Are you looking for the ultimate helpful tool? If yes, then the best kukri machetes could be a practical companion for anyone who does camping, and bushcraft and wants to keep plants and grass in the garden small. But even in the case of self-defense, this tool should not be underestimated.
Machetes are useful cutting tools that have been used as practical tools and brutal weapons in combat for centuries. However, the machete has no actual history of origin, as it is available in many different types. There are also many differences in construction, equipment, and application within a specific machete type.
All of this can make it challenging to choose the cold steel kukri machete for personal use, even for someone with a lot of experience with knives and swords. This post intends to be a small guide that introduces you to many machetes available today and explains the kukri machetes and what you should look out for in machetes for different applications.
Recommended Kukri Machete – Mid Range
In summary, machetes are a helpful tool ideal for many outdoor adventurers. Hatchets, knives, axes, and swords may be beneficial, but they cannot do all of your Bushcraft & Survival tasks simultaneously as properly chosen best Kukris can.
★★★★★ Gerber Bear Grylls Parang
★★★★★ Swiss Device Kukri Machete
★★★★★ Condor Warlock Kukri
Machetes are versatile cutting tools that have been used as valuable tools and brutal weapons in combat for centuries. However, there is no actual history of origin for the sword, as it is available in many different types worldwide. So, as stated above, there are several other factors to consider when choosing the Best kukri for bushcraft, so you must take the time to decide how you want to use your machete.
Therefore which of the above factors are most important to you. However, if you want to buy a machete, you should first look at these 9 kukri models.
Top 9 Best Kukri Machete 2023
| Product | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Kershaw Machete Camp 14 and 18 | |
 | Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete | |
 | Fiskars Machete Kukri Knife | |
 | Swiss Device – Cold Steel Machete | |
 | Cold Steel Jungle Carbon Steel Machetes | |
 | Outdoor Edge Brush Demon | |
 | Walther Mach TAC 1 – Kukri Knife | |
 | Condor Warlock – Best Survival Machete | |
 | Schrade Kukri Survival Machete |
1. Kershaw Camp 18 (1074) Machete – Best Authentic Kukri
A Kershaw Camp 18 Machete Camp Series Machete offers more control in handling and is a high-performance machete for cutting hard and woody plants. A Kershaw Camp 14 is also available for better control and handling in certain conditions like clearing brush, animal defense, etc. They are equipped with a heavy-duty, approx. 35 cm long drop point blade made of 65 MN carbon-rich tool steel with a thickness of approx. 5 mm. It is a smooth cutting edge and a convex cut with a black powder coating to prevent corrosion.
The 50 cm long machete has a complete tang construction and a super comfortable handle design. The handle has a dark gray composition with a black, structured Sure-Grip rubber coating for safe handling even when wet and includes a molded plastic sheath. The Kershaw Machete Camp 18, with a total length of 61.5 cm, is the most oversized item in the current Kershaw range. The approximately 45 cm long, full-tang blade is 65Mn steel like the Camp 14. This Kukri machete offers various uses, from processing branches and bushes to more delicate work, such as making chips to light a bonfire.
2. Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete – High Quality Kukri
This Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete is our recommendation if you want to buy a Machete. Not because of Bear Grylls, but because of their high quality at such a low price. It has a unique cutting angle that is specially developed to remove bushes and branches. These machetes can easily use for gardening, camping, processing firewood, and removing obstacles. Because of its curvature, you get much more momentum than with a straight knife machete. The 34 cm long and 3.3 mm thick blade has a center of gravity near the tip, creating additional momentum to hook branches quickly.
The full-tang blade is high carbon steel, corrosion-resistant, and holds sharpness exceptionally well. The Machetes has an unusually ergonomic, structured rubber handle, as you know it from the Bear Grylls Machete, which gives your hand a solid feel and maximizes your comfort. Apart from reducing the slip resistance, the handle also does an excellent job of absorbing most of the impact. The Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete is delivered with a lanyard, which increases the grip of another protective device.
This Kukri Machete has a solid nylon sheath, which may not be the best quality, but is perfectly fine for this price. In addition, the scabbard carries a small survival guide, which supports the survival character of this machete. The scabbard is very functional, but some find it challenging to pull the machete out of the shell due to its contoured structure. But, this Parang machete from Gerber has qualities that fit directly into your bug-out bag, survival kit, or bushcraft equipment.
3. Fiskars Machete – Best Kukri
The durable machete by Fiskars with a blade length of 22 cm is perfect for chopping off small and medium-sized branches up to a diameter of approx. 5 cm. In contrast to many other machetes presented here, the blade made of precision steel is strongly curved at the tip and has a “hook.” This additional feature has advantages and disadvantages. An advantage of this hook is the injury-free and safe collection and lifting of undergrowth, but also that you can hook it with it and cut tendrils or small branches by pulling.
I am using this Machete as my daily driver and here are some of my findings. The Fiskars Machete has an optimal weight distribution, and high cutting performance and is suitable for right/left-handers. The glass fiber reinforced plastic handle offers a firm hold thanks to the curved handle end and the non-slip soft-grip surface, even with gloves or wet, dirty hands. The Fiskars kukri machete is very well balanced and offers an excellent and efficient swing in use.
4. Swiss Device – Best Kukri for Bushcraft
Despite the many forms from Asia or Latin America, we would like to introduce a “European machete type,” namely the Swiss device. This unique tool depends on the region and many other names such as Praxe, machetes, Knipp, and Gertl. The Swiss Gertel has been known since the Middle Ages and developed when farmers were prohibited from carrying any weapons.
However, the farmers were allowed to use dead wood and broken branches. And that is what the Swiss Gertel is ideally suited for, caring for young growth, cutting out low growth, and working in the area, forest, or garden. The Swiss device presented here has a blade length of 35 cm and a leather disc handle similar to the USMC-Marines knife from Kabar and is excellent in hand. The Machete’s end is a “catch hook” that prevents it from sliding out of your hand.
In our opinion, the Swiss Gertel is an ideal tool, best for bushcraft and survivalists, and ideal for working with wood. In many cases, it replaces an ax and is such due to its diverse uses.
- Depluming
- Peel the bark
- Drawing iron
- Woodworking
- Make firewood
- Ax replacement
A tremendously helpful Cold steel kukri machete tool that can more than keep up with machetes, as you know and imagine.
5. Cold Steel Jungle Carbon Steel 1055 Machete – Best Survival Kukri
This Jungle Machete has a remarkably robust 42 cm long blade of 1055 carbon steel with weight distribution to the front. This kukri machete can cut through branches, tendrils, and even relatively thick wood. The blade ends in a sharp tip with various survival and bushcraft features, making it a good self-defense weapon. The handle and the blade are connected by a full tang, making this machete very stable. The plastic handle takes some getting used to, especially considering the forward-looking blade geometry, and the handle tends to slip when your hands are sweaty or wet.
But this can be remedied by attaching a lanyard pulled through the existing lanyard hole to secure the Cold Steel Kukri around the wrist. The belt loop nylon sheath that this machete comes with is not the best, but it certainly holds the blade for transport. Since the Jungle Machete can cut through dense forest vegetation and is also suitable for self-protection, we would instead recommend this machete as a reliable Best survival machete tool for the forest.
6. Outdoor Edge Brush Demon – Best Kukri on the Market
This Outdoor Edge Brush Demon Machete was designed by the famous blade manufacturer Jerry Hossom, famous for his designs of large knives. The design of the Brush Demon is based on the classic sword shape, which was already popular with the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Iberians. The uniquely shaped blade is balanced towards the front, ideal for cutting and chopping.
The Outdoor Edge Brush Demon is a high-performance chopping tool with an approx. 34 cm long blade made of carbon-rich 65 MN tool steel and has a black powder-coated surface to prevent corrosion. Also, the Brush Demon Machete has a very ergonomic handle design made of thermoplastic rubber for a safe and comfortable grip and a durable nylon sheath.
This cold steel kukri machete comes with a razor-sharp blade with a quick tip and excellent penetration. The handle absorbs the effects of blows very well and has the shape of a traditional Kopis. Machetes are generally not based on your penetration skills, but it is good to know if you ever need to use this machete for self-defense.
7. Walther Mach TAC 1 Kukri Machete
The Tac 1 machete from Walther is very tactical. With a total length of 55 cm, a blade thickness of 5 mm, and a weight of 765 grams. This kukri machete is designed for rough and heavy outdoor and garden work. The machete has an approx 40 cm long blade, made of 440 stainless steel.
With the solid, coated blade made of 440 stainless steel, the Mach Tac1 is relatively insensitive and robust. That is what you expect from a machete with high utility value. The Walther Mach TAC 1 machete has a somewhat more normal recurve shape with an eye-catching tear hook on the back of the blade. This tear hook is suitable for cutting ropes and removing thin branches.
A wrong cutting edge is attached to the front blade tip, which is not sharp. Otherwise, the Walther machete comes from the factory with a sharp cut and is easy to sharpen. This kukri machete handle is made of polymer and TPR (thermoplastic rubber) and offers a good grip even with wet and dirty hands. Unfortunately, there is no lanyard loop.
The long blade and material thickness are reflected in the machete weight, and the user has to grapple with it in practice. The machete can lead to fatigue during long work. The Walther Mach TAC 1 machete is somehow heavy with a total weight, including a casing of almost 1 kilogram. The heavy machete supplied in a nylon bag can be inserted and secured with two pushbuttons.
8. Condor Warlock
You always get what you pay for; this sentence couldn’t be more accurate for the Condor Warlock Machete. Made from 1075 carbon steel, this 5 mm thick machete with fuller is an example of excellent craftsmanship. Condor Warlock Machete has an impressive balance achieved by a center of gravity sitting in front.
Its perfect 42 cm long blade holds the sharpness excellently, which quickly finds your way through thorn bushes, branches, and everything else that stands in your way. This high quality tool has a black epoxy powder-coated blade finish. The beautiful micarta handle gives you a good grip even when wet, which is not the case with other machetes.
This machete lies so well in your hand that you want to go straight into the forest and shred something after removing it from the packaging. The Condor Warlock comes with a sturdy black leather sheath that reinforces the extraordinary appearance of this machete. You can quickly go out hiking, hunting, or camping with the case comfortably on your hip.
The case has two snap locks, and you can soon put your warlock back in the case. The warlock may seem a little expensive to you, but it is so versatile that you cannot find it in other machetes. Every other machete has its uniqueness in its respective area, while this robust device is an all-rounder.
9. Schrade KUKRI Survival Machete – Best Budget Kukri
The Schrade Large Kukri Machete is a fully-fledged machete in full-tang construction with a wide range of accessories such as a functional sheath, fire steel, and grindstone. The 33 cm long blade is made of black powder-coated 3Cr13 stainless steel. The blade holds the cutting edge very well and is easy to sharpen. The weight and shape of the Schrade Machete result in a nice balance for powerful cutting and chopping work.
The blade comes from the factory with an excellent sharp use that quickly passes the paper test. This kukri machete offers an excellent grip and allows you to take up different grip positions, and is comfortable to hold. There is an eyelet at the end of the handle for attaching a safety strap.
The polyester sheath has a removable shoulder strap, leg loops, and a belt loop. So, there are many ways to wear the Schrade Kukri machete when exploring nature. The Schrade Egkh kukri survival machete package includes a diamond sharpener and fire steel.
Which are housed in the multifunctional sheath and offer additional space for bushcraft/survival equipment. Additionally, there is no need to worry about the blade sliding out of the sheath as it is very well secured. Although the quality is not first-class, the package is convincing overall, at a low price.
Best Kukri Machetes 2023 – Buying Guide
What should you look at before buying Kukri Machete?
When choosing a modern machete, there are three main features you should consider when buying a machete:
- Blade design
- Machete blade length
- Blade thickness
Each of these parameters affects the way the machete works.
Before choosing a machete and getting the best out of it, you must first have a clear goal of using it.
1. Blade Design
When most people think of machetes, they imagine using them as grinders. However, depending on the blade design, a machete can also be used as a cutting tool like a knife. To sharpen these kukri machetes, you need sharpeners. Therefore, when choosing the kukri machete, you first have to determine which application has priority so that you select the right blade design for your needs.
For example, some machetes have blades that focus on the front, such as the Cold Steel Panga Machete (based on the East African Panga design) and the Bolo Machete from Gerber (based on the Filipino Bolo design). With this type of blade construction, the heaviest part of the blade is placed at the extreme tip of the blade to significantly increase the blade’s impact when cutting and chopping woody plants.
Finally, other blade designs combine a curved blade, such as the Cold Steel Jungle Machete or the Cold Steel Kukri Machete. It is a highly positive cutting angle to create a machete with a Panga or a Bolo Machete with a combined blade section, ideal for carving.
2. Blade Length
The type of machete blade design you choose, you should also know that machetes are available in a wide range of blade lengths from approximately 30 cm (12 inches) to 60 cm (24 inches) or more.
Also, check out the best machetes of 2023. For example, machetes with short blades are specially designed to give the user greater control over the blade. But due to their short length, they have little momentum when swinging and therefore do not penetrate very deep. Thus, along with the correct blade design for your purpose, you should also choose the best blade length for your applications.
Machetes with long blades are specifically designed to give a lot more momentum. Therefore, swinging and penetrating are much more profound than those with short edges but offer less control over the blade.
3. Blade Thickness
Machetes can also be classified according to the thickness of their blades. For example, most machetes have relatively thin blades about 3 mm thick. It makes them relatively light and, therefore, easy for most users to control while at the same time providing enough momentum to cut through vegetation easily.
But the control of these thin blades makes them prone to damage when used to cut hard, woody plants like vines, small tree branches, seedlings, or cutting.
Conclusion
As you can see from the best kukri machetes that are presented above, there is a vast range of these modern machetes also available in the market today. The product prices range from light to extra heavy machetes with various blade lengths and designs. Other machetes such as Camp 18 and Camp 14 from Kershaw, the MachTec 1 from Walther.
But also a Swiss machine (the European machete) with much thicker blades from 4 to 7 mm thick, specially designed for heavy chopping work development. This post will give you a few ideas to choose a good kukri for your specific needs. In this article, we have recommended kukris best for everyday chores.
You must take the time to think carefully about how you want to use your machete. Then choose your model with the right blade design, length, and thickness. Hopefully, it will meet your expectations and finish the task you intend for it with relative ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hi,
I’m Scarlett!
And I’m the editor here at TheMacheteGuide.com
I’m passionate about getting the most from your machetes and empowering you with the knowledge you need to clean machetes most efficiently and safely possible.
I will review all types of machetes which you can use for different purposes.
