To put it simply, when you are discussing which are the best machetes for survival you should only ever be considering those that fulfill a multipurpose role and that can be used in any situation.
When you want to travel as light as possible you need tools that can be used to do multiple jobs and in the case of a survival machete you need it to not only be a machete but also a survival hatchet and knife. It will need to chop and split wood, clear bush, and be used as a weapon when needed – the Schrade SCHKM1 Kukri machete can do all those with ease.
From the moment you start to unpack this menacing looking Kukri you will be very impressed.
The whole package looks great; the sheath has adaptable straps which allow it to be worn over the shoulder, or on the belt, then there is a field pouch that attaches onto the sheaf which contains a field sharpener and a fire striker. But the star of the show is obviously the kukri itself which is probably one of the most stylish looking machetes we have had the pleasure to cast our eye over.
We will cover the blade details below but we wanted to add that we were extremely pleased with the sharpness of the blade straight from the factory, very impressive.
Before we go any further we would just like to add that in our opinion, at less than $35, this is a top, top survival machete, made with high-quality materials, with a great nylon sheaf, and the added bonus of a field sharpener and fire striker.
What is there not to like about that deal!
We struggled to find anything we didn’t like on first impression but when it comes down to machetes the proof is always in the pudding they say.
Description
Blade
The Schrade SCHKM1 is a full tang machete, the blade is made from 3Cr13 Stainless Steel and is 0.157″ thick. The blade of the machete is 13.3″ long and the overall length is 19.7″. It weighs 1 pound 5.4 ounces.
3Cr13 stainless steel is resistant to rust and holds an edge really well meaning it is well suited to life as a survival blade.
Although the 3Cr13 stainless steel is rust resistant the blade also has a protective powder-coating. This coating will not stop the blade from rusting but will certainly slow down the process but with the right care and maintenance you should never have a problem.
In fact, with the proper care there’s no reason why the Schrade Kukri shouldn’t last you a lifetime.
Schrades version of the Kukri does not have the pronounced bend in the blade like a traditional Nepalese fighting kukri but it does have an attractive hollow-ground drop-point edge with a large recurve and narrow-pointed tip which is certainly styled on the Nepalese knife with an inwardly curved edge.
The best way to describe a drop-point profile is a convex curve that runs the length of the spine to the tip of the blade. This increases the strength of the blade and makes it ideal for chopping and cutting.
Learning how to sharpen this kukri well will take a little practice because of the inward curved edge, but once mastered the blade will hold a very sharp edge for a good time.
Handle
The SCHKM1 sports an ergonomically shaped Safe-T-Grip (hard rubberized plastic) durable handle.
The large palm swelling on the handle will stop the blade from turning in your hand and improves leverage as well as your grip, especially when using in wet weather. The Schrade Kukri takes very little time to learn how to use well because the grip is so good and the balance is spot on.
For those who like to use a lanyard with their survival machete the Schrade Kukri has a lanyard hole at the end of the handle.
Sheaf
The Schrade SCHKM1 Kukri is supplied with a tough and durable nylon, often referred to as ballistic nylon, sheaf that can be converted to be carried either over your shoulder or strung from your belt. To achieve this versatility Schrade provide an over the shoulder strap, 2 leg straps, and a belt loop.
The sheath is riveted for extra durability.
Extras
Unlike most of the other survival machetes we have covered here on Alpha Survivalist the Schrade Kukri comes with an additional bonus storage pouch that can be attached to the outside of the sheaf. The pouch contains a field sharpener which is probably the easiest tool to sharpen your kukri with, and also a Ferro rod, both of which are unexpected and pleasing additions.
Specifications
- Total length: 19.7”
- Blade Length: 13.3”
- Blade Thickness: 0.157″
- Weight: 1lb 5.4oz
- Blade Material: 3Cr13 Stainless Steel
- Blade Finish: Black powder coated
- Full Tang: Yes
- Handle: Safe-T-Grip rubberized plastic
- Sheaf: Black ballistic Nylon/Polyester
- Country: Manufactured in China for a US Company
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Our View
The Schrade SCHKM1 Kukri is a great looking machete/knife and the accompanying sheaf and extra’s pouch are pretty awesome too, all in all a really tidy package.
It performs really well and in our opinion is a great all round survival machete.
If you want to see why we rate the Schrade SCHKM1 Kukri machete so highly the read the customer reviews on Amazon by clicking on the button below.
Note: We will warn you that you will read a couple of negative reviews initially but that is normal as there is often a blade that will fail, not just Schrade blades but those produced by every company. It is for this reason that all knife and blade companies offer at least a limited guarantee, replacing faulty knives and machetes without question. Schrade are no different.
