The Kukri – when used properly has almost no equal for stopping a threat – short of a firearm – the Kukri is just a phenomenal weapon – it requires practice ( Damn Bruce – There’s that UGLY P word again!! ) ( Yep! ) – with that in mind it only has one obvious drawback . . .

The sheer size of the Kukri is it’s biggest downside – Right at 20 inches overall sheathed – zero subtlety here – it is a LARGE knife . . .

The Kukri shown here is the “Cold Steel Kukri Plus” – available at Smoky Mountain Knife Works – just click to go get yours! – and I know it says made in Taiwan but the blade on mine is stamped South Africa . . .

This particular one is not very sharp – it has a brush chopping edge on it – good for Practice – ( Again with the P Word! ) so when you whack yourself with it you raise quite a welt but no stitches required – DON’T ASK! . . .

Just a friendly piece of advice for YOU – if you get a Kukri to practice with and it has a sharp edge on it – take a file or a grinder and knock that down before you start practicing with it – Emergency room trips are expensive . . .

If your vendor lists country of origin for the blade you want the one from South Africa – everyone complains about it being dull – believe me – that is what you want to start with and it would only take a few moments with a grinder or a dremel type tool to get it sharp.

But there is a better way to carry one – the Cold Steel Rajah II – “The Pocket Kukri”. . .

Shown below hanging out with it’s big brother . . .

Gives you plenty of reach or distance . . .

Handling technique crosses over to the “pocket” version nicely – it has the “wave” device so you can pull it out of your pocket and drag it over the back corner of the pocket – and shazzam – it’s deployed . . .

Not going to fit well in a pair of dress slacks – it is a LARGE knife – the AUS10A steel is VERY sharp right out of the box – a little light polishing with a ceramic rod and you need to be mindful of handling – it will cut before you realize you have even cut yourself – AGAIN – DON’T ASK!

The scales have a great no slip texture and the pocket clip is “low” enough that there is no hot spot when gripping it – the triad lock takes considerable effort to disengage so your not going to release the blade lock by accident . . .

Hanging out with what most folks consider a large knife – the Artisan Cutlery Proponent – the Proponent is not a small knife . . .

the Proponent weighs in ( with G10 scales ) at 9.1 oz – the Rajah II at 13.1 oz . . .

Looking at it from a different perspective – fully loaded my 642 that lives in my pocket weighs 17.1 oz . . .

So where we get to with this – is the Rajah II worth the weight and Practice ( Yeah, I Know – that ugly P word again ) and effort to carry and utilize?? Oh Hell Yes!

Cold Steel has upgraded from AUS8A steel to AUS10A steel on the Rajah series – quite an improvement – they are more weapon than knife, not really something you would use to open the mail or pick your nails with . . .

. . . and here is a look at both the Rajah II and the Rajah III . . .

The best price out here at the moment for the Rajah II is at Midway USA – just click through – Yeah I know – Midway USA – who would have thought?? And yes – I am considering a second one – kind of a one for each hand thing – there are training videos out there – be careful! . . .

What’s in YOUR pocket ?

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!