What Kukri should I get?

HI has a sub forum on here, that would be my suggestion.

 

Go to Himalayan Imports on the Forum.... They produce finer quality than Khukri House... Typically they are more expensive but they have daily deals where then sell blades at highly discounted rates. I have a Khukri House blade and it just doesn't compare to my HI.

 

I also recommend H.I. With your budget, you could watch for a discounted "deal of the day" on their forum or go for one of their smaller models.

 

The owner, Yangdu, posts the deals as threads in the main H.I. forum a few times a week. Here is a recent one to give you an idea of what they look like, although all the stuff from that one is already sold.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1158423-Four-Blems-for-2-27

 

DOTD on the Himalayan Imports forum, under manufacturers. HI's blades and customer service is the best you will ever find or encounter.

 

I've been interested in buying a Kukri for a while but I'm really not sure where to start. I don't have a real need for it. I just want one. That said, I'd still prefer to buy a quality knife that comes with a kydex sheath. I would also prefer the blade not have a mirror finish. I'd like to keep this at $200 or less. $150 would be even better. Is such an animal out there? I would prefer not to have to buy a knife and then send it off to have a custom kydex sheath made, but I would consider it based on price and turnaround time depending on what's available to choose from. Thanks to anyone who can help.

 

In that case, Himalayan Imports periodically puts out Village Kukri models for less than $100, usually around $60 to $80. I've heard great things about them, and you'll have money left over for a kydex sheath should you so desire.

Here is an example http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1142930-KLVUK-and-Biton-for-1-9?highlight=klvuk

 

Thanks. I'll look into that.

Question: How well do those wood handles hold up? That wouldn't be my first choice for a handle material, but I'm not completely averse to the idea. I guess I was just expecting to see a synthetic material instead.

I'm also curious what it is about the knives from HI that make them better than those from Khukri House?

Thanks again.

 

Warning: slight thread drift from the OP, but hopefully useful for all. While I have and use khukuri from HI and Tora, and love them, it sounds like you want a Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri from your description. Mine is an old black blade SK-5 version from China. The fit and finish is perfect, BTW. It is superb as a chopper of exceptionally hard wood and light vegetation alike. It really shines due to it's versatility as a perfect all-around large blade. The 17" length and 23 oz. weight make it disappear on your belt, but useful when needed. It is obviously based on the British military issue Mk. II/M43 of WWI/II fame. That model was weapon and camp tool rolled into one, with great results. The Steel is great, as it's very tough, holds an edge well, and sharpens easily if needed. After chopping mesquite (which is nasty hard) I just steel mine with a screwdriver from the tool bench to bring back a near razor's edge. It has one of the best sheaths to come from a factory IMHO. The sheath is not kydex, but of the Blade-tech type. (According to Jeff Randall of ESEE, this material is far supirior to kydex in extreme environments as in not brittle in extreme cold and it won't melt in Iraq. ESEE actually is extending their blade models coming with molded plastic as they hold up much better in military and the like uses. According to him, kydex is used more often because it's much cheaper and easier since plastic mold set-up can run in excess of $100k while anyone can make kydex if they have the knowledge and basic gear.) The handle is a great shape and very secure. I wrapped mine with paracord when chopping some extremely hard oak, but it wasn't really needed. More just testing some different ideas. It did allow the blade to move friction free, more like a traditional khukuri handle, and I like that. But, I've spent quite a bit of time swinging an old CS LTC with the same rubber handle and it never caused problems. I've severely abused that LTC (which BTW is only 1/8" thick) and the handle and blade are rock solid, aside from some rock chips. The tang extends to the end of the handle, beyond the lanyard tube. And on the Gurkha it's a full 5/16" thick, which balances this blade out very well.

I cannot recommend this khukuri highly enough for so many reasons. They sell for about $160 brand new, but pop up on the exchange for $100 often enough, even in the old Carbon 5, which may offer a little improvement over the SK-5, though most don't see much difference. FYI, they are now being produced in O-1, to attempt to wring out the best in the design. All this being said, I LOVE my traditional khukuri as well and highly advise those interested in the design to have and use both traditional and modern. They're all khukuri and offer their own unique benefits.

Here's a few quick pics:







Check out this thread if anyone is interested in the CS Gurkha: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1094588-The-venerable-Cold-Steel-Gurkha-Kukri

 

HI all the way! Great products,service and people. Look for one of the KLVUK deals. They are user/field grade.I got one and my Becker Brute and C.S. Trailmaster went into retirement. --KV

 

Go with HI. Once you've handled one like my Bonecutter, you'll understand why so many of us are recommending them.

 

Himalayan Imports.

 

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I'm looking at everything that's been suggested. That Cold Steel looks particularly interesting although I can't find it in black anywhere, but I haven't ruled out anything at this point.

 

It hasn't been made with that coating in several years. You would have to check the usual places for a used one, or old and unused, which I see all the time. I believe it comes with a brushed/satin finish now. I actually prefer the newer finish, but I picked this one up for $90 brand new a few years back, so I looked no further You wouldn't regret picking one up I assure you. Good luck.

 

Oh ok thanks.

 

That's an awesome knife, I have an uncoated one. I've heard the SK-5 are tougher than the Carbon 5/v and possibly O1 but lose slightly with edge retention. I think it really depends on the Heat treat. It's Mar tempered (quenched) so it's very hard but very strong. I love the Kraton handle and sheath too... I wonder what has changed in these 5-6 years from the black China factory ones to the No coat Taiwan factorys besides price and coating.

 

I don't know of any changes other than not being coated and adding the Mar Tempering. Mine is non-MT but has all the edge retention I could ask for, and is very tough. Heat treating seems to be where CS concentrates. Except for some of the brand new fancy steels, they've traditionally used basic steel and developed a superb heat treat. That was the key to Carbon V according to one of the men involved in it's making. Whatever they do to 1095, 1080, and AUS8, they perform wonderfully at a great price point.

 

To get back to the OP, in your price range I'd suggest you watch the HI Deal of the Day. HI is having some issues right now, which is common for Nepal, but it will get better as it always has. My first traditional khukuri was an HI 16.5" WWII model. It was blemished, but only cosmetically. I paid $65 dollars plus about $15 for shipping and it's a khuk I'll never part with. It's done a lot of work around the yard and performed like a champ. Good luck.

This thread needs more pics!