Which Kukri

K

Kiri

Joined
Jun 20, 2002
Messages
96
Hi,

I am thinking of buying a Cold Steel Kukri. I already have a nice Nepalese one in my collection but now want one for more tactical use, so the Concealex sheath appeals to me and the Kraton handle. (I am going to be out in the wet!)

I cant decide between their Gurkha Kukri and the LTC Kukri.

Does anyone have any feedback on the pros and cons of these two models ?


Also is there any other brand I should look at ?

I will probably be out in all sorts of weather and from previous experience handles of bone, horn or wood would probably warp or split and the traditionally made sheath of wood and buffalo hide most likely won't last long.
Mostly it would be used as a general utility bush knife but also with the option of being a possible weapon as well.

Any comments gratefully recieved.

K
 
Himalayan Imports has a forum here at Blade Forums. Their Nepalese-made khukuris -- and customer service -- are regarded as the standard against which others are compared. The forum is a good source of information about khukuris ----- and merely "kukri-shaped objects."

You could also do a "search" for "kukri" and find tests of various products.
 
I've owned an LTC, gurka kukri, and 2 ATCs (5/16" flat ground LTC) and can confidently state that Cold Steel makes just about the WORST kukri's in the business. The problem is those awful !@#$@#$ blister causing cheap a$$ed checkered kraton handles. A barbed wire wrapped one would be an improvement. I dare anyone to chop with one bare-handed for 10 minutes and not develop blisters and torn skin. Furthermore, the design has been down-graded from the almost Kukri like Satin-finished ATC into the black painted "Tactical" Gurka kukri that chops worse but is cheaper to make. If you want a Kukri to use, avoid Cold Steel. I would also recommend HI. Several of their models have a "break 1 get 2 free forever" guarantee---Cold steel only has a 5-year warranty. Don't fall for Cold Steel's hype. If you must have one, plan on re-handling it and putting a proper convexed edge on the thing.
 
you'd be better off getting an 18" Ontario Machete than a Cold Steel khukri.

but i don't think a wood-handled khukri from Himalayan Imports would warp or split. plus, you could always wrap the handle with hockey tape or a bike tube. and get a custom-made sheath from any number of magicians around here.

it would be a vastly better investment than any other khukri, in my opinion.
 
I totally agree - don't bother with the Cold Steel Kukris. Yes they look and sound sexy and will look really cool - but if you actually want to use them without gloves AND don't want to put up with the blade wedging / binding every strike - get yourself a Himalayan Imports Kukri and be done with it.

(I used to sell Cold Steel knives so I say this with absolute truth!!)
 
I too sold my CS LTC and went HI all the way. If you want tactical, blue the blade and get a kydex sheath made :)
 
I have the agrussell kukri which I am very happy with so you might consider that .Remember that the heavier the knife the heavier the brush you can cut . The agrussell is 18 oz and I have another kukri which is 24oz. The 24 oz can do some very serious cutting of substantial branches.
 
I like my LTC for light chopping duties, and it throws (!!??!! whoda thunk it?) which is fun. But as others have said, if you need a real user then checkered kraton is NOT for you! You can learn from others' mistakes and avoid it, or you can spend the money to learn what we have which is that blisters in the field suck, especially on the first day of a 5-day hike . . .
 
Wow thanks guys!

Sounds like a pretty unanimous vote against CS! I guess maybe getting a custom Kydex sheath for a better HI Kukri is the way forward. Thanks for your input.

K
 
If you are looking for tactical usage, then CS is definitely the way to go. The Ghurka Kukri is very well balanced, and because of the distal taper I think it's much better if you want one for defense. I have both the CS and several HI khukuris.

Personally, I've never had a problem with Kraton rubbing my hand wrong, but the CS does bind in wood due to the full flat grind. The HI's are definitely better tools for chopping wood and other general camp tasks. But for defense, I'll take the CS over the HI's any day.
 
sodak said:
If you are looking for tactical usage, then CS is definitely the way to go. The Ghurka Kukri is very well balanced, and because of the distal taper I think it's much better if you want one for defense. I have both the CS and several HI khukuris.

Personally, I've never had a problem with Kraton rubbing my hand wrong, but the CS does bind in wood due to the full flat grind. The HI's are definitely better tools for chopping wood and other general camp tasks. But for defense, I'll take the CS over the HI's any day.
Click to expand...

Funny that those Ghurkas don't know what a combat knife should look like. Maybe they just aren't "tactical" enough. :yawn:
 
Tony_A said:
...plan on re-handling it and putting a proper convexed edge on the thing.
Click to expand...
That's what I like to hear.....:D
 
Thomas Linton said:
Funny that those Ghurkas don't know what a combat knife should look like. Maybe they just aren't "tactical" enough. :yawn:
Click to expand...

Try re-reading the original post.

I was trying to answer a question based on personal experience, not on what I've "heard" about a Ghurka..... :rolleyes:
 
And I merely suggest that the Ghurkas have hundreds of years of experience to determine what a proper battle khukuri is like -- and it ain't CS's kukri-shaped object. Now a Blackjack Reinhardt - that's more like it.
 
I would go with the HI. I have had a CS and the Kraton handle does cause blisters. CS makes some really good stuff, but I would pass on the kukri's from CS. If you want a tactical (kydex) sheath Daniel Koster who has already posted makes Kydex for kukri's. I would give him an e-mail and see if he could make you a sheath and then you would be set. Have fun picking out your new Kukri.

Tom
 
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