sweetcostarica
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- Jan 18, 2012
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Tora Blades vs. Cold Steel
The written review:
Comparison
In this written review I will compare the ultra modern design of the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri with the handmade and near replica Tora WW Battalion Regimental Issue Kukri. They compare to each other in dimensions only with the Cold Steel knife being a little smaller and lighter.
Specifications
Tora WW Battalion Regimental Issue Kukri
Length/Blade: 33.1 cm (13 in)
Length/Handle: 11.6 cm (4 5/8 in)
Length/Overall: 45 cm ( 17 5/8 in)
Belly width: 6 cm (2 7/16 in)
Spine thickness at point: 2 mm (5/64 in)
Spine thickness at belly: 7 mm (9/32 in)
Spine thickness at Bolster: 8 mm (5/16 in)
Weight: 633 grams (22.30 oz)
Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri:
Length/Blade: 30.5 cm (12 in)
Length/Handle: 13 cm (5 1/8 in)
Length/Overall: 43.5 cm ( 17 1/8 in)
Belly width: 5.8 cm (2 5/16 in)
Spine thickness at point: 2 mm (1/16 in)
Spine thickness at belly: 7 mm (9/32 in)
Spine thickness at Bolster: 8 mm (5/16 in)
Weight: 588 grams (20.75 oz)
The Handle
The wooden handle on the Tora Blades Batt/Reg. Issue is a standard Kukri grip that is on the large end of the scale. I have XL hands and this handle fills my hands totally while wearing gloves but is fine for me. Others with small to medium hands might find the Tora handle too much for them and may need to sand it down.
The Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri has rubberized handles. They seem universally sized for men and women. This Kukri was comfortable with gloves and bare hands. I handed this Kukri to my Landlord and he really liked the feel of the handle. He has medium sized hands. This is a big plus for the knife.
Durability
These Kukris were very sharp when I received them. The Batt/Reg. Issue had a very thin edge that caused it to chip a little and take damage when chopping wood. This was easily fixed by re-profiling the edge with a slightly wider angle.
No manufacturers blade suffered any nicks, bends, or chips during this comparison. The Tora and Cold Steel were still sharp at the end of the day. They were only stropped a little.
Weight and Balance
Both Kukris have good weight and balance. They both would work well with a Mora (or another small knife) and maybe a saw as the only cutting tools for a hike or a camping event. The Cold Steel I am told is modeled after the MKII British pattern Kukri of World War 2 fame. It shows that pedigree in that the CS Gurkha Kukri is very powerful and quick. The Tora Batt/Reg. Issue Kukri is more blade heavy and can fight too but seems more of an all round Kukri.
Wood Work
The thin edge and lighter blade do not hurt the CS Gurkha Kukri overall in wood working. It slices like a machete and chops like a hatchet. All the good things I heard about this blade were confirmed in its good performance in wood. Unfortunately, I found that the thinner edge design of the Cold Steel often gets it stuck in the wood. A good idea is to keep can of 10WD40 on hand to lube the blade to overcome this situation.
The Tora had an almost flat blade with the V-grind edge of the Tora Military range. This V-grind helps the kukri power though wood without sticking like the CS Gurkha Kukri did. Also, the Toras stick tang handle does assist it when used with the SE Asian styled loose two finger grip. This grip combined with the weight forward design made a great chopper out of the Batt/Reg. Issue Kukri. When my technique was successful using the loose grip chopping wood I felt very Gurkha-ish. A very nice Kukri.
Finial Comments and Observations
The Tora and the Cold Steel can be bought at similar prices if you live in North America.
Edit: The CS Gurkha is really more expensive. Retail the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri is $314.99 USD (195.55 GBP). On Amazon 10/2012 the CS Gurkha is $161.00 USD (99.95 GBP). The Tora Batt/Reg. Issue is $125.00 USD (77.60 GBP) plus shipping to your home.
What is interesting about these two big knives is how one does things in a traditional way, the other does it in a modern way but the results are close in the end.
During testing I saw that the Cold Steel is strong in splitting but sticks in the wood when chopping. The Batt/Reg. Issue Kukri split wood well and chopped well. This is a photo finish. So I think neither is better than the other. The individual will have to weight what they like in a Kukri and pick the closest knife. Both are capable of great things.
Note: Tora Blades is a small UK based company that makes Military and Villager Kukris. Cold Steel is a huge American company that makes many different products but specializes in bladed tools.
The written review:
Comparison
In this written review I will compare the ultra modern design of the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri with the handmade and near replica Tora WW Battalion Regimental Issue Kukri. They compare to each other in dimensions only with the Cold Steel knife being a little smaller and lighter.
Specifications
Tora WW Battalion Regimental Issue Kukri
Length/Blade: 33.1 cm (13 in)
Length/Handle: 11.6 cm (4 5/8 in)
Length/Overall: 45 cm ( 17 5/8 in)
Belly width: 6 cm (2 7/16 in)
Spine thickness at point: 2 mm (5/64 in)
Spine thickness at belly: 7 mm (9/32 in)
Spine thickness at Bolster: 8 mm (5/16 in)
Weight: 633 grams (22.30 oz)
Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri:
Length/Blade: 30.5 cm (12 in)
Length/Handle: 13 cm (5 1/8 in)
Length/Overall: 43.5 cm ( 17 1/8 in)
Belly width: 5.8 cm (2 5/16 in)
Spine thickness at point: 2 mm (1/16 in)
Spine thickness at belly: 7 mm (9/32 in)
Spine thickness at Bolster: 8 mm (5/16 in)
Weight: 588 grams (20.75 oz)
The Handle
The wooden handle on the Tora Blades Batt/Reg. Issue is a standard Kukri grip that is on the large end of the scale. I have XL hands and this handle fills my hands totally while wearing gloves but is fine for me. Others with small to medium hands might find the Tora handle too much for them and may need to sand it down.
The Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri has rubberized handles. They seem universally sized for men and women. This Kukri was comfortable with gloves and bare hands. I handed this Kukri to my Landlord and he really liked the feel of the handle. He has medium sized hands. This is a big plus for the knife.
Durability
These Kukris were very sharp when I received them. The Batt/Reg. Issue had a very thin edge that caused it to chip a little and take damage when chopping wood. This was easily fixed by re-profiling the edge with a slightly wider angle.
No manufacturers blade suffered any nicks, bends, or chips during this comparison. The Tora and Cold Steel were still sharp at the end of the day. They were only stropped a little.
Weight and Balance
Both Kukris have good weight and balance. They both would work well with a Mora (or another small knife) and maybe a saw as the only cutting tools for a hike or a camping event. The Cold Steel I am told is modeled after the MKII British pattern Kukri of World War 2 fame. It shows that pedigree in that the CS Gurkha Kukri is very powerful and quick. The Tora Batt/Reg. Issue Kukri is more blade heavy and can fight too but seems more of an all round Kukri.
Wood Work
The thin edge and lighter blade do not hurt the CS Gurkha Kukri overall in wood working. It slices like a machete and chops like a hatchet. All the good things I heard about this blade were confirmed in its good performance in wood. Unfortunately, I found that the thinner edge design of the Cold Steel often gets it stuck in the wood. A good idea is to keep can of 10WD40 on hand to lube the blade to overcome this situation.
The Tora had an almost flat blade with the V-grind edge of the Tora Military range. This V-grind helps the kukri power though wood without sticking like the CS Gurkha Kukri did. Also, the Toras stick tang handle does assist it when used with the SE Asian styled loose two finger grip. This grip combined with the weight forward design made a great chopper out of the Batt/Reg. Issue Kukri. When my technique was successful using the loose grip chopping wood I felt very Gurkha-ish. A very nice Kukri.
Finial Comments and Observations
The Tora and the Cold Steel can be bought at similar prices if you live in North America.
Edit: The CS Gurkha is really more expensive. Retail the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri is $314.99 USD (195.55 GBP). On Amazon 10/2012 the CS Gurkha is $161.00 USD (99.95 GBP). The Tora Batt/Reg. Issue is $125.00 USD (77.60 GBP) plus shipping to your home.
What is interesting about these two big knives is how one does things in a traditional way, the other does it in a modern way but the results are close in the end.
During testing I saw that the Cold Steel is strong in splitting but sticks in the wood when chopping. The Batt/Reg. Issue Kukri split wood well and chopped well. This is a photo finish. So I think neither is better than the other. The individual will have to weight what they like in a Kukri and pick the closest knife. Both are capable of great things.
Note: Tora Blades is a small UK based company that makes Military and Villager Kukris. Cold Steel is a huge American company that makes many different products but specializes in bladed tools.
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