I like Kuks, lots, I have one of the CS "Machete" versions I use on vines and crappy jobs around the yard, it holds up OK, I file sharpen it and spray pain the blade when it is too ugly. I am afraid that this one has little appeal to me, to each there own of course, it just looks like it was thought up by a teenager with that grip/guard. I am not the one that needs to be happy with it either. As long as you are.
The grip is pretty deceiving in pics. I mean, it seems so beefy, like in 2x4 block of wood beefy, lol! But, in hand, it's not as bad in feel as the pics would lead you to believe. The actual handle area is contoured and thin enough on the back palm area grasping side, that it's feel in hand is not bad at all, (at least in my opinion).
The beefy-ness of the knuckle protecting area is obviously there to try and get some kind of decent protection from the one piece 6061 cast aluminum handle that is used. This handle size, (in my opinion), looks less out of place on this model than on the other shorter Chaos series knives. I mean, this Kukri does have a 12.5 inch blade, so the handle size just seems more proportionate on this model. Although the handle may seem like it was designed by some kid, there was obviously some thought put into it.
There have been some comments suggesting that the handle's weight may greatly diminish the advantages that the usual forward heavy kukri blades are known for. I mean, yes, it's not a tiny handle, but it's made of solid aluminum, not solid zinc, brass, or steel. So, the handle's weight is not going to be as bad as the size of it would suggest. Also, although the handle's weight may make a bigger difference in the smaller Chaos series knives, this particular model, (the Chaos Kukri), has a lot more blade, and is most definitely forward blade heavy. Whatever it's handle's weight may be, it does not seem to greatly diminish the usual forward blade heaviness of this Kukri based knife.
And yeah, it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea... All good
I must add this opinion... My recently purchasing a U.S. made Ontario Knife Company Kukri in their 1075 carbon steel, I have to say that the visual execution of the Taiwanese made Chaos Kukri is better than on Ontario's product. The
grinds are more precise/even, including the sharpened edge.
Not to say that the Ontario Kukri is bad, because it is not, and believe that Ontario has upped their game in these areas in the past few years. But, they have not reached the consistency that is found on this Chaos model. I believe the CS Chaos Kukri has an average street price of about 80 dollars, (although I literally paid half that price), and the Ontario Kukri's average street price is in the 65 dollar range. So, they are fairly comparable in price. As for the sheaths of both these models, it's not even close, with the Chaos having
a quality sheath, where as the Ontario firm's Kukri sheath is a bare bones cheapie.
It's amazing how times change, and what was once true, is not so much anymore. There was a time when made in Japan knives was looked as lower quality by most folks. Time went on, and knives made in Japan has become a mark of quality by most knife folks now. Made in Taiwan was another mark of lower end stuff, but I believe that minds are starting to slowly, but surely, change on that belief. I am a bit old school, so it was hard to change my perception about Taiwan made products, perceptions that were based on items I encountered decades ago from that island nation. But, in recent years, my perception has changed to more of believing that Taiwan has become, in many ways, what Japan is, (a nation source that is more than qualified to produce a good to great quality item).
Hard to break old beliefs, (at least for me)... but those breaking of old beliefs are happening. China is another one that I used to believe was a mark of bottom of the barrel stuff... But, although it can still be that in some cases, they have obviously become a nation that can, and does produce, decent quality products, (politics aside).
I think I mentioned where the Cold Steel Chaos series is produced, but if I did not... They are made in Taiwan.
It seems some of Cold Steel's best quality items are sourced from Japan, but that list is growing short. Many of those items seem to have gone to Taiwan manufacture, with most of their slightly lesser quality made goods being made in China. Imo, Taiwan seems to offer a bit better overall quality consistency than China does for Cold Steel.
Cold Steel does have some other Nation sources... But, they are usually for other specific tools. Like, for instance, most of their European/West style swords being sourced from Windlass Steelcrafts in India. And things like machetes being mostly sourced from South Africa.
Still, it would be interesting to see what you come up with; perhaps a new and worthy idea.
that guard looks asymmetrical to mine eyes.
