As an update, i did by the CS kukri machete. The shop I went to did also have the CS kukri and some original kukri’s but still I chose the machete.
The CS kukri was € 299,- (= 200 pounds) that’s far to much money to take out in the woods for me. No way. They had some fine original kukri’s varying in price between € 90 and € 200. Some of them where far to large and heavy, others had cracks in the horn handle and all of them had very heavy and cumbersome sheaths.
I was in need for a working tool, something to replace and possibly upgrade my machete. For the price (€ 30) I thought the CS kukri machete the best option.
Now, compared to the CS kukri, it’s a crude piece of kit. It’s cut from a piece of medium carbon steel sheet, almost 3 mm thick. Then a big machine grinded a bevel and the whole thing is covered in some black finish. According to the label it’s ‘baked on’ and it’s supposed to preserve rust. Now this black finish is covering the whole thing (except the handle), right till the edge. The label states that ‘the CS kukri machete comes with a working edge’. I guess they mean that it comes with an edge that needs some work. :roll: At least I will not conquer the great outdoors with something so blunt. It’s fine if you want to molest some stinging nettles but as a versatile ‘do-it-al-chopper’ it’s not enough. Now a medium carbon steel will never become a good razor but at an 45 degree angle I want it to dig into the wood I’m chopping and not glance off.
The handle is o.k. It’s much better than the crude hard plastic I was use to on my old machete. Of course you can see the edges of the mould, but the grip and feel are good and it looks sturdy. The balance is good too, and the shape of the blade allows chopping with a quick wrist action as wlee as with your whole arm.
I started working on the ‘working –edge’ now. The black finish comes of first and reveals scratches and dents and little imperfections from the crude grind. All are smaller than 1 mm, so I can get rid of them with a little work. The contrast between the black blade and the (now) shining edge actually looks quite good. I will keep working on it tomorrow and than give it a spin in my In-laws garden.
It comes with a sheath. Nothing fancy but I think it will do the job. It’s a piece of nylon cloth, with two peaces of hard plastic riveted together at the tip. One side is also held together by plastic rivets the other side is open so you can slide the machete in. It’s close with two straps. It has a belt loop, but I don’t thing I will use that a lot. A machete constantly dangling next to my knee is not my idea of adding fun to a hike. I will add some extra loops so I can strap it to my rucksack.
Oh and it has a lanyard hole. There should be a law against this!
Unless I chop off my typing fingers I will let you know how it works in the back yard wilderness next week.
