Kukri recommendations

[cluttonfred]

I am in the market for a kukri knife as a general do-it-all survival tool. I am actually quite familiar with kukris having lived in Nepal for two years two decades ago, but I am not looking for a traditional polished knife.

I am looking for something small-to-medium-size as kukris go, with a matte or unpolished finish. I don't need the traditional accessory knives but I would need a rugged sheath. I know that some of the US kukri importers have come and gone in recent years.

Does anyone have any recent experience with vendors and knives like this that they'd like to share? Thanks!

 

[nalioth]

Every time this question is asked, the predominant response:

You can't go wrong with a kukri from Himalayan Imports

 

[average_shooter]

Ka-Bar makes one, but it might be bigger than what you're looking for:

https://www.kabar.com/product/produ...d=1,2,3,7&categoryName=Product Search Results

 

[7X57chilmau]

It really is hard to beat H.I. for kukri's. Sizes and forms vary almost endlessly. Quality seems to be consistantly pretty good, especially considering the price.

I've messed with one of their Ang Kolas and found it to be very well made with a few minor issues (the butt cap need a touch of file to save my palm), but it is certainly a LARGE and VERY HEAVY knife.... I prefer the military pattern ones (thinner steel, lighter, handier).....

I've yet to see a generally negative review of their work.

J

 

[hso]

nalioth is on target.

 

[gb6491]

Another plug for Himalayan Imports here; they make an excellent product. If you go their forum on bladeforums.com, you might be able to snag one of the deals of the day


Regards,
Greg

 

[JShirley]

You probably want one of the following (sized from aprox smallest to largest)

a HI

15" BAS
16.5" WWII
15" Ang Khola

Any one of these three will be a good, general purpose kukuri, with the BAS usually being by far the smallest of the three.

J

 

[Coronach]

Himilayan Imports. Period.

The product is astounding, and the ethics of the company are top notch. They use regional artisans in remote villages, not mass production in factories to make their knives. If you're looking for a traditional kukri, HI is the way to go.

Mike

 

[jack404]

what wrong with a original ( nepalese issue) ???

 

[7X57chilmau]

Nothing at all.... But HI gives you similar quality (or better) and a variety of choices of form.... And it's new.

J

 

[HorseSoldier]

I've heard nothing but good stuff about Himalayan Imports, though have never dealt with them, personally.

If you feel up to putting a handle on your own knife, Atlanta Cutlery has what they advertise as some very old Kukri blades that have a rough, unpolished finish to them. Have only seen them on their website, so can't comment on how they look in person.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I've seen one or two "Khukri house " kukris and they looked great

 

[Demitrios]

Himalayan Imports really makes some top of the line stuff. But if you want a reliable do-it-all kukri that's only $20 and you won't mind beating up then look no further than the Cold Steel Kukri Machete. I use it when I go mountain climbing (not to be confused with rock climbing) to clear paths through some pretty thick brush. Don't bother with the Magnum, it's too long and will bend, get the smaller kukri. It's reliable, it's sharp, it's strong and best of all it's cheap.

After putting a bike handle on it the shock from any kind of chopping is nearly zero.


Putting a nylon lanyard on it really helps prevent it slipping out of my hands no matter how wet it gets.


Universal nylon clip attaches just above my knee so that there's no hinderance in my movement.


Attached to my gun belt, this thing helped me out tremendously. Nostalgia aside, if this
were lost or destroyed for whatever reason it's only $20. But it won't be either since I have it attached to myself and it's a tough SOB.

 

[JShirley]

That's what we call a KLO (Kukuri-Like Object). Glad it works for you, but its chopping potential is nowhere near that of a good kukuri. It works okay for light brush, though. The three I suggested will work from anything from light brush to mid-sized trees (and even larger, if you're willing to take the time).

John

 

[KBintheSLC]

I could not afford one of the H.I. versions, but I did get my hands on a KaBar Khukuri. It is actually a good little knife for ~$40. I believe it is a 1095 steel blade with a kraton grip and a decent tang. It sharpens up easily, and cuts like a champ. The only thing that sucks is the included sheath... I need to make my own.

 

[Demitrios]

Well that's just it, I'm not touting it as top of the line, but for a $20 beater you really can't go wrong with this one.

 

[curlyme]

Cold steel makes some.

 

[nalioth]

Cold steel makes some

<snip>Kukuri-Like Object(s)

Yep, they sure do.

 

[Hawk]

...with a matte or unpolished finish.

I believe Yangdu refers to those as "villager fit and finish". It's good for a somewhat lower price.

Himalayan Imports, naturally.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I wouldn't pay Himalayan imports price for something most likely banged out of an automotive leaf spring by a villager.

Honestly, if you're looking for a user, go with one of the modern companies.

 

[JShirley]

Okay, so don't. Your choice.

Most of those modern kuks don't actually use as well as a HI. And most of them are higher priced. (Kabars are an exception, and the Cold Steels are, frankly, junk.)

J

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Didn't mean anything by it, but I think people don't realize that that's exactly what they are.

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/ is a much more sensible approach, with more utilitarian options, as OP initially requested

 

[gb6491]

DAVIDSDIVAD,
How do the two (HI and Khukri House) compare in quality? I've used HI products and know that they are capable; how did the Khukri House product work for you?
Regards,
Greg

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I never used one heavily, but gave it to a friend.

Eric Bergeron from from Axe Forum swore by Khukri house, however.

Sure, the higher priced Himalayan imports are bound to have better fit and finish, but neither are going to look like custom knives by individual smiths.

 

[Slamfire]

I purchased a double fuller Khukuri from John McCurdy off Ebay. His ebay seller ID is superman3355. Having purchased a number of Khukuri House khukuri’s before, I think this guy gets hand selected knives, probably using the KH guys as buyers. My double fuller khukuri is an excellent knife.

John McCurdy supplied a KH video CD on how these khukuri’s are made. These knives are made in a complex “factory” where a bunch of knifemakers work. The lead knifemaker makes the blade and metal fittings. Others, call them “subcontractors”, make and fit the handle, polish the blade, make the sheath. When the khukuri is finally assembled, and it takes about 3 man days of effort, the khukuri is sold to a buyer. I saw the KH buyers with hand fulls of khukuris that they had obviously purchased from different knifemakers. The KH buyers were inspecting each knife for workmanship, fit, etc. They haggled over prices and paid for what they liked.

I own HI khukuri’s and a number of KH, and some that are not branded. What is forgetten was that Bill Martino of HI purchased his early khukuri’s from the same makers as KH. When other Americans got in on the act, and their knives were indistinguishable and a third of his price, he decided to set up his own knife shop.

Sadly Bill is gone, but his wife continues the business. The current crop of HI knives have the best fit and finish of any modern day khukuri’s coming out of Nepal. But all, regardless of the “knife factory” that they come out of, all are made from car springs and tempered by eye using a tea pot for the quench.

It is a matter of what do you want?. If you are never going to chop with your khukuri, pay the extra and get a pretty HI. If you are going to beat the heck out of it, get a KH or one from KH’s distributors.

I can’t tell much of a difference functionally between any other them.