Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete,Black

5/5 — the Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete is basically a workaholic blade. Zero chill, full commitment, clocking in for every task like it’s trying to earn Employee of the Month at the Forest. This thing has that classic kukri curve that screams “I cut efficiently,” and the build quality is peak Cold Steel — thick, durable, and very “I will not break even if you try to make me.” Whether you’re clearing brush, chopping wood, or just asserting dominance over stubborn branches, it handles it all like it’s bored by how easy the job is. Strong? Yup. Versatile? Absolutely. Design? Clean, mean, and ready to be seen. Verdict: A reliable chopping demon with main-character energy. 5/5.

I can honestly say I have waited over 3 years to write this review. I bought the Cold Steel Kukri Machete based on what I had heard online and my own experience with the Cold Steel GI Tanto. I can say that after 3 years of pretty hard use, occasional neglect and then more abuse this thing is still a SOLID buy. For the money you cannot beat this thing. I have cut down small trees. Split wood and even pounded in a tent stake with it sideways, which is like...one of the worst things you can do with any knife/machete. It personifies the word "Chopper". The steel is some combination of adamantium and mithril. I actually make knifes as a hobby and I can say that cold steel got this spring steel JUST right. It holds a decent edge and bounces back from just about anything. I have heard and seen a lot of gripping about the factory edge on it. Yes it's not the best. It's rough, and depending on what your chopping the angle may not be the best. HOWEVER I honestly believe there is a method to Cold Steels madness. If you take it out and start using it, you'll notice that the rough factory edge starts to polish it's self with use. The edge starts to smooth with each subsequent chop and in essence the more you use it, the sharper it gets. Now if you don't want to wait for that then, go nuts as soon as you get it, I used a simple file and a good old sharpening stone and had the thing slicing paper in no time. That edge has stayed on it pretty well considering what I've done to the poor thing. If you are worried that the handle will break, don't be. If you are worried that it's too thin for hard work or a survial/ bug out bag etc. don't be. If you are worried about it not being a good chopper, don't be. For the money it's superb.

I actually bought this by accident, thought i was getting the larger 17" blade, once I realized it I also ordered the larger model before i received this one. These are imported from South Africa not manufactured by Cold Steel, which if i would have known (ordered via the phone app and didn't see the origin) i probably would not have purchased them. As stated in other reviews the edge is not all that great, mine came with a decent enough edge to take chunks out of an old table made from 2x4s with out a problem and you could probably do some damage with it as is. The grind on the edge was uneven (the grind on the larger version was better) but after some file work it sharpened up pretty nice (did get it to shave hair of my arm) and stayed sharp even after destroying an old 6x6 i had laying around. I even accidently tried to stick it into a cement floor with no noticeable damage to the tip (wouldn't suggest testing that however). The blade has minimal flex, handle is comfortable and it is fairly well balanced (actually throws pretty nice). I have never owned a Kukri style machete and i haven't really gotten this one out in the field yet, but after using it a bit i can see where it could be much more functional and preferable to a hatchet. comparing it to the larger 17" version (23" over all), this 13" version (18" over all) feels like the prefect size to weight ratio and unless you are chopping zombies, seems much more functional than the larger blade. This would also be a great inexpensive blade to throw in a get home bag to just leave in a vehicle. Aside from being imported i would probably pick up another one. The sheath is functional but not a whole lot to talk about, i will probably cut the lower snap off as it seems unnecessary. PRO: Functional, nice weight, handles nice and throws decent, good for the price. CON: Imported, not actually Cold Steel, needs edge work.

You're getting what you pay for here, seriously. Don't go shelling out 20 bucks and expecting anything amazing. That being said, this thing is a great, cheap little workhorse. I use it all the time no holds barred mostly because it's cheap to if I chip the tip or mess it up on a rock or what have you I don't need to worry about it. Pros: Cheap, solid, good weight, good construction. Cons: Not a great edge out of the box, feels a little cheap, handle's a little awkward, sheath is definitely cheap. Every one of the cons is kind of abated by the fact that you're paying 20 bucks for it. Just for the record, I've put this thing through serious abuse testing, IE: cutting roots by shoving the blade into the ground and getting them that way, and with a new edge this guy works just fine again. Don't expect anything much and you won't be disappointed. Just remember you're only paying 20 dollars for it.

This thing is a workhorse and a cutting beast! I chopped down an 8" thick oak in 1 min 45 sec with it. The 1055C blade is all function and no frills. Good forward ballance for chopping, great grip, good sheath, easily sharpened and holds an edge well when properly used ( i.e. kept away from dirt/rocks ). Defensive/offensive capabilities are obvious to the martially adept. Not a display piece by far- but if, like me you find beauty in utility you will love this tool. I work mine like a rented mule & I like not having to worry about being too hard on it like I do with some of of my prettier, more expensive Knives. Everything above also applies to the C.S. Magnum Kukri which is actually more like a falcata in size and proportion. And of course it's a must have for the Z-day Survival kit (:)> Bottom line- a superior value for the price & better than 90% of the kukris available online. If you are value oriented & looking for a kukri- buy it, use it well & if it ever dies on you( doubtfull ) replace it. You'll be glad you did.

My title is such because it seems that most people that dislike this tool thought they were getting a thick bladed large knife. If that's the case u didn't look in to what u were buying. Its just a machete stamped out in a kukri-esc shape. Don't expect anything more. I use mine regularly. The blade come dull and ill-formed in my opinion. It is not an equal angle on both sides. I re-profiled mine and gave it a bit of a scandi grind near the handle. Works great now. Its a little thick to get that one swing cut on hanging vines and such unless u resharpen often. Will not stay a razor for long but can make shorter work of hard woods than many machetes even after the blade has only become a tool edge again. I also made a new sheath out of hard plastic from a rubber made box. The one that comes with sucks but i have been surprised to find that it is fairly standard across brands. I like the machete for now but i am probably going to buy a tramontina soon and compare. They are very different but they are both macheties. Basically, it is a good tool but there are better out there for similar prices. The main pro is ruggedness. The main con is unfinished. (lots of customizing needed)

This is just a first impressions review of the Kukri Machete. It seems really great and has a nice minimalist design. It feels solid, is decently sharp out of the bag, has a nice forward heavy weight to it, the handle is grippy and comfortable, and the sheath is actually pretty good for a $21 machete. The only negative for me was I was expecting two of them for the $21, but that's not Cold Steel's fault so it doesn't reflect in my rating. I have plenty of other Cold Steel products that have been fantastic so I'm certain this will be too. Lots of hard use reviews on Youtube and plenty of good feedback online as well. I will say this first, Amazon is great at addressing any issues. Mine was a fulfillment issue on this item. Be cautious if ordering it via the Amazon Smile 2-Pack listing. I ordered this and only received one machete not two as expected. There was a mix up with the order fulfillment I guess. It had the Amazon Smile 2-Pack symbol on the order page and it was verified by me and a Customer Service Rep thru a Chat prior to ordering that it was definitely for a 2-Pack offer at that price. However only 1 item was received. Customer Service was great and said they would credit the account for the missing item, but it was disappointing to not receive both ordered items as expected. But for half price it makes this machete even better.

As expected, the Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete arrived with a blotchy black paint job that gives the tool a cheap appearance. The cutting edge was roughly shaped with a burred, rolled ribbon edge along its full length. It was probably sharp enough to take brush-busting right out of the carton, but I like to tweak and clean up a blade before use. One coat of Citristrip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel and then buffing with steel wool improved its appearance enormously. I know the black paint was for rust-protection, but acid-etching the blade with mustard produced an interesting tiger-striped finish and keeping the blade oiled should retard rusting. Fifteen minutes with a file and then ceramic rods reshaped and honed the blade to a paper-slicing edge; sharper than needed for yard work, but I was curious to see how long it would take to reach that level without a belt sander. The 97KMS performed up to Cold Steel's reputation in field tests, the sharpened blade trimming shrubbery with clean cuts that required no follow-up knife work. The blade's overall heft and weight distribution were nigh-on perfect, making bamboo whacking and clean-up a breeze. A relaxed grip and flick of the wrist were sufficient to slice through silver maple branches up to an inch thick. After chopping an aggressive 4" wide, 4" deep notch in a seasoned ash log, I checked the blade and saw no nicks, rolls, or dings. The edge was still sharp enough to slice cleanly through a hanging 3/8-inch nylon climbing rope in a single stroke. After a couple hours of testing, I found the grip's texture, size and shape very comfortable, making it easy for me to adjust my swing as needed. I was very pleased with this sub-$20 purchase. A nice addition to my bug-out bag

got two to dual wield also because the price was right but definitely glad I did these things are trucks for their size, yeah not a Gurkha kukri but you wont be disappointed, gives the heft of a hatchet/small axe to a very versatile knife, recommended

This is a good machete for the price. It arrived fairly dull, but it's nothing a good sharpening couldn't fix. The metal is tough and looks like it should hold a good edge. The handle is good and the sheath is a decent quality. Definitely worth the money.

4/5 for what it is (a cheap machete), 2.5/5 compared to machetes in general. This is a decent machete. Out of the box it wasn't sharpened at all, and I couldn't even cut the cardboard box that it came in (usually the case with cheap machetes). Had to go get it professionally ground, but now it's pretty functional and holds an edge reasonably. The handle feels a bit cheap, but it is! So no complaints. This will just end up being a machete I use for messing around/ not caring how beat up it gets.

Great tool

Best buy for the money! Would really recommend it to anybody looking for a workhorse machete that is not so big but not so small either!