I was looking for a machete that I could take with me when I went exploring outdoors. I often find myself in scenario’s where I am surrounded by bush, or a bunch of weeds and I could explore what’s over that way, if only I had a way to get there. This is when I decided to research machete’s and get one for my next adventure.
Ka bar kukri review key points – 2017
| Name | Overall length | Blade Material | Price | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ka-Bar 2-11249-9 Kukri Machete Check today's price | 17 inches | 1085 Carbon Steel | $$ | 4.7 |
I began looking into machetes when I was much younger, first learning more about them and finding out there are various styles made for different uses. Some are better at chopping thicker bush, others for thinner stuff. After learning more, I decided which style I was needing, and I started reviewing the Ka-Bar series.
I came across the Ka-Bar Kukri Machete and suddenly knew I had to try it out. Not only is it in my favorite color (black – same as the Condor Tools Warlock Machete), and made from carbon steel, but it’s under 2lbs and 17 inches in length. I knew I wanted something that would be light enough to add to my backpack without weighing me down, and long enough I could chop a decent amount per swing to reduce energy waste. This machete is a bit different to the Ka Bar Combat machete which I’ve covered on my combat machetes page.
Performance
What I found was that not only did it easily cut down the small thin weeds and bush, it handled the larger, thicker weeds just as easy. Before I would have to search for a camp site that had little to no weeds or debris unless I wanted to put on my gloves and clear them out. With the Kukri machete I was able to clear a campsite in a field of weeds, chopping them away and removing the debris in a fraction of the time it used to would have taken me. That’s why I consider it to be the best kukri.
Price
This is a mid-priced machete that you just can’t go wrong with. The only reason you wouldn’t buy it is if all you wanted to do was cut really thin overgrowth. To do that you’d be best off with a longer machete as it will do the job much faster. Check the latest price. There are many cheaper options out there but considering you’ll get years of use out of the tool, it makes sense to spend a few extra bucks and get a better quality product because it will make your chopping tasks easier and safer. The reason it’s safer is because quality steel maintains its edge better. A blade that dulls quickly is a dangerous blade.
Alternatives to the Ka Bar Kukri
The Ka Bar Kukri really is a great machete. If you want to keep your options open, at this price point you might want to consider the Condor Bolo machete.
or the Condor Heavy Duty Kukri.
You can find cheaper machetes like the Schrade SCHKM1 machete but you’re best off forking out the extra money for the better machetes. The reason is that machetes are a big hunk of steel. If you want a decent big hunk of steel, you’ve got to pay for it.
Other features
It also has a black leather and Cordura sheath which looks just as awesome as the machete it’s self. The hole in the butt of the handle allows me to put a lanyard on it to hang up or keep handy at my side as well.
The Ka-Bar Kukri is normally used for hacking away through some pretty tough materials. It is great if you plan to clear out a plot of land. This is a heavy duty knife that will be able to chop through trees that are 8 inches in diameter. You can even throw it in your car just in case you get into a compromising situation or in case you have a tough job to do. You can take it with you when you go camping as it is great for getting firewood, fending off wild animals, or clearing up your camp site. It is very capable of doing what a small hatchet or small axe would be able to do. If you are a hunter then this knife could help you to make your kill into more manageable sections. There are so many different possibilities.
There isn’t any secret to knowing that the kukri packs a very powerful punch. When you mix a machete with the kukri plus the materials that Ka-Bar is known for and you will have a virtually indestructible knife in your hands. The Kukri Machete is that one knife that everyone wants. It has a sleek design, rock solid build, and tough materials that will ensure a clean cut every single time.
Although, even with this chopping machine there will be drawbacks. It is due to the use of 1085 carbon steel, that it can rust fairly easily if it isn’t maintained properly. To be 100% fair, pretty much all of the kukri knives will use a non-stainless high carbon steel which make them extremely tough and durable enough to resist chipping, but they tend to be pretty susceptible to rust and discoloration within the process. The coating on the blade makes this a non-issue to begin with, but after time it will then begin to wear the coating off like they are prone to do after hard use. That is when the hard carbon steel will become exposed to all of the elements and will begin to require more attention in order to prevent corrosion. Another thing is that the blade tends to dull pretty quick than it should and due to the kukri shape, it is a real pain to sharpen up all the time. It isn’t very hard to get a nice razor sharp edge from this steel blade with a bit of practice. The sheath just like with other inexpensive knives of this particular size, is pretty boring and mediocre, but it is good for regular use.
Still it is safe to say that there are plenty of upsides to this tool that really outweigh all of the minor nitpicks when you consider what you will be getting. It is normally priced at or lower than $50, the Ka-Bar Kukri machete will give you great performance for the price. The value for the money is quite high and it doesn’t matter if you need to simply trim back some tree branches around your yard or you are full on in the wilderness, the Ka-Bar Kukri machete will never let you down.
The verdict
Overall, I am very satisfied with my decision to purchase the Kukri machete and it has been very useful for my needs on every exploration trip since. It can be used for tall grass, but it’s best on thicker vines and I have even used it on thin trees with success. I would recommend giving this product a try, and it’s priced at a reasonable and affordable price. An alternative to a machete is a billhook or a high quality survival knife.
Click here to see how it compares to the best machetes.
