Cuma Tak-Ri 2
Cuma Tak-Ri, the knife of Snake Eyes.
Hand operated power tool
Introducing the CUMA TAK-RI (Tactical Kukri) fixed combat/sportsman/survival/camp knife. Written by: Waysun Johnny Tsai
The CUMA TAK-RI is not your typical kukri with a tactical spin on it. In fact, one must understand what a Gurkha Kukri is to see the curve in it's blade. The kukri (Devnagari/ खुकुरी) (originally spelled khukri or khukuri) is a curved Nepalese Knife used as both a tool and as a weapon. 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. As of date, SiJo has over 31 years in the martial arts along with 25 years experience as an instructor. He wanted to create what he considered to be a truly functional knife that could be used for CQT combat, street defense, and 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 as well as the creator of the BESH WEDGE; Mr. Brent Beshara (BESH gave the knife it's name!).
A few things were mandatory for the blade: It had to be built strong and durable. So he approached TOPS Knives to make it. It's full tang frame is built out of 1095 high carbon steel with a full black linen Micarta handle. 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, a partial top edge (for reverse swings) and what Sijo calls his "SHARK TEETH Serrations" for blocking, ripping and tearing bush, cord or anything that gets in it's way. The handle had to offer two types of grip options. A "long grip" for fully extended machete swings and a choked up grip for precision cuts or carving. Finally, a small pry 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 that it is truly "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. For more information on Waysun Johnny Tsai please visit: http://www.cumasurvivalschool.com
Knife Type | Fixed Blade |
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Overall Length | 13.50" |
Blade Length | 7.00" |
Cutting Edge | 7.00" |
Secondary Edge | 4.00" |
Blade Thickness | 0.190" |
Blade Steel | 1095 RC 56-58 |
Blade Finish | Black Traction Coating |
Handle Material | Black Linen Micarta |
Sheath Included | Yes |
Sheath Material | Black Ballistic Nylon |
Sheath Clip | Molle Backing |
Designer | Wayson Johnny Tsai |
- Great Knife, Cheap Sheath
- A $250 knife shouldn't come with a $5 sheath. It really is garbage nylon with snaps a little bit of paracord to strap it to your leg. I wear this hunting and always have to retie it at least once every time I go out. They offer a nice leather sheath for some of their smaller knives (for extra money). After purchasing I emailed the company saying knives of this caliber and price should come with a nice leather or kydex sheath. I didn't get a response. I will have to pay top dollar for a custom one or try my hand at making my own. Anything will be better than this bargain bin Leapers sheath. It's a shame so my review has to be dominated by the cruddy sheath, but that's what it is and that's what Tom Knives has to deal with when they chose to skimp on the sheath. (Posted on 11/23/2020)
- This GI Joe knife is the real thing in the field.
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My wife and I raised a pack of full-blooded gray wolves, under license, for 18 years, until the last passed away from old age, and we've never had fewer than a dozen sled dogs. Every one of our animals eats meat or fish every day, and their health and longevity - as well as the silkiness of their coats - are proof that this diet is correct. Not surprisingly, we process a lot of whitetailed deer, wapiti, and other animals, at minimum quartering them so that they'll fit into our multiple freezers, and chopping ribcages free of the spines (visit my Facebook page for photos). This tactical knife has proved to be one of the finest skinners and meat cutters that I've used in my 50 years of processing more deer than I'll ever admit to. The hilt needs to be a little more man-sized, but that hasn't really proved to be much of a hindrance. Good job, TOPS. Len McDougall, author of THE EDGEMASTER'S HANDBOOK, and more than 20 other books about the out-of-doors, available worldwide.
(Posted on 3/4/2018) - the one knife, knife..
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I have this one and the 3.0, the tak2 has the distinction of being a more dual purpose knife, in that with the sharpened top edge you get all of the fighting atributes, add the serrades in there too. Now for the utility of it, it IS a wood eater! The edge profile and thickness are perfect, it's light, but not too, it's heavy enough to allow momenum to work for you. I love this series, I have 2 and bought one for one of my sons who also loves it.
The sheath is good, nothing outstanding, the insert is not kydex, but hey that would make it cost another $45, so we'll take it, it works and won't fail you.
There is so much this knife does well that I would need to do a video to show it. (Posted on 8/24/2016) - so fast!
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Used on a two month trip to alaska...nothing but satisfied! its a great compromise on trails when you don't want the bulk of a full size machete or khukri weighing you down.
slice through inch and a half+ saplings like butta. have not needed to sharpen yet after some serious use it retained its edges well...
9.2 out of 10
faster draw sheath would be better...plus a softer/more rubbery/grippy grip...in heavy use sweaty hard work it becomes a little slick.
also the curve design works much like an alaskan ulu for skinning ease.
LOVE IT! (Posted on 9/9/2015)