You have to understand that there is a world of difference between a handmade blade from HI/KH, and a blade made with modern techniques from Ontario or Cold Steel.
The handmade blade is just that... handmade.
No two blades will ever be exactly alike. The one that you buy is essentially one of a kind. Created with a minimum of power tools by craftsmen who have been making them for years.
The steel comes usually comes from car & truck leaf springs, and after being made it is usually differentially tempered by an experienced builder using water from a teapot!
Here is a link from Khukri House showing the entire process...
http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/Content/Makings/Khukuri.php
The modern production blades are mass produced using high quality steel, and modern construction techniques.
Their steel has been assayed and tested so that the manufacturers know exactly what it will do or won't. Everything is about the shortest production time possibly to make a good quality product.
Tempering is done not by hand, but on an assembly line by a machine, resulting in a very consistent product.
Creation of one of these types of blades uses no more human interaction than a company creating say, a desk lamp.
There is nothing wrong with that if you are looking for a tool that will work every time.
I am a Khukri House blade owner, and I think I get that quality, PLUS I get the individual craftsmanship of a handmade blade.
Is my blade aesthetically perfect in every sense? No, and that is part of its charm to me.
A blade from any of the above companies, whether modern or primitive, will do what you require, but you need to know how much individuality means to you.
I hope this helped.
-urban
