What do you guys think of these super inexpensive kukris and belly forward, short machetes from cold steel. I see em goin for like 17 bucks. I really like those designs, but how are they that cheap? Are they crap, or a really good value. Whos got one here. I think it would be a nice knife to take campin in the summer.
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These cold steel kukris and their variants..
- Thread starter Buddiiee
- Start date
As machetes, they are decent. The shape and girth of the blade seem to offer some kukri-like chopping advantage, at the expense if a regular blade shape's utility. Like most machetes on the market, the edge will likely need significant work before they are optimal. Also like most machetes on the market, blade stock is flat, made from relatively soft steel.
It looks more exotic than the typical machete, which may be a consideration. It comes with a usable sheath and is relatively small, both pluses, I think. Considering the sheath, they are not much more expensive than other machetes.
My personal preference for a machete is a more traditional straighter blade shape. Several other forward weighted blade shapes offer comparable chopping ability.
It looks more exotic than the typical machete, which may be a consideration. It comes with a usable sheath and is relatively small, both pluses, I think. Considering the sheath, they are not much more expensive than other machetes.
My personal preference for a machete is a more traditional straighter blade shape. Several other forward weighted blade shapes offer comparable chopping ability.
ahh i see. I was asking because, it appears to be made just like most of their other kraton handled knives. I know what separates a machete from a knife, is its length, simplicity of build, and the fact that the blade is thinner, and with a more springier temper than a standard fixed blade. Thats what also makes 'em inexpensive as well. But it looked like the cold steels version seemed thicker.
Coupled with the same construction, blade thicknesses, but with an even larger blade, I was wondering how they kept the prices down. Or if they were just stamped steel pieces of crap. I wanted to know ahead of time, before I dropped some cash ya know?
Coupled with the same construction, blade thicknesses, but with an even larger blade, I was wondering how they kept the prices down. Or if they were just stamped steel pieces of crap. I wanted to know ahead of time, before I dropped some cash ya know?
Wow I've posted on at least two of these type of threads in the past 2 weeks or so.
Anyways, I have a Cold Steel 'panga' machete I bought in high school. A few minutes on the grinder and its good and sharp (1055 spring steel). I've beat the living piss out of that thing, and its held up great. Even holds the edge very well IMHO... for a chopper.
In other words, they are a steal at the price they are and function extremely well. Nice thin blade will slice through all sorts of stuff with ease and chops great too. Just not to best for splitting wood. Even made a fuzz stick with mine after chopping up firewood once!
Anyways, I have a Cold Steel 'panga' machete I bought in high school. A few minutes on the grinder and its good and sharp (1055 spring steel). I've beat the living piss out of that thing, and its held up great. Even holds the edge very well IMHO... for a chopper.
In other words, they are a steal at the price they are and function extremely well. Nice thin blade will slice through all sorts of stuff with ease and chops great too. Just not to best for splitting wood. Even made a fuzz stick with mine after chopping up firewood once!
Kaizen1
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Buddiiee:
As a CS fan from way back, I can tell you for certain that their machete kukris are not even close to their Ghurka or ATC kukris. I bought both the magnum and the regular kukri machetes. They are 1050 steel, made in S. Africa. They will take a good edge (1" x 30" belt sander is fastest) but do not come razor sharp like the more expensive CS kukris. General workmanship is crude. The handles are not the nice kraton, but slick polyethylene. The cheap ones will chop about as well as any decent machete. The sheaths are crappy (I cut right thru mine after sharpening the blades). In this case, you get what you pay for. I gave the cheap ones to my brother-in-law. He uses them to do pruning and clearing, and they are fine for that. I have Ontario and Tramontina machetes that I much prefer. But the Ghurka and ATC kukris, made of Carbon V steel are superb knives. The Ghurka is really beautiful with a 5/16" thick satin blade that is scary just to look at. It came hair flinging sharp.
As a CS fan from way back, I can tell you for certain that their machete kukris are not even close to their Ghurka or ATC kukris. I bought both the magnum and the regular kukri machetes. They are 1050 steel, made in S. Africa. They will take a good edge (1" x 30" belt sander is fastest) but do not come razor sharp like the more expensive CS kukris. General workmanship is crude. The handles are not the nice kraton, but slick polyethylene. The cheap ones will chop about as well as any decent machete. The sheaths are crappy (I cut right thru mine after sharpening the blades). In this case, you get what you pay for. I gave the cheap ones to my brother-in-law. He uses them to do pruning and clearing, and they are fine for that. I have Ontario and Tramontina machetes that I much prefer. But the Ghurka and ATC kukris, made of Carbon V steel are superb knives. The Ghurka is really beautiful with a 5/16" thick satin blade that is scary just to look at. It came hair flinging sharp.
What a name. I'm not sure which is better, that or Mike Hunt.
Hawke is an experienced survival instructor in the jungle, desert, arctic, sea and urban environments. Hes a published author with a best selling book, a public speaker and lecturer on crisis responses to manmade and natural disasters including (WMD) Weapons of Mass Destruction. Hawke represents SpecOps on-camera and in creative program development during media productions.
Hawke has over 20 years of combined military, civilian and government experience. He has served as a senior enlisted member of the U.S. Army's Special Forces and as a Commissioned Officer as a Team Commander. He has been a U.S. Government Contractor and Country Project Manager abroad. Hawke has training and experience in telecommunications, intelligence operations, remote medical management, combat search and rescue, Guerrilla Warfare, Counter Terrorism, Security Tactics and languages. He has deployed to hotspots throughout Eastern Europe, the Middle-East, Latin America, South East Asia and Western Africa.
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Buddiiee:
I'm getting old. In my ramblings last night, I neglected to answer the question. Yes the cheap CS kukris would be fine for camp work. Its just that the expensive ones are so much better made. I kept calling the LTC Kukri the ATC last night. When the kukris first came out in the 80s they were the ATC and the MTC (all terrain chopper and mini terrrain chopper). I loved the MTC.
It had a 10" clip point kukri/bowie blade. Both the ATC and MTC were 1095 steel. The new LTC and Ghurka Kukris are carbon V. You really have to hold these and use them to appreciate them. The CS machetes, in all their various styles, are as good as any and better than most. The steel takes and holds a keen edge. They are all thicker than Tramontina, but thinner than Ontario machetes. I just last longer swinging a light Tramontina than a heavier blade. The CS kukri machetes are certainly worth the price. They are as effective for light vegetation as the expensive kukris. You will like them, until you handle a Carbon V, kraton handled expensive one.
I'm getting old. In my ramblings last night, I neglected to answer the question. Yes the cheap CS kukris would be fine for camp work. Its just that the expensive ones are so much better made. I kept calling the LTC Kukri the ATC last night. When the kukris first came out in the 80s they were the ATC and the MTC (all terrain chopper and mini terrrain chopper). I loved the MTC.
It had a 10" clip point kukri/bowie blade. Both the ATC and MTC were 1095 steel. The new LTC and Ghurka Kukris are carbon V. You really have to hold these and use them to appreciate them. The CS machetes, in all their various styles, are as good as any and better than most. The steel takes and holds a keen edge. They are all thicker than Tramontina, but thinner than Ontario machetes. I just last longer swinging a light Tramontina than a heavier blade. The CS kukri machetes are certainly worth the price. They are as effective for light vegetation as the expensive kukris. You will like them, until you handle a Carbon V, kraton handled expensive one.
As a machette, but Buddiiee, don't forget it's a machete, not a khukri.
Sure thing. All I want from it, would be a little brush clearing duty, and some light firewood chopping. Also, a self defense weapon out in the $hit, if some wild animal comes up, and decides he wants my food more than me. If that happens, were going to have a problem. I dont give up my food for noone. Too many years of starving in the army...
If those cheap little CS machetes and kukri machetes are capable of that, then its money well spent to me. Thanks for the opinions guys.
If those cheap little CS machetes and kukri machetes are capable of that, then its money well spent to me. Thanks for the opinions guys.
Kaizen1
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That's great stuff. I'm sure he's an incredibly sharp guy. I still laughed when I first read his name.