I promised another few minutes of kukri related content, and dammit if I’m not a knife bro
of my word.
As much as I hate making an overview or list video, for whatever reason- maybe because
people are no damn good, they drive traffic to my channel.
If you subscribe and watch regularly, the comparison sections at the end give “sorta”
useful information but mostly make the videos longer.
I own about six dumb westernized tourist kukris, and I recommend you Google the term “tourist
kukris” or ‘import export kukris” for a bit better explanation of the term.
But the basic gist of it is…
Authentic Kukris are made in Nepal… however Kukri-istas will tell you a lot of the ones
available to stupid international buyers still aren’t authentic, because they’re overly
heavy, bad at literally everything or have design elements not found in traditional kukris,
and that you should have your head examined if you like them.
So do whatever with that information you choose, but here are the six Kukris I currently own,
and here is a basic good and bad of each, and I’ll tell you my favorites.
As a lot of us know Kukris can make excellent choppers.
If you want a hybrid in performance between a an axe and a machete, but would also like
to be in violation of some sort city ordinance or HOA rule.
No lawn flamingos or trimming boxwoods in shorts with less than an 7 inch drop using
kukris.
Kukris are generally over a pound, and you can get them with shorter or longer blades.
Some information suggests a blade of 11.5 inch would bedecent size for a standard overcompensation.
I have found Kukris creeping up near the two pound mark are more fatiguing if you’re
doing a lot of chopping.
So are hand axes too I guess, if you dabble in the dark arts.
You know using the appropriate tool for the job.
First the $280 zombie tools Vakra which is a standard now in all of my Kukri videos.
Zombie tools hails out of Montana, the state with the most undead per capita.
It’s true look it up.
They’re so awesome they have wait times on all sorts of large unique large choppers.
This Kukri has been my favorite chopper since I have gotten it and although it looks thorny
and evil- it’s comfortable to hold.
The sheath is very nice and it straps to your leg, which is good if you’ve run out of
your standard duck tape.
Sure this isn’t super authentic, but the details are all carefully considered to appeal
to your inner mall ninja.
The curved grip for my hand fits it just right, it’s easy to draw, and fun to chop with.
I can’t think of any real negatives, other than it’s kind of heavy.
I guess they could add a fuller, sorry a blood groove, to save a little weight.
Although honestly it isn’t any heavier than most chopper style machetes, like Parangs
or other Kukris.
Next the Himalayan Imports duo.
These are both traditional-ish and range about $100-150, although they make cheaper ones
for the broke and more expensive ones for the extremely broke.
The 9mm spines are THICC, as in with 2 Cs.
To stay positive, that just means a great wide batoning edge.
One thing that’s important to consider though is handle comfort.
Do you wear gloves, are you a hand lotioner?
If you care about cracked tender hands, the handles here are not as comfortable as they
might could be.
The butt caps are both edgy, as in like you might want sand paper to actually finish the
handle on the kukri.
That way you can say you helped make it, you’re basically a blade smith now or a kami.
The Zombie tools has a lot of chamferinging, and leather wrapping, and all of the parts
that touch your sweet smooth tender hands is pretty nice.
The bone handled one feels best because it doesn’t have the rings.
However it must be noted the rings probably could have been executed better- maybe if
you drop them an extra hundo.
You have to understand though these are hand made, and not mass produced- and maybe you
should just toughen up for a change.
Traditional Kukri sheaths tend to ride a little high too- don’t expect nice drop sheaths
or kydex.
The Ka-Bar.
One of the most comfortable handles in the whole lot.
It’s rubbery and has a decent swell, which of course a nice thing for someone to say
at my eulogy.
Don’t bring up the Youtube thing though.
It was very sharp out of the box.
And while the coating could be more durable, no coating holds up with prolonged exposure
to wood.
It’s science.
It just delays the inevitable for a few weeks.
It’s not a bad value at $50 bucks or so, and if you want a starter Kukri, this or an
Ontario might be a great place to start.
Or just your only kukri, because apparently some people can buy just 1 of a thing.
One subscribe recently said he was fond of battoning, and his handle got wobbly.
For some anecdotal internet evidence from one person is all you need to avoid a product.
The Bud K. Maybe this is the real starter kukri at $20.
It looks kind of old, like your idiot grandpa gifted it to you.
The handle isn’t too uncomfortable, although I reckon the Quality Control on these might
be all over the place.
As in good enough boys, this batch is going to BudK.
You know I call it the BudK, but a ton of sites sell this basic Indian Kukri.
They do not come very sharp, so expect to use the sharpening steels, sandpaper, a file,
your driveway- whatever your preferred method of blunt instrument de-dulling is.
I have seen people talk about the handles breaking on some or the scales falling off.
I have whooped on this for about 7 years now and have experienced some slight handle play,
during whacking, but otherwise it’s held up fine.
I feel like edge retention isn’t the greatest, but I find a recollection of edge retention
when not performing scientific A and B comparisons is more an emotional feeling than an intellectual
one.
Which is how most people approach this hobby anyway.
And finally the Cold Steel Kukri.
It’s $20, and my least favorite.
Don’t tell Lynn.
The handle is comfortable and the blade was kind of sharpish, however it’s the least
fun in the chopping department.
The blade flexes a bit too much for wood play.
This review wasn’t long ago so you probably remember this.
Thank you for watching this bullshit again by the way.
Remember I have reviewed every single kukri here, so please if you haven’t watched those,
do it.
And if you have watch them all again.
A quick recap in order of favoriteness.
The Vakra, the Ka-Bar, the Himalayan Imports, the BudK, and the Cold Steel.
This ends my Kukri videos for now, but I just ordered a Kailash Scourage Anniversary kukri,
which is a modern design from Nepalese maker.
That video is still months off though, because they’re made to order.
So if you like this cheap recap video using mostly old footage, subscribe to the channel.
List videos suck, yet people watch them.
Has anyone ever watched a top 5 and ever been truly happy?
No because we don’t like other peoples lists, we like complaining about them.
However an overview video brings me more traffic, so it’s a win for me who likes clicks, and
a win for people who like saying I’m wrong.
And again these are just blades I own, the best, just general feelings about some things
I’ve bought.
Like subscribe, comment, Patreon me, thanks for watching.