Kukris are like the Joker. Whenever they make a Batman film and they put the Joker in it, even though it might be called Batman, the Joker actually becomes the main character, and the focus of the story stays primarily on him.
"This isn't a video primarily about khukris, it's actually a video a little bit more about Bowie knives." --proceeds to talk about khukris for 15 minutes.
I knew a man who knew a Kami that made a Kukri that killed a bear, and was famous for it, perhaps more so locally than the man that killed the bear, as the man I knew didn't know that dude.
There was also a martial arts form calling 'pounding the lion' where people took on lions barehanded. I do jujutsu...I'm a whimp compared to any of these guys lol
@Re nato baddass no doubt, but im not necessarily talking about who is going to win in a fight. i would still be more intimidated by a little dude wearing no armor but carrying a big knife and a ear to ear smile. at least if i go against the zweihander (ive no idea how to put those two dots over the a) my death should be quicker.
Having worked with the Gurkhas I can most definitely confirm there is something about them that does make you stop and think when you see these wonderful little guys smile at you .
As I recall, when I read a re-imagined update to the tale of "Dracula," that fact was reiterated by the protagonist when he exclaimed aloud 'You can't kill a vampire with a knife!' As I said, it was a re-imagined, modern tale, and it was the author's p.o.v. that a vampire can't be killed with a knife. ~ ;)
@@kendhoward551 that was Fred Saberhagen"s _The Dracula Tape_ , where Stoker's _Dracula_ is told from the first person perspective of the Count himself and to be telling it at all, he obviously wasn't killed by two steel knives😎
I used to work with a man who came to America from Nepal. He made two plywood kukris, and after work, I would go to his house for an hour or two of training. After I got pretty good, he put red lipstick on the edge, and we both wore white t-shirts. I would run away from a Gurkha rather than fight. I prefer to keep all my limbs attached to my torso.
It isn't the particular weapon that's important - it's the raving lunatic charging at you that makes the difference, no matter what he's carrying. Gurkha wins every time.
During the brawl following the sand bar duel that established Jim Bowie's reputation, Bowie hewed a decent chunk of flesh out of one of his assailant's arms. He then was stabbed with a cane sword, which was stopped by his collarbone and allowed him to slip his knife 'twixt the ribs of he with the temerity to stab him.
For the Nepalese, the kukri was a great item because it could do a lot of things well. Good for chopping light wood. Good for fighting. Good for general cutting. These people were generally rather poor. They didn't have the option to have more than one knife. Thus the all purpose blade on a kukri. Now, personally, I train more with the kukri than European blades, so I'm as comfortable with it as I'm likely to be with a bowie. However, I don't consider it the be all end all for either combat or woods craft. I do consider it excellent for both, but purpose built weapons would probably be better for each task. When you could only have one, you took the one that would work the best for all the things you needed a blade to do. Interesting comparison though. Thanks.
There is a 19th century account about that saying the fighting kukri was never used for domestic job because it was a prized possession. For domestic use they would have one, or two other knives of similar shape, but made of cheaper metal.
@Till This Day It's still all about the training and skill of the practitioner. The Kukri isn't ideal for a one on one duel. It's not bad either. Many dead Japanese officers in WWII can attest to that. The bowie has it's strengths and weaknesses as well and is a fine dueling weapon. All thing being similar, the person behind the blade is absolutely the deciding factor. By the way, someone trained with a kukri can use it quite effectively as a thrusting weapon. Not a "hacking" weapon at all except with wood. It cuts just like a saber if used properly. No doubt the mythical reputation of the Kukri is absolutely the reflection of the Gurkhas. By the way, they are generally far too short to use with a shield. Were quite effective in close quarters melee situations though.
@ŇøHă Ģ. The gladius was used as a stabbing sword in a rather regimented way that required linked shields. They weren't used or useful as single person dueling weapons. They just didn't work well without the shield line. The Kukri is really not well adapted to that kind of use. The Nepalese had long swords for use with shields. Before the introduction of firearms, the Kukri was probably a secondary weapon, as it often was after that time. Still my favorite big knife, but like everything else, it has areas in which it is stronger and those in which it is less so.
One of my squadmates in Korea bought a Kukri while he was visiting family in Nepal. He tried bringing it into Korea and the police seized it. He was PISSED.
The Kukri really is a "Tool" adapted to be a War "Weapon" much like a Tomahawk. The Bowie on the other hand was designed to be a "Personal Weapon" from the outset. The Bowie is a Fair Stabbing Weapon, a Great Chopping/Slashing Weapon & is still effective on the reverse slash as well. The Bowie was a significant threat in a fight when firearms were still very unreliable. Anyone that was a serious Boowie Knife user in the mid to late 1800's ALWAYS had the "Clip Point" sharpened for a wicked reverse slash that was as effective as the fore-slash.
Why stop there, when he could make it a two parter, with the second part about weapons used by academics? We must examine the cutting potential of medieval treatises. How sharp was medieval paper?
@@demoncard1180 PhDs in Finland can be a rapier along with a ring, hat and diploma. Uppsala University still has a fencing instructor as part of the staff. So yes, scholarly weapons would be an interesting topic :)
Yes, I know what "Gladiator" means. Nonetheless we all know, what is commonly meant with the term. One or few videos on gladiators would be nice, I think. Comparing Gladiator games to modern HEMA, would be a nice topic or not?
When I first discovered the kukri, I was fascinated. So, I did a little digging. What I found was that kukris are actually multipurpose bush knives, like machetes. I found a website that still hand made tem in the traditional style and shipped internationally (never got one, still want one), but these included the sheath and two much smaller little blades and explanations on what all the knife is used for. Cutting bush, food, etc, as a very utilitarian tool. I also learned that armed forces in Nepal carry kukris and train with them the way American soldiers carry combat knives. So yeah. Tool and weapon. Really cool that they used to hunt tigers with these little blades. That takes balls, and I hadn't heard that one before. Even more respect for the weapon!
Many people don't know about that, but the curved shape of the kukri allows you to use it like a spokeshave if you put your second hand on the tip of the blade. So, yeah, really multi- purpose
Don't worry about the tiger part, pal. That's bullshit. There's an account from an 1878 book--an Orientalist nightmare of an account--which also makes sure to call them savages. Don't buy it for a bit.
Is it bad that while I do enjoy the historical and technical minutia that Mr. Easton brings to his videos, I very much tune in primarily to hear him deploy his signature "BUT!"?
as with all weapons a Kukri isn´t better then the user. if the one in front of them cry "Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali!" woud make most think twice before going in to close combat.
@Re nato You can break a sword with a stick. Harder to break a stick with a sword! Musashi was primarily a tactician and stratigist. He defeated the minds of his opponents before he ever crossed swords.
@Re nato Oh my. Have you studied this at all? Mushashi was a expert swordsman. He proved that both before and after the fight with Kojiro Sasaki. However, in that specific dual, he did a couple of key things to work against his rival. 1) He was very late to the dual. Thus Kojiro had been pacing the beach waiting for him long enough to become angry and unsettled. 2) He whittled a wooden sword that was longer than the drying pole, which was the overly long sword that gave Kojiro an advantage over people with swords of more standard length. 3) Rather than going through the standard challenge and response cycle that normally started these things, he basically jumped off the boat and bashed the guys head in. He was criticized at the time for using unfair tactics. See? Tactics and strategy. So that for that. The reason that armies have historically used first projectile weapons and then spears and other long arms before resorting to melee weapons is that they work. That has been true in some sense since the cave men hurled rocks at each other. The reason that they used edged weapons by preference, is because it's easier to hurt someone by piercing them than by bashing them. If you can. Sometimes you can't. That's why maces and other clubs were so effective in melee combat. Bashing often got through armor that blades could not. You didn't understand what I said at all. My bad. I hope this was easier to understand.
@Re nato You really don't read well. Yes, I've studied enough martial arts of various styles to know what I'm talking about. Not saying you don't. Just that your reading comprehension leaves much to be desired.
@Re nato he intimidated one of his opponents carving a wooden "sword" out of a piece of wood, he also used to arrive extremely late to the his duels in order to angry his opponents and made them act out of control and be less careful
The Khukri wasn’t originally designed for combat, it was a farm tool primarily evolved from an implement used to chop out roots from the sides of newly-dug, mountainside terraces-where the blade-shape proved quite efficient-and to process the good-burning mountain scrabble in the region into firewood. As good ironsmiths proliferated in the Nepalese region, farmers with their khukris became more common and, when called upon by king and country, they were quite lethal fighters. Hence, the chosen knife of the Ghurkas. Still, in combat-between a khukri-wielding Ghurka and a bowie knife-wielding Jim Bowie, my money wouldn’t be on Jimmy.
The long straight knife you pulled out made me think of the Arkansas Toothpick. It comes from the same era as the Bowie knife and was created by James Black who created the Bowie Knife with Bowie. The Arkansas Toothpick is less well known outside the USA.
I would say bowies. At least in the films Legolas seems to utilize thrusts more than cuts which a bowie with its clipped point should be marginally better at. It wouldn't make a significant difference either way though. Also, A+ "bowie and arrowie" joke.
”Bowies, big blades & the best of battle blades by Bill Bagwell” is an excellent book on this very subject. The Bowie is unique & very cleverly engineered blade in that the fighter can cut in several ways, slashing, sniping & chopping. Also the fighter can use the clipped point for a back cut & because of it’s concave profile it makes the point a leading point much like a talon or claw. Then there is the alignment of the point in relation to the rest of the knife. A well made Bowie should have the point on the end of the centre line making it a perfect thrusting weapon. Bagwell also recommends the sharpening of the point as a fine radius all the way from the main edge, around the tip & onto the back edge. This is so when the tip meets it’s target in a thrust it cuts through rather than ripping in the same way a broad headed arrow does. I cannot recommend this book highly enough if you are interested in this topic.
9SS94Cr - Disagree. Have you ever used a Bowie as an outdoors knife? It’s great for chopping but it’s large size make it cumbersome for other chores. The Bowie starts as a fighting knife
As you mention at about 14 minutes, the stabbing usage is similar to that of butterfly swords. Essentially using the weight of the tip to lead and a loose wrist fired like a straight punch to deliver the thrust. About as non-telegraphed as a technique can be.
As someone who has recently sliced through most of my fingers because of my hand riding up onto the blade of the knife I was using, I'm really glad that he mentioned that (10:45)
Fun fact: these are the two knives used to kill Dracula. While I, Quincy Morris used the Bowie to strike Draculas heart, my partner Jonathan Harker used the Kukri for the decapitation. Both being necessary to kill a vampire.
The BOWIE Knife was great in the American Frontier because it was used in hand-to-hand combat, served as the knife to cut meat (for hunting) and cook with for Mountain men, Soldiers/Calvary, and Cowboys during the 1800's in North America. Bowie Knife was probably a great "side weapon" to have in the 1800's, especially during the time when there were muskets in the early half of the 1800's. The Kukri was also used as a farm tool, as well as for fighting. COOL VIDEO on these knives, THANKS!
Always enjoy your videos, have to say that I agree with you, I'd rather have a good Bowie,it has more utility to it,had a ka-bar as well as my Fairbairn Sykes (although I prefer the Applegate Fairbairn- sacrilege coming from an ex-Royal Marine!) On my belt/rig.
Interesting discussion. The bowie knife has always been my favorite type of knife, overall. Never tried a Kukri, but maybe I should. Thanks for your input
I use one for the exact same reason, it is a great knife for general around the campsite work, as well as brush clearing and the like. Prefer them to Parangs or Machetes.
Hi Matt, Do you have any recommendations for a first Bowie knife? I would love a Bowie, but am not sure what's worth getting or avoiding... Ideally I would like one with a clipped point and possibly a coffin handle.
@@ZagorTeNayebo a lot of cultures historically preferred machete-style blades to axes for bushcrafting. Kinda depends on the trees you're up against- but to this day- a lot of world militaries issue kukris, ginuntings, machetes, etc. Its quite rare to see them issue axes.
In case of armageddon, I definitely will be carrying one or two of my kukris and not any of my Bowie. Try building wood shelter or fire with a Bowie.... not realy happening. As stated kukri is a tool first weapon second...
@@jimbob465 kukri can be found in every household in Nepal. It is farmers implement first. Get your facts straight. And if you can not do all the things you mentioned with a kukri, you are either very clumsy or yoy have a "tourist kukri", not a real one.
@@jimbob465 it is not a lie. Kukri is essential farming tool in Nepal. That is its origin. If you dispute this, then you are a fool. And if you have a real kukri, it is as nimble as a Bowie and still chop better than it.
I think a Bowie would win, a Bowie guard can block a blade and for close quarters combat, the Bowie can still be a dagger. If both fighters are keeping distance they have about the same reach. Bowie handles quicker as well for follow up strikes if it becomes a sword fight between the two. the Bowie after a few swings or missed swings would strike first. If the two fighters were equal. In a boxing match often after a few swings the two fighter will clinch. I can picture this in a slashing knife fight as well maybe both guys get slashed but end up in a clinch. Bowie will stab and kill in that situation, more likely.
Sounds more like bad myth to me. I doubt anyone but a real idiot actively hunted tigers armed only with a kukri, and with the gurkha technique of leaping to the side and cutting the paw of the tiger as it lept against the hunter. This was described in a 19th century text.
Gotta feel sorry for the tigers tbh. Imagine minding your business, living in the Himalayan forests, just being a tiger when some random dude comes at you screaming & swinging a big ass knife. 🐯😅
@Re nato I'm fully aware that native americans, trappers and even modern day people have killed bears with knives, etc. But that is purely cases of survival, as a last resort and often these people got severly mauled in the process. Nobody in their right mind would actively hunt bears or big cats armed only with a knife. There is a reason why bear spears were invented.
@Re nato the Gurkha's hunt tigers for religious reasons. Not for fun. The is a book about the Gurkha's, or Gorkhas as it's written in the book written by s British officer who commanded a Gorkha company prior to WWII. It's a very good read. I cannot remember the title exactly but do a search with Gorkha in the title, and you should be able to find it.
IMO It would take a very large Bowie to be able to contend with the power of a Kukuri. It would likely blow the bowie out of your grasp and carry on into your face.
Love the hybrid knife but if you put a Ghurka up against an American soldier with a bowie my money is on the ghurka every time. If you can arrange a demo fight between these 2 I think alot of people would want to see this.
Likely you find the Khukri hard to use because of your fighting theory and training; Go for the vitals style. Threat suppression theory (chopping the hands off) of SE Asia woks well with the Khukri, Bolo and other well bellied knives. And, the hack/chop and draw cut action. Also that style favours smaller nimble people.
I trained in escrima stick combat, and almost all of the drills and forms translate into dual weilding bolo fighting (with the exception of strikes that ignore edge alignment), dual bolos/kukris have the advantages of hooking weapons that work especially well for pole arm combat and sword combat, the hooking ability when applied properly can negate any reach advantages, facilitating as you said, threat suppression theory, on top thag, of blunt force trauma against helmed/armored opponents is fairly effective with the ectra weight on the end also decapitation/amputation, however obviously those can be mitigated with armor and mail
Yes , in the initial burst of popularity , " Bowie " knives were by various suppliers , including local blacksmiths . But " Sheffield Bowie's " usually refer to a specific late 1800's styles . In the 1820s- 1850s Bowies were primary sidearms , and tended to be Big , ie 10-14 inch blades . By the late 1870s- 1880s , reliable large caliber revolvers were in common use , and Bowies were more of secondary sidearms , and more of all around utility/ camp/ cooking/ hunting knives . Not to mention a large revolver plus a huge knife on the same belt could be heavy ( actual period gunbelts not being as thick and stiff as modern interpretations) . So by the late 1800s , during the heyday of the "Sheffield Bowie " , then shrank . Same basic configuration , but more typically 7- 9 inch blades .
Some of the kukris have a talwar hilt that should take care of guard problem, and in the Maratha region the tips of the kukris are designed to thrust and they have a deep fuller through the spine making them lighter
A Gurkha rifleman would use a Kukri alongside a rifle and bayonet, giving them extra reach and something to parry with. Having seen the Gurkha's in the British Army, I would back them with a Kukri against 99.9% of people with any other kind of knife.
@airborneleaf Bullshit mate, In fact on a Saturday night in Aldershot in England the one group of soldiers, not even the largest and most drunk group of Paras would try to pick on was a small group of smartly dressed, sports jacketed, Gurkhas having a few drinks and bothering no one.
Interestingly, I think I'd use the kukri, and here is why: The 'weapon' side of a knife is secondary. It's primarily a tool. Anything the Bowie can do the Kukri can do. In some cases not quite as well, but in many cases much better. If you want to chop wood the kukri is your man. In most circumstances for most 'bush craft' requirements, the kukri is going to win out. Now, you've got a kukri on you because it's the best 'multi tool' available. You probably wouldn't have a bowie on you as well, because "why carry two knives". Therefore, the weapon you have on you is the one you would use. Yes, I know it's a convoluted reason, but it's how my mind thinks. Otherwise you could say 'which would be the best knife to use in a knife fight?' and the answer would be 'an M1911A1'
same here, sure, in a duel a bowie might be better but how many duels does one get into before they lose? the more important thing is the 99% of the time you're not fighting
Well by that logic why not have a machete? It’s just as good as a kukri and should you get into a knife fight, you have the bigger knife. I get it, stupid knife laws that prohibit the carrying of a machete. But if you can open carry a firearm, then you should be able to open carry a machete.
Hunting tigers with knives? Sounds like a tall tale to me. You would have great difficulty getting close enough to use a knife unless the tiger charged, in which case the tiger would probably kill you outright. ... Even if you somehow managed to the beat the odds by killing the tiger before it could fatally injure you, you'd still have a high risk of infection from any superficial wounds. … I'm not saying, it's impossible for a human to kill a big cat with a knife. I'm sure it has been done. It's just hard to believe that any sane person would voluntarily put himself at such an extreme disadvantage.
The story of Gurkha soldier single handedly fending off an ambush by 30 well armed Talibans and killing 12 to 15 Talibans and 6 of them with his Kukri seem even taller a tale. Or a Gurkha soldier killing more than a dozen japanese soldiers after one of his arm got blown away by a grenade. Believe it or not, bravery is a thing, you have to be brave to be able to appreciate bravery.
@@boohoomoron7629 - I'm aware that people have done remarkable things in desperate situations, but no sane person would intentionally walk into an ambush or intentionally sacrifice an arm.
@@matthewzito6130 well to put it bluntly that's the difference between pussies and brave men. And between those two, it's the latter that have maintain and fought hard to bring sanity to an otherwise insane world.
Original Bowie knives had thick and broad blades so you can use it to fry meat like bacon and such on the blade if you're lacking a skillet. Also, the flat spine meant you could bash something on the back to use it as a splitting wedge. It's the length it was so you could wear it under your coat and it be concealed. Bowie was a mountainman first and fighter second. Bowie knife is a good survival knife.
Yup. An awesome all- rounder. I’ve used mine for just about everything you can imagine while out in the boonies except self defense- never needed it for that yet thankfully.
Incorrect. Bowie knife was a fighting knife first and foremost not a utility blade. What historical sources are you using? The Bowie knife was created in the American Southeast not the Rocky Mountains.
Nineteen comments in and nobody's said it yet - kukri wins coz POMMEL :-) Bowie is essentially half kukri/half rondel (jack of all trades...?), not even necessarily a good hunting blade - never heard of anyone hunting tigers with them.
I don't know which is Matt Easton's source, but one is from "The Uncivilized Races of Men in All Countries of the World", by J.G. Wood, 1878. In Vol. 2 there is such an account exactly of how they would kill a tiger, armed with just a kukri (or "kookery" as they call it in the book).
@@ManoNegraCG Don't know why I am getting notified on this comment a year later but whatever.. I still don't buy it. Sounds to me like some good old fashioned over dramatization. They used to do that back in the day. Make the "uncivilized" tribal people of the world out to be some kind of mystical people, capable of extreme or supernatural things. It's all bullshit.
@@KurNorock I can’t attest to whether this is true or not, but if there was a group of fighters capable of single-handedly knifing down a tiger I’d put my money on the Gurkhas.
@@buffruddy297 There is nothing special about the Ghurkas. As far as fighters using knives go, they aren't particularly any better than any other. And while the kukri is a great knife, it isn't some super weapon with magic powers and the ability to instantly kill anything it touches. I am not saying it is impossible for a human being to kill a tiger with a knife. What I am saying is that the odds of even a very well trained human purposefully hunting a tiger with a knife and 1. even finding a tiger, and 2. surviving the encounter, are so ridiculously small as to be basically zero. Tigers are not going to allow a human being to get close to them. If the tiger allows a human to get close it is only because the tiger is going to kill the human. No matter how well trained, how fast, or how much skill a human has, tigers are better. Tigers are larger, far more powerful, much faster, and more lethal. Even if you are incredibly lucky and manage to stab a tiger directly through the heart as it pounces on you, that tiger is not going to die immediately. It still has upwards of a minute or two to kill you before it dies, and it WILL use that time to do exactly that. Ghurkas hunting tigers using only a knife is mythology. It is tall tales. It is nonsense.
So was it the lack of relative thrusting potential that kept the kukri from being adopted more widely into the general British Army? I always thought this would’ve been a perfect trench raiding weapon in WW1 alongside a revolver or pistol.
I can't watch, how does this guy still have all his fingers? Bowies have a a saw edge? Not important in fighting but as an outdoor tool, it's a factor. So dependent on the survival scenario could be a factor in choice No? Tomahawk with a 90 degree rotation to optionally turn the the axe head into a mattock with a saw edged end spike and side spike, plus extending handle would do it all, better?
I find that when using a kukri (khukri, khukuri...whoever), the techniques we use for tomahawk translate pretty well beause the size and balance feel a lot more like a tomahawk than a bowie. I like them both. Give me a big kukri in my main hand and a smaller bowie in my off hand.
Out of curiosity, do you think you would like to bring up Jack Churchill (or Mad Jack)? He was a man who fought in ww2 with a longbow and a Scottish broadsword.
What's that I hear? Design a Bowie/kukri hybrid? Optimized thrusting angle grip with weighted front end while still being pointed for a respectable trust? With a guard? Sure Matt, I can do that for you, glad you asked! Oh Jesus, I didn't watch to the end before commenting...
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"Now this isn't a video primarily about Kukris"
Proceeds to spend 15 minutes and 2/3 of the video talking about the Kukri. Please never change Matt.
hahahahahahahah....but he made his "Point"....
Its all about context!!
But he has Khukri fever and there's only one cure...
Kukris are like the Joker. Whenever they make a Batman film and they put the Joker in it, even though it might be called Batman, the Joker actually becomes the main character, and the focus of the story stays primarily on him.
A most unkind cut!
"This isn't a video primarily about khukris, it's actually a video a little bit more about Bowie knives." --proceeds to talk about khukris for 15 minutes.
"That's not a knoife..."
Matt, I need another video from you talking about this hunting tigers with Kukris business, and I need it on my desk by Monday.
Its mostly hunting leopards and cheetahs since we do not have Bengal tigers in the hills of nepal.
@@CoronaVirus-fu3zl And yet, still impressive.
I knew a man who knew a Kami that made a Kukri that killed a bear, and was famous for it, perhaps more so locally than the man that killed the bear, as the man I knew didn't know that dude.
There was also a martial arts form calling 'pounding the lion' where people took on lions barehanded. I do jujutsu...I'm a whimp compared to any of these guys lol
@@CoronaVirus-fu3zl There are tigers in Nepal. 50 years ago people hunted tigers in the mountains. There are no lions in the wild in Nepal.
The Kukri Warrior: cause a little guy with a big knife and a smile is a lot more intimidating then a big guy with a small knife and a frown.
truth
@Re nato baddass no doubt, but im not necessarily talking about who is going to win in a fight. i would still be more intimidated by a little dude wearing no armor but carrying a big knife and a ear to ear smile. at least if i go against the zweihander (ive no idea how to put those two dots over the a) my death should be quicker.
Having worked with the Gurkhas I can most definitely confirm there is something about them that does make you stop and think when you see these wonderful little guys smile at you .
Hot lead pill. Ooppss. Fights over
@@druid799 I watched those dudes decapitate a goat with zero effort. They were slaughtering it to eat. I was instantly sold on the kukri.
A kukri and a Bowie were the two weapons that killed Dracula in the novel. True story.
Ah, so the last knife was for vampire hunting. Makes sense.
Matthew Baugh hahaha.
As I recall, when I read a re-imagined update to the tale of "Dracula," that fact was reiterated by the protagonist when he exclaimed aloud 'You can't kill a vampire with a knife!' As I said, it was a re-imagined, modern tale, and it was the author's p.o.v. that a vampire can't be killed with a knife. ~ ;)
@@kendhoward551 that was Fred Saberhagen"s _The Dracula Tape_ , where Stoker's _Dracula_ is told from the first person perspective of the Count himself and to be telling it at all, he obviously wasn't killed by two steel knives😎
@@robertlehnert4148 Have to burn em, behead em, chop em up in a wood-chipper ... but no knives to the heart !! ;)
In Finland the Bowie-knife is colloquially known as "Rambo-puukko".
Same with Czechs :D "rambo nůž".
Same here in Brazil. It's called "Faca do Rambo", or Rambo's knife
Same in Belgium, we call it a "Rambomes" or Rambo Knife
Sad that foreigners don't know the true origin of that knife.
@@chuckbowie5833 well, it wasn't Rambo, so tell me what info you have.
This is Major Tom to Matt Easton, I'm cutting through the doooooor, and I'm slashing in a most peculiar way
Lmao
I used to work with a man who came to America from Nepal. He made two plywood kukris, and after work, I would go to his house for an hour or two of training. After I got pretty good, he put red lipstick on the edge, and we both wore white t-shirts. I would run away from a Gurkha rather than fight. I prefer to keep all my limbs attached to my torso.
Awesome!
Yeah pretty much. I'm fond of my limbs. A master uses the edge of the blade, an amateur uses the point. Kukri's rule.
Honey I swear! Those lipstick marks you find on my shirt every Friday night are from kukri knife fighting practice.....
@@titot2370 *Yeah...... except that the long lines across my chest marking his cuts didn't look "loving" in any way.
@@markmiller897 Internet warriors fanboy badly. Masters use everything from the tip all the way to the butt masterfully.
It isn't the particular weapon that's important - it's the raving lunatic charging at you that makes the difference, no matter what he's carrying. Gurkha wins every time.
Still, those raving lunatics seem to love their Kukris more than any other knife :P
I have a Kukri that my grandfather brought back from India after WW2. It is one of my most prized possessions.
That's wonderful! I have a Spitfire compass that my father brought back from WW2 (RAF, Italy), also one of my prized possessions.
During the brawl following the sand bar duel that established Jim Bowie's reputation, Bowie hewed a decent chunk of flesh out of one of his assailant's arms. He then was stabbed with a cane sword, which was stopped by his collarbone and allowed him to slip his knife 'twixt the ribs of he with the temerity to stab him.
glad to see someone else bring up the Sandbar fight
For the Nepalese, the kukri was a great item because it could do a lot of things well. Good for chopping light wood. Good for fighting. Good for general cutting. These people were generally rather poor. They didn't have the option to have more than one knife. Thus the all purpose blade on a kukri. Now, personally, I train more with the kukri than European blades, so I'm as comfortable with it as I'm likely to be with a bowie. However, I don't consider it the be all end all for either combat or woods craft. I do consider it excellent for both, but purpose built weapons would probably be better for each task. When you could only have one, you took the one that would work the best for all the things you needed a blade to do. Interesting comparison though.
Thanks.
There is a 19th century account about that saying the fighting kukri was never used for domestic job because it was a prized possession. For domestic use they would have one, or two other knives of similar shape, but made of cheaper metal.
@Till This Day It's still all about the training and skill of the practitioner. The Kukri isn't ideal for a one on one duel. It's not bad either. Many dead Japanese officers in WWII can attest to that. The bowie has it's strengths and weaknesses as well and is a fine dueling weapon. All thing being similar, the person behind the blade is absolutely the deciding factor. By the way, someone trained with a kukri can use it quite effectively as a thrusting weapon. Not a "hacking" weapon at all except with wood. It cuts just like a saber if used properly. No doubt the mythical reputation of the Kukri is absolutely the reflection of the Gurkhas. By the way, they are generally far too short to use with a shield. Were quite effective in close quarters melee situations though.
@ŇøHă Ģ. The gladius was used as a stabbing sword in a rather regimented way that required linked shields. They weren't used or useful as single person dueling weapons. They just didn't work well without the shield line. The Kukri is really not well adapted to that kind of use. The Nepalese had long swords for use with shields. Before the introduction of firearms, the Kukri was probably a secondary weapon, as it often was after that time. Still my favorite big knife, but like everything else, it has areas in which it is stronger and those in which it is less so.
One of my squadmates in Korea bought a Kukri while he was visiting family in Nepal. He tried bringing it into Korea and the police seized it. He was PISSED.
damn. Hope he mailed it home
@@SenkaBandit Couldn’t, the KNBG never gave it back.
@@TheSlasherJunkie awwww that sucks
The Kukri really is a "Tool" adapted to be a War "Weapon" much like a Tomahawk. The Bowie on the other hand was designed to be a "Personal Weapon" from the outset. The Bowie is a Fair Stabbing Weapon, a Great Chopping/Slashing Weapon & is still effective on the reverse slash as well. The Bowie was a significant threat in a fight when firearms were still very unreliable. Anyone that was a serious Boowie Knife user in the mid to late 1800's ALWAYS had the "Clip Point" sharpened for a wicked reverse slash that was as effective as the fore-slash.
Could you one day speak about the weapons of actual gladiators?
Would be fitting for Schola *Gladiatoria* or not? ☺️
Why stop there, when he could make it a two parter, with the second part about weapons used by academics? We must examine the cutting potential of medieval treatises. How sharp was medieval paper?
Or the sharpened nibs of quill pens. 😎
@@demoncard1180 PhDs in Finland can be a rapier along with a ring, hat and diploma.
Uppsala University still has a fencing instructor as part of the staff.
So yes, scholarly weapons would be an interesting topic :)
Well gladiators means swordsmen. Gladius is a sword. Gladiator is a ‘sworder’. Schola gladiatoria is a swordsmanship school.
Yes, I know what "Gladiator" means. Nonetheless we all know, what is commonly meant with the term. One or few videos on gladiators would be nice, I think.
Comparing Gladiator games to modern HEMA, would be a nice topic or not?
Just bring the knew Messer you have. It's just a giant bowie meets an arming sword.
A bowie is easier to shave with... gotta keep those mutton chops trimmed!!
Careful there Englishman--don't you dare be de-romantasizin' our Bowie knives...... : )
They intentionally got into knife fights with tigers? Jesus. And I thought bullfighting was daring.
@Dick Fageroni actually they did fight with tigers, chinesemartialstudies.com/2016/06/09/hunting-a-tiger-with-a-kukri/
When I first discovered the kukri, I was fascinated. So, I did a little digging. What I found was that kukris are actually multipurpose bush knives, like machetes. I found a website that still hand made tem in the traditional style and shipped internationally (never got one, still want one), but these included the sheath and two much smaller little blades and explanations on what all the knife is used for. Cutting bush, food, etc, as a very utilitarian tool. I also learned that armed forces in Nepal carry kukris and train with them the way American soldiers carry combat knives.
So yeah. Tool and weapon. Really cool that they used to hunt tigers with these little blades. That takes balls, and I hadn't heard that one before. Even more respect for the weapon!
Many people don't know about that, but the curved shape of the kukri allows you to use it like a spokeshave if you put your second hand on the tip of the blade. So, yeah, really multi- purpose
Don't worry about the tiger part, pal. That's bullshit. There's an account from an 1878 book--an Orientalist nightmare of an account--which also makes sure to call them savages. Don't buy it for a bit.
Let's call it a "very short long knife-sword".
Fun fact: Dialect quizzes for the United States can figure out what state you're probably from based on how you pronounce Bowie.
It's Bowie we have a town in my state named Bowie but it's not pronunced the same
booo wie
You see, hear in the Mid-Atlantic I should have grown up saying boo-wie, but I have always said bow-Ey like a darn Noertheasterner.
It's pronounced Bowie, not Bowie.
alive or trees Thank you for clarifying that.
Is it bad that while I do enjoy the historical and technical minutia that Mr. Easton brings to his videos, I very much tune in primarily to hear him deploy his signature "BUT!"?
I think one could argue that it's the context in which the "BUT..." happens that makes it so special.
You like his but
The "howEVER" isn't bad either.
It's Tourette's syndrome, he's actually shouting BUTT.
as with all weapons a Kukri isn´t better then the user. if the one in front of them cry "Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali!" woud make most think twice before going in to close combat.
@Re nato You can break a sword with a stick. Harder to break a stick with a sword! Musashi was primarily a tactician and stratigist. He defeated the minds of his opponents before he ever crossed swords.
@Re nato Oh my. Have you studied this at all? Mushashi was a expert swordsman. He proved that both before and after the fight with Kojiro Sasaki. However, in that specific dual, he did a couple of key things to work against his rival. 1) He was very late to the dual. Thus Kojiro had been pacing the beach waiting for him long enough to become angry and unsettled. 2) He whittled a wooden sword that was longer than the drying pole, which was the overly long sword that gave Kojiro an advantage over people with swords of more standard length. 3) Rather than going through the standard challenge and response cycle that normally started these things, he basically jumped off the boat and bashed the guys head in. He was criticized at the time for using unfair tactics.
See? Tactics and strategy.
So that for that. The reason that armies have historically used first projectile weapons and then spears and other long arms before resorting to melee weapons is that they work. That has been true in some sense since the cave men hurled rocks at each other. The reason that they used edged weapons by preference, is because it's easier to hurt someone by piercing them than by bashing them. If you can. Sometimes you can't. That's why maces and other clubs were so effective in melee combat. Bashing often got through armor that blades could not.
You didn't understand what I said at all. My bad. I hope this was easier to understand.
@Re nato You really don't read well. Yes, I've studied enough martial arts of various styles to know what I'm talking about. Not saying you don't. Just that your reading comprehension leaves much to be desired.
@Re nato he intimidated one of his opponents carving a wooden "sword" out of a piece of wood, he also used to arrive extremely late to the his duels in order to angry his opponents and made them act out of control and be less careful
The Khukri wasn’t originally designed for combat, it was a farm tool primarily evolved from an implement used to chop out roots from the sides of newly-dug, mountainside terraces-where the blade-shape proved quite efficient-and to process the good-burning mountain scrabble in the region into firewood. As good ironsmiths proliferated in the Nepalese region, farmers with their khukris became more common and, when called upon by king and country, they were quite lethal fighters. Hence, the chosen knife of the Ghurkas. Still, in combat-between a khukri-wielding Ghurka and a bowie knife-wielding Jim Bowie, my money wouldn’t be on Jimmy.
Matt, you just did a video on two of my favorite weapons. Thank you, I learned so much. As a Texan, you are welcome to the Alamo anytime.
The long straight knife you pulled out made me think of the Arkansas Toothpick. It comes from the same era as the Bowie knife and was created by James Black who created the Bowie Knife with Bowie. The Arkansas Toothpick is less well known outside the USA.
Everyone knows the kukri gets its power from the magical notch on the blade
Correction, everyone knows the Kukri gets its power from the Gurkha soldier holding it.
Nope. It's the hidden power of the Mercedes leaf springs they're made of.
@@mrbones3163 Jeep originally, Toyota now.
Funny enough you're right, it's what helps it cut since that notch is a relief point for the blade.
Every time i see the Kukri and the sword mentioned in one sentence, an inner voice shouts in me: "Falcata! Kopis!"
Drink a shot of your favourite spirit every time Matt says "But!"
Enjoy
Legolas with two khukris vs Legolas with two Bowie's. Who wins? Tolkien fans.
Legolas with a bowie and arrowie
I would say bowies. At least in the films Legolas seems to utilize thrusts more than cuts which a bowie with its clipped point should be marginally better at. It wouldn't make a significant difference either way though.
Also, A+ "bowie and arrowie" joke.
David Bowie with two Bowie's beats them both.
@@numbers9to0 Bowie would have used a Kukri because those weren't cool yet.
Clearly, one Bowie, one kukri.
Nice Boar Spear. I got a cheap one, but it's sturdy and has an ash staff
”Bowies, big blades & the best of battle blades by Bill Bagwell” is an excellent book on this very subject.
The Bowie is unique & very cleverly engineered blade in that the fighter can cut in several ways, slashing, sniping & chopping.
Also the fighter can use the clipped point for a back cut & because of it’s concave profile it makes the point a leading point much like a talon or claw.
Then there is the alignment of the point in relation to the rest of the knife. A well made Bowie should have the point on the end of the centre line making it a perfect thrusting weapon.
Bagwell also recommends the sharpening of the point as a fine radius all the way from the main edge, around the tip & onto the back edge. This is so when the tip meets it’s target in a thrust it cuts through rather than ripping in the same way a broad headed arrow does.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough if you are interested in this topic.
Philip Verity that title though. So many B’s.
Carmelo Washburn Aye! So it is, damned good book all the same!
Take care 😉
Philip Verity - I never understood the point of rounding the tip
Could slide of a rib. Questionable...
13:44 He doesn't look like the kind of guy that has stabbed many people...
In my opinion both kukri and bowie are primarily tools that happened to be very decent weapons.
9SS94Cr - Disagree. Have you ever used a Bowie as an outdoors knife? It’s great for chopping but it’s large size make it cumbersome for other chores. The Bowie starts as a fighting knife
the blade style is not as important as the hand holding it
As you mention at about 14 minutes, the stabbing usage is similar to that of butterfly swords. Essentially using the weight of the tip to lead and a loose wrist fired like a straight punch to deliver the thrust. About as non-telegraphed as a technique can be.
As someone who has recently sliced through most of my fingers because of my hand riding up onto the blade of the knife I was using, I'm really glad that he mentioned that (10:45)
Fun fact: these are the two knives used to kill Dracula.
While I, Quincy Morris used the Bowie to strike Draculas heart, my partner Jonathan Harker used the Kukri for the decapitation. Both being necessary to kill a vampire.
The BOWIE Knife was great in the American Frontier because it was used in hand-to-hand combat, served as the knife to cut meat (for hunting) and cook with for Mountain men, Soldiers/Calvary, and Cowboys during the 1800's in North America. Bowie Knife was probably a great "side weapon" to have in the 1800's, especially during the time when there were muskets in the early half of the 1800's. The Kukri was also used as a farm tool, as well as for fighting. COOL VIDEO on these knives, THANKS!
I thought kukris were designed mainly for cutting cucumbers and that's how the gurkhas got their name.
Ohhh... now you're gonna be in a pickle!
Pickle-Riiiick!
I'm very happy with my modern Cold Steel kirks Kukri Plus. The plus denoting an added guard. Which im very grateful for on woods work.
Always enjoy your videos, have to say that I agree with you, I'd rather have a good Bowie,it has more utility to it,had a ka-bar as well as my Fairbairn Sykes (although I prefer the Applegate Fairbairn- sacrilege coming from an ex-Royal Marine!) On my belt/rig.
it was fun being on Knife or Death as one of the first competitors
Interesting discussion. The bowie knife has always been my favorite type of knife, overall. Never tried a Kukri, but maybe I should. Thanks for your input
We had Kukri vs Bowie. But how about Kukri vs Bon Jovi?
Bon jovi, forget it.
Chaka Kahn vs Genghis Kahn
I used to have a Kukri on my webbing when I was in the army, excellent piece of kit for use as an axe or machete.
I use one for the exact same reason, it is a great knife for general around the campsite work, as well as brush clearing and the like. Prefer them to Parangs or Machetes.
Great minds think alike! : )
Carried one when I was in Korea in the 80s. It was a good tool and a great conversation piece
Hi Matt,
Do you have any recommendations for a first Bowie knife? I would love a Bowie, but am not sure what's worth getting or avoiding... Ideally I would like one with a clipped point and possibly a coffin handle.
the bushcraft angle of the “big knife” is totally overlooked by sword nerds - they are not weapons - they are everyday tools you can use as weapons
Bushcraft lol just bring a cheap axe if tou intend to chop wood, these are man jewlery
@@ZagorTeNayebo haters are going to hate
@@ZagorTeNayebo a lot of cultures historically preferred machete-style blades to axes for bushcrafting.
Kinda depends on the trees you're up against- but to this day- a lot of world militaries issue kukris, ginuntings, machetes, etc. Its quite rare to see them issue axes.
In case of armageddon, I definitely will be carrying one or two of my kukris and not any of my Bowie. Try building wood shelter or fire with a Bowie.... not realy happening. As stated kukri is a tool first weapon second...
@@jimbob465 kukri can be found in every household in Nepal. It is farmers implement first. Get your facts straight. And if you can not do all the things you mentioned with a kukri, you are either very clumsy or yoy have a "tourist kukri", not a real one.
@@jimbob465 it is not a lie. Kukri is essential farming tool in Nepal. That is its origin. If you dispute this, then you are a fool. And if you have a real kukri, it is as nimble as a Bowie and still chop better than it.
@@georgekaradov1274
In case of armaggedon, bend over buddy.
@@God-mb8wi if that is how you will act, be happy... I bend for no one.
@@georgekaradov1274
Be real George, if you bend for nobody, someone's gonna make you bend over.
I think a Bowie would win, a Bowie guard can block a blade and for close quarters combat, the Bowie can still be a dagger. If both fighters are keeping distance they have about the same reach. Bowie handles quicker as well for follow up strikes if it becomes a sword fight between the two. the Bowie after a few swings or missed swings would strike first. If the two fighters were equal. In a boxing match often after a few swings the two fighter will clinch. I can picture this in a slashing knife fight as well maybe both guys get slashed but end up in a clinch. Bowie will stab and kill in that situation, more likely.
Can't say I approve of tiger hunting, but going up against a tiger with only a kukri is bad ass and then some.
Sounds more like bad myth to me. I doubt anyone but a real idiot actively hunted tigers armed only with a kukri, and with the gurkha technique of leaping to the side and cutting the paw of the tiger as it lept against the hunter. This was described in a 19th century text.
Gotta feel sorry for the tigers tbh. Imagine minding your business, living in the Himalayan forests, just being a tiger when some random dude comes at you screaming & swinging a big ass knife. 🐯😅
@Re nato I'm fully aware that native americans, trappers and even modern day people have killed bears with knives, etc. But that is purely cases of survival, as a last resort and often these people got severly mauled in the process. Nobody in their right mind would actively hunt bears or big cats armed only with a knife. There is a reason why bear spears were invented.
@Re nato the Gurkha's hunt tigers for religious reasons. Not for fun. The is a book about the Gurkha's, or Gorkhas as it's written in the book written by s British officer who commanded a Gorkha company prior to WWII. It's a very good read. I cannot remember the title exactly but do a search with Gorkha in the title, and you should be able to find it.
i wonder if the tiger would approve of hunting you? heres hoping 😁
Glad to see you back. That bowie-kukrie is a monster.
Kukris are excellent for self defense. Many soldiers have been killed by kukris in hand to hand combat. Just ask the Japanese in ww2 and the taliban.
IMO It would take a very large Bowie to be able to contend with the power of a Kukuri. It would likely blow the bowie out of your grasp and carry on into your face.
Just bought a bowie knife from Tod Cutler. Thank you for having a link to his website ❤️
That Indian hunting knife at the end, similar to a kukri, but with the back edge, anyone know the name of it ?
"It's a Bowie Kukri"... OK I'm sold!!! (looks for the buy now button) :D
Love the hybrid knife but if you put a Ghurka up against an American soldier with a bowie my money is on the ghurka every time. If you can arrange a demo fight between these 2 I think alot of people would want to see this.
Very relevant when you live in London ....
RIP London
Likely you find the Khukri hard to use because of your fighting theory and training; Go for the vitals style. Threat suppression theory (chopping the hands off) of SE Asia woks well with the Khukri, Bolo and other well bellied knives. And, the hack/chop and draw cut action. Also that style favours smaller nimble people.
I trained in escrima stick combat, and almost all of the drills and forms translate into dual weilding bolo fighting (with the exception of strikes that ignore edge alignment), dual bolos/kukris have the advantages of hooking weapons that work especially well for pole arm combat and sword combat, the hooking ability when applied properly can negate any reach advantages, facilitating as you said, threat suppression theory, on top thag, of blunt force trauma against helmed/armored opponents is fairly effective with the ectra weight on the end also decapitation/amputation, however obviously those can be mitigated with armor and mail
I always find it ironic that most of the early Bowie knives, the quintessential American knife, were made in Sheffield, aye lad
Yea, they're cool, often homemade from scythes and the like.
Yes , in the initial burst of popularity , " Bowie " knives were by various suppliers , including local blacksmiths .
But " Sheffield Bowie's " usually refer to a specific late 1800's styles .
In the 1820s- 1850s Bowies were primary sidearms , and tended to be Big , ie 10-14 inch blades .
By the late 1870s- 1880s , reliable large caliber revolvers were in common use , and Bowies were more of secondary sidearms , and more of all around utility/ camp/ cooking/ hunting knives . Not to mention a large revolver plus a huge knife on the same belt could be heavy ( actual period gunbelts not being as thick and stiff as modern interpretations) .
So by the late 1800s , during the heyday of the "Sheffield Bowie " , then shrank . Same basic configuration , but more typically 7- 9 inch blades .
...and mr. Easton just casually sleight of hands us with a rondel dagger.
It's BOO-EE..
That's the correct pronunciation..
Bowie knives were invented by David Bowie to be used by major Tom on his space mission
Named for Jame Bowie. Pronounced BOOEE. Not BOWEE.
I like Bowies, but i prefer the false edge to be sharpened. What are your thoughts on it?
"I'll pronounce Kukri correctly but who cares about the knife named after an actual person?"
Some of the kukris have a talwar hilt that should take care of guard problem, and in the Maratha region the tips of the kukris are designed to thrust and they have a deep fuller through the spine making them lighter
A Gurkha rifleman would use a Kukri alongside a rifle and bayonet, giving them extra reach and something to parry with. Having seen the Gurkha's in the British Army, I would back them with a Kukri against 99.9% of people with any other kind of knife.
@airborneleaf Bullshit mate, In fact on a Saturday night in Aldershot in England the one group of soldiers, not even the largest and most drunk group of Paras would try to pick on was a small group of smartly dressed, sports jacketed, Gurkhas having a few drinks and bothering no one.
I was going to say: hmmm but Matt, my Kukri has a guard! Ahh. I see. It's a "modern" kukri.
Interestingly, I think I'd use the kukri, and here is why:
The 'weapon' side of a knife is secondary. It's primarily a tool.
Anything the Bowie can do the Kukri can do. In some cases not quite as well, but in many cases much better. If you want to chop wood the kukri is your man. In most circumstances for most 'bush craft' requirements, the kukri is going to win out.
Now, you've got a kukri on you because it's the best 'multi tool' available. You probably wouldn't have a bowie on you as well, because "why carry two knives".
Therefore, the weapon you have on you is the one you would use.
Yes, I know it's a convoluted reason, but it's how my mind thinks.
Otherwise you could say 'which would be the best knife to use in a knife fight?' and the answer would be 'an M1911A1'
same here, sure, in a duel a bowie might be better but how many duels does one get into before they lose? the more important thing is the 99% of the time you're not fighting
Well by that logic why not have a machete? It’s just as good as a kukri and should you get into a knife fight, you have the bigger knife.
I get it, stupid knife laws that prohibit the carrying of a machete. But if you can open carry a firearm, then you should be able to open carry a machete.
@@bigredwolf6 because the discussion was between a kukri and Bowie.
Ian N Yea but you included a 1911 at the end. So I figured it was fair game to talk about other tools/weapons
@@bigredwolf6 have you ever try choping wood with a machete??? You are welcome to try....
I am watching this with a limited edition buffalo bill engraved bowie knife 👍
I love my KaBar Kukri, I use it as a machete as a lopper for limbs and very small trees in my overgrown back yard.
Hunting tigers with knives? Sounds like a tall tale to me. You would have great difficulty getting close enough to use a knife unless the tiger charged, in which case the tiger would probably kill you outright. ... Even if you somehow managed to the beat the odds by killing the tiger before it could fatally injure you, you'd still have a high risk of infection from any superficial wounds. … I'm not saying, it's impossible for a human to kill a big cat with a knife. I'm sure it has been done. It's just hard to believe that any sane person would voluntarily put himself at such an extreme disadvantage.
A tool easily can be thought in mind for certain things that really it isn't very efficient for lul
The story of Gurkha soldier single handedly fending off an ambush by 30 well armed Talibans and killing 12 to 15 Talibans and 6 of them with his Kukri seem even taller a tale. Or a Gurkha soldier killing more than a dozen japanese soldiers after one of his arm got blown away by a grenade. Believe it or not, bravery is a thing, you have to be brave to be able to appreciate bravery.
@@boohoomoron7629 - I'm aware that people have done remarkable things in desperate situations, but no sane person would intentionally walk into an ambush or intentionally sacrifice an arm.
@@matthewzito6130 well to put it bluntly that's the difference between pussies and brave men. And between those two, it's the latter that have maintain and fought hard to bring sanity to an otherwise insane world.
@@boohoomoron7629 Wars are won by making the other guy die for his country, not getting yourself killed needlessly.
Original Bowie knives had thick and broad blades so you can use it to fry meat like bacon and such on the blade if you're lacking a skillet. Also, the flat spine meant you could bash something on the back to use it as a splitting wedge. It's the length it was so you could wear it under your coat and it be concealed. Bowie was a mountainman first and fighter second. Bowie knife is a good survival knife.
Yup. An awesome all- rounder. I’ve used mine for just about everything you can imagine while out in the boonies except self defense- never needed it for that yet thankfully.
Incorrect. Bowie knife was a fighting knife first and foremost not a utility blade.
What historical sources are you using? The Bowie knife was created in the American Southeast not the Rocky Mountains.
Nineteen comments in and nobody's said it yet - kukri wins coz POMMEL :-)
Bowie is essentially half kukri/half rondel (jack of all trades...?), not even necessarily a good hunting blade - never heard of anyone hunting tigers with them.
You can kill anything with a Bowie from man to bear
But what about dragons?
Bowie knife every time Alaxander the Great used one. That's all the proof you need.
Why...WHY do people always seem to hold a kukri in a "hammer" grip instead of the proper "handshake" grip?!?
legend has it the Bowie knife gained fame during the famous SANDBAR fight.
Jim Bowie actually cut a man's entire hand off with it.
"They hunted tigers with a kukri, and only a kukri."
um.. Citation needed.
I don't know which is Matt Easton's source, but one is from "The Uncivilized Races of Men in All Countries of the World", by J.G. Wood, 1878.
In Vol. 2 there is such an account exactly of how they would kill a tiger, armed with just a kukri (or "kookery" as they call it in the book).
A kukri, and great big balls
@@ManoNegraCG Don't know why I am getting notified on this comment a year later but whatever..
I still don't buy it. Sounds to me like some good old fashioned over dramatization. They used to do that back in the day. Make the "uncivilized" tribal people of the world out to be some kind of mystical people, capable of extreme or supernatural things. It's all bullshit.
@@KurNorock I can’t attest to whether this is true or not, but if there was a group of fighters capable of single-handedly knifing down a tiger I’d put my money on the Gurkhas.
@@buffruddy297 There is nothing special about the Ghurkas. As far as fighters using knives go, they aren't particularly any better than any other. And while the kukri is a great knife, it isn't some super weapon with magic powers and the ability to instantly kill anything it touches.
I am not saying it is impossible for a human being to kill a tiger with a knife. What I am saying is that the odds of even a very well trained human purposefully hunting a tiger with a knife and 1. even finding a tiger, and 2. surviving the encounter, are so ridiculously small as to be basically zero.
Tigers are not going to allow a human being to get close to them. If the tiger allows a human to get close it is only because the tiger is going to kill the human.
No matter how well trained, how fast, or how much skill a human has, tigers are better. Tigers are larger, far more powerful, much faster, and more lethal.
Even if you are incredibly lucky and manage to stab a tiger directly through the heart as it pounces on you, that tiger is not going to die immediately. It still has upwards of a minute or two to kill you before it dies, and it WILL use that time to do exactly that.
Ghurkas hunting tigers using only a knife is mythology. It is tall tales. It is nonsense.
So was it the lack of relative thrusting potential that kept the kukri from being adopted more widely into the general British Army? I always thought this would’ve been a perfect trench raiding weapon in WW1 alongside a revolver or pistol.
Curious what your take on the updated Kailash Knout would be from a practical perspective
A Bowie knife "just like a carving knife"? Man, don't say that in Texas, it would be like saying a +5 Holy Avenger is "just like a sword"!
Big ass Bowie for the win! All day everyday ! ‘Merica! Hell yeah!
Cows aren’t holy in Nepal.....
Kukri in the hands of a Gurkha anytime ...
"Booie or Bowie, I don't care how you pronounce it."
David Bowie cares. David Bowie loves.
No he didn't. He started as Booie and when americans said Bowie....he went with it.
Sometimes when the person he is loving is drunk and unwilling!
I can't watch, how does this guy still have all his fingers?
Bowies have a a saw edge? Not important in fighting but as an outdoor tool, it's a factor. So dependent on the survival scenario could be a factor in choice No?
Tomahawk with a 90 degree rotation to optionally turn the the axe head into a mattock with a saw edged end spike and side spike, plus extending handle would do it all, better?
I find that when using a kukri (khukri, khukuri...whoever), the techniques we use for tomahawk translate pretty well beause the size and balance feel a lot more like a tomahawk than a bowie.
I like them both. Give me a big kukri in my main hand and a smaller bowie in my off hand.
Yes!
cant compare the two, they are worlds apart.
>Video not about the kukri.
>Talks about the kukri for most of video.
Khukuri for the win baby!!
Ha ha! I found it amusing that I have 6 of the same make and style of weapons seen in the background.
"My preference [...] is of around a 9 or 10 inch blade, a little bit bigger, a little bit smaller is fine"
That's what she said 😏
That was my thought when he said going for deeper penetration.
Out of curiosity, do you think you would like to bring up Jack Churchill (or Mad Jack)? He was a man who fought in ww2 with a longbow and a Scottish broadsword.
Very interesting video.. Can you recormend any good books on Bowies and their historical use?
You are correct. The kukri came in second. It lost to an oakshot type XII I believe.
What's that I hear? Design a Bowie/kukri hybrid? Optimized thrusting angle grip with weighted front end while still being pointed for a respectable trust? With a guard?
Sure Matt, I can do that for you, glad you asked!
Oh Jesus, I didn't watch to the end before commenting...
Would love to hear your thoughts on Kopis swords.