Windass Steelcrafts Kukris

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Sharp Knives 86

Sharp Knives 86

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Hello, new guy here. I'm currrently in the market for a decent Kukri knife to mainly be used as a machete and survival knife and at the moment, I'm eyeing the Windlass Steelcrafts Gurkha Regimental Kukri and was wondering what the quality was and how it would compare to an Ontario GI machete or somthing similar? I know there are other kukris out there like the ones offered by Kabar and Cold Steel etc but I'm wanting something a little more "traditional" looking. I'm also considering a few kukris from the Kukri House but I'm allway hesitant to oreder overseas so I was wondering if they are trust worthy as well as the quality of their knives.
 
If you haven't already visited the Himalayan Imports subforum here I highly recommend that you do so.
 
I asked about these a long time ago, and Windlass Steelcraft's are "questionable" users. HI's are much better in fit and finish and heat treat, and much more consistent in quality. I bought a WS used, and it's an okay chopper for fun, but not for serious work - at least mine isn't.

Here's a link to my question:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=509354&highlight=windlass

See posts #9 & #12 for the heat-treat point. (Reading up on HI's is what got me to studying the importance of heat treatment.)

thx - cpr
 
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Thanks guys. The HI Kukris look very nice but a little out of my price range at the moment. Plus I wouldn't be able to bring myself to beat up on a $100 plus knife (even if it can take it). I'm mainly looking to replace my Ontario GI issued machete which was recently stolen so I figured this might be a good time to go kuk and the Windlass kukris are around the same price. Could a Windlass kukri at least compare to the Ontario GI machete in terms of duability and toughness.
 
i've got the assam rifle's model from windlass. for the price they're unbeatable. a pain in the ass to cut a bevel on, though. i think you can have them sharpened for a few extra dollars.
 
Sharp Knives I was in the same shape and worse a number of years ago. However I had a friend who had purchased one of those cheap kukri like objects and saw how horribly it performed and how it didn't last. I saved my money and contacted Yangdu and she made me a deal on a M-43 kukri. I highly reccomend you do the same. That kukri literaly saved my life as well as serving me exceptionaly well through years of very very hard use. The DOTD (deal of the day) which Yangdu posts daily is often at an unbelievable discount. The H.I. kukri's will serve you far better and give a lifetime of service. Hang out on the subforums a couple days, read a couple of the threads and ask a few questions. Most any of use will be happy to share our experience with a newcomer.
 
Sharp Knives 86 said:
Thanks guys. The HI Kukris look very nice but a little out of my price range at the moment. Plus I wouldn't be able to bring myself to beat up on a $100 plus knife (even if it can take it). I'm mainly looking to replace my Ontario GI issued machete which was recently stolen so I figured this might be a good time to go kuk and the Windlass kukris are around the same price. Could a Windlass kukri at least compare to the Ontario GI machete in terms of duability and toughness.
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By the time you figure in shipping from nepal the KH khukuris arent so nicely priced anymore. If you buy from an H.I DOTD they ship free to CONUS, as they ship from Reno Nevada. In my experience No, the Windlass khuks will not hold up as well as an ontario machete.
 
Again thanks for the replies guys. I think I'm gonna go ahead and get the Windlass kukri if only for the sake of owning a kukri. Still after browsing through the photo thread and reading mutiple reviews on the HI sub-forum, I gotta say, I think I know what I want for Christmas. One more question, are there any ID markings on a Windlass kukri so I can be sure it's actually a Windlass knife i'm reciving and not a knock off?
 
I used one of the Atlanta Cutlery/Windlass models for years as a beater. It still has alot of life left. I think it was the army issue model.

As mentioned by others it was a pain to get sharp. I started thinning it with a file before moving to a stone. Once I got a useable edge it worked well.

Bill Bagwell did a review on this one for Battle Blades in SOF. He gave it pretty high marks and even described it as "indestructible". He was promoting it as a better alternative to the Rambo type pieces of the time.

That was back in the 80's. The knives may not be as well made now if you can judge by some of the comments made here in the last few years.

Ten
 
Sharp Knives 86 said:
are there any ID markings on a Windlass kukri so I can be sure it's actually a Windlass knife i'm reciving and not a knock off?
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I think pretty much everything made by Windlass is made in India.

There are no markings at all on my AC/WS kukri, or the karda (small knife) or sharpener either; also neither the karda or sharpener are heat treated; they're basically useless.

thx - cpr
 
if you go to the himalyan import sub section, they also sell blemished blades 3-4 times a week and you can get something nice for less than $100
 
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