I actually bought the cold steel kukri since posting this and was amazed at how it can chop.

I wanted it to carry IN CASE I had to do some wood chopping but not solely for that reason. I think if you only need to chop then the hatchet wins. since putting both in my hands I can honestly say that I think the cold steel kukri will be more versatile and flexible over a wider range of tasks.

but to each his own