Videos Added Himalayan Imports Ang Khola 12 Inch Video Destruction Test Completed

[Noss]

This test was made possible by Magnum22 here on the forum. Thanks. :)

Specs:

Steel: 5160 Maybe. This can vary.
OL: 12"
Blade length: about 8.5"
Handle: Horn
RC: Unknown ? should be mid 50's or above based on what I have read.

I'll just give you some brief pros an cons on the blade. It's all on video.

Pros:
Very tough blade
Decent chopper
good cutter

Cons:
Horn handle is very slick.
Horn handle is fragile.
Tang is tough but very narrow an thin and it lacks the durability an strength of the blade itself.

Overall:
The blade is very tough and strong and very ductile. Meaning it can take a serious hammer beating and not break. The main thing that bothered me during the test was the small horn handle. It is very slick and was a real problem during chopping an impact work. The blade would twist in my hand during chopping. This affected it's performance during these tasks. The tang an handle was the only real downside during toughness testing. The blade itself is very tough and strong. The 12 AK is almost all blade an very little tang. They do make some models with a full tang however. I happen to have one of these that I bought recently. I'll post some photos of it.

I didn't get to do a field test like some asked for. I'm sorry about this but I could not get away to do this.:(

The videos are in 7 parts.

Enjoy the videos they were made for you. :thumb:

Part 1
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Part 2
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Part 3
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Part 4
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Part 5
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Part 6
38B5vI0sxpM


Part 7 fixed now includes the metal on metal test and side tang impact test.
YiF6NoxX0RY


Part 8
9CTSsM1OMwI


Part 9 Tubing Test
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Part 10 Tubing Test
16iiI0p3kTA

[bel_dad]

Good test Noss. I for one absolutely see the value of testing something to destruction. Aircraft, cars, many products are tested to destruction, how else would one know the limits of a thing? How else would one know something needed improvement...

I'm not sure of the relationship between hardness and brittleness from an engineers standpoint, but it seems to me, soft is better than brittle, and then there's Busey.... hard but not brittle... Must be state of the art... Building a knife that will take this extreme of use is a fine balance and must shurley incorporate a lot of distruction testing... I don't think Busey got where they are by accident...

I would offer, I am now the happy owner of several knives you have tested because I know they won't let me down when I really need them... Rough use knife, Buck Knight Hawk,(Origional numbered series) GI Tanto, S1... Looking to add a Busey and a Scrap Yard when I'm able.

Thanks for all the good work Noss, and best to you,
bd

[Gman1128]

Thanks for the great test both Noss and Magnum22, it was awesome and very informative.

I actually thought that it would do better then it did. The spine was way too soft and I think it would be better if the knife was through hardened or at least a little hardness added to the spine. Maybe its too ductile for its own good? However on the other hand maybe its a good thing because there is no way the blade will break during use.

[will york]

Great test, Noss. And thank you, Magnum!

So the claims about the toughness of HI khukuri’s isn’t just hype. Very impressive work on the concrete—the blade really chopped with authority. A little surprised that the blade showed no resilience, taking a permanent bend without any tendency to return to true.

At the same time, this is another great example of how blades built for hard use just don’t offer the complete package unless they’re comfortable and sure in the grip, with a durable handle. Ergonomics aren’t just an afterthought—a comfortable, secure grip makes all the difference in how effectively a knife can be used, especially when it’s being used hard. Takes me back to the discussion on the Busse’s—the full-tang models with canvas micarta or G10 are very strong, but the fasteners are weak by comparison. And although the Res-C handle material isn’t as strong as micarta or G10, the construction of that handle actually turns out to be tougher, more durable and comfortable than the more expensive full-tang construction.

If you put a Res-C handle on a really good khukuri blade, imagine how much more control and power you would have. Actually, Cold Steel has made some high-end khukuri’s with kraton handles, and I’ve use one for some light brush clearing—very comfortable. Kinda sorry now I got rid of it!

Thanks again, Noss. That’s some very good work—and thanks again to Magnum for the donation!

[Noss]

Your welcome men.

bel_dad: Yeah Busse is able to achieve both high hardness an toughness. I doesn't seem to be very easy to accomplish this. Most makers do one or the other.

Gman1128: They are supposed to be differently heat treated. Soft spine hard edge. Based on what I have read about 5160 this is the way it should be Heat treated for best performance. If the this HI was a good or bad example I'm not sure at this point.

will: Yeah it was tough. I was surprised also that it took the bend and keep it even after only being flex about 20 degrees it took and held the bend about 10 degrees an so on. This issue was raised with the CTD knife as well. But being ductile like that it will be very hard to break and it still functioned as a cutting an chopping tool without dulling much. I only noticed some dulling after batoning wood.

Here is the testing link on Hi's website. http://himalayan-imports.com/faq/Testing.htm
Magnum22 said this one was made by a younger kami so it may have been a bad example as for as this is concerned.

[sharpshooter996]

Thanks to Magnum22 and Noss who without this test would not be possible. And our faithful Camerman. Noss good test, you really hit on the strength and weaknesses of this blade as you always do. I would like to say im a little bummed out though. :( I was hoping to see more from this little bugger. To me this knife symbolizes a collector piece and not a user. It sure is pretty to look at, but after viewing this test i would not want one on my side ready for use. I was surprised how soft the steel was, and how it behaved particuraly in the vise. There was no spring to the blade at all, it simply just took the bend. For this knife ever to be a viable user, i see a very long list of improvements to be made. But for hanging on the wall it would bring a certain amount of beauty to the eye. I just hope it never gets compared to other Kukri designs. As my CS Gurkha kukri fits into another category all together. Thanks again

[Noss]

I just went out an did the file test on the blade I used a small triangular mill file I can cut into the spine very easy but not the edge. There is definitely a difference in hardness between the two.

[Noss]

sharpshooter996: I need to try one of those out. I know I will like the grip more on them.

Here are some Photos of my chiruwa AK sorry for the bad photos.

I have done some chopping with it ,mainly 2x4s It does not hold an edge very well. It is very easy to sharpen but it dulls fairly fast with some hard chopping.

[Magnum22]

just watched the seven parts, nice work noss.

where's the metal on metal test? it goes straight to the flex test from the body weight. i was surprised you bent it. not just at the set it took, but i didn't think it would budge.

i was hoping you'd wrap the handle in something, but didn't want to make any more suggestions. i also hoped to see that thing take on the metal tubing.

[Noss]

Magnum22: Crap. I uploaded the wrong file. I did the tests. I'll fix it. sorry.

[Magnum22]

all good. i'm convinced that a full tang (chiruwa) model with a wooden handle of proper size would have ranked with the busse clan.

also, your khukri technique brings the knife parallel to what you're chopping, which reduces the effectiveness. the beauty of the design is the angle you present the edge at that creates the shearing effect.

[Noss]

I see. I'll practice. I'm fixing the video. Check back in about 1 hour For the metal test and the tang test. :thumb:

[Noss]

just watched the seven parts, nice work noss.

where's the metal on metal test? it goes straight to the flex test from the body weight. i was surprised you bent it. not just at the set it took, but i didn't think it would budge.

i was hoping you'd wrap the handle in something, but didn't want to make any more suggestions. i also hoped to see that thing take on the metal tubing.


Yeah it didn't take much to bent it. Midway through the test I wanted to wrap the handle. :headbang: I still have enough blade I can try the tubing just to see if the blade can take it. Give me a day to do this.

[Noss]

The videos are all fixed.:thumb:

[338 Stalker]

Tough blade that's for sure! Surprised the sh!t out of me. Thanks Magnum 22 & Noss :thumb:

[miro44one]

It' s definitely pretty tough, but the handle seemed to really suck:thumbdwn:

Nice test btw;)

[lafayette]

Very informative test, like always : thanks Noss (and magnum).
About the blade twisting when hitting, I met the same problem with the CS, though it got a better handle. I think it is matter of blade shape, and i did not find this knife pleasant to use. Perhaps it is different with the CS gurkha machete, the tool being lighter ?

[Magnum22]

just watched the mild steel test. went right through. edge held up better than a lot of the other knives, including the scrapper 6. the ranger's did too, so that spring steel is no joke.

who's in to pool for the full tang chiruwa model with wooden handle for noss to test? maybe a full size model, somewhere in the 17" range. it may be the second blade to get 7 swords.

is the chiruwa you posted a HI? did you get it secondary market?

[Noss]

your welcome everyone.

Magnum22: Yes my CAK is a HI. I purchased it off of the HI website.

[Magnum22]

if it doesn't hold an edge, you could probably email yangdu and she'd replace it.

[Noss]

lafayette: Good point about the handle. The bigger AK I have have a nice big wood handle on it. I can grip it fairly secure. The wood is not as slick as the horn is. Still I may tape the handle on my AK with some hockey tape to improve it.

[Noss]

Magnum22: I can always touch it up. I see how how it goes as I use it more. I really want to go camping but I can't get away at the moment. :(

[Sharp]

I'm watching it right now.

Sweet start!! :D

Thanks for all your work Noss.

BTW, the Effing Cameraman.... :D

"Maybe we should test it at the cellular level first and then...."

HAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!

[will york]

Enjoyed the mild steel test. The softness of the blade in terms of taking an immediate set reminded me a little of Cliff Stamp's test of an Ed Fowler Pronghorn (on Bladeforums.com in the Reviews and Testing forum about six years ago, as i recall). I think there was a time when the idea of differential heat treat and hardening was to leave the edge hard and the rest of the knife "dead soft", with a thick spine, much as we see in this HI--of course with the Pakistani khuks, the spine is left thicker than almost any western-style knives. But I'm not sure taking a set this way would have been deemed unacceptable by the maker. It may be that the remarkable thickness of the spine is a direct design attempt to make the knife resist bending. Would be interesting to see other Pakistani models flex tested this way.

[eatingmuchface]

I personnally don't think they were made as pry bars.
but don't some of the HI test that the maker does inclused like standing on it?
COULD this one have been deffective?
I'm not really sure... just wondering.

lol "thats how I lost my eyebrows" :D

the dog at the end... adroable man.
lol

I would say when chopping, to chop a wider V or something.
idk. it might work.
seemed the edge was hard and it was pleanty tough. maybe they would be better off with a more through hardening?

[FOBOS]

Well it looks like Cold Steel kukri machete beat the AK in durability, toughness and edge holding. I was stunned at how the AK bent. It looked like a very strong steel all shiny, thought for sure it would be brittle, but not soft.

[sharpshooter996]

Well it looks like Cold Steel kukri machete beat the AK in durability, toughness and edge holding. I was stunned at how the AK bent. It looked like a very strong steel all shiny, thought for sure it would be brittle, but not soft.

Looks can be deceiving can't they, CS Kukri Machete held up. And that did not have a 1mile wide blade. Ill tell you what buy a Gurkha Kukri and watch that sucker chop, cut, and split. And the handle does not slip or turn, and you do not need to use any special chopping tech, thank you. :rolleyes: The handle sends a little vibration to you but you should be using gloves anyways. They are recommended on any knife you will be doing chopping with.

[me2]

I'm not sure of the relationship between hardness and brittleness from an engineers standpoint, but it seems to me, soft is better than brittle, and then there's Busey.... hard but not brittle... Must be state of the art... Building a knife that will take this extreme of use is a fine balance and must shurley incorporate a lot of distruction testing... I don't think Busey got where they are by accident...

bd

The relationship between hardness and softness is not as straight forward as a lot of people think. There are peaks in toughness at relatively high hardness and tempering temperatures below 450 F. For instance, there is a peak in toughness in 1040 plain carbon steel around 425 - 450 F, then a pretty sharp drop, and then to reach that level of toughness again requires a temper of over 600 F, and a hardness loss of about 8-10 points, from 55-57 down to the mid to low 40's. These are broad generalizations, and anyone with Verhoevens knife metallurgy book can give much more specific numbers. The point is that perception is that as hardness goes up, brittleness goes up, but that is not true. The peak is very steel specific, with some steels not so much showing a peak as a shelf. As tempering temperature goes up, so does toughness, then there is a level spot, then the toughness starts going up again, all the while, tempering temperature is going up in increments of 50 degrees or so. This trend is overlooked for a lot of steels, which, imho, are tempered at the hardness that sells the most when published. The peak toughness happens in the lower tempering range at much higher hardnesses than most people think, but 58-60 is what sells right now. 5160 can reach hardnesses of 62 - 63 HRc, and for some knives it would work fine at 60-61, but thats "brittle", so no one tempers it that low. This is what I feel happened to the S30V in the Green Beret. 55 HRc sounds nice and forgiving, while in reality, the toughness is actually in a trough, not a peak, leading to the behavior seen here. Of course I have no data to back this up, but it sounds reasonable to me.

[Thecarotidpulse]

Thx Noss and Magnum for this really interesting test....


I remember my words on the "HI khuk for upcoming destruction" thread in this forum... I said something to the order of "i gotta get me one of those"

After this test? No thank you.

They say that a Khuk can outperform a sword of greater length... sure maybe for a sword: but how about a small axe?

I'd like to see a chopoff between the Gransfors Bruks axe, the Busse, and the AK. Heck throw in an SAK for good measure.

[Thecarotidpulse]

oh and about the blade not being constructed as a prybar....

It didnt seem to take much force to bend it - such force as could be exerted when oh trying to pry apart sides of a large log or lift a rock out of the ground.
Not operationnally sound.

[eatingmuchface]

noss was pulling on it pretty hard still, no?

but yeah that is true.
also, sharpshooter, you should use the right technique for any kukri.
not just those specifically.

as far as chopping, it looks like they choped pretty well.
it's not a very large khuk (large is where kuks excal anyway) so...
idk.
maybe noss will do a chopping shootout for you or something.

me2: thanks for that info.
I think people do tend to simplify " hadness goes down, toughness goes up" type thing.
good to know.
:D

[Noss]

will: Yeah good point about the thickness. If it was a thinner blade with the same properties it would be very easy to bend. I wish I had a Rc tester but I don't. The spine is very soft from the file test I did.

EMF: I will do a chopping shootout with my new AK, I'll put it up against my Busse CGFBM and my FFBM. Give me a little time to do this. It will be the 1 minute 4x4 test.

[itxploded]

nice test
cute pup

[Magnum22]

EMF: I will do a chopping shootout with my new AK, I'll put it up against my Busse CGFBM and my FFBM. Give me a little time to do this. It will be the 1 minute 4x4 test.

i already did this, however it was based on number of chops, not length of time. results certainly would have been different as the knives that bit deep would also bind, slowing them down.
Here's the link, it's at the scrap yard forum. (http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=202495&an=0&page=0#Post202495)

[will york]

me2: That's a valuable reminder. Also, I've never understood why CRK leaves its A2 in the 55-57 range--doesn't appear to be a good zone for toughness or strength either one. Wonder what their heat-treat protocol looks like and what heat threshholds they're using.

thanks,
will

[eatingmuchface]

noss, if you don't mind doing it, it would be pretty cool.

I like seeing everything on video.
mag, your chopoff was pretty cool though.
:D

[dingyu1980]

hi,noss
i think ,the ductility is a important property for the rough use knife.
look back at the D-test of FFBM ,you said that " this was radical" on the page of D-test of FFBM ,you are right ,it is radical (i do not mean that the quality of busse are poor) i just think about the knife FFBM lacking of some ductility,somehow.
In the D-test of Cold Steel Kukri Machete ,when i repeatedly watch you your video ,a queation ,have been locking in my mind ,the queation is that why the Cold Steel Kukri Machete with so thin body can do that ? can rich so high scores as six swords?
in the tant test on the knife ,i got my anwser ,it is that the knife Cold Steel Kukri Machete is full of ductility ,
do you remeber the D-test of
SOG FUSION JUNGLE PRIMITIVE,
BECKER BK9,
ONTARIO RTAK II ,
Chris Reeve Green Beret ,
Chris Reeve Project I
these tests you have done?
the perfermeance is clear ,that these knife all lack of ductility
the result of the lower swords is complexed ,but there is a fact ,to some extent,these knife are lack of
ductitity ,so they were broken under the hammer's impacts (your 3 ponds of mallet)
It is right? my point of view is naive .

oh, i noticed that the traditional hand craft of making blades in the China or Jarpen ,that the maker (刀匠) often use a craft ,it is "Forging a V" like the Sanmei of cold steel and Laminated VG10 of Fallkniven
that kind of blades can get high quality(the edge is hard ,Sharp;the body is tough and full of felxibility and ducibity ) so the blade can bear the impacts of crash,as you know the crash (i mean collide)of blades in the ancient battle fields is nomal and Inevitable ,the is the" Forging a V" i know
now ,back to the D-test fallkniven of A1 , at the body weight ,the A1 break ,the outer 420 is beak ,why ?
the reason ,i think ,is that the outer 420 is lack of ductlity
thanks ,
ps ,my Englishi is poor , i am sorry for that!

[Thecarotidpulse]

Interesting point of view mate... However I recommend not using red next time.. it's almost illegible.



I think you may be misusing the term "ductility" There are several parameters that define the behaviour of a blade... a blade that is too of what you refer to as "ductile" or flexible, and what we call "stronger" will be less hard and less likely to take and hold an edge.

Btw as a follow up on the FK a1 break... the website's specs read it's lateral break point at 220 lbs. Have you weighed yourself recently Noss? =D

Either that or your weight stays remarkably the same from test to test... We should do a BMI index test as well as a blood gas/labs from you before each test. Oh and you have to eat the same thing and do the exact same things in the 24 hours before ecah test.

[Thecarotidpulse]

btw my point of view on stength vs toughness: I hate sharpening knives. I dont care how fragile a knife is as long as it holds an edge well!

I'm also happy to have 2 knives, one for edge, and one for pry bar concrete smashing, escaping from a Guerilla jungle prison.

[Noss]

EMF: I'll do it.


dingyu1980: Most of the blades tested have not shown to be extremely ductile.
The HI Ak an the CTD knife as well as the CS machete have been the most ductile blades yet. Both the HI and CTD knife were not hard enough to resist plastic deformation during the flax test. This is one of those things where a person has to decide what they want out of the steel and the blade. My opinion is havening a ductile blade within reason is a good thing. This way you at least have some warning when the blade takes a bend and keeps it that you need to back off some.



Thecarotidpulse: The website says it broke at 556 lbs. Yes I have checked my weight lately. :p I was bouncing on the blade also, this almost doubled the amount of weight I was putting on it. Some one did a rough calculation on blade forums and they came out with about 480 pounds I think it was. This was a rough number but it's not far off the Fallkniven test.

[dingyu1980]

Hi,both of you,Noss and Thecarotidpulse
thanks,I agree with what you have said , right!
But,i have some to say,
from ancient to now ,the role of blade is changing,In the ancient times ,the blade is a primary weapon
Soldiers carried them to kill enemies ,so the ductile is very very important feature , as the noss said "
A dull knife is always better than a broken knife." breaking is the last thing
that the soldier will to meet!! so in the ancient time the maker of blades pay alot of attention to it .

[dingyu1980]

while, in our Times (era) the role of blades are not the same to the ancient times ,right?
the long blades is outed ,just as fans's toyes;normally ,now the blades are smaller and multifounctional as a tool, right? ,i think so.
so, the ductile has been overlooking by the nowdays makers,that is reasonal ,cause ,when you have a
16 inches or even 8 inches knife ,what ductile can do for ? there is no use of ductile !
that is main reason of breaking , i think.

[dingyu1980]

IN my eyes the steel like ZDP189 olny deserved to make files and kitchen knives ! that too fraglile ,have no ductile .
you can think about ,if a long blades with 40 inches and made of ZDP ,you can imagine the results of a single crash with another blade or some steel like iron leg of desk ! just a breaking!!!

[dingyu1980]

a good example is that strider BT you have tested , you , noss can prove what i think ,that the BT is lack of ductile , if she(strider bt) can deformed like a noodle , i mean like cs machet or cheaper that dirt ,she can void the doom of Early death .
i am a believer of noss's slogen "A dull knife is always better than a broken knife."

[eatingmuchface]

ductile can be good, but it doesn't always mean leteral strength.
the busse has lateral strength, while not being too ductile that i just bends and satys their you know.

but yes, the role of blades is changing alot and their are alot of blades out their with different purposes.

and.. holy crap!
460lbs?!
wow!
that's pretty crazy.

[Gman1128]

Remember ductility is a property used to describe the extent to which metal can be deformed plastically without fracture, so having some is a definitely a good thing but too much (like in the HI test) is a bad thing because then, when put into a vise, you can bend it into a pretzel. If the FFBM had been more ductile it may have taken the hammer blows better because the spine would have dented and deformed instead of breaking when being driven through the steel tubing, but the edge would not have held up nearly as well because it would dull way faster and be much more prone to denting and rolling.

Dingy, your definitely right about ancient times, a ductile, tough sword would be way better.

[Thecarotidpulse]

Agree with both Gman and Dingy =D

(sorry but it's true)

historically you have two tendancies in blades: Medieval europe type blades had to be ductile and flexible.. they had to be strong. They also did a lot of crush damage vs actual slicing. In Japan and the Islamic parts of the world where you saw the forging of Damascus Steel (layered) you saw a blade that acted a lot like a modern ski does...

The layers glide one close to the other allowing you to have a tougher steel without sacrificing it's strength. (or is it the other way round, I always forget)

As a result during the Crusades scimitars would often just cut through the enemy's sword and armour.

The difference is that these blades could be sharpened after each use, or almost. Also quite frankly in the Middle ages... What better did you have to do then sharpen a blade? You've got the spare time might as well do it...

Anyway nowadays we have busy schedules and unless it's a camp morning, or time specially allotted we just don't have time/skill to sharpen blades after each use. Once per week is enough!

We need something that will give us a better edge, even in a combat situation, because we usually have backups or can improvise, or use a tool!

Thanks for this discussion gentlemen, and thank you Dingy for bringing in this historical consideration which puts the necessities of a blade back into context!

[dingyu1980]

Thank you eatingmuchface .Gman1128 ,Thecarotidpulse .
you let me know blades more deep!
thanks

[dingyu1980]

hi, man
if you hate the sharpening ,you can choose "Ceramics knife" the knife can hold the edge 60 times as steel can do (it is said that ,)
you can get one from Maddog knife ,but the price is not Reasonable

[kurodrago]

Nice test, Noss;) The comments on the start were extraordinary comical, danm, I can't stop laughing; (we have to do the test on apples on molecular scale:rockon:) Someone must be really upset:thumb:

The knife worked quite well, the handle permanently is needed some changes.
It would be interesting to know how the Heat Treating procedure was made!?

[Magnum22]

i thought we had a steel tubing test comin. grab the vice grip, noss.

[Noss]

We do. I got hung up with some stuff. Sorry about this. I'll do it tomorrow night or maybe tonight if I'm able to. I have some things I'm doing in the shop at the moment. It's coming soon have no fear. :)

[thombrogan]

I thought you were supposed to test a Chiruwa Ang Khola, not a chihuahua Ang Khola. :p

[Noss]

I have a HI CAK I may d test it later. I want to do some field work with it first.

[Noss]

Ok I'm finally caught up with some work. I'm going out in the shop this morning and beat the 12" HI through the tubing :eek: like I said I would. It's going to be loud so
I'm waiting for the neighbors to wake up. :D I should have it online by this afternoon.

[eatingmuchface]

noss, that is one COOL avatar.
lol
did you make that?
The knife actually looks like an fbm!
:D

[Noss]

The Tubing test is now online.Check the first post. Videos 9 and 10. The AK was able to be hammered through the tubing without the blade breaking or the edge tearing out.

EMF: No kiahs made it. Yes it's an FBM

[will york]

Didn't expect to find anything of particular interest in the final tube-shearing test, but I have to say that blade is one impressive piece of engineering. To have an edge that holds up without ANY apparent gross damage through that test, on a blade that is that ductile, is amazing. Really reinforces the "theoretical" advantages of differential heat treatment.

Now if the blade were just a little more rigid to resist bending so easily, and if it had a decent tang and handle...

"Bang-up" job, as usual Noss. Thanks again and to Magnum22.

[sharpshooter996]

Noss thanks once again for your time. I am sure that final test answered all the remaining questions.

Do you know yet what is going up for the next test?

[miro44one]

Pretty impressive, but as I said before, the handle really seems to suck.

[Magnum22]

nice work, noss. i feared for your thumb with every drop of that mallet!

[Noss]

will york: Yeah it was a tough blade. I wasn't worried about breaking the blade during the tubing test. after Seeing how the blade performed during the initial tests I knew that it was going to survive hammer impacts. I have read a lot on differential heat treatment. It's hard to say for sure how it should perform since I always read something different on one site to the next. but they do say if the spine/body is to soft it will bend instead of spring back.

sharpshooter996: I Going to test the Glock field knife next. Cameraman has been out of town so I haven't done much testing lately. Then I will test the RC-4.

miro44one: Yep the handle is horrible on the 12 inch model. I have been reading the thread on blade forums about it. They are trying to sugar coat it over there but the simple fact is the handle is not good on it. The handle is a big problem for me to never buy the 12" model for my own use. The HI CAK has a much better,bigger handle and is much better during use. The wood is still slick. I will more then likely wrap mine with some sports tape.

Magnum22: LOL. It looked worse on video then what it actually was. I watched the video and said the same thing about hitting my thumb. But during the test I was in no danger of hitting it. :eek::D

[sharpshooter996]

Thanks Noss, that sounds like some good tests coming up. Im going to work later this week on a detailed field and general use test on one of my new knifes, or newer. Its going to be the Chopweiler, RAT 7, or Trail Master. Maybe ill do a comparison but focus on one.

I wish more people on this forum would post their own test. It lets others know a blades strengths and weaknesses and clears up questions one might have before doing a purchase.

[Noss]

More tests from other members would be a plus.

[Templar]

On the original kukry like the model tested by Noss only the edge is hardenend the maker spill cold water on the edge). The rest of the blade and the tang are more soft and ductile of the edge.

It's normal that the blade of kukry was not broken but it was deformed plastically (and that the steel don't have a big elasticity).

Hello.