Kabar Kukri vs Kabar Cutlass Machete

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Feb 8, 2011
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I am in the market for a large machete sized knife and I cant decided which to get. I have narrowed the field to the Kabar Cutlass Machete or the Kabar Kukri. Has anyone used either of these and could give me some insight.
 
Either one is a winner. The Kukri is a bit longer, and the arc shape is less stressfull to the elbow. Some would argue that it is not a real Kukri, but it's a good tool for the money. I like the hollow grind, on the flat stock. You don't need 1/4" thick spine to have a hefty blade, unless it's full flat grind.

My only issue with either, is the term machete used in their names. They are not great for thin jungle type vegetation, too short and heavy for swinging all day. They are both better for chopping, and big knife duties.

The flase edge of the Kukri will chew up a baton faster than the Cutlass, but there's plenty of those to be found.
 
I've got a Cutlass and it works very well. The hollow grind on the blade is good for the work it does. It will take a wicked, shaving sharp edge, and the edge holding is pretty decent, yet when I hit a rock the blade didn't chip out, just rolled/dented a bit. The heat treat is about perfect for the intended use.

I can get through most limbs that are less than 2" thick in one swing, except for dense/hard wood.

I'm going to flatten the sides of the grip just a tad, as it rolls in my hand a bit.

I like it MUCH better than a 12" Ontario that I used to have.

It's a good knife for the money and I'd have no hesitation carrying it any where in the outdoors.
 
Which Ontario 12" did you have, the machete or the Spec-Plus Kukri ? Just curious. I have an 18" OKC military machete & thier SP Kukri. I like them both a lot, but the machete seems less fatiguing at the end of the day than the 1/4" full flat grind Kukri.
 
I can't remember what it was called. It was a 12" machete with the D-grip and a clip point. Just like the 12" ones listed on their site, but with a clip point instead of a straight spine. I don't think that they make it any more. It's not listed on their website. It was in the military machete line, not Spec Plus.
 
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