Customer Reviews

Ka-Bar Black Kukri Machete

5 star:		(141)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There is a lot to say about this kukri that makes it one of the best to own in its class. The steel is 1085 high carbon and holds an edge really well. It is a bit stiffer than most machetes, due to its hefty solid feel and huge blade thickness. It acts as a wedge when batoning, and it splits wood rivaling hatchets that I've owned. I've found that it really is comfortable with the Kraton handle, and using it for hours cutting wood, it still is comfortable. The sheath that it comes with is on the stiff side, with leather snaps and heavy Cordura on the sheath material. I really have close to no complaints about it, except that the metal loop to put the lanyard in the handle is prone to bending in throwing situations. It is exactly how a kukri should be built worksmanship-wise (albeit not traditional in the slightest in design though). It comes with a good edge but the relief cut in that edge might be best for utility, as it is a wider angle.
Rated 5 out of 5. Thanks for reading this review.

Purchased this item recently to replace my standard sized machete which I found to be too long and awkward to carry when traveling off trail here in Hawaii. The item was sent promptly and arrived quickly with no issues.

The machete is fairly short yet heavy for its size (and actually, much more so than my cheap WalMart Coleman) but not uncomfortably so and came out of the box razor sharp. The handle is drilled to allow for a small slip rope (I'm using paracord which fit perfectly) can be run through to prevent it flying out of your hand and the loop at the bottom of the sheath allows it to be strapped securely to your leg to streamline your gear, which is fantastic when traveling through underbrush.

Chopping with this item tool is much more comfortable than with the standard machete. Since the majority of the weight is at the head of the blade, I feel like the blade is doing the majority of the work as opposed to my arm. This thing makes short work of bamboo, koa bushes, and thick grass when traveling and coconut husks when I'm hungry.

I can whole-heartily recommend this item for any trailblazers out there or those who need to do light clearing work. Just keep in mind that it's a short blade.

This knife has proven to be quite handy. I have used it mostly for chopping branches and cutting down small trees. The knife is built solid and the blade is weighted enough to carry through branches and saplings in one strike.
This is a good knife in comparison to machetes and corn knives I have owned and used, but I think because of its size and design it will be much more versatile and useful.

so my roommate got one of these a few weeks ago. straight out of the box i'm already impressed with the intimidation factor of this thing. so we test out its cutting ability against a 1095 carbon steel straight sword. it easily does just does just as much cutting damage as the sword (impressive because its wielded with one hand instead of two and its much smaller.) i was pretty impressed. went on a 25 mile hike through the forest and camping. i took my machete and he took the kukri. the kukri cut down some trees that were easily 5-7 in around at base. and about 10-15 ft tall. it literally took no time at all to strip all the branches off the tree (one swing for most) and had loads of firewood for the whole night. i didn't even bring my machete home i left it, cause i'm ordering one of these. all around best tool you could have for hiking/camping.

and after the beating that it took all weekend clearing trails cutting up firewood its still just as sharp as before we left. i'm sold

I got this machete a couple weeks ago and am seriously impressed. I've been using cheap machetes as very handy all-purpose garden and "etceteras" tools for years now - from thinning and weed whacking to pruning, edging, and grubbing, machetes are highly versatile tools I will always make a point of having on my tool shelf or stowed away when going camping. After hearing of the leverage power lent to the machete by adapted kukri design, I felt I had to try 'em out. After using this on overgrown roses and to reshape and limb the trees in my backyard I have certainly been sold on incorporating the down-curved blade into a machete and believe any of the kukri machetes at this price and below must be easily worth the cost. If you need a simple hacker, the Cold Steel version for much cheaper may be all you need. The basic design and functionality of the blade shape is not the reason to go for this pricier Ka-Bar option.

Just looking at this (admittedly attractive) blade really tells little of the power it holds. Honestly, it looks a little smaller than I expected. Picking it up quickly gives you a sense of reason for its size. With a linear distance of only 11.5" from the tip to where the inside edge meets the handle, the thing weighs a little over 1.25 lbs. Feels very close to the feel of holding a large wood-handled hammer for driving nails. This poses a bit of a body mechanics issue when swinging the machete - you should commit to every swing! Backing your weight off or pulling back from a swing out of concern of missing or hitting something with snap-back could easily hurt your wrist and elbow over time. Committing to a swing against a large branch will allow either a deep bite or smooth roll around to achieve your cut or save your wrist and the sharp edge will usually take care of the twigs you may unconsciously flinch at in case of snap-back. The balance point is very near the edge and just under 9" from the tip, so it is very front-heavy with a great deal of the resting weight lying within the sharpened edge length of the blade.
And please pay heed when I say "sharpened," for this comes out of the box with a finer edge than the utility/fighting knives Ka-Bar sells and I actually gave myself a clean shave to my cheeks without water or shaving cream. I had my file and whetstone all ready to go when I opened this thing, expecting to be filing down the rough edge most machetes have (and most knives are left with for shipping purposes). But not with this - it is seriously as sharp as a well honed razor for 9" the length of the blade and the tip has the initial grip of an Exacto knife. If dropped from more than 3' tip-down following the grain of hardwood, it will likely penetrate enough to stand upright for a bit. The factory sharpened edge cuts through 1.5mm full grain leather strapping slung over the edge with no lateral slicing and just a couple pounds of pulling tension. Even wearing leather work boots, you should be careful not to drop this on your foot.
I was tempted to remove the rough black finish at first since I had heard stories of moisture being locked beneath such coatings and because it tends to grip sliced material more than a clean blade, but it is really durable and wipes clean easily enough. The somewhat rough texture has actually helped ensure a feeling of secure grip when holding the back of the blade for planing and added accuracy in notching branches for grafting. It also makes me feel a bit more confidant the couple times I've used this to lightly hammer in small nails.
The handle is very comfortable but it is a small diameter, as others have complained. I do not see this as a detriment, however. Holding this with a fist is ineffective and could cause undue tendon strain. The handle contours easily when gripped as though reaching for a doorknob or to shake a child's hand. Few would appreciate this analogy, but the grip is remarkably similar to the hand position necessary to lock in a portafilter handle for espresso preparation. When gripped with your thumb pointed forward in line with the back of the blade, the finger guard acts as a broad platform and the curvature of the blade then follows the line of resistance straight through a partially curved arm all the way to the shoulder girdle. If you bite the blade into a thick branch with a fisted grip, the shock would reverberate through your elbow ligaments whereas following the line of your thumb and forearm in what feels like a lighter grip actually carries more power all the way from your back and shoulder into the bite of the knife. The first few swings I took on 3"+ branches I was worried I'd strain my thumb in such a position, but the curve of the blade and handle do a great job of distributing the shock with a minimum of stress right through the palm.
The hook shape at the back of the handle is a feature I hardly considered when buying but has helped tremendously. I mentioned earlier that this has a propensity for falling tip-down - this is a knife that wants to be freed to bite into the nearest piece of wood and the hook in the handle really gives a nice extra bit of control and also assists in pulling from the sheath and reducing fatigue when simply holding the blade stationary.
What few faults I can find I see in the sheath, but these are really just nitpicks that probably wouldn't exist if the sheath as a whole were not so well constructed. It is thick leather to the inside (where it would be against a user's leg) and multiple-layers of cordura to the outside. The leather belt loop is connected with a sturdy metal D-ring allowing for flexibility while the ring off the tip for a leg tie is a stiff hard plastic ring. This inconsistency is a little irritating and I worry about compromising the connection point of the plastic, but it's minor. The D-ring has a tendency to squeak against the leather even when oiled, but this may eventually remedy itself. There are two button-down leather straps holding the blade in place. These retain their curvature when released, so you really do need to look when re-sheathing the machete. I actually really like the straps. They release very easily when pulled but hold tight against the blade. I don't really see much use for the lower strap, since you can easily insert and remove without unsnapping the lower strap. Makes for slightly more carefree re-sheathing, I suppose. I do worry about the sheath a bit... Despite being very heavy-duty, the multilayered nature combined with the sharpness and weight of the blade suggest that it would be very easy to accidentally insert the blade right through the seams of the sheath... Being a machete and a sharp-edged tool I tend to look carefully every time this thing approaches my legs, but I can imagine this issue popping up. Still a far better sheath than I had imagined for a blade shape such as this.

I do suggest that users of this machete wear at least light gloves to protect against abrasion if not work gloves to protect against reverberation or cuts. Use as much caution in swinging this as you would any hatchet, pick, or axe - the angle of swinging this in an arc aligns the tip to slice straight into the middle of one's quadriceps into the weakest point of the femur. Chop into branches at a ~45 degree angle to maximize speed and effectiveness of the bite. Keep dry, store outside of the sheath if it gets wet, and wipe with a light knife mineral oil to protect from moisture. With proper are, this ought to last a lifetime. With inadequate care, it would still be an effective tool for many years despite heavy rust and a dulled edge. Nepalese Gurkha
Warriors adapted the Kukri from a farm tool to the battlefield and here it has been adapted back to taking on plant life with your backyard or campsite as a battlefield.

Quick question...What hand to hand weapon would be best during the zombie apocalypse? I'd have to say a Kukri! This is a fantastic product. Just heavy enough to be effective, but won't tire you out from swinging it often. And, another plus is the really boss-looking black blade with just the barest hint of the silver razor edge...scary cool! Speaking of razor edge...I cut myself with it the first day, so be very careful! The sheath is nice and heavy, with snap closure that holds the blade very securely. It can be hung by a loop from your belt, and a hole is provided at the bottom if you wish to secure it to your leg with a strap or cord as well. I haven't used it on any zombies(yet), but for clearing brush and taking off tree branches,(some over 1" in diameter with one chop!) this does the job wonderfully. The blade is sturdy and heavy, with good balance and the handle is very comfortable to hold and also provides a good grip, even with sweaty hands. As for comparison to the real authentic thing...I have a "bhojpure" Gurkha Kukri, Indian army surplus (manufacture date 1943), that I absolutely LOVE, and the Ka-Bar compares VERY favorably to it, though it is more of the "longleaf" style design. The blade is not as thick or heavy, but that is to be expected for a blade that isn't made to be used in combat. I have also found that the blade will take far more abuse than the cheaper brands (rhymes with "old squeal"),probably because it's a Ka-Bar, who have manufactured combat knives for the Marines forever. So, whether clearing brush, cutting branches for a lean-to, or decapitating the zombie hordes, this is definitely the right tool for the job! Highly recommended!!

For starters, this blade comes very sharp, out of the box, and the design is excellent. The weight of the blade is at the optimum point to rotate the blade, mid-swing, for maximum cutting performance.

The blade is very durable, and holds it's edge well. It's worth the extra money to buy this over Cold Steel's Kukri.

The sheath is alright. You have to pay attention when removing the blade from the sheath, as I've managed to accidentally cut one of the straps halfway through.

In the end, this is a great product. I just wish that Kabar would make a more durable sheath.

5 Stars for the blade, 3 stars for the sheath. 4 Stars, total.

This is the best damn tree and brush trimming tool I've ever seen..!! It fits my hand as if I'd designed it for myself. Balance is blade heavy and perfect for heavy duty work. Works better than a hatchet. It keeps an edge better than any other machete-type blade I've owned.. Plus, this Ka-Bar blade could easily double as a combat weapon without modifications. Frankly I've been a Cold Steel guy for decades, Buck blades back when they had good steel decades ago. While I still like Cold Steel blades, I'll certainly take a look at Ka-Bar products after this. Forget the cheap machetes and get something that WORKS..!!!!! This Ka-Bar Machete Kukri Model 1249 really works..!!

This is my second k-bar machete. They are awesome! I have the cutlass, which I use on hikes where weight is an issue, because the cutlass is about a half a pound lighter; but the kukri is a fine blade. I pit the kukri agains the cutlass in several choping tests on limbs and small saplings, as well as dead wood. The cutlas actualy bites a bit deeper, as it is hollow ground and has a longer bevel. The kukri, however, seems to deliver a heavier blow,as it has a half a pound on the cutlass. I also have a kukri from nepal, the steel on the nepalese blades are softer and lose their edge much faster. Both of my k-bars have razor sharp edges, even out of the box they were arm hair shavers. They sharpen easily and hold an edge for a long time, as they are made of 1085 high carbon steel. Also, the handle is comfortable, durable and absorbs shock well. I have heard some complaints about the sheathe, but I have none, it works well for me. As for choping, the kukri works as well as my gerber camp axe. I also like the rust proof coating, it is very durable and stays on well. I would recommend this or the cutlass to anyone who prefers a good camping, hiking machete over an axe.. My only complaint is: I wish it were 12 or 13 inches, as opposed to 11.5" long. In conclusion, it is an all around great machete! The price is right, compared to the cold steel($300 or more price tag). But, be sure to check out the k-bar cutlass as well, I kinda prefer it, as it is just as effective, can be wielded faster and seems to be a bit easier to controll when doing fine cutting chores such as fashioning wooden poles for shelter ect.. and, best of all it is a half pound lighter :).. I guess if i had to use it for self defense against a large predator, I would go for the kukri though, because in that instance, the extra weight and width of the blade would most likely work to ones advantage. I will probable buy another one someday, way down the road if this one ever wears out, I am sure that will be a long time from now.

I'm a bit of a knife collector. I do have experience hiking the wonderful trails in Hawaii and, lately, been doing a bit of walking here in Florida (although the later doesn't compare!). More recently though, I've put this baby to work doing good 'ole yard work.

The knife is awesome. The cutting action is simply superb and it just feels like it will last forever. If I want it cut, I can do it with this. I first decided to test the knife with a 2 1/2" PVC pipe I had laying around to see what it could do; I easily made repeated 2-inch slices just by hand-holding the pipe in one hand and swinging down with the knife in the other. After 8 clean-cut, thin slices with only 8 easy swings, I was in love.

Cutting brush is a one-swing affair, 4" branches were done, although admittedly it was a bit of a workout. I also admit that I was originally concerned with the length of this knife, thinking that it might be too short having used machetes in the past; I was pleasantly surprised to find out I was wrong. When it works, it works, and any misconceptions I had about bigger is better were quickly proven wrong... guess the saying is true!

Guess I'll end by saying this; I want to buy another but I can't convince the wife since the one I got is working so darn well.