Kukri Reviews

Reviews of traditional Gurkha Khukuri Knives and modern Kukri Machetes, as well as other large fixed-blade chopping knives with a similar curved blade shape to the Kukri.

FOX Extreme Tactical Kukri Review – Model FX-9CM05 T, Tanto Point

October 19, 2016 Author: Michael

Your experience outdoors is only as good as the tools you have and knives are without a doubt among the most important resources. If you are a hunter, a camping enthusiast or you simply love being outdoors, you understand better than anyone else the importance of not only carrying a knife but also having the right blade for your required tasks. These days, it’s a little hard to get your hands on a decent knife. The problem is not that there aren’t any good ones but that the market is literally flooded with all sorts of models, brands and designs. The choices can be a little overwhelming to inexperienced knife users. This can make it difficult for newcomers to find the right knife. (more…)

Condor Kukri Machete Review

June 24, 2014 Author: Michael

The Condor Kukri Machete up for review (available at Amazon) is an excellent option for a large, affordable, fixed blade knife that’s perfect for heavy-duty chopping, hacking vines and shrubbery, cutting wood, batoning and clearing trails. It makes short work of tall brush, easily lops off limbs for firewood, and sharpens up quickly to a razor edge.

I reviewed the Condor Heavy Duty Kukri a while back and came away very satisfied with everything that model had to offer. Like the HD Kukri, this model is also made in El Salvador with premium build materials, including high-carbon steel, thick genuine leather, and a gorgeous hardwood handle. This stout blade can take plenty of abuse without bending, breaking or chipping.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Condor Kukri machete such an ideal choice for outdoorsmen who need a reliable machete to bring along in the woods and on the trail. (more…)

Condor Heavy Duty Kukri Review

January 9, 2014 Author: Michael

The Condor Heavy Duty Kukri was designed by Joe Flowers and produced by Condor Tool & Knife. They have been manufacturing similar products since 1787. In 2004, the company started a new product line which specialized in knifes made specifically for the North American and European outdoors market, and now stock a wide variety of knives, axes, tools, shovels, machetes, and swords. This particular model is intended to be a compact – but heavy – version of a larger-sized Kukri knife and has all the penetration power and heft of a regular Kukri.

Featuring hardwood handle scales, durable leather sheath and a well-constructed 10-inch blade with convex grind, this Kukri knife from Condor is one of the most popular in its price range available on the market today. It is heavy and thick, making it capable of carrying out a number of heavy-duty chopping tasks that similar sized knives simply couldn’t take on. Our review of the Condor Heavy Duty Kukri below will cover all aspects of this budget Kukri and why it’s one of the best bargains on the market. (more…)

Ka-Bar Kukri Machete Review (Model 2-1249-9)

November 16, 2013 Author: Michael

The Kukri style knife has a rich and romantic history. Designed for warfare, it is the prized possession of every Nepalese Gurkha soldier, past and present. On the other hand, a machete also has an exhilarating history as a weapon of war. It was used in a number of confrontations, from the Rwandan Genocide to the Battle of Havana.

Ka-Bar inventively took the ideas of each of these powerful knives and interweaved them into one. Thus was born the Ka-Bar Kukri Machete (Model 2-1249-9), a knife containing the shape of the Kukri, the ferocity of a machete and the chopping power of an ax. Read on to find out what makes the Ka-Bar Kukri Machete a very competent tool for heavy yard work, clearing bush, chopping and trimming.

Specs, Dimensions and Weight

The overall length (from the end of the handle to the tip of the blade) of this Ka-Bar Kukri Machete is 17 inches. The blade alone is 11.5 inches long and 0.165 inches in thickness with an edge angle measuring in at 20 degrees. It features a full tang design with partial flat grind. The entire tool weighs roughly 1.2 pounds (20 ounces). (more…)

TOPS CUMA Tak-Ri 2 Review – Tactical Kukri Knife

October 29, 2013 Author: Michael

TOPS CUMA Tak-Ri 2 Review and Testing The TOPS CUMA Tak-Ri 2 (available @ Amazon) is not your average tactical knife. This is a very unique curved blade based on the iconic Nepalese knife that can be used both as a multi-purpose survival tool and for defensive purposes. It is the Nepalese’s traditional blade, a popular weapon of choice that is carried around by most of the Nepalese serving the various armies around the world. TOPS has put their own twist on the classic Kukri blade shape with the CUMA Tak-Ri 2 and its more Western oriented design.

When you speak of a tactical knife, it usually means a blade size and shape with practical functionality in hand-to-hand combat for both military and law enforcement. All this was definitely kept in Sijo Waysun Johnny Tsai’s mind while designing the CUMA Tak-Ri knife. Sijo Waysun Johnny Tsai is also the world famous CQC expert who created the CUMA Tactical Street Defense program in 2000. (more…)

Ontario Knife Company Kukri Review (Model 6420)

October 26, 2013 Author: Michael

Review of the model 6420 Kukri from OKC. The Ontario Knife Company Kukri (model 6420) being reviewed here is not a traditional Khukuri and should not be judged as such. Rather, it’s a hybrid between the Nepalese Khukuri design and the machete, similar to a U.S. Marine Combat knife. There are a few major differences between traditional Nepalese made blades and the American made OKC model.

The OKC Kukri comes with features such as a Kraton handle, nylon sheath and black blade coating while traditional Khukuris are rarely coated and usually have water buffalo horn or wooden handles with a full leather sheath (usually wood wrapped with leather made from water buffalo hide). Keep reading our review of the Ontario Knife Company Kukri below to learn all about its strengths, weaknesses and other important details that may interest you when shopping for a tough, sharp and reliable Kukri. (more…)

Ka-Bar Combat Kukri Knife Review

October 21, 2013 Author: Michael

Ka-Bar Combat Kukri Review This Ka-Bar Combat Kukri is a modernized version of the legendary Gurkha weapon. It offers the best of both worlds: the fierceness of the famed Nepalese fighting knife and the reliability of a no-nonsense survival knife.

Ka-Bar is one of the most reputable US brands and this model in particular is manufactured in Olean, New York. It is smaller than the full-sized Ka-Bar Kukri and Machete, but it could definitely hold its own. If anything, the smaller profile and lighter weight makes it just the right size for combat carry.

Blade Steel

The blade of the Ka-Bar Combat Kukri features a 1095 Cro-van Steel with full tang construction. The material is a strong carbon steel that is easy to sharpen. It is one of Ka-Bar’s top choices in steel, which has an HRC hardness rating of 56 to 58. (more…)

Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri Review (SK-5 Steel, Kraton Handle)

October 15, 2013 Author: Michael

The Gurkha and their famed Kukri knives have been among the most famous warriors for ages. While you may not be able to fight quite like them, there is nothing to stop you from at least getting armed like in their style thanks to Cold Steel’s SK-5 Gurkha Kukri knife.

It has a wickedly curved blade that packs all the power and slashing ability of a sword with the chopping performance of a hatchet with this massive 17 inch knife. But this doesn’t mean that the blade should solely be purchased for use as a weapon. This kukri knife is the ideal workhorse for the home or campsite; perfect for clearing brush, trimming limbs, processing firewood and land clearing in general. (more…)

BudK Genuine Gurkha Kukri Knife Review

October 14, 2013 Author: Michael

In this review of the BudK Genuine Gurkha Kukri Knife we will be considering that you would think about buying a traditional kukri meant for use as a weapon for three main reasons: 1. To have as a display/collector’s item. 2. As a means of protecting yourself and loved ones (not likely, far better options for that). 3. They are great for most chopping tasks and make a good multi-purpose hatchet replacement.

With these reasons for buying a weapon/kukri in mind, this BudK Genuine Gurkha Kukri Knife review examines the features of the product first, as a novelty display or collector’s item; secondly, as a weapon of self-defense and last a inexpensive, utilitarian chopping blade. (more…)