Tora Kukri, some people’s absurd obsession about Full Tang Kukri

[@MTwoodsrunner]

Spot on!...I believe, the problem with stick tangs on modern blades is the 90 degree transition many knife manufactures place on their knives which creates stress risers. Another glaring error is the uniform heat treat now common in commercially available knives . The spine and tang of the blade should not be as hard as the blade edge, but rather left more Ductile thereby making the steel tougher enabling the steel to absorb heavy strikes without breaking. Early knife makers understood this concept...a concept largely ignored today...Wow them's some nice Kukri's Simon!...Cheers! David

[@pennsyltuckyreb9800]

Exactly. Modern Western blades have been evolving from the Bowie concept to become more woods chopping/utility/bushcraft/survival blades but refuse to follow the original of that idea which was the khukuri with its differentially tempered blade... Like, guys, this had already been figured out! Just do what they've been doing over in Nepal for centuries! 🫠 Problem is, you ask for a differentially tempered, 10"+, 6mm+ blade here in the West, and they want $500+ for a "hand-forged custom" 🙄 (and they won't use good but cheap beater steel, it always has to be some newest space age super steel... 🙄 Yeah, I'll just pay my $200 to a master Smith in Nepal to do it right. Cut off that spring from that truck over there and beat the 💩 out of it.... thanks! 😁 We need to keep those guys going and keeping the tradition and knowledge alive.

[@taitrunkl7086]

I got a used tourist kukri once from my uncle who got it at flea market and it's not made very well, it's poorly heat treated as the edge is very soft and can't cut anything without it dulling or damaging but it has a stick tang wood handle and it hasn't loosen up even the slightest bit and the kukri looks quite old. So even on a tourist kukri a stick tang works really well so on properly made ones like tora I think there is really nothing to worry about handle wise. I recently ordered the new "improved" BSI and am excited to test and use it when it arrives!

[@Tinorr28]

As a survivalist, prepper and outdoorsman I hear this a lot. I understand why there is a push for full tang blades. After testing the Cold Steel kukri and now the WW2 angkhola from Tora, I am confident in the ability of stick tang kukri to perform. I would stake my life on either of these options.

[@nickoltcho]

"As a survivalist, prepper and outdoorsman..." I believe you with all my heart.

[@eugenevictortooms4174]

This was a great idea for a video Simon. I prefer the older style goorkhali type kukri (which usually have partial tangs).

[@tims1415]

My one and only kukri is a Tora. If your life ever depended on it, you couldn't go wrong with a Tora.

[@sirupate]

Thank you👍

[@ThirdoptionJCSU]

@@sirupate What do you think about Cold steel Kukri in cpm3v is is better than the issue one?

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

Simon! Good to see you. I don’t know why I thought you were out of business. I bought 8 Tora blades from you back in the day and wish I had bought more (but in fairness the Royal Mail really hammered a couple that came to the States!) I sold off over 100 of my “other company” knives (you know who) and haven’t bought kukris for a few years. (Got hooked on Senenzas!) I’ll be in touch. By the way, thanks for bringing this up! Another company changed their warranty to ONLY covering knives with chiruwa / panawal tangs a few years ago, and that’s when I really started hearing this nonsense. The trouble with the full pinned full tangs is they weigh more, transmit a lot more vibration to the hand, throw off the weight forward balance, and simply aren’t needed. If I hear another guy tell me how my traditional laha epoxy stick tang knives are weak, I’ll scream. The ghurkas know what they’re doing, and I think it was Spiral who told me that the full pinned tang was a British invention to speed up manufacturing. Anyway, thanks and talk to you soon.

[@sirupate]

Great to hear from you, it is interesting to note, that the full tang with wooden slabs was probably to do with us Brits, the Gurkhas for their battalion issue Kukri preferred stick tang peened, previous to that partial tang, both of those are still much preferred in Nepal

[@TheNessmuk]

I do have an obsession with full tang khukuri. I use them hard but take extra care of them when the job is finished. Khukuri is a beautiful tool well made and durable I will last for a lifetime. I just want the added confidence using a full tang!

[@sirupate]

That's more than fair enough, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised by both the stick and partial tangs

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

It depends on what one is doing with it. I've watched many partial tang handles snap right after the tang ends while chopping hard woods. Whereas using it for lighter tasks its no problem. There is a reason the military at the time opted for full tang models.

[@sirupate]

You obviously have little experience and knowledge of what a Kukri is used for. In fact 90% the Gurkhas battalions by WW1 opted for peened stick tang (rattail) tangs. The Gurkhas still do btw. In Nepal the partial tang is still favoured by many Nepalese. Captain McCalla (British Gurkha Officer in WW2), on kukri carried in Nepal; “In olden times the kukhri was the equivalent of our small hand axe & a multipurpose tool which would also be useful as a weapon of defence or attack. Many mountain folk regarding neighbours with suspicion & untrustworthy (every man for himself) Kukris would all be made locally” For heavy duty work in Nepal the Nepalese use double handed axes.

[@rikkic7000]

From my limited understanding I believe the majority of kukri in Nepal are stick tang I would imagine these people can’t be doing with tools breaking So if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for me

[@douglasreed9237]

Thank you, Simon point, taken at this point in time. You have a wonderful collection as well. I'm from the west and your right about the full tang thinking also. I just love the looks of the older world War-1 and pre-world War -1 kukris. Also as the old saying goes if it's not broke don't fix it adage goes seems to apply here. I believe that my next Tora kukri is definitely going to be a stick peened tang kukri and a horn handle would be great as well. Thanks for all you do and the great info as well.

[@petrosspetrosgali]

Just think about how many full tang swords were made in the Middle Ages. Swords were continuously being developed for over 1,000 years and never did anyone feel the need to improve the tang design much.

[@sirupate]

Just think how many weren't, and remember most experts will tell you that the stick tang 1796 LCS was the best issued sabre of all time, then there were the Indian Tulwars, the Chinese Dao's etc.

[@petrosspetrosgali]

@@sirupate that’s what I was getting at.👍🏼

[@TOPTENTRAVEL01]

Great info - and thank you for sharing your collection!

[@hotrodbob6573]

My dad was given one in the Philippines during WW2. handle has a crack but is still sound.

[@richardgilbourne1933]

Wonderful kukri collection 😍 I think the fulltang obsession is a western thing I'd take rat tail tang or partial tang tora all day for combat /survival !!

[@jamieclarkful]

I think you’re point is well backed up & the only thing that explains the durability of a stick tang kukri is the partial heat treated mentioned. In every other case I would go for a full tang though- personally.

[@kraken9883]

Great video. The pre world war one you held at about 3:30 is magnificent, does anyone know where can I get one like that? Thank you in advance.

[@ShelleyRaskin]

Drat you Simon, now I am going to buy one of your FW mk1 kukuri.

[@sirupate]

A great choice

[@goricaj1]

I own full and rat tail(stick) and personally the stick tang just has the better feel and balance(to me)

[@sirupate]

I'm with you on that

[@RoxUniverse]

I want a full tang solely because I use a Kukri for wood processing. If I was using it for a weapon or slicer, I wouldn’t be so worried. The fact is if one is going to be chopping, you cannot beat a full tang. Does Tora make any full tang choppers?

[@billmelater6470]

I get it, but my choppers are also stick tang. Anything that needs serious chopping will see an axe or saw.

[@joshsimp1995]

is it possible to beat tradition?

[@sirupate]

In terms of materials etc., I would say yes, in terms of traditional designs I would say no, but personally I like having a traditionally made kukri with traditional materials used in my hand, hence Tora Kukri

[@no-sadnomad8370]

I’m no expert on knives, but I do believe it’s very easy to assume things were used, vs actually seeing how partial tang knives handle under continued heavy use. If the Kukri is meant to be a workhorse, and is used in such a way, wouldn’t the full tang be better? I just don’t want to pick up a Kukri and use it as it’s supposed to and a week into a 2 week camping trip the knife breaks. Then again, someone else in the comments did say that full tang knives on modern blades aren’t built as well. Time will tell, any additional input would be appreciated.

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

The full pinned tang is “better” in that it’s arguably a stronger handle. But then it can work against the function of the khukuri. It negates a lot of the desired weight-forward balance, and transmits a lot more vibration and shock to the hand. If it was all it’s cracked up to be, then the kamis would have adopted it on their own many years ago instead of continuing to use the natural laha epoxy and burning in the horn or wood handles into the partial or stick tangs. Anything can break, but the best pure choppers aren’t usually full pinned chiruwa / panawal tangs. That is they chop, but don’t handle as well as a traditional khukuri, especially where martial arts are concerned. As Simon points out, if knives made 70-80 years ago can survive combat in North Africa, and you just know those handles shrank in the terrible heat (my horn handles shrink in a mildly heated room), then they’ll survive a camping trip. I like traditional tangs on a Kukri for the same reason I don’t care for habaki or partial habaki bolsters on them, which you often see on knives with poorly fitted scabbards. (IMO the kamis use the habaki so the cho is further out and there’s less blade to sharpen, and so the village sarki can fit scabbards faster, but the problem is the knives are totally insecure.) A real sarki who knows his job fits the scabbard to the blade, not the bolster. Bottom line if you buy from a company that knows how these knives should be made you’ll be fine. For years I bought from a company that covered all their knives with a warranty, but when they changed the warranty to only cover full tang models I slowed down. I’ve bought a couple of wonderful pinned tang knives lately from a US maker, but they’re tapered tangs that don’t add much weight, and frankly most makers do it because it allows them to fit their handle slabs faster.

[@MG.50]

I own both partial (rat tail) and full tang kukuri and I would trust either one without reservation. I have never read or heard of a non-full tang kukuri failing. The traditional glue/epoxy used has been working well for a long time. Remember, these are farmers' tools as well as traditional weapons. They have been used as hard working farm tools to kitchen tools for years, and they are still made in the traditional manner. That tells you something.

[@billmelater6470]

The design of a stick tang is everything. A common problem is when people make them with square corners which are stress risers. Properly made, they are just fine but still not great for prying. But also remember that a kukri is also not used in such a way that you should be beating on the handle. Its a two finger grip and a wrist flick.

[@seeharvester]

Talk is cheap. I want a full tang.

[@IamHomelander]

Respectfully, a lot of your references are to a war setting. Most people in modern times use them as a machete in a camping setting. I would rather deal with mild discomfort and replace handles, than have blades flying around a campsite. I get the feeling from all the historical war references that the Kukri represents a weapon to you; some see it as an implement.. Like farmers in Nepal and India, in present day. For the same reason I wouldn’t buy my tools at Harbour Freight, I won’t be buying any Rat tail Knives for anything more than kitchen chores.

[@sirupate]

Respectfully that is utter nonsense Certainly Kukri were used in battle, but predominately they were used as a utility tool in the Gurkhas. All the comments below are about Partial tang and rat tail tang Kukri Colonel Kirkpatrick; from his visit to Nepal in 1793 wrote; ‘It is in felling small trees or shrubs, and lopping the branches of others for this purpose, that the dagger, or knife worn by every Nepaulian, and called Khookheri, is chiefly employed; it is also of very great use, as I repeatedly experienced, in clearing away the road when obstructed by the low hanging boughs of trees, and other similar impediments.’ Lord Egerton of Tatton; wrote in the catalogue of his collection in 1880; 'their national weapon is the Kukri, originally a kind of bill-hook, for cutting through small wood in the dense low jungles of the Teraí and the Himalayans'. A good description considering he never went to Nepal. Major Gilmore (WW2), ‘A word on the kukri (or khukri); the kukri is a short, heavy knife with a broad, curved blade. It is a general utility instrument throughout Nepal, carried in a scabbard by most males. In peace it is used for a thousand jobs from chopping wood to paring radishes. In war it is also used for killing. All Gurkhas soldiers in the Indian Army were issued one.’ Lt. Col. John Masters (Pre-WW2 & WW2); ‘Many people have told me that the Gurkhas throw their kukris at the enemies. Some insist that the kukri returns like a boomerang to the hand of the thrower. Neither of these statements is true. The kukri is an all-purpose cutting tool, equally useful in the Jungle to cut wood and in the field to cut flesh, but it has no magic qualities and is never thrown.’ Captain McCalla (British Gurkha Officer in WW2), on kukri carried in Nepal; “In olden times the kukhri was the equivalent of our small hand axe & a multipurpose tool which would also be useful as a weapon of defence or attack. Many mountain folk regarding neighbours with suspicion & untrustworthy (every man for himself) Kukris would all be made locally” The kukri’s use even in WW2 warfare had changed little; Lt. Jack Weatherill of 2nd Gurkhas cutting through Jungle in WW2 “Our Gurkha knives were absolutely indispensable for cutting a path”

[@stickermigtigger]

@@sirupate Suddenly I hear a puppy yipping as he (halucinogenicprperty) runs from the neighbors broom. 🤣🤣 Great video Simon!

[@SoldierDrew]

@@sirupate Thank you for the historical journal's quotes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

[@sirupate]

@@SoldierDrew did you used to be on FB?

[@SoldierDrew]

@@sirupate once upon a time but left that political propaganda machine some years ago and regained more peace. Peace be with you Simon. Give my best to Sapper. I'm only on Quora now & KZbin.

[@annieleonhart5918]

Balance on many full tangs is just awfull

[@SoldierDrew]

If full tang kukuri were superior to hidden tang kukuri the Nepali villagers would've preferred it after a millenia or more of using kukuri as utility, bushcraft, clearing trails, slaughtering, butchering and processing kindling wood. The Nepali have field tested the kukuri almost thousand years and still they prefer hidden tang design over a full tang design. If hidden tang (aka stick tang) design would fail so easily in camp chores, brush clearing, removing small trees, making kindling wood, hard utility work, certainly the Nepali villagers would have improved upon the design centuries ago given they daily live by these tools whereas westerners often only use them for recreational camping. Just ponder that , rationally, if one still believes that the traditional Nepali hidden tang isn't trustworthy for camp chores, brush clearing and processing kindling for camp fire. If you still don't trust centuries of Nepali field testing their hidden tang/stick tang design and only trust a full tang, arthritis producing, kukuri for chopping then here's a Nepali kami who caters to you: www.greatgurkhakhukuri.com/shop/military/13-world-war-ii-battalion-mk2-khukuri/ Personally, I use a hidden tang WW1-WW2 hand forged, Ghurka battalion, kukuri made in Nepal from leave spring carbon steel as an almost daily utility tool in 3rd world living conditions and it's never failed me in ten years. I expect it to last til the good Lord Y'e'shua Christ Jesus calls me home or til He returns in the clouds to collect His own. 🌊My answer to What is a kukri knife? www.quora.com/What-is-a-kukri-knife/answer/AnDrew-9921?ch=15&oid=1477743677967122&share=6e3bc3be&srid=uiLCtD&target_type=answer

[@christophermichaels6569]

I’m trying to decide between a Sano or WW2 Angkhola for my first ever khuk. I’m not a very tall dude and don’t want something too overkill for my first one lol.

[@sirupate]

How tall are you? and is it for camping?

[@christophermichaels6569]

@@sirupate I’m 5’8 and a sturdy build. Camp cleanup and self defense in case something gets up on me close in the woods before I do something about it. I ended up getting the Angkhola. Almost bought both quite honestly. Wanted to see how one treated me first. 😂

[@christophermichaels6569]

@@sirupate also have small/medium hand range so I didn’t want something too bulky that would deter me from actually wanting to use it. That’s why I chose you over HI for my first one. Wanted one as authentic as I can get. And if I feel the need for an even heavier chopper I might be needing to look for a different type of tool to begin with… and you taught me so much about tang specifically with kukris. I thought full tang was a “no brainer”. You’ve got so much references and knowledge you’ve got to know what you’re talking about at this point. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.

[@sirupate]

@@christophermichaels6569 Either will do, but don’t forget most Gurkhas in WW2 we’re not much taller than 5’5” and often less than 5’3”👍

[@christophermichaels6569]

@@sirupate wow that’s impressive. Here you come with more knowledge haha. I’m very excited to the WW2 Angkhola. Looking forward to hopefully making more purchases with you guys. Hard to not want to go with somebody so knowledgeable and passionate.