Zombie Apocalypse Weapons: Gurkha Kukri

We always want you to be prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse and part of that preparation is having the right weapons ready to go at a minute’s notice. Sure guns are great and believe me, we have plenty, but bullets won’t last forever and unless you have an ammo refilling station they will quickly become a precious commodity used for emergency situations only. So you are going to need some Survivor Powered weapons to keep you safe. Today we are going to look at the Gurkha Kukri. The kukri is a curved Nepalese Knife used as both a tool and as a weapon. Get the scoop below the fold and have a look at the Cold Steel video showing their Gurkha Kukri San Mai III in action.

The kukri is a curved Nepalese Knife used as both a tool and as a weapon. It is a traditional weapon for Nepalese people, and also a weapon of choice/side arm for all Nepalese including those serving in different armies around the world.

The blade’s distinctive forward drop is intended to act as a weight on the end of the blade and make the kukri fall on the target faster and with more power. The kukri is effective as both a chopping and a slashing weapon. In combat, it is basically used in three different styles: stabbing with the point, slashing or chopping with the edge, and (rarely) throwing. Because the blade bends towards the opponent, the user need not angle the wrist, which makes the kukri more comfortable as a stabbing weapon than other straight-bladed knives. Its heavy blade enables the user to inflict deep wounds and to cut through muscle and bone. Gurkhas were known for using the kukri to chop off an enemy soldier’s head with one stroke.

Kukris can be broadly classified into two types: Eastern and Western. The Eastern blades are usually regarded as the thinner and are often referred to as Sirupate (Siru Leaf). Western blades are generally more broad. Occasionally the Western style is called Budhuna (refers to a fish with a large head) or Baspate (Bamboo leaf) which refers to blades just outside of the normal Sirupate blade. Despite the classification of Eastern and Western, both styles of kukri appear to be used in all areas of Nepal.

Cold Steel has a version of this called the Gurkha Kukri San Mai III. The Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri was inspired by Cold Steel President, Lynn C. Thompson’s close association with Dr. Maung Gyi, chief instructor of the American Bando Association, and a renowned martial artist with wide-ranging knowledge and skills. Under Dr. Gyi’s tutelage, Lynn gained insight into the full potential of the Kukri and learned it was not just a chopping weapon but a piercing, slashing, and smashing weapon as well. Smashing techniques allow the Kukri to function as a hammer or mallet or to deliver non-lethal blows in a self-defense role. A concentrated blow with the back of the blade can break bones or be lethal if directed at the head.

The Gurkha Kukri’s VG-1 San Mai III® blade will out-chop any factory or handmade knives; including swords twice its size, even expensive, hand forged Japanese Katanas. It’s the heaviest Kukri on the market. The blade is almost an inch wider near the tip than at the handle, shifting the knife’s balance point forward to allow a substantial blow to be struck with minimal effort, using inertia alone to complete the cut.

San Mai III® Gurkha Kukri Specifications:
Blade: 12″
Overall: 17″
Thick: 5/16″
Weight: 22oz.
Sheath: Secure-Ex®
$664.99