What is a better do-everything-hiking knife than CS Gurkha Kukri?

[moonwilson]

I have used the Cold Steel Kukri extensively, and I'm not a big fan. For the money, there are many, many knives out there that outperform it handily. The KaBar cutlass "machete" that Geek posted above is an excellent example. That's one of the best choppers on the market for the money, hands down. :thumbup:

Another company to look at, as has been mentioned, is Condor/ Imacasa. A 14" Pata de Cuche from Imacasa is lightweight, eminently packable, and can comfortably handle any situation you're likely to encounter during light hiking. I prefer machetes to Kukris, with a little finesse you can do most of the same things, for a lot less weight. A bigger, heavier machete adds bulk and weight, but can handle heavier work more efficiently. For what you would pay for a Cold Steel Kukri, you could buy a few machetes, find the one that works best for you, and have plenty of cash left over to buy a high-quality bush knife in the 4" range.

 

[udtjim]

It is good internet chat material but what you are looking for just ain't out there. You are compromising way to much and will end up with a tool that won't do anything well.

Look at the BK-9 or have one of our makers build you a good camp knife. Check out JK's Lobo for example.

 

[wildmanh]

Most of the knives with a 6" to 15" blade should work great as a Do anything knife. Lots of Cowboys and Mountain men prefered a bowie knife in that size range. Of course back then a Bowie knife was tipicly thinner and lighter then the modern Hard use knife of today. The Kabar Heavy Bowie, Becker BK-9 and SOG TigerSharks work great for me. I've cut veggies and meat with them, chopped wood, spread peanut butter and other such things with all three.

Of course I normally carry a 16.5" WWII Model HI Khukri with me on trips. It has about a 11" Blade and weighs in around 23oz. My other large main blade is a 20" HI Sirupati that weighs about 21oz and has about a 15" Blade. Those two knives have cut water mellons, roast beaf, some veggies, and cleared a few miles of trail.

When I did a lot of back packing in High school and college I would carry an 8" to 10" (think 13 to 15 inch machete) Chefs knife or 15" Sirupati style Khukri with me. Both worked great for everything I needed them to do. Mind you I always carry a 3" to 4" folder and normally a 4" to 5" fixed blade also. The 3 knife setup has worked well for me for many years and is still going strong today.

For me a 15" To 16.5" Khukri chops hard wood as well as a Hatchet. But the Khukri cuts brush and mellows better so I stick with the Lighter Khukris for hiking and backpacking. Another thing, I normally have a 4.75" to 10" saw on me also. This is what works for me but might not work for you. Part of the fun is finding what works for you. For most people that want a Do anything knife I reccomend a Bowie with around a 9" Blade or a 12 to 16.5" Khukri. Sounds as though the Bowie would work better for you.



Heber

 

[grey menace]

Just get a Busse NMSFNO and be done with it, i live in the woods and spend a great deal of time on long trips into higher country, its been able to do everything from building lean toos, chopping and battoning fire wood, and i never worry about it letting me down, and thats highly important when your out alone, good luck in your search.

 

[sodak]

It is good internet chat material but what you are looking for just ain't out there. You are compromising way to much and will end up with a tool that won't do anything well.

Udtjim is spot on. Everything is a compromise. Figure out what you value most, then get a knife that does well in that area. And enjoy!