Our best kukri knife was the CRKT KUK which is made from above average material and has the best handle which will provide superior grip at a fair price.
The kukri knife is truly fascinating as it can be used to do multiple things. Do you want to cut your way through a dense forest? The kukri knife will do the job. Do you want to chop off heads during a zombie apocalypse? The kukri knife us your best bet. The only problem now is that there are many of these knives for sale online so how would you know which ones are the best.
You need to make sure the type of material used to make the blade will not break or bend once enough force is applied to it. You also want to make sure the handle is of good quality which will provide a decent grip.
Luckily for you, I have provided 5 of the best kukri knives that you can find anywhere online. I looked at all of the most important aspects to ensure that all of them are of high enough quality. You can start with the summary below or head over to the beginners guide at the end where I will cover everything in more detail.
Best Kukri Knife Summary
Below, I will list the first three knives that were to my liking. The first one was the CRKT KUK which was my top pick. The Kukri Plus was best for those that are on a tight budget, and the KA-BAR BK21 was off the highest quality but came with a hefty price tag.
Let’s go into more detail and start with the first product listed below.
#1 CRKT KUK (Top Pick)
Best for: For the best blade and handle quality without breaking the bank, I would recommend the CRKT KUK which was also my top pick.
- Editors Rating: 10/10
- Material Used: 65 Mn Carbon Steel
- Blade Length: 10.5″
If you could take at least one knife with you into a world of a zombie apocalypse, then I would recommend the CRKT KUK. The blade has a length of just over 10.5” and is made from 65 Mn carbon steel which also has a black coating to protect it from rust or corrosion. It is also a fixed blade that comes with a sheath. Let’s talk more about the handle. The handle comprises of two material which includes a polypropylene core with a thermoplastic rubber coating. The combination of these two materials will offer shock absorbing and non-slip qualities. Along with the knife, you will also get a polyester sheath in which to keep the blade.
#2 Kukri Plus (Budget Friendly)
Best for: If you are short on a budget and would like a high-quality Kukri knife, then the Kukri Plus is for you.
- Editors Rating: 8/10
- Material Used: 1055 Carbon Steel
- Blade Length: 13″
Products made from the company Cold Steel are known to be of high quality. The Kukri Plus is just another example of such a product. It has a long blade which reaches a whopping 13” for superior reach. The blade is also made from 1055 carbon steel which makes it sturdy and rugged. The blade also has a black coating which adds an extra layer of protection against rust and corrosion. At the base of the blade, there is also a solid piece of steel guard which will protect your fingers. The handle is made from Polypropylene which gives it excellent grip and strength. You will also get a cor-ex sheath along with the knife to keep the blade hidden.
#3 KA-BAR BK21
Best for: This knife is for people that want the best of the best and are not afraid to pay the hefty price tag when it comes to kukri knives.
- Editors Rating: 9/10
- Material Used: 1095 Cro-Van Steel
- Blade Length: 13.25″
The KA-BAR BK21 is an example of a product manufactured by the company Becker/Reinhardt which has a reputation for making top-notch products. The blade has a length of 13.25″ which gives it great reach. The metals used to make the blade is 1095 Cro-Van steel which is best used for making heavy duty tools. This steel can be vulnerable to rust which is why the blade is coated with black epoxy powder to protect the blade from moisture. The handle has a unique shape and is made from Ultramid® material which provides thermal stability, stiffness and also high mechanical strength. There will also be a polyester sheath included along with the knife.
#4 Schrade SCHF48 Jethro
Best for: If having better control over your kukri knife is essential, then this product is for you.
- Editors Rating: 9/10
- Material Used: 8Cr13MoV Titanium Steel
- Blade Length: 11.9″
The Schrade SCHF48 Jethro provides the best control over all the other kukri knives. At the base of the blade, there is a finger choil which gives you better control over the knife when your index finger is in place. The blade is 11.9” long and is made from 8Cr13MoV titanium steel which is not that expensive but will hold the edge for a very long time. The knife is also a fixed blade single unit knife with thermoplastic elastomer handle slabs which provides excellent grip and handling of the weapon. There is also a lanyard hole at the end of the handle which can be used to attach a lanyard or rope to it. It also comes with a sheath which has a belt attached to it.
#5 SOG SOGfari
Best for: If you want to have a kukri knife which has a saw-toothed edge at the spine of the blade, then the SOG SOGfari is for you.
- Editors Rating: 8.5/10
- Material Used: 3CR13 Steel
- Blade Length: 12″
This knife is truly unique because the spine of the blade can be used as a saw which can cut through thick pieces of wood in no time. The blade is 12” long and is made from 3CR13 steel which is a high-quality type of stainless steel. It is also coated black to prevent it from rusting. The knife also makes use of a Kraton rubber handle which will give you the best grip possible. You will also receive a nylon sheath along with the knife. This knife is best used for backpackers that plan to do a lot of chopping as the product can also be used to saw wood.
What To Look For In A Kukri Knife
You want a kukri knife where the blade is made from a durable metal which will not bend or break on the point of impact. You also want the knife to retain the sharpness of its edge for a long time. The handle should not break and must give you the grip needed to do your job effectively.
What is a kukri knife?
A Kukri knife falls under the machete as it is a subcategory. This knife can be used as both a tool and a weapon. It has a distinct curve on the blade which makes it ideal for cutting and slashing but not stabbing. The spine might start straight but will begin to curve down to meet the point of the blade where it will form a massive spear point.
The knife has a weighted forward center of gravity caused by its fat belly which will give it extra momentum when swinging the blade. The kukri knife can be used for self-defense (in the case of a zombie apocalypse) or be used as a handy tool to slice your way through vegetation or to even split logs.
The type of metal used to make the blade
In this review, there were five types of metals used to make the blade of the knife, and it includes 65 Mn Carbon Steel, 1055 Carbon Steel, 1095 Cro-Van Steel, 8Cr13MoV Titanium Steel, and 3CR13 Steel.
- 65 Mn Carbon Steel. This steel has a complex formula which contains Carbon, Sulfur, Silicon, Chromium, Manganese, Nikkel, and Phosphorus. It is very strong and robust steel which means the kukri will not break and the edge will stay sharp for longer. It is also high in carbon which means it is vulnerable to rust which is why the blade is black coated for protection. If you want a knife with this steel, then I would recommend the CRKT KUK.
- 1055 Carbon Steel. This steel has a high Carbon and Manganese content which makes it great steel if you want durability and impact resistance. The only disadvantage with this steel is that it can corrode easily when coming into contact with moisture and acid over time. Knives made with this steel need some coating to prevent it from rusting. A knife which is made from this steel is the Kukri Plus.
- 1095 Cro-Van Steel. This steel is based on the 1095 steel but with extra elements which make up an improved version of the original steel. It contains Carbon, Chromium, Molybdenum, Vanadium, Nikkel, Manganese, Silicon, Phosphorus and Sulfur. This steel is very tough and resistant to wear. The KA-BAR BK21 knife is made from this steel.
- 8Cr13MoV Titanium Steel. This steel is budget steel which provides excellent performance, especially for kukri knives. It will keep the cutting edge sharp for a long time and has some resistance to corrosion. It has a long list of ingredients while the four main ones are Carbon, Chromium, Molybdenum, and Vanadium. The knife which is made from this steel is the Schrade SCHF48 Jethro.
- 3CR13 Steel. This steel contains around 0.3% Carbon and 13% Chromium. It has some resistance against corrosion and can wear. It is excellent steel to use, and if you are interested in this steel, then I would recommend the SOG SOGfari knife.
Handle quality and grip
A kukri can have the best blade which is the sharpest and made out of the strongest material, but when the handle provides a weak grip or breaks upon impact, then the knife will be useless. It is essential to know which material was used to make the handle of the knife. The material needs to provide grip and must be strong enough so that it does not break.
The first material used to make the handles are polypropylene which is a thermoplastic polymer which falls under a chemical compound. It is resistant to some chemical and will not stretch out or expand. The next material used is Ultramid® which is material that is strong and resistant to chemicals. It also offers dimensional stability meaning it will not change its form.
The next type of material used is rubber which offers the best grip and shock absorbance. The product which will provide the best grip and has the best handle is the CRKT KUK that makes use of polypropylene and a thermoplastic rubber coating. The next product on the list that provides superior handling is the Schrade SCHF48 Jethro that makes use of a finger choil which will give you better control over the blade.
Other features
Some kukri knives can be used for more than just slashing and cutting. There is a particular knife that has a saw blade at the spine of the blade which can be used to saw through thick pieces of wood without damaging the blade. The knife that I am referring to is the SOG SOGfari which has multiple uses.
Kukri Knife Comparison
| Product Name | Material Used | Blade Length | Editors Rating |
| 1. CRKT KUK (Top Pick) | 65 Mn Carbon Steel | 10.5″ | 10/10 |
| 2. Kukri Plus (Budget Friendly) | 1055 Carbon Steel | 13″ | 8/10 |
| 3. KA-BAR BK21 | 1095 Cro-Van Steel | 13.25″ | 9/10 |
| 4. Schrade SCHF48 Jethro | 8Cr13MoV Titanium Steel | 11.9″ | 9/10 |
| 5. SOG SOGfari | 3CR13 Steel | 12″ | 8.5/10 |
Other Types Of Knives That You Might Like
There is a chance that you might not like the Kukri knives in this list, which is why I will recommend the following alternatives:
Conclusion
I have given you five of the best kukri knives, and I also went through all of the most important specs that you should not miss. If you still could not make up your mind, you can head over to the comparison table above or go through the beginner’s guide.
Which knife was your favorite and why? Want to learn more about knives? Please go to this section on our website.
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