftsmanship. That said, I do have issues with it related to the sheath and handle, which is why I also picked up Cold Steel's modern interpretation of the kurki; like yours, except in Carbon V steel. I'll post some comparative pictures for you tonight.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums:)

If you liked the CS kukri, then I think you'll love the real deal khukuris offered by the more traditional manufacturers. Just keep in mind that what CS offers and what HI offers are two totally different animals.

The CS is a thin shearing blade while the HI Ang Khola is a chopper that can come with a spine thickness of 3/8-1/2". I started out with the the CS, but once i got the "real deal" I was hooked;)
 
there is no best..if you want a real khukuri,buy one from HI or Tora..there are too many different models and styles to do a generic comparison to a coldsteel....
 
Cant seem to get a good picture.

The HI has a near mirror polish, the black smears on the blade in the picture are reflections.

The CS Gurka Kukri is satin finished (older Carbon V model)

The HI is noticeably thicker + heavier, but with a much more comfortable handle.

Cold Steel's handle is the worst one I've ever used. Nonstop blisters.
 

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Thanks for the response guy's.

Actually what I would like to see is cold steel do a even bigger version of this kukri-20" or so in length and about 7/16 or more in thickness.
We all know that's not going to materialize any time soon.

Kinda like the patriarch of the cold steel gurka kukri line.

But until then I think HI will probably do-and then some.
 
My first, and still favorite, is an 18.5"/ 28oz. WWII with a wood handle by Kumar. Great khuk. I had a Cold Steel, never used it, and traded it. One of these days I'd like to get a Tora but if the big WWII was the only khuk I could ever own I wouldn't cry.

Frank
 
karl283 said:
Thanks for the response guy's.

Actually what I would like to see is cold steel do a even bigger version of this kukri-20" or so in length and about 7/16 or more in thickness.
We all know that's not going to materialize any time soon.

Kinda like the patriarch of the cold steel gurka kukri line.

But until then I think HI will probably do-and then some.
Click to expand...

If Cold steel made a khuk that big it would cost 2+ times more than an H.I. khuk of the same size and still wouldnt perform 1/2 as well,and if you broke the CS, you now own scrap.....IF you managed to break the H.I.....you get a replacement. You get way more for your hard earned cash from himalayan imports than just a sharpened piece of steel.

The last line in karls post could very well be the understatement of the year:rolleyes:
 
flashlife said:
Tony, is the kraton too 'grippy'? If so, you could coat the handle with Barge shoemaker's cement and wrap it in soft glove leather. Barge remains flexible and bonds like all get-out.

Barge: http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1390196
Click to expand...


Yes, the problem I have with Kraton is that it is soft + checkered.

Most choppers I own (like axes) use smooth + hard handles---for a reason.

I still have a bunch of Cold Steel knives that I'm debating whether to keep + use or sell (they have some resale value as Carbon V is long gone)

If I decide to keep using them, I'll probably cut the rubber handles off and replace them with proper wood or Micarta ones.
 
Remember guy's I don't own a HI (yet ) ,so I have no criteria to decide from.

I know lot's of fella's dont like CS but Im just trying to get some input,thats all. Im sure if I did own a HI the CSGK would take a back seat.
 
I like cold steel a lot personally. For $15 bucks you can get a machete from them. Sure, it's cheap and crappy, but it lasts and can be honed razor sharp, perfect for what machetes are made for: hacking away at everything.
 
One other thing: if you're going to be tromping outdoors with your machete, do you really want a $150 machete with a nice sheath such as HI's have? HI's are great kukri's, but I would be too afraid to take it out in the backcounty. I'm sure they could take it and all, but why not just take a cold steel kukri that you can trash worry free?
 
Tblock, what are you talking about? The retail on the CS Gurka is $160, granted you can get it for less but there are several HI kukris available at that price and much lower. The CS is actually MORE expensive than an HI, never mind the comparative merits. What is the logic? Or were you comparing HI to CS's Kukri style MACHETE?

I have the CS kukri style machete, it IS a good beater, but not to be compared with the HI or probably even the higher end CS models.

Karl, I would say keep an eye on the deals of the day in the HI forum and take the plunge when a model jumps out at you and says "buy me". Good luck whatever you choose.
 
Khukris and machetes (even khukri shaped ones) are two entirely different things.

The OP asked about khukris...
 
Both the links I posted led to kukris... sorry if I keep calling them machetes. I just can't imagine using a beautiful kukri like the HI's to chop through all types of stuff in the forest.
 
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