Kukri Machete's

[Demitrios]

I own the smaller version of the Cold Steel Kukri Machete and I love the thing. I love it because it was dirt cheap, it works like a mule and with a bike handle thrown on it it's very easy to handle without being uncomfortable. Well I've noticed there're a few other Kukri Machete's out there, for instance

Ka-Bar makes one

Valor Makes three the 2238, 2239 and the Ghurka

Frost makes another

Ontario makes the Spec Plus 2502

ad Smith & Wesson makes the Bush Hog


Now all of these blades, with the exception of the Ontario and Ka-Bar, run under $30. My question is do any of you have experience with any of these blades? I am not looking for a pure Kukri, otherwise I'd buy Himalaya Imports, I'm looking for a Kukri style Machete. Also if you guys know of any other Kukri Machetes I'd love to hear more about them. Thanks guys.

 

[7X57chilmau]

I've no experience with anything other than real kuks......

Beyond handle shape, how are these machete kukri's different from a true kuk? At a glance, I'd guess they have lighter, thinner blades (I don't see the characteristic hollow in the fat area of the blade, and no fullers)....

What do you use them for? How do the differences in their construction make them more suitable for your purpose?

Just curious here... To me, these are very plain knives you've shown, I'm trying to understand why one would choose one of these over a HI Kuk.....

J

 

[Demitrios]

I my case I bought the CS Kukri Machete because it was cheap, under $20, so I wouldn't mind busting it up when I go mountain climbing (not to be confused with rock climbing up sheer faces). I use it to hack through light to medium brush when I come across large patches of thorns or need to clear a path so I'm not stuck in any spot. Plus it's a hell of a chopper for the price, where-as HI makes some very quality stuff (I own one and I love it) but I know if I swung it into something I shouldn't and it got a bit messed up I'd be pretty pissed.

 

[7X57chilmau]

Gotcha! My Kuk (not HI, but similar) has glanced off all manner of things before I upgraded to a small chainsaw (clearin' alders...), and has never taken a serious ding, FWIW.... Just a few scratches and the odd rolled edge that works out quickly...

J

 

[HiWayMan]

Bought the Frost from SMKW for like $9. Cuts ok, but prefer a standard latin style blade for clearing briars and small brush. The blade is really much to light for serious work. No momentum generated.

 

[AStone]

Interested in the Ka-Bar.

My largest knife for backpacking now is my SOG Seal Pup.

I tried a Ka-Bar fighting knife for a larger chopping tool,
but it's not enough. (Good fighter, I'm sure, but I'm a gun guy.)

Looking for something smaller, lighter than a tomahawk or hatchet
to clear a camp in a thicket, cut some small firewood,
yet pack lighter than a hatchet.

Looks like the Ka-Bar Kukri could get the call.

 

[AStone]

Closest competitor for me now:

Ontario 12" Camper Machete Black D Handle.

Ka-Bar or Ontario?

 

[Mokwepa]

Nepalese kukri house have some good quality propper blades at a very reasonable price. Ive used one and just could not break it.

 

[22-rimfire]

I don't have any experience with the Kukri shape. I have been thinking about getting one of the HI models (mid size) just to try one out. I know they are good.

Nematocyst, I have the 12" Ontario machete. It works. The blade is pretty rigid which makes it a decent chopper. Biggest problem is getting a decent sheath for the price of the machete.

The other Kabar item that might interest you is this one. http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/e...ange=51&SearchText=kabar&Mode=Text&SKU=KA1248

I have one and I find it more comfortable than a regular machete. But I still use the machete too.

I have a SOG seal pup elite plain edge as my regular woods knife these days. But I change out depending on what I think I might be doing in the woods.

 

[alaskanativeson]

I'm very excited about the fact that Busse Combat is planning on coming out with a Kukri.

 

[AStone]

The other Kabar item that might interest you is this one. http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eC...ext&SKU=KA1248

Wow. I like that a LOT.

Thanks for the heads up. That may have just moved into first place for me.

 

[MrFox]

I have a HI british army service. It is FANTASTIC. It can be made to be very sharp with a convex grind using the mouse pad method. There is nothing I dont like about it. I picked it up as a deal of the day ($45 last year) and never regretted it. You might want to try your luck at "sharking" one on a different site. PM if you'd like to know what it is.

IMHO, they are the most legit khukuri you can buy. I have played with the KABAR one before when I was at the Smokey Mountain Knife Works store. I remember not being too impressed. They did have these real cheap machetes with sabre style hand guards that I really liked. I think they are made by ontario.

 

[TimboKhan]

I have the cheaper CS version, and for 14 bucks, I couldn't be happier. I haven't used it a whole lot, but for what I have used it for so far, it has worked out great. Design wise, I firmly believe that the Kukrhi is superior to all other machetes with the possible exception of a Woodsmans Pal, and even then the curve of the blade offers a mechanical advantage that the pal doesn't have.

Look, for me, it works. I don't live a lifestyle that calls for much machete work, and for the CS offered decent quality at a good price for when I do need it. If something bad happens, well, I know I have gotten my moneys worth out of it and it won't keep me awake at night.

 

[dukenobles]

i own a CS kukri. Think it cost me around 12 bucks at a pawn shop. Keep it behind the seat in my truck. Have used it to open everything from bales of hay to DVD cases. I'vr hacked through brush while geocaching and even used it to cook some hot dog franks with. Its cheap and efficient and I dont really care if i loan it to a friend. They can lose the darn thing while we're kayaking or camping and I'll just get another one.

I realize they aren't legitimate kukri, but they always seem to serve a fine purpose of hacking through stuff. The biggest downside I see is their lack of weight. You really have to know how to swing it to do any good, but the flipside to its lightness is ... the lightness. Half the time, I dont even remember I have it strapped onto my belt or pack cuz its so light.

pros and cons. everything CS i've ever bought has been worth the money at least. lol. id like to see how that British Army Service holds up. I have minimal experience with Kukri and would like to see how the real deal performs.

speaking of the woodsmans pal (timbokhan), has anyone really put one through its paces? been seeing one in the backpages of outdoor life for years. just curious if it backs up all the hype.

 

[7X57chilmau]

I cut mostly alder with my kukri's, and have found that I can take up to about 2" diameter with a single stroke....

What are these KukChete's capable of? Genuine question.

J

 

[nalioth]

Folks, these are just machetes in the shape of a kukri - nothing more.

Thin machete metal.

Basic machete expectations.

There's nothing "magical" about them due to their shape. . .

 

[TimboKhan]

There's nothing "magical" about them due to their shape

Untrue. There is a definite advantage to the shape of the blade that a straight blade doesn't have. It is a weight-forward design, which essentially means that the blade will be traveling faster and hit harder (or, in this case, cut deeper) than a straight blade swung exactly the same. It's the exact same principle that golf club manufacturers use, and is one of the reasons why, everything else being equal, a club like a Big Bertha will give you more distance than a club with a smaller, lighter head.

It's not wizard magic, only the magic of physics.

With that being said, "basic machete expectations" is a good turn of phrase. They have an advantage, but they aren't lightsabers. The work is somewhat easier, but I would think only fractionally so.