Where to get khukuri of non spring steel?

T

The New Prime

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Aug 16, 2020
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Hello!

Where can I buy a khukuri that is not made of spring steel?

Many years ago (1999) I was given a khukuri from a tourist market in Nepal. It had cost less than one dollar to buy. The metal was stainless and the edge lost metal some times making it a non-smooth edge. The edge never folded and always held enough sharpness to cut. The knife held up excellently during these years for my farm work and has been my favourite bring-along knife for whatever kind of stuff.

I got my hand on an other spring steel khukuri, but it broke in two pieces. Too hard metal for real work. That cheap tourist khukuri was the one that held all these years. Now it has been lost and I am looking to buy a new one. Anyone who knows a business that sells such khukuris?
 
I think it depends on how the khukuri is made. High quality knives made out of carbon steel (like good truck springs) will hold up to decades of use. I have dozens of khuks made out of the stuff that have been used and abused for nearly 20 years.

If you are looking for a more modern take on a khuk that doesn't use the traditional methods to manufacture it, my first thought is Cold Steel.
 
Fox makes one. As does RMJ Tactical. Personally, I'd go with a custom blade from one of the many makers on this forum. Kailash blades comes to mind.
 
I don't think "stainless" steel is a spring steel. Nepal kuhkris are forged from steels like 50100, which is often used in vehicle leaf springs, but they aren't stainless. I picked up a Nepal-made kuhkri for about $65 about 20 years ago; marvelous tool.
 
Bud K probably has some stainless steel Kukri shaped things.

As others have stated, a properly made Kukri from "spring steel" will last several generations of hard use.

Consider how long the leaf springs on a class 7 or 8 truck/semi or even the springs on the average family sedan/station wagon/mini van last.
(Class 7 is 30,000 to 40000 pounds gvwr. Class 8 (semi) is 40,001 pounds gvwr and up.)

Check these guys out, if you want a real Kukri. I've never heard of one of theirs having a catastrophic failure.
https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/himalayan-imports.739/
 
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I just want to say thank you to everyone who have contributed to this thread with advices. So much to choose from.

I like to take a long time deciding so I can't say anything about any model or manufacturer yet.
 
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I have nothing, I abhor carbon steel, but some blades just require it, so get a good Kukhri in non stainless steel and touch it up with oil occasionally and keep it and the sheath dry, you'll be fine

"use it for what it is" keep it oiled, occasional rust spots are as meaningless as the rust spots you see eventually showing up on butter knives after being ran through the dishwasher 3 dozen times
 
Condor Tool & Knife has some good looking Kukris
Ka Bar and Cold Steel Kukris look good too
I've got a Cold Steel Kukri machete that I like a lot but isn't as thick as a traditional Kukri.
I love it though and it's great for clearing brush and chopping roots.
My arms get tired quickly with the close to .25" stock I find on a lot of more traditional kukris
I think the machetes are closer to .16 which takes away some chopping ability for the ability to swing the thing comfortable
for intermittent periods over the course of at least a few hours if not most of a work day.

For the expensive side of things Busse Combat and RMJ tactical both make very nice Kukris but be ready to spend $500+ for one
You may have to look around a bit for one as well, especially the Busse.
I don't have one but I really like the looks of the Condor Tool & Knife K-TACT Kukri for like $120
 
I have an Indian made "regimental" kukri with British Royal Army spec sheet.
Bought it from Atlanta Cutlery many years ago. It has served me well.
 
The majority of name brand khukuris in nepal are made of 5160 spring steel, which as many others have said will last a long time if properly heat treated. Some makers who are incorporating CNC into their production (KHHI, GB, potentially others) are using EN31, an indian 52100 equivalent due to its ability to be bought in flat sheet for cnc tables etc. While this fulfils the brief of not being spring steel, it's actually a lot harder and less suitable for chopping than 5160 in my opinion as it's a ball bearing/razor/scissor steel. With the right heat treat you can definitely make a high performing chopper from it- the question is if the houses in question will be bringing that to the table.

Regarding the discussion of stainless steel and nepalese khukuris it's worth noting that borth 5160 and 52100 have a not insignificant amount of chromium in them. It's used to help the steel through harden better, but offers a very mild level of corrosion resistance that makes the blades less likely to really get eaten into and pit like 1095 or some similar might. It also makes a big difference when trying to produce aesthetic patinas- it's harder to get the depth of contrast with 5160 and 52100.
 
5160 is a near perfect steel for a large knife. It is fairly corrosion resistant, can hold a decent edge and will take a high level of impact shock.

n2s
 
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