Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Material, Sheath/Scabbard, Materials, Finish, Blade Sharpness
Cons: None
K-TACT Kukri: A Friend that won’t leave you stranded, Alone
K-TACT Kukri: A Friend that won’t leave you stranded, Alone Since I wasn’t a Gurkha, I never really saw the need for a kukri. My old Army surplus machete did just fine for clearing brush, so I thought (ignorance is bliss). That all changed after watching Alan Kay win season 1 of the reality survival TV show, “Alone,” depending heavily on his Condor, K-TACT Kukri. I finally took notice. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This is my first kukri, and I see why Mr. Kay chose it as his, “one knife” to compete in the survival competition. Part hatchet, part knife, it is certainly a versatile tool. I understand that detailed work (carving, etc.) is supposed to be performed in the section of the blade near the handle. I’m sure it will take some practice getting used to. A kukri is much more versatile when used in conjunction with its small companion knives, which Alan Kay could not take advantage of on the TV show. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Arrived fairly sharp with a convex grind. It’s my understanding that traditional kukris are supposed to have hollow grinds (?). Anyway, this nice convex edge looks like it can throw wood chips with the best of them; certainly better than most tomahawks, with their thin bits/blades and steep edge grinds. You may want to re-work the edge grind near the handle for detail work. Although it appears quite weight forward, the fulcrum is actually about 1.5” ahead of handle, and is very good balance in a chopping/hacking tool. The handle is comfortable, hand filling, and the pommel swell makes it very secure in the hand. No guard, but I don’t think this is intended as a stabbing tool. If you are looking for a SD/tactical Kukri, check out the K-Bar Kukris with their Ethan Becker handles. I understand they did stabbing tests on them with transmission fluid on their hands, and their hands never slid up on the blade (available @ KC.com). Nice Kydex sheath with the K-TACT. I think Condor is making some of the better off-the-shelf sheaths in the industry. Don’t know why they didn’t go with a D-ring carabiner, instead of the solid D-ring, so you could remove the WHOLE dangler from the knife. Pry off the D-ring and replace it with a Casstrom Sweden No. 3 Carabiner Dangler, Part #: CASSOS10110 (available @ KnifeCenter.com, great product) and you can remove the whole dangler when you want to attach the sheath direct to a belt/strap. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Though, Condor is not noted for their fit ‘n’ finish, I have to say, K-TACT has some of the best F ‘n’ F to be found on Condor products. If you require your knives to be shaving sharp out of the box, with perfect fitting scales, you may be looking for the Fox Extreme Tactical Kukri, Part #: FOX9CM04T (available @ KnifeCenter.com). Condor T&K is noted more for being hard working tools at economical prices. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Check out the Condor Heavy Duty Kukri, Part #: CN181310HC, same knife as the K-TACT, with leather sheath and walnut scales. If you can live with the leather sheath, I think the walnut scales are actually more comfortable, and you could save a few bucks. Although, I have always been a straight bladed knife and hatchet kind of guy, I urge you to check out Condor, K-TACT Kukri. It could take a while to learn the kukri’s idiosyncrasies, but it may have you rethinking your whole, “one knife,” survival concept.
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