Outstanding and you've just converted me from being a non-kukri camper into a Cold Steel buyer today. Looking forward to a non-hatchet next trip. Thanks.
Stumbled upon these videos a little late but I have to say the passion you have for these kukris is great. This has to be the most informative series on TH-cam.
Blackie, thank you for this sober, honest series of how to use the kukri as a bush tool; cleaning, sharpening, drawing, selecting, all good advice. Your Kukri Field Guide 2, minute 10, though, is a good example of how not to cut with it. The mass of a kukri has considerable momentum and the path the kukri travels is the danger zone. Trained practitioners remove their body parts out of the path of the kukri and into "safety zones". Around minute 10:07, you are a bit casual with your chopping with the kukri machete and almost catch your left hand. When you switch to the heavy kukri, you are keeping the left hand better cleared. We prefer (if we don't have to hold onto the thing being cut, as in the log in your example) to put the left hand on the inside of the path of the kukri, even resting on/reinforcing the right wrist. You always know where it is then. This is not a criticism of your series, which I enjoyed a lot, but hopefully a handy comment for those learning from it.
Chris Bates ..very true i was thinking of the video and how it would look in the frame..when i got careless..i was just skilled enough to check the swing in time to not need a trip to the ER...thanks for you comments
Awesome tutorial on kukris. I just love them and have about 5 of them with another one on the way. I see how they can tend to deflect if not careful with the aiming of the tool. Thanks for the nice review. 👍
Say Blackie, Curved knives always seem to slice good. I teamed my Smaller White 10" M-43 Khukuri with my 5 1/4" now modified Battle Horse Attitude Knife, I had then slightly curve it and I had the Drop Point Lowered with a high Scandi Grind, White Handle to match. Last weekend I teamed my BK-4 with my BK-2 and used them on our 4th of July trip, The two preformed magnificently, I sharpened both on my Work Sharp and the two complimented each other, I found out my BK-4 really shines as a large knife and I like teaming all my large knives with smaller ones. We were far away enough from civilization and I trusted my knives with my life, Oh, I used my new thinner Mora 510 as my neck knife and I was able to accomplish everything I set out to do with them with flying colors. Infact one of my friends could even carve spoons with his BK-2,Yup carved the bowl out with it. It was warm enough although it rained a little before we left so I didn't bring another chopper with me, But I did bring my Wicked Tough Saw with the Combo Sheath System that allows me to carry the saw in the open position when I'm building. But yeah, I cleared a little with the BK-4, I also did some lite batoning with it too, But I used my BK-2 to make kindling, If I keep it nice and sharp, I can make nice feathers with it too. Yup, I could understand why your so on Khukuris, And your right, They make good Choppers that Curved thinner area by the handle can slice as good as a knife. I was very happy I brought that set with me.
Awesome video series Blackie. I just bought myself a Kukri and am using your videos to brush up on them. We used to use them in the army when operating in Malaysia. Fantastic choppers.
I learned a lot from your video's on Khukris, in fact I bought two, I like the W.W 2 full tang Khukris, with the two pin's holding the Water Buffalo Horn slab's, the 1st omen was 13"+ blade almost a 1/2" thick, so I had the 2nd one made a tad smaller a 10th" blade but thinner, and it came with White Bone slab's, it's beautiful, Yangdu said since they make them by hand, I would order them any configuration, I got mine at Himalayan Imports, Thanx for your video's.
The sheath is why I have never bought a traditional Kukri. I had a couple traditional one's a long time ago and didn't like them at all. I only have 3 or 4 now, a couple of them are American made. The other old one I have was made in Japan for Blackjack knives. I have one heavy Kukri that I bought way back in the 80's, it is still going strong. I have a lighter one that I use now that chops better than the heavy one because of the blade shape. Good video's about my favorite knives. I have been using Kukri's for 30 years.
Another great video man. I have used my kukri machete for ages now and love it. My new schrade ghurka kukri is a design i have not really used so , hearing your tips will help. I used it some and its similar to the cold steel, but the angle is different. Thanks again Blackie.
4:01 That's a splendid sheath. I have no complaints about the traditional kukri sheath but I would be much happier with one of those. I got a Condor Parang last year that has a similar sheath and can't imagine carrying it any other way.
Thank you Blackie for the excellent tutorial. I attended a Burmese martial arts seminar a long time ago. I firmly believe that I just received more information regarding the mechanics of the Khukri in the last 25 minutes than the weekend I spend at the seminar. I gotta say you are a bit cheaper too. Thanks again
I was thinking,if I get one , I will show this video of the leather one his friend made to Stiched Gear, Randy could make that one for me or any one. Always top notch leather work.
I made a sheath like your leather one once. But it was made of solid duct tape, stitched denim, then for the slit, I had a zipper. I put more duct tape where the blade was and overlapped the tip.
Really enjoyed this whole series on the kukri. The sheath your friend made was much like the one that I have been designing in my head and on paper,so far. It is for my windless kukri. I was wondering what do you think of forcing a patina on the blade, to protect it? I've seen several people on here sing it's praises, you seem like you might have an educated opinion on it from a practical point of view. I'd be very interested to hear it. thanks for the good vids.
Finally someone shows how to use the kuk as a drawknife, but you missed showing how to use it as a scraper, as when making bows. When chopping...try using a looser wrist amd the rolling snap (holding the kuk blade back along the wrist and letting it snap forward at end of stroke) this will greatly improve your depth of cut. Harder to explain than do.
Found it's way into Darwin Australia sometime during/after WWII when Gurka were stationed in Papua. My father got it from a pig hunter friend up there.
Cold steel's sheath if far superior to the traditional sheath. I've yanked my blade out in an emergency (hungry coyote stalking me) and didn't have any problembs.
@blackoracle69 Your custom sheath is very similar to the one I thought of. A main difference is that there are some holes so you can do a lark's head to carry it on the side, it's a side carry (across the back) & the "snap" was a ball-shaped bead that you can make out of clay or something & it goes through a slip in a leather flap that goes over the slit in the sheath. Why don't you like the steel sharpener on the kukuri? Seems like it'd be long-lasting.
the forest axe is a much better tool in the colder regions ..mostly because it will be easier to drop large wood quickly and with min. calories expended....a big consideration where the nights can be 14 hrs long..big wood is the way to go for all night fires...now having said that..a kukri is rarely a bad choice and i would feel very confident in using it in almost any climate
Does the middle part of the sheath wear out from drawing & sheathing it? The edge running along the sheath on the inside, I would think, would slice through it after a while. Maybe I'm wrong about that. Great advice on the duct tape (might do that, myself).
first week i had my 14 inch 5 chirra khukri i cut all the buffalo hide off and had my buddy at linex (spray on truck bed liner) spray over the wooden sheath now its really tough
right on man ill check those out for sure. i have a condor golok machete love condor's blades but i want a kukri that has that 3/8 inch spine lol those things a beefy.
The wood conforms to the blade and locks it in by shape and angle, the outer cover just holds it all together. It's probably a little more intimidating than an axe at first, or an axe is a little too friendly for it's potential danger, one or the other. Care has to be taken not to open a leg. Less maintenance on axe. Shipping costs can kill it but might be multi-purpose enough to make the extra worthwhile. If not maybe pickup a tomahawk for it's simplicity, cost, weight.
forced patina is always a option...but i feel if a blade is used it will get a patina pretty quick on its own...if i am not going to use it much like a extra blade carried in amy pack.. a forced patina will help keep rusting to a min..thanks for the comments..safe journeys
Would just regular leather hold up as well (a lot of the sheaths have wood in them, don't really know why)? How would you compare ease of use to an axe (like how much work a chopping task takes, using it for carving, maintenance, etc...)? Considering one, but don't have much money.
@derekfromm..i got mine from himalayan imports..it is a villager model meaning it is a working blade not highly finished..also look the british service khukri.. these might be in your range..also condor makes a good khukri..might give them a look as well..thanks for the comment...safe journeys
blackoracle69 did you cover the existing sheath with canvas, or remove the Hide from the sheath and replace it with canvas? just want to know as I just received a Kukri. Thanks, Alex
Hi Blackie, to my great enjoyment, I just discovered your web site. I had a kukri custom made for my son as a birthday present when I was working in Nepal. Your video does a better job of outlining proper use than I think I could have done. So... when do we get to meet Michael and convince him to make a sheath? Does he work for beer?
Say Heah Blackie long time no see, Happy 4th of July Brother, like I have mentioned I got two M-43 Khukuris from H.I. one the larger one has a black buffalo handle, it's a beast, the smaller one, still a great chopper has a white buffalo habdle, Bill, Yangdu's husband made it for me before he died, it's a beauty, but I also got a Kukuri, it's not a Khukuri, but a Cold Steel Kukuri, it's not a machete Kukuri Shape, but it's a thick O-1 piece of steel that chop's heavy not like a machete either, I still call it a Kukuri but not a Khuluri a authentic Khukuri is how it's spelled cold steel spells theirs without a "H" because I guess it doesn't have a chow, so it's not a real Khukuri but a Kukuri, am I correct on that ?.
The Tora brand of Kukri is probably the best quality, buyer must be aware of them so called tourist kukri and fake advertising. The Kukri Houses comes in at second place, they are thicker and heavier than the armed forces uses.
is it possible to get a real kukri like the one you re raped the sheath with canvas for around 65-70 bucks? i noticed some was over 100 dollars and thats just out of my price range. love your videos man keep it up!
blackoracle69 thanks for the quick reply! To my eyes, It looks to be the best overall size and shape... Though, I do wish it were a bit thinner at the spine. I don't like carrying too much weight with me.
Outstanding and you've just converted me from being a non-kukri camper into a Cold Steel buyer today. Looking forward to a non-hatchet next trip. Thanks.
Stumbled upon these videos a little late but I have to say the passion you have for these kukris is great. This has to be the most informative series on TH-cam.
Blackie, thank you for this sober, honest series of how to use the kukri as a bush tool; cleaning, sharpening, drawing, selecting, all good advice. Your Kukri Field Guide 2, minute 10, though, is a good example of how not to cut with it. The mass of a kukri has considerable momentum and the path the kukri travels is the danger zone. Trained practitioners remove their body parts out of the path of the kukri and into "safety zones". Around minute 10:07, you are a bit casual with your chopping with the kukri machete and almost catch your left hand. When you switch to the heavy kukri, you are keeping the left hand better cleared. We prefer (if we don't have to hold onto the thing being cut, as in the log in your example) to put the left hand on the inside of the path of the kukri, even resting on/reinforcing the right wrist. You always know where it is then.
This is not a criticism of your series, which I enjoyed a lot, but hopefully a handy comment for those learning from it.
Chris Bates ..very true i was thinking of the video and how it would look in the frame..when i got careless..i was just skilled enough to check the swing in time to not need a trip to the ER...thanks for you comments
Awesome tutorial on kukris. I just love them and have about 5 of them with another one on the way. I see how they can tend to deflect if not careful with the aiming of the tool. Thanks for the nice review. 👍
Forth time rewatching the series. Still picking up new things each time.
Say Blackie, Curved knives always seem to slice good. I teamed my Smaller White 10" M-43 Khukuri with my 5 1/4" now modified Battle Horse Attitude Knife, I had then slightly curve it and I had the Drop Point Lowered with a high Scandi Grind, White Handle to match. Last weekend I teamed my BK-4 with my BK-2 and used them on our 4th of July trip, The two preformed magnificently, I sharpened both on my Work Sharp and the two complimented each other, I found out my BK-4 really shines as a large knife and I like teaming all my large knives with smaller ones. We were far away enough from civilization and I trusted my knives with my life, Oh, I used my new thinner Mora 510 as my neck knife and I was able to accomplish everything I set out to do with them with flying colors. Infact one of my friends could even carve spoons with his BK-2,Yup carved the bowl out with it. It was warm enough although it rained a little before we left so I didn't bring another chopper with me, But I did bring my Wicked Tough Saw with the Combo Sheath System that allows me to carry the saw in the open position when I'm building. But yeah, I cleared a little with the BK-4, I also did some lite batoning with it too, But I used my BK-2 to make kindling, If I keep it nice and sharp, I can make nice feathers with it too. Yup, I could understand why your so on Khukuris, And your right, They make good Choppers that Curved thinner area by the handle can slice as good as a knife. I was very happy I brought that set with me.
I know this was done a long time ago, but these are great videos. Thank you kind sir
Glad you like them!..yep one of mine from way back..i guess i need to do a redo on them and bring it up to date
Awesome video series Blackie. I just bought myself a Kukri and am using your videos to brush up on them. We used to use them in the army when operating in Malaysia. Fantastic choppers.
Got a 60 year old one which locks into it's sheath like the day it was born. The guys who cut the inside of the sheath have the curve to it perfected.
Left standing for a year or two more, that last little sapling would have made a real nice (twisted) walking stick. Thanks for the helpful videos.
This might be the most informative series I've run across. Not just on Khukuris either....
I learned a lot from your video's on Khukris, in fact I bought two, I like the W.W 2 full tang Khukris, with the two pin's holding the Water Buffalo Horn slab's, the 1st omen was 13"+ blade almost a 1/2" thick, so I had the 2nd one made a tad smaller a 10th" blade but thinner, and it came with White Bone slab's, it's beautiful, Yangdu said since they make them by hand, I would order them any configuration, I got mine at Himalayan Imports, Thanx for your video's.
The sheath is why I have never bought a traditional Kukri. I had a couple traditional one's a long time ago and didn't like them at all. I only have 3 or 4 now, a couple of them are American made. The other old one I have was made in Japan for Blackjack knives. I have one heavy Kukri that I bought way back in the 80's, it is still going strong. I have a lighter one that I use now that chops better than the heavy one because of the blade shape. Good video's about my favorite knives. I have been using Kukri's for 30 years.
Another great video man. I have used my kukri machete for ages now and love it. My new schrade ghurka kukri is a design i have not really used so , hearing your tips will help. I used it some and its similar to the cold steel, but the angle is different. Thanks again Blackie.
4:01 That's a splendid sheath. I have no complaints about the traditional kukri sheath but I would be much happier with one of those. I got a Condor Parang last year that has a similar sheath and can't imagine carrying it any other way.
Thank you Blackie for the excellent tutorial. I attended a Burmese martial arts seminar a long time ago. I firmly believe that I just received more information regarding the mechanics of the Khukri in the last 25 minutes than the weekend I spend at the seminar. I gotta say you are a bit cheaper too. Thanks again
grea set of vids.
i never knew much about the kukri but you made it sound very interesting.
You get kydex sheaths for them that works on the same principal as that leather sheath.
You got some awesome videos man. Very interesting to watch.
Gonna get me a 12-15" fulltang Kukri to use in my SHTF bag.
Very informative! Thank you very much for the education on technique! My khukuri will be here tomorrow!
almost took your whole hand off there man...careful
I find the 2nd and 3rd kind of sheath safer and more smart-wise over the "traditional". Good thing of pointing that out.
I was thinking,if I get one , I will show this video of the leather one his friend made to Stiched Gear, Randy could make that one for me or any one. Always top notch leather work.
I made a sheath like your leather one once. But it was made of solid duct tape, stitched denim, then for the slit, I had a zipper. I put more duct tape where the blade was and overlapped the tip.
@ david mj thanks ..i have found mine to be of great service in the field....safe journeys
Really enjoyed this whole series on the kukri. The sheath your friend made was much like the one that I have been designing in my head and on paper,so far. It is for my windless kukri. I was wondering what do you think of forcing a patina on the blade, to protect it? I've seen several people on here sing it's praises, you seem like you might have an educated opinion on it from a practical point of view. I'd be very interested to hear it. thanks for the good vids.
Your videos are excellent.Glad I found them.
Whole lot of good information! Now onto number 3! Thanks!
Finally someone shows how to use the kuk as a drawknife, but you missed showing how to use it as a scraper, as when making bows.
When chopping...try using a looser wrist amd the rolling snap (holding the kuk blade back along the wrist and letting it snap forward at end of stroke) this will greatly improve your depth of cut. Harder to explain than do.
Found it's way into Darwin Australia sometime during/after WWII when Gurka were stationed in Papua. My father got it from a pig hunter friend up there.
Love that leather sheath, thanks for sharing.👍👍
Cold steel's sheath if far superior to the traditional sheath. I've yanked my blade out in an emergency (hungry coyote stalking me) and didn't have any problembs.
@blackoracle69 Your custom sheath is very similar to the one I thought of. A main difference is that there are some holes so you can do a lark's head to carry it on the side, it's a side carry (across the back) & the "snap" was a ball-shaped bead that you can make out of clay or something & it goes through a slip in a leather flap that goes over the slit in the sheath. Why don't you like the steel sharpener on the kukuri? Seems like it'd be long-lasting.
the forest axe is a much better tool in the colder regions ..mostly because it will be easier to drop large wood quickly and with min. calories expended....a big consideration where the nights can be 14 hrs long..big wood is the way to go for all night fires...now having said that..a kukri is rarely a bad choice and i would feel very confident in using it in almost any climate
Man, that’s a nice custom sheath.
Ingenious. Great ideas that I am going to use in the field.
You sir, are a wealth of information.
Excellent channel,
Which style of handle tang is the best?
Full tang or hidden tang?
Regards,
Sartacus
great set of videos, I am going to give the 8 inch one a shot.
Thanks much
thank you for the sheath idea. I shall have to go make one.
Does the middle part of the sheath wear out from drawing & sheathing it? The edge running along the sheath on the inside, I would think, would slice through it after a while. Maybe I'm wrong about that. Great advice on the duct tape (might do that, myself).
first week i had my 14 inch 5 chirra khukri i cut all the buffalo hide off and had my buddy at linex (spray on truck bed liner) spray over the wooden sheath now its really tough
Linex is a lot tougher than most bed liner spray on. That is why the U.S. Government was using it on many things from walls to submarines.
@noobsound..you are so right...trying to keep on track mentaly..keep in focus for camera..too many distractions..safe journeys
The blade close to the handle can also be used for some carving chores also.
right on man ill check those out for sure. i have a condor golok machete love condor's blades but i want a kukri that has that 3/8 inch spine lol those things a beefy.
The wood conforms to the blade and locks it in by shape and angle, the outer cover just holds it all together.
It's probably a little more intimidating than an axe at first, or an axe is a little too friendly for it's potential danger, one or the other. Care has to be taken not to open a leg.
Less maintenance on axe.
Shipping costs can kill it but might be multi-purpose enough to make the extra worthwhile.
If not maybe pickup a tomahawk for it's simplicity, cost, weight.
forced patina is always a option...but i feel if a blade is used it will get a patina pretty quick on its own...if i am not going to use it much like a extra blade carried in amy pack.. a forced patina will help keep rusting to a min..thanks for the comments..safe journeys
Would just regular leather hold up as well (a lot of the sheaths have wood in them, don't really know why)? How would you compare ease of use to an axe (like how much work a chopping task takes, using it for carving, maintenance, etc...)? Considering one, but don't have much money.
This almost looked ugly around 10:00 Glad your fingers are safe.
Of the two Kukri that you have in the video what is the size of the larger one. I have a CS Kukri machete. Thanks Blackie
@ oregonmikes now that i am not sure i will weight it on a postal scale this weekend and let you know thanks for the comment
@derekfromm..i got mine from himalayan imports..it is a villager model meaning it is a working blade not highly finished..also look the british service khukri.. these might be in your range..also condor makes a good khukri..might give them a look as well..thanks for the comment...safe journeys
10:02 OMG that was close.
blackoracle69 did you cover the existing sheath with canvas, or remove the Hide from the sheath and replace it with canvas? just want to know as I just received a Kukri. Thanks, Alex
great work mate!!!
Where'd you get yours? I was thinking about going to kukurihouse & maybe getting the panaplus. Any knowldege on them or suggestions?
cool job my friend
Hi Blackie, to my great enjoyment, I just discovered your web site. I had a kukri custom made for my son as a birthday present when I was working in Nepal. Your video does a better job of outlining proper use than I think I could have done. So... when do we get to meet Michael and convince him to make a sheath? Does he work for beer?
haha sadly he no longer makes them but if ya talk to randy smith at stichedgear.com i am sure he can do that for ya
What size kukri are you using for the chopping compared to the machete?
We about got a lesson on what to so if you hack your own arm off at the 10:00 mark 🤣🤣🤣
How do I contact your sheath maker. I have three that he can make. Thank you.
Say Heah Blackie long time no see, Happy 4th of July Brother, like I have mentioned I got two M-43 Khukuris from H.I. one the larger one has a black buffalo handle, it's a beast, the smaller one, still a great chopper has a white buffalo habdle, Bill, Yangdu's husband made it for me before he died, it's a beauty, but I also got a Kukuri, it's not a Khukuri, but a Cold Steel Kukuri, it's not a machete Kukuri Shape, but it's a thick O-1 piece of steel that chop's heavy not like a machete either, I still call it a Kukuri but not a Khuluri a authentic Khukuri is how it's spelled cold steel spells theirs without a "H" because I guess it doesn't have a chow, so it's not a real Khukuri but a Kukuri, am I correct on that ?.
great for making walking sticks
The Tora brand of Kukri is probably the best quality, buyer must be aware of them so called tourist kukri and fake advertising. The Kukri Houses comes in at second place, they are thicker and heavier than the armed forces uses.
my khukri has a 10 1/2 blade and a overall length on16 1/2 ...thanks for the comment
@justyoustupid no. I did not kill it. It just creeped around untill I threw sticks at it and it ran away. But if it had rushed me I was ready.
Thats one awesome sheath
thanks
kukrihouse - where the Gurkhas shop.
@atkrdu..my sheath has held up quite well..as long as you draw it carefuly from the sheath it shouls last many years..safe jouernys
is it possible to get a real kukri like the one you re raped the sheath with canvas for around 65-70 bucks? i noticed some was over 100 dollars and thats just out of my price range. love your videos man keep it up!
How big was the knife in your hand at the beginning? At the 1:20 mark
jungle kukri..off amazon..oal..12 inch handle almost 5 inch blade 7 3/8 inch spine at thickest 3/8 inch
blackoracle69 thanks for the quick reply! To my eyes, It looks to be the best overall size and shape... Though, I do wish it were a bit thinner at the spine. I don't like carrying too much weight with me.
carry my kukri in a over the shoulder balderic ric
i have done that as well in the deep winter the belt is under a heavy coat so i carry the kukri on a baldric for easy access