Hey there mate! This is a great video and I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head in describing the differences between not just the knives but also the way that the 3 businesses operate differently and their respective strengths. One thing i would correct through is that our panawal is not based off the mk2 pattern but instead the later mk5 (current BSI, or MSI as we call it). As you've noted this later service pattern is from a time when utility as a camp knife was being increasingly valued and so the knife has an ease of use and simplicity that some of the earlier patterns lack. The straighter overall form is also I think appealing aesthetically to utility minded westerners vs heavily curved and swoopy khukuris. Keep up the great work. If you have any interest in comparing the differences in feel and utility between a full tang and a rat tail blade feel free to reach out :) Take care, Andrew and the team at Kailash
@@bundufundi it won't allow me to reply to this on the main youtube account for some reason- it keeps removing the comments. Use the contact form on the main site and choose custom enquiry- i'll help you out from there
PS There is no evidence (as of yet) that the Kopis is where the Kukri originated from, my research in Nepal along with talking to Nepalese historians has led me to believe that the Kukri is indigenous to Nepal. When the British went to India and worked their way up to Nepal, in the historical accounts of the battles that ensued, the British don't mention the Kukri until they started to have confrontations with the Goorkhas of Nepal, I hope that is of use to you.
One thing to consider when choosing maker of a khukuri is the structure of the company, who is making the money you spend? I can´t talk about the other companies here but Kailash Blades are a company of blacksmiths that makes the knives and sell them direct to the customer. There is no parent company, or the like, that orders from a sweatshop and makes all the profits of it. If fairness is a factor for you, read up on the company before buying. Kailash Blades is as fair as you can expect.
Great to see another video from you Trev. I definitely like the Kailash Blades the best. Not only do I think it is the most esthetically pleasing but the fact the company sends you progress photos makes it more personal to the buyer.
Hi, Simon from Tora Blades. I would say that is a very fair review, but some of points I’d like to pick up up on👍 1. All Tora blades are functional and are made to be used within the scope of what that particular Kukri was designed for. 2. The Mk2 isn’t a fighting blade per se. It was a general issue for those that qualified for a Kukri. The Gurkha Battalions/Regiments used their own Kukri. There is circumstantial evidence that a few Gurkha battalions in WW1, like the 3/3rd for example used a Mk 2 Kukri, but nothing conclusive as of yet. Also Mk2 Kukri never had an angled spine and had a pretty specific shape, so anything outside of those parameters isn’t a Mk2. 3. The current service issue is a rat tail tang, some people mistakenly call it a Mk5, it’s simply a Service No.1. Thank you for a pretty fair review 👍
Awesome review. At this time, I have 2 Tora khukuris . A Mk1 rat tail and a full tang Mk2 like yours. I do prefer the feel of the Mk1 overall, though. It just feels quicker in the hand. I need to pick up a Kailash khukuri, though as they oil quench their khukuris just to checkout. Thanks,
You have listed some good Kukri makers. Simon from Tora blades collects antique kukris and he tries to have replicas made that are like the antiques. He stresses lighter kukris. I chose to use Purna Darnell over at GGK to make my kukris. Purna likes light weight kukris also. I have several and they are well made and very light. I have a heavy Panawal kukris that is good for chopping wood but its too heavy for me. Most of what you buy is modern style. Its not historical. That's ok. I have my doubts about GGK kukris being historically accurate also. I just want light, comfortable in my hand kukris. Most of them are heavy and are not practical for anything except chopping wood or digging in the yard. Plus, you want a well made dap. That is hard to find also. I want the kukris to be very sharp and light and easy to carry in a well made dap if need be. I live in Panama where we use mostly machetes to clear brush. I see people cutting wood with a kukris on RUclips. I never do that with kukris. Most kukris I have handled can cut wood but they are not really meant for that. Cutting wood is an ax or camp axes job. A kukris is an old fashioned self defense weapon.
@bundufundi No. Machetes are the best tool in Panama by far. I have 8 machetes. They are cheap and better for brush. We only pay 6 dollars for a quality machete in Panama. Machetes are light and sharp and suitable for the job. Kukris are heavy and short. My kukris are not meant for cutting brush or wood. They are meant for soldiers and old people who want something to hang on the wall for decoration. Yes, I know, people will disagree with me. I love my Kukris because they have cool factor but they do not have much use in my area as a tool. Oh, another thing. Finely made kukris are kind of delicate. Its easy to damage them. You have to be very careful when using a kukri outside cutting bushes or wood etc. You can hit a rock easily or anything hard when you are carelessly swinging a kukris. The wooden handles can be damaged easily also. You don't want to damage a 200 dollar Kukris working in the yard. Just accidently dropping them on a hard floor can damage them. For work, you need a hard use tool. Not a handmade kukris. I love my kukris but I also know what is their limitations.
Hello I’m looking to buy this last blade you were talking about but I can’t seem to find it. Can you please tell me a bit more about it? Like length of the blade, model, or how I can find that exact shape on their website? Anything helps 🙏
Hello the details of the one I bought are as follows: Panawal, length 13”, brass hardware, rosewood handle, traditional dap, medium handle, standard grind, satin blade finish. Hope that helps.
You need to buy urself a regent bowie from kailashblades. With the new C guard changing the profile of the knife ite definetly their sickest knife ever
Richard my wife's cousin saw them used in the Falklands.. apparently the argies surrendered as soon as the ghurkas rocked up at certain vantage point 🫣 recurve is a great blade shape for the bush 💪👍
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Hey there mate!
This is a great video and I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head in describing the differences between not just the knives but also the way that the 3 businesses operate differently and their respective strengths.
One thing i would correct through is that our panawal is not based off the mk2 pattern but instead the later mk5 (current BSI, or MSI as we call it). As you've noted this later service pattern is from a time when utility as a camp knife was being increasingly valued and so the knife has an ease of use and simplicity that some of the earlier patterns lack. The straighter overall form is also I think appealing aesthetically to utility minded westerners vs heavily curved and swoopy khukuris.
Keep up the great work. If you have any interest in comparing the differences in feel and utility between a full tang and a rat tail blade feel free to reach out :)
Take care,
Andrew and the team at Kailash
Thanks for the clarification, very interesting! A rat tail is definitely on my list due to its more traditional design, I will be in touch. Cheers.
Hello again, what's the best way to get in touch to discuss options for a rat tail blade? Thanks
@@bundufundi it won't allow me to reply to this on the main youtube account for some reason- it keeps removing the comments. Use the contact form on the main site and choose custom enquiry- i'll help you out from there
PS There is no evidence (as of yet) that the Kopis is where the Kukri originated from, my research in Nepal along with talking to Nepalese historians has led me to believe that the Kukri is indigenous to Nepal.
When the British went to India and worked their way up to Nepal, in the historical accounts of the battles that ensued, the British don't mention the Kukri until they started to have confrontations with the Goorkhas of Nepal, I hope that is of use to you.
Another great video Trev! I have never owned one but have always found their history and blade shape intriguing. Thanks for the review.
Thanks Brett, hope all is well with you.
One thing to consider when choosing maker of a khukuri is the structure of the company, who is making the money you spend?
I can´t talk about the other companies here but Kailash Blades are a company of blacksmiths that makes the knives and sell them direct to the customer. There is no parent company, or the like, that orders from a sweatshop and makes all the profits of it.
If fairness is a factor for you, read up on the company before buying. Kailash Blades is as fair as you can expect.
Great to see another video from you Trev. I definitely like the Kailash Blades the best. Not only do I think it is the most esthetically pleasing but the fact the company sends you progress photos makes it more personal to the buyer.
Hi Joey, how are you keeping?
@@bundufundi I am well thank you !
Hi,
Simon from Tora Blades. I would say that is a very fair review, but some of points I’d like to pick up up on👍
1. All Tora blades are functional and are made to be used within the scope of what that particular Kukri was designed for.
2. The Mk2 isn’t a fighting blade per se. It was a general issue for those that qualified for a Kukri. The Gurkha Battalions/Regiments used their own Kukri. There is circumstantial evidence that a few Gurkha battalions in WW1, like the 3/3rd for example used a Mk 2 Kukri, but nothing conclusive as of yet.
Also Mk2 Kukri never had an angled spine and had a pretty specific shape, so anything outside of those parameters isn’t a Mk2.
3. The current service issue is a rat tail tang, some people mistakenly call it a Mk5, it’s simply a Service No.1.
Thank you for a pretty fair review 👍
That’s great, thank you for the additional information, very interesting!
Awesome review. At this time, I have 2 Tora khukuris . A Mk1 rat tail and a full tang Mk2 like yours. I do prefer the feel of the Mk1 overall, though. It just feels quicker in the hand. I need to pick up a Kailash khukuri, though as they oil quench their khukuris just to checkout. Thanks,
Awesome! All really nice but I really like the more subtle curve in the second two. Glad to see a vid from you!👍👍
Thanks mate, the Kailash on is definitely the most versatile. They are a great design for utility stuff for sure.
Great review mate thank you. I like all your work.
You have listed some good Kukri makers. Simon from Tora blades collects antique kukris and he tries to have replicas made that are like the antiques. He stresses lighter kukris. I chose to use Purna Darnell over at GGK to make my kukris. Purna likes light weight kukris also. I have several and they are well made and very light. I have a heavy Panawal kukris that is good for chopping wood but its too heavy for me. Most of what you buy is modern style. Its not historical. That's ok. I have my doubts about GGK kukris being historically accurate also. I just want light, comfortable in my hand kukris. Most of them are heavy and are not practical for anything except chopping wood or digging in the yard. Plus, you want a well made dap. That is hard to find also. I want the kukris to be very sharp and light and easy to carry in a well made dap if need be. I live in Panama where we use mostly machetes to clear brush. I see people cutting wood with a kukris on RUclips. I never do that with kukris. Most kukris I have handled can cut wood but they are not really meant for that. Cutting wood is an ax or camp axes job. A kukris is an old fashioned self defense weapon.
Do you use your Khukuri instead a machete in Panama?
@bundufundi No. Machetes are the best tool in Panama by far. I have 8 machetes. They are cheap and better for brush. We only pay 6 dollars for a quality machete in Panama. Machetes are light and sharp and suitable for the job. Kukris are heavy and short. My kukris are not meant for cutting brush or wood. They are meant for soldiers and old people who want something to hang on the wall for decoration. Yes, I know, people will disagree with me. I love my Kukris because they have cool factor but they do not have much use in my area as a tool. Oh, another thing. Finely made kukris are kind of delicate. Its easy to damage them. You have to be very careful when using a kukri outside cutting bushes or wood etc. You can hit a rock easily or anything hard when you are carelessly swinging a kukris. The wooden handles can be damaged easily also. You don't want to damage a 200 dollar Kukris working in the yard. Just accidently dropping them on a hard floor can damage them. For work, you need a hard use tool. Not a handmade kukris. I love my kukris but I also know what is their limitations.
Hello I’m looking to buy this last blade you were talking about but I can’t seem to find it. Can you please tell me a bit more about it? Like length of the blade, model, or how I can find that exact shape on their website? Anything helps 🙏
Hello the details of the one I bought are as follows:
Panawal, length 13”, brass hardware, rosewood handle, traditional dap, medium handle, standard grind, satin blade finish. Hope that helps.
Thank you 🙏 appreciate your video as well! Gonna give it a shot
Interesting video. Thanks Trev.
How’s it going Ricardo?
Is the best kukri 👍👍👍
You need to buy urself a regent bowie from kailashblades. With the new C guard changing the profile of the knife ite definetly their sickest knife ever
They make some good blades for sure!
Richard my wife's cousin saw them used in the Falklands.. apparently the argies surrendered as soon as the ghurkas rocked up at certain vantage point 🫣 recurve is a great blade shape for the bush 💪👍
I always enjoyed reading about the ghurkas. Unbelievable soldiers. Thanks for watching mate!