Knife Advice

[potsy2008]

Gyday!

Go easy on me I'm a newbie

Ahhhh man have so many questions for you guys.

The first would be...

I have been saving up to buy a fixed blade chopper (preferably a Gukra Kukri style blade).

I have read a few people saying don't buy the Cold Steel San Mai version as the Sk5 is a cheaper and a better all-rounder Kukri ?

Though why would a company release a San Mai version for double the price if it didn't out perform the Sk5?

Would love a busse but $$$

I am open to all suggestions and advice.

Especially the Pro's & Con's between these two:

THANKS!


Cold Steel San Mai III® Gurkha Kukri
http://www.coldsteel.com/sanmaigurkha.html




Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri (SK-5 High Carbon) BELOW
http://www.coldsteel.com/gurkhakukri.html



HAHA They both look basically the same except for the logo.

[dingyu1980]

hi, man.
as i know cold steel sk5 is not bad for the price ! very strong .

[potsy2008]

Thanks dingyu1980,

You don't reckon its worth spending the extra bucks on the Sam Mai steel?

[Falcor]

Hi Potsy, it depends upon where the SK5 was made. If you can get some of the older SK5s that were made by Cammilus before they went bust, then you are onto a winner for sure. The ones that come out of China are erratic in quality, some are great, some break easy. I bought a stack of heat treated CS kukri blanks from the liquidated stock from the old Cammulis factory which used to make the CS knives, and they really are strong. Of course you need a bladesmith to grind them down, fix handles, etc. but it fits like a glove and there is no other like it. I did the same with the SK5 blanks for the old SRK and fighter. Other manufacturers make great kukris too, BUT DO NOT get one with a rubber handle.

[xxo]

SK5 should be harder to break, and san mai would be harder to rust.

Check out Noss's test on the cheap kukri machete....outstanding performance for very little $.

[potsy2008]

Thanks Falcor and XXO.

Falcor i will look into those blanks. Its confusing how some products can quickly change material and country of manufacture. I read that my LMF II had a steel change between Quote: January 2008 to April 2008 the steel of these knives was temporarily changed from the Sandvik 12C27 SS to 440A US SS. In May of 2008 production was resumed with the original steel. I'm not sure what steel mine is as it has no date. Purchased from an online disposal store could have sat on their shelf for a year or 2.

Woah getting side tracked

XXO yeah i saw Noss mans Kukri machete test kinda what inspired me to buy a Kukri.

So SK5 harder to break San Mai harder to rust?

Hmmm...

Know one really pushes the San Mai kukri?

Is it just a more shiny SK5?

I would have though it holds a sharper edge thing's like that?

I'm learning!

[Madnumforce]

I never handled neither the SK5 nor the SM3 version of the CS Kukri, but I tend to think that the SM3 is not a shiny version for rich peoples. First, the grind is not exactly the same, and I would think that tolerances, especially for edge thickness, are much tighter on the SM3. Then, Noss test of the laminated Fällkniven A1 proved a high toughness to this kind of blade. But is the SM3 Kukri worth the price compared to the SK5? Not sure.

Yes it's tough and yet certainly has more edge retention and sharpness, but it's also more brittle , which is not what one might want from a big, hard use camp knife. Noss had problem with this brittleness on the A1: a slight impact on a rock, or even in a rocky soil could cause more important edge damages and sharpness loss. And, well, is it just reasonable to pay 650$ for an industrial knife?

[xxo]

To tell you the truth, I am satisfied with the kukri machete to the point where I don't feel the need for the more expensive versions.....it's nice to have a blade you can beat on that didn't cost you much.




and since they don't cost much, I can afford a bunch of differnt ones to blay with.

[potsy2008]

Thanks guys!

Value your points and food for thought!

After much deliberation i think it comes down to these two:

THE SURVIVOR



OR

The Chinese Shovel




JOKES

Still deciding but at this point leaning towards the SK5 or CS the Kukri Machete!

[potsy2008]

OK I DID IT!

Yep i bought one!

Oh god!!! I have been drinking

This may be my last post as i probably wont be able to afford my next internet bill.

I imagine i will get mixed comments on this as its been a controversial subject.

San Mai anyway.

Sorry Noss as much as i would love to offer a destruction test i cant.
I am gonna have enough destruction trying to explain this to my girlfriend!
Yes she wears the pants but i occasionally get in them!

Will keep you all posted with pics and YES FINALLY A FUCK$ING SAN MAI KUKRI FIELD TEST!!!!

CHOPPING AND LOTS OF CHOPPING STUFF!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ADVICE AND INSIGHT GUYS!

LOVE THIS FORUM!

AUSSIE GUY VS U.S.A CS SAN MAI KUKRI!

P.S.S Have this weird vibe that a-lot of you guys are gonna think i am crazy for buying this.