Small axe or kukri?

Discussion in 'Blades' started by survivalmonkey360, Feb 18, 2009.


Tags:
  1. Which is better for a survival role, a small hatchet/axe or a kukri?

    They both seem very useful.

    As far as weight it would be about the same for both.

    Here are the pros for each one that I can think of:

    The benefits I see for the kukri are:

    Faster drawing
    Faster for clearing brush.
    More useful for gutting and other more delicate tasks.
    A wider range of attack options.

    And for the Ax/ hatchet:

    Better for chopping larger wood.
    Better for hammering.
    Better for digging.
    Throwible (though that’s neither here nor there)


    So which do you think do you think is better and can you think of any other pros/cons for each?
    .
    .
    .
    .
     
  2. sticks65

    sticks65 Monkey++

    Ive used both,but i prefer a hatchet.
     
  3. Blackjack

    Blackjack Monkey+++


    Faster drawing - Shouldn't be an issue, you should have a firearm.
    More useful for gutting and other more delicate tasks - Have a pocket knife
    A wider range of attack options - Again, not an issue.


    In an imaginary "deserted island" scenario maybe the kukri, but real world post shtf usefulness goes to the hatchet, hands down. If a person hasn't at least included a firearm and a pocket knife in their preps, then they are truly screwed anyway.
     
  4. Clyde

    Clyde Jet Set Tourer Administrator Founding Member

    Why not buy a good kukuri and a good axe. The price and their usefulness are not mutually exclusive. save and get both.
     
  5. Yeah, but there’s the omnipresent problem of weight.
     
  6. QuietOne

    QuietOne Monkey++

    Have you been trained in a Gurkha regiment? Then stop playing games with your life. A small ax is worth it's weight in gold in a forest. A kukri is an unsurpassed weapon of close range murder in the hands of a specialist, a funny looking machete otherwise.
     
  7. Minuteman

    Minuteman Chaplain Moderator Founding Member

    You don't have to be a trained Ghurka to use a Kukri. I love them. An axe or hatchet have a dedicated use but a Kukri is versatile and would serve both purposes well ( chopping and fighting). I saw a video where a guy cut a 2x4 in half with 3 strokes from a Kukri.

    But you do have to know how to use one to get that kind of cutting power. You hold it tightly with the thumb and fore finger. The middle, ring and pinky fingers are held very loose. As you come down with the stroke, at the last second before contact you pull the three fingers tight and give a small snapping motion with the wrist. This snap motion imparts a much more poweful blow than just a standard chop stroke.

    Cold Steel makes a very sturdy Kukri model. As a general purpose camp knife it can't be beat.
     
  8. irish

    irish Monkey++

    What I use in bug bag is a LTC kukri from cold a "second" at 40% off still can not find s defect and tomahawk a rifleman style . I installed a set of langeffes on the sides and the are both great.I used that model hawk in my side job in gardening and also camping and its the best small axe I ever used light fast and the hammer head is a over looked extra. The kukri takes a bit to get used being a inside bent blade but I use it clear cut everyting but trees and saplings good to go.If you lare looking for blades go to http://www.knifecenter.com/ ggrear site cheapprices and never been burned.
     
  9. Outlander

    Outlander Monkey++

    Go with both. The extra weight is worth it.
     
  1. sasquatch91
  2. The_Prepared
  3. Dunerunner
  4. Witch Doctor 01
  5. AndyinEverson
  6. knifeslave
  7. Motomom34
  8. oil pan 4
  9. oil pan 4
  10. Ura-Ki
  11. Bigfoot1986
  12. chelloveck
    [MEDIA] [MEDIA] [MEDIA]
    Thread by: chelloveck, Apr 24, 2014, 3 replies, in forum: Blades
  13. Falcon15
  14. Quigley_Sharps
  15. CATO
  16. Brokor
  17. CATO
  18. PapaSasquatch
  19. gunbunny
  20. JustJoel
survivalmonkey SSL seal        survivalmonkey.com warrant canary
17282WuJHksJ9798f34razfKbPATqTq9E7