CUMA Tak-Ri 3.5

The CUMA Tak-Ri 3.5 is not your typical kukri. In fact, one must understand what a Gurkha Kukri is to see the curve in its blade. The kukri (Devnagari/ खुकुरी), originally spelled khukri or khukuri, is a curved Nepalese knife. It is a traditional weapon for Nepalese people, and also a weapon of choice/side arm for all Nepalese including those serving in different armies around the world.

The word Tactical translates into practical functionality, especially among military and law enforcement. That was the thought going into the knife's design. The CUMA Tactical Street Defense program was created by world-renowned CQC expert Sijo Waysun Johnny Tsai in 2000. SiJo has over 31 years in martial arts along with 25 years of experience as an instructor. He wanted to create a truly functional knife that could be used for CQT combat, street defense, and as an all-around tool for the outdoor sportsman. A few others helped along the way offering expert advice to ensure TOP performance of this blade. Those experts include TOPS KNIVES founder/owner Mr. Mike Fuller and Brent Beshara – the creator of the BESH WEDGE (BESH gave the knife its name).

What was mandatory for the blade? It had to be overbuilt, strong, and durable. So Mr. Tsai approached TOPS Knives to make it. Its full tang frame is 1095 high carbon steel. At just 3/16" in thickness, this is one wickedly fast blade. The belly of the blade is deep for chopping firewood and shelter building.

It needed to have a large curved primary bottom edge. The handle had to offer two types of grip options: The "long grip" for full extended machete swings, and the “choked-up grip” for precision cuts or carving. Finally, a small pry bar for scraping and a lanyard hole at the butt of the handle. Mr. Mike Fuller has stated that the CUMA TAK-RI is extremely interesting and no other knife in the extensive TOPS catalog is quite like it.

Once you hold the CUMA Tak-Ri, you will immediately agree it is "Hard To The Core". In Fact, the Tak-Ri caused such a buzz at the 2011 SHOT Show that Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) pre-ordered his from the TOPS Knives booth.

The CUMA Tak-Ri can also be seen in IDW Publishing's ongoing G.I. JOE comic book series "Snake Eyes". Comic book artist Robert Atkins selected the Tak-Ri as the series exclusive knife for the most iconic Ninja of all time. Snake Eyes can be seen slashing Cobra troops starting in issue #2 which hit comic book shops worldwide in June of 2011. The CUMA Tak-Ri is also featured on the cover of issue #6 of Snake Eyes.

More information about Robert Atkins can be found at http://robertqatkins.blogspot.com/
and http://robertatkinsart.com/

Full-sized CUMA Tak-Ri aluminum training knives were used for months during class and in seminars for R&D prior to making the first steel prototype. The prototype was anodized Law Enforcement blue and has a thin handle strip. It is an excellent replica of the CUMA TAK-RI and a training tool for any knife-fighting system. It can be seen here.

For more information on Waysun Johnny Tsai please visit: www.cumasurvivalschool.com

Tactical-Life review