My Story
My name is Marcus Kelvin. I am the founder and the only writer behind BestKukriKnife.com. No team, no ghostwriters — just me, my knives, and fifteen years of hands-on experience.
It started simply enough. A friend showed me a hand-forged khukuri he had brought back from Kathmandu, and I couldn’t put it down. The weight, the curve, the history behind it — I was hooked immediately. Within a year I had a small collection. Within five, I had made my first trip to Nepal to visit the Kami blacksmiths who forge these blades by hand in the hill towns outside Dharan.
I have since tested more than 60 kukri knives — from sub-$30 imports to $300 hand-forged pieces signed by master craftsmen. I have chopped wood with them, sharpened them on whetstones and leather strops, and carried them on wilderness trips. I know what separates a blade that lasts a lifetime from one that disappoints you in the field.
Before this site, I spent years leading wilderness skills workshops and volunteering with a historical reenactment group focused on 19th-century British colonial military history. That kept me deep in Gurkha history — the battles, the traditions, the bond between a soldier and his khukuri. It still informs everything I write.
What I Know
Kukri blade steels — carbon, stainless, and high-carbon spring steel — and what each means in real use
Traditional Nepalese khukuri construction and the differences between regional styles
Sharpening curved blades — whetstones, round files, and maintaining a convex edge
Outdoor and survival applications of large fixed-blade knives in real field conditions
Gurkha military history and the kukri’s role across two centuries of British and Indian Army service
Authenticating genuine Nepalese-made kukris versus factory replicas
How I Review a Kukri
My review process — the same every time
I acquire it independently. I purchase the knife at retail price or borrow it — never accept it as a gift in exchange for coverage.
I inspect it before use. Fit and finish, sheath quality, handle fit, edge geometry, and spine thickness are all documented first.
I test it in the field. Every kukri goes through the same sequence: green wood chopping, dry wood batoning, brush clearing, and fine cutting tasks.
I evaluate sharpening. I test how well the blade takes and holds an edge after real use — not just out of the box.
I write before I compare. My conclusions are written before I read other reviews, so I am not unconsciously anchored to someone else’s opinion.
I revisit and update. If a product changes or I learn something new from long-term use, I go back and revise the article.
Recent Articles
- Kukri vs Machete: Powerful Benefits & Hidden Pitfalls (2025 Buying Guide)
- Kukri Knife Sharpening: Achieve Razor-Sharp Edges and Avoid Common Mistakes
- Just How To Use a Kukri Knife
- Best and Worst Kukri Survival Knives with Sheath: What’s Worth Your Money
- Kukri Knife History: Nepal’s Iconic Blade
- Kukri vs. Bowie Knife: Which Is Best for You?