Which Kukri

A

Alex T

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
3
Want to get a Kukri for the first time. Just have seen the ones from Cold Stell & like how they look.
Not sure which I´m gonna chosse.
Is the Gurka-Kukri worth the more $ than the LTC.
Advices & experiences please welcome!
: )
 
I too have been interested in a kukri. My father has a genuine Gurka kukri given to him while he was a military physician posted with the British Army in Malaya in the 60's. It's an incredible tool, but as heavy as anything. I had the oportunity to handle a CS kukri and I really liked it. It's a bit more practical than a Gurka as it doesn't have the notch at the base of the blade, and weighs significantly less. Check out the new issue of Tacktical Knives, they do a review.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
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Alex,
I have a CS LTC and, although it has a khukuri shape, IMO it is more of a heavy machete than a true khukuri. I haven't handled either of CS's heavier models so I can't pass judgement. However, I suggest you look at the traditional khukuris from Himalayan Imports & Gurka House (both have discussion forums here in the Makers/Mfgrs section) before deciding.

You may also want to search the Reviews forum. Cliff Stamp has reviewed several khukuris and, I believe, may have even done a head-to-head comparison of some models.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride.


 
Visit Cliff's site for an in depth comparison of a bunch of different models. I had the opportunity to make a sheath for a customer with a Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri, which I believe is CS's heavy duty model. It is well made, the steel seems good, and the handle is pretty comfy. Stock sheath is okay. The CS model is flat ground, so it penetrates well, but it can bit a little too deep when chopping and tends to get stuck. It also has an edge that is less strong than the traditional convex grind that is found on real Nepalese khukuris. To get an idea for what else is available, visit the Himalayan Imports and the Gurkha House forums in the manufacturers section. Both companies offer Nepalese khukuris with lifetime warranties against any failure and they are priced competitively with Cold Steel's stuff. You also get the added benefit of a grind and geometry more suitable for chopping, the traditional scabbard and its karda and chakma (the two small utility blades found with real khukuris) and the differentially hardened steel that traditional kamis use to make a powerful, but comfortable chopper. I own several khkuris from HI and one from GH and all are excellent tools. The best bang for the buck are the blem models or the village models (ones made by kamis who do not work exclusively for Himalayan Imports) offered by Himalayan Imports, IMHO. They are all covered by the standard warranty, too, and I have beaten the hell out of mine with no adverse effects (except to the stuff I was chopping)!
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I have both the CS Gurkha kukuri and CS LTC. The LTC is more machette than chopper. I agree with everything Ciro75 said.

The CS are great if whatever you are chopping can be due in one chop. The H.I. are much better for prolonged and heavy chopping. There are many different traditional khukuri's, some of which are comparable in weight class to the CS LTC.

Will

 
Just got an 18" Ang Khola from Bill Martino at Himalayan Imports. It was a pleasure to work with Bill.

When the Khukuri got here, I was impressed, even the kids were amazed. If you want a khukuri, definitely give Bill a call.
 
Thanks for all your inputs.
The only problem I´ve got is since I´m living in Austria/Europe it would be really difficult to get kukris from Ghurka House / Himalyan Imports and so.
I think I´ll find a dealer of Cold Steel even here, but the others...
 
I have an LTC and I have enjoyed using it. I would opt for the ghurka/ghurka light kukris if I were you. It is not that the LTC is bad- it is just that the other two kukris have more of a point on them for, well, jabbing it into whatever you need to jab with a knife! LTC is a good choice if you go with that though!

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"Come What May..."
 
Alex T,

Bill Martino at Himalayan Imports has customers all over the world. He will find a way to get the knife to you wherever you are. CS is nice, but if you want the best check out Himalayan Imports. It will probably even be cheaper. Purchase an HI and you will not regret it. The Ghurka House knives are excellant also but not quite the equal of HI. (their quality has been going steadily up though!)

Mike
 
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