quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
RMJ make the best, metallurgically, that exist.
They may look a little more modern than what you're looking for, but they are the real deal.

I would submit that the Dan Tope Khukri in CPM3V, with a full convex grind and without that epoxy powder coat would be superior. Dan Tope has a bunch of collaborations with Bark River, and the construction of his knives look like something right out of Bark River's catalog. I would not be surprised if his knives are manufactured side by side, and heat treated, by the folks at Bark River--and they absolutely know their 3V steel and convex grinds.

I would argue that a full convex grind in a tough steel like 3V without a soft epoxy coat slowing it down/dragging in material is of a superior design than RMJ's. The convex grind is superior as a chopper, with more material behind the edge and would be more easily sharpened on a recurve shaped khukri. The way I look at it, an epoxy coating is adding a few MM of thickness for no benefit other than corrosion resistance and tacticool colors. I'd rather have more steel in the thickness (or an overall thinner knife of the same durability), and acid wash the blade if I wanted to make a blade un-shiny and 3V is very corrosion resistant for a non-stainless steel. For the money, I'd buy the Dan Tope.

(I've clearly been lusting at a modern tactical kukri).

If I wanted something cheaper, and wasn't afraid of losing my fingers, I would also look at the Condor HD Kukri and the Tactical Kukri made famous by Alan Kay (from the survival show, Alone).

$500 Ouch!

What do you guys think of something along these lines?

https://www.knifecenter.com/it...andle-cordura-sheath

I like this one over the Ontario:

https://www.knifecenter.com/it...handles-kydex-sheath

It's heavier. 2lbs, making it a better chopper. Convex grind, better than the full flat grind, as it keeps more material behind the edge. It also has a pommel swell for legit swinging/chopping. Micarta is better than kraton in my book, and this one has a full tang with a metal pommel that can be used for crushing and hammering. 1075 is tougher and faster to sharpen, 1095 will hold an edge longer and can get higher hardness if heat treated right. I imagine the heat treat for this knife and the Ontario above would be right about the same, so I would ignore the higher *possible* hardness.

Only downside is that it doesn't have a finger guard. It's good if you want it for close in carving work, but bad if you ever want to go "tactical" with it.

There's a cheaper version without the metal pommel and a wood handle.

https://www.knifecenter.com/it...elted-leather-sheath

Thanks a lot, guys. Without SigForum I never would have known I needed one but apparently I did and some research led me to Himalayan Imports and after a chat with Yangdu, the owner, she sent me this which is just what I wanted, as if she’d read my mind. At 16” overall with a 10 1/2“ unpolished blade, it weighs 18 ounces and is very well made. It’s a great combi-tool to keep in the 4Runner for anything a pocket knife won’t handle.

P210,
Looks like their Ang Khola model. Great blade, I have one as well.
I did remove the brass "guard" at the bottom of the sheath after it became loose after years of ownership.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
P210,
Looks like their Ang Khola model. Great blade, I have one as well.
I did remove the brass "guard" at the bottom of the sheath after it became loose after years of ownership.

Very similar but the Ang Khola is highly polished and a few ounces heavier in this size, better for chopping wood but more fatiguing to use in other tasks, a trade off that’s better for my purposes, plus I wanted a non reflective as forged finish. I’d like to thank you and the others who recommended Himalayan Imports.

I'm in mourning. I got an early Cold Steel from my late friend about ten years ago, and kept it in the garage for emergencies.

Now it has disappeared. We've rarely had anyone in the garage and very, very rarely were they alone long enough to grab the knife, but...it's sure gone. Grrrrr.

I'm still looking for it. This was an early one and really sharp and strong. I know CS has newer ones for less than $25, but that isn't what I have...errrr...had.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by P210:

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
P210,
Looks like their Ang Khola model. Great blade, I have one as well.
I did remove the brass "guard" at the bottom of the sheath after it became loose after years of ownership.

Very similar but the Ang Khola is highly polished and a few ounces heavier in this size, better for chopping wood but more fatiguing to use in other tasks, a trade off that’s better for my purposes, plus I wanted a non reflective as forged finish. I’d like to thank you and the others who recommended Himalayan Imports.

As noted in the comments on the video Tac posted, the earlier HI khuris were lighter like traditional pieces. Many wouldn't know the difference and be quite happy with today's stouter models. Mine was bought in 1998 and is light, fast, and well balanced.

The key these days is to do what you did...get it special ordered to suit. Well done!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bald1,

My best friend growing up, his family brought one back from an over seas work gig in the region.
What was cool was that it still had the finger sticker left intact.
The tradition as I understood as a kid was that the owner never drew it from the scabbard unless they were prepared to draw blood with it, someone else or their own before putting it back in the scabbard.
I thought that was pretty cool.

HK Ag

quote:

Originally posted by skyline009:
https://knivesbyhand.com/

Those look pretty cool!

I am looking at thd HI page and conzidering the models WW2 and Malla. I am liking the elegant look of the Malla, and the price is less.

Ha…forgot about this one.

I ended up buying one. It works for my needs:

https://www.atlantacutlery.com...kha-regimental-kukri

Mine is a Gil Hibben. He use to make knives/hand made ones. The reason I bought it at a gun show was because he was the maker. I used to collect his hand made knives. Well his and that guy in Florida, Bo Randall. I've never used mine. It sits in a plastic tub down in the basement.

How about the Vakra from ZombieTools? $330.

Dozer makes them.