The khukuri, often shortened to "kukri" here in the U.S., is both a utility knife & a weapon. The khukuri likely was derived from the Greek sword known as the kopis. Usually shorter than a typical sword, but longer than a typical knife, the khukuri is often easily recognized by the canted blade. Classically, the khukuri is thick, as much as 10 mm or more, with a leaf shape that flares out where the blade bends, the tip aligned below the user's hand. This knife originated more for chopping & slicing than for stabbing.
Nepalese in origin, the knife's utility was noticed by the Nepalese Ghorka (usually called "Gurkha" by foreigners) soldiers as having great potential as a weapon as well. The Ghorka were known to be fearsome fighters, and their khukuri took on a mythical status. This mythical status was only amplified as as foreign nations, including Singapore, India, and England brought Gorkha units into their own armies.
Today, the khukuri is still produced by several companies in Nepal, with their own virtual armies of blacksmiths. The khukuri is also produced by manufacturers large & small all over the world. Some are thick, some are machete thin. And the khukuri has found its way off the battlefield again, as the utility of it's tip-forward design is simply undeniable.
This group is dedicated to the khukuri, or kukri, in all it's forms, old & new.
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dead_left_knife_guy
Apr 12, 2018
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dead_left_knife_guy
Oct 26, 2018
Lars Ray
So I was rummaging around my photos here at iKC and I came across this sad excuse for a "real" Kukri. I say that tongue-in-cheek because I was reminded that if something exists...someone collects it.
I was gifted this souvenir piece back in 1976 by my then girlfriend (now wife) because of my developing passion for edged-pointy things. Fast forward to 2010, and I sell it to a collector of...get this..."Antique Souvenir" knives and swords. Turns out that while I was snubbing my nose at a "wanna-be" knife, he recognized a value that I had not yet learned to appreciate.
He asked what I wanted for it...I told him how I obtained it and when (provenance and all) and said "how about $25.00?"
He politely told me that because he was regarded as someone with expertise in such things (without bragging), he was obligated to offer me a reasonable market value...so he said "how about $75?"
Naturally I replied..."well, if you insist!". I learned a valuable lesson that day...and I no longer snub my nose at a potential piece...even if its a wanna-be!
Aug 7, 2021