MODERN KUKRI: Brief Overview
The MODERN KUKRI is a large camping knife built for heavy chopping. It combines the best features of a traditional machete and a kukri. We use 66Mn4 high-carbon steel (5 mm) hardened to 55 HRC for maximum impact resistance. The durable ABS plastic handle ensures a comfortable and secure grip during heavy-duty chopping.
| Feature / Element | Description and Functional Benefits |
|---|---|
| Construction & Steel | This full-tang machete consists of a single piece of 66Mn4 high-carbon steel (5 mm). We chose this steel specifically because it resists snapping even under heavy impacts. The construction ensures maximum durability against shock loads. The 55 HRC hardening allows you to easily field-sharpen the blade without specialized tools. |
| Anti-Corrosion Coating | A heavy-duty polymer layer shields the high-carbon steel from oxidation and rust, allowing you to work effectively in high-humidity environments. |
| Curved Blade | Shifting the center of gravity toward the tip creates an "axe effect," increasing striking power as the blade bites deep into the wood. The curvature angle also minimizes wrist strain, preventing fatigue during prolonged work. |
| Incurved (Sickle) Section | The section nearest the handle features short concave grinds for precision tasks like whittling and slicing. Thanks to the 5 mm spine thickness, you can also use this section for batoning. |
| Chopping Section | The section near the tip features a short straight grind (Scandi-grind). This allows you to chop through thick branches and maintains high efficiency even if the edge loses its initial hair-popping sharpness. |
| Ergonomic Handle | The elongated handle features textured ABS plastic scales that prevent slipping or flying out of your hand during a swing. Includes a lanyard hole for extra security. |
| Nylon Sheath | The durable nylon sheath features a MOLLE system and a belt loop, offering versatile attachment options for your belt or tactical gear. |

The MODERN KUKRI by Blade Brothers Knives is a heavy-duty knife that blends traditional machete features with the proven design of a kukri. When we set out to create our own machete, we chose the kukri shape for its iconic profile and unmatched performance.
A classic machete serves primarily as a large knife for clearing vegetation, such as tall grass, banana leaves, or sugar cane. It is typically a lightweight, relatively thin tool (usually up to 3 mm thick) that allows for tireless, all-day work through soft growth.

On the other hand, the Kukri remains the traditional combat weapon of the Gurkhas—the Nepalese volunteers serving in elite units of the British Armed Forces. This knife still holds its place in their official arsenal today. Unlike terms like "karambit," which often describe a general blade shape, the Kukri maintains its identity as a dedicated combat weapon rather than just a design category.

The defining feature of the Kukri lies in its distinctive blade curvature. This design concentrates striking force, delivering significantly more power than a straight blade. This blade geometry traces its roots back to antiquity, appearing in the historical weaponry of various cultures—including the Greeks, Spaniards, and Egyptians.

Every change in construction, design, or materials represents the lessons we’ve learned from constant challenges and hands-on experience—both our own and that of our users. This commitment allows us to continuously evolve our knives and manufacturing processes. With every iteration, we create a reliable tool that you can count on in any situation.
We built our first versions following the classic machete design, featuring full-height flat grinds (from the spine). At the curve of the blade, we added short concave grinds specifically for batoning.
However, field tests soon revealed an obvious truth: in our environment, users demand much more from a machete than those in the tropics. Ukraine lacks the soft vegetation, like banana leaves, for which traditional machetes were designed. Almost everything here has thick bark and dense wood—even young saplings. We saw many cases where users chopped hard timber, causing the thin blades to stick deep and even bend under the pressure.
That is why we overhauled the design. We moved away from those initial grinds and implemented a short straight grind on the primary striking section. This modification significantly boosted the tool's wood-chopping capability. You can see the results in our video reviews: we successfully chopped through a thick tree twice using only this machete—and the performance completely satisfied our standards.
Since that evolution, the MODERN KUKRI by Blade Brothers Knives tackles wood with total confidence. It easily handles thick, dry logs, which means it breezes through green wood with even less effort.

The improvements didn't stop at the blade; the handle underwent a significant transformation as well.
During the initial design phase, Ukraine enforced very strict regulations for classifying knives as household or utility tools. At the time, the only way to comply was to design a short, completely straight handle—one that would limit the tool's effectiveness as a weapon.
We faced a challenge: how to design a short, straight handle that wouldn't slip out of the hand during heavy chopping. Our solution was to apply the principle of a Yatagan-style hilt, featuring a flared pommel. These two distinct protrusions at the end of the handle proved to be highly effective, allowing for a secure grip during work.
As weapon regulations eventually evolved, we developed a new handle shape that we now use for both the MODERN KUKRI and the GOLOK. This current design is significantly more ergonomic and provides a much higher level of comfort during extended use.

Finding the right material for the handle was a journey of its own. In the beginning, we hand-cut and finished every scale from plastic. However, as demand grew, this manual process became too labor-intensive to sustain. We then moved to in-house polyurethane casting—the exact handle you see in our video reviews. But we soon discovered that polyurethane didn't perform well in freezing temperatures.
Ultimately, we transitioned to ABS plastic scales, precision-machined on CNC routers. This shift allowed us to achieve the perfect balance of durability, weather resistance, and manufacturing consistency.
UPD: The blade in the video is current, but the machete is now manufactured with better steel and a new, more comfortable handle shown in the product photos. You can see how the machete chops wood at the 4:08 mark.
Today’s front lines often lack clear boundaries. A significant portion of combat operations takes place in the "kill zone"—high-danger areas under constant surveillance by UAV crews. These zones are where drone launch sites, observation posts, and troop fighting positions are established.
Typically, these positions are hidden within dense treelines. Soldiers use our machetes to rapidly clear sites, harvest branches, and construct the frameworks needed to support camouflage netting.

Beyond the front lines, the MODERN KUKRI excels in civilian life, particularly for camping and outdoor adventures. It’s an efficient tool for clearing campsites, sharpening tent stakes, and splitting firewood.
It is also an essential addition to your vehicle's recovery gear—especially for off-road enthusiasts. Whether a fallen tree or thick branches block your path, this machete clears the way quickly.
High-carbon steel is prized for its superior impact resistance and aggressive cutting edge, but it requires regular maintenance. To ensure your tool lasts for decades, follow these simple rules:
Short video – demonstration Machete Modern Kukri in hands