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blues
04-24-2017, 08:21 PM
Chuck Haggard brought up a story in a thread earlier this evening regarding the legendary Gurkhas and their khukuris.

These are some Nepali khukuris I've accumulated over the years which were handmade by the kamis (http://www.himalayan-imports.com/kami.html), (khukuri makers) associated with Himalayan Imports, generally of forged 1060 steel. The handles are generally horn or wood and the scabbards are wood covered in buffalo hide.

Please feel free to add your own images of khukuris you may wish to share. The following link will take you to thumbnails of the images (most of which, regrettably, are old and not of high quality).

Khukuris (https://postimg.org/gallery/2ar74kkaw/)

Willard
04-24-2017, 08:39 PM
Blues, Great post. Is there a company you'd recommend for a Khuri purchase? I've wanted one for a long time, but was always reticent about quality. Thanks.

blues
04-24-2017, 08:44 PM
This thread would be ~1031% more awesome if the images were embedded in the OP. :)

Tom, some of 'em are .bmp as well as .jpg format and when I tried to load 'em directly from my chromebook to the post the files exceeded the allowable size.

I didn't have time to load each one and then get a link from the hosting site. Apologies.

blues
04-24-2017, 08:45 PM
Blues, Great post. Is there a company you'd recommend for a Khuri purchase? I've wanted one for a long time, but was always reticent about quality. Thanks.

Yes. Great khuks. Great people. Supports the work and livelihood of some worthy souls.

Himalayan Imports (http://www.himalayan-imports.com/)

Himalayan Imports Forum (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/himalayan-imports.739/)

Lex Luthier
04-24-2017, 08:46 PM
I gave my last khukri to #1 Daughter- it has been her favorite birthday-cake serving knife for over 20 years now. Granddaughter got to use in March for her 8th birthday.
(It was one of the crappier finished ones, the scabbard was dyed with ink. I tossed the two little knives that were with it as they rusted in the sheath.) Probably made from worn out bus leaf spring steel with a horn grip and brass pommel & guard. It *will* keep an edge and has felled a few christmas trees as well as birthday cakes.

Ah, found the pic:

15927


My grandfather had an issue kukhri obtained from a Ghurkha in a blade swap during the Korean War; but a cousin pilfered it after grandpa's passing.

blues
04-24-2017, 08:54 PM
Thank you, Tom. That was kind of you to do. :cool:

voodoo_man
04-24-2017, 08:55 PM
Never been a fan of traditional kukri's, though I am sure the kukri linked in the above posts is worth it, just not something I'd probably spring for:
http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/m431.html
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-7333098713883_2256_2077528

Kabar has a kukri which is made by Reinhardt, that isn't bad

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41dTVsGwtaL._SL1000_.jpg

and of course cold steel has a kukri that is like $20 on amazon..

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61KXT33fSpL._SL1200_.jpg


no links provided as it gives Tom the ability to post them for PF.

Willard
04-24-2017, 08:58 PM
you people are making me work today...



Thanks Tom.

blues
04-24-2017, 08:58 PM
I gave my last khukri to #1 Daughter- it has been her favorite birthday-cake serving knife for over 20 years now. Granddaughter got to use in March for her 8th birthday.
(It was one of the crappier finished ones, the scabbard was dyed with ink. I tossed the two little knives that were with it as they rusted in the sheath.) Probably made from worn out bus leaf spring steel with a horn grip and brass pommel & guard. It *will* keep an edge and has felled a few christmas trees as well as birthday cakes.

My grandfather had an issue kukhri obtained from a Ghurkha in a blade swap during the Korean War; but a cousin pilfered it after grandpa's passing.

Priceless image and stories, Lex. Thanks for sharing, brother.

voodoo_man
04-24-2017, 09:00 PM
you people are making me work today...




https://media.giphy.com/media/m1cw1nDiFmbF6/giphy.gif

voodoo_man
04-24-2017, 09:03 PM
I dig that. It's ~$130 on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/4010970-Ka-Bar-Knives-Becker-Reinhardt/dp/B016QT71Z0).

Link the cold steel one too, you know, just in case people are interested...

blues
04-24-2017, 09:05 PM
Tom, that's not actually a traditional khukuri design as such but the terms are used so interchangeably anymore it doesn't really matter. What matters is what "speaks" to you.

El Cid
04-24-2017, 09:06 PM
Ive always admired the kukri pattern blade. I keep talking myself into and out of the RMJ version. I generally prefer newer versions of traditional designs.
http://www.rmjtactical.com/kukri/

I have a Fox Knives kukri that is very sharp and made short work of some palm trees. But Photobucket is having issues at the moment.

ETA: this is the one I have but mine is tan/OD. The metal on the end of the hilt is an it abrasive for extended use.

https://www.amazon.com/Knives-FX-9CM04-Extreme-Tactical-Kukri/dp/B009A7D6D2

voodoo_man
04-24-2017, 09:15 PM
this thread needs more kukri's.....and other things

http://66.media.tumblr.com/2d2a716648d73a661f71a23409f8f0a6/tumblr_ljienucaYV1qajllro1_r3_500.gif

taadski
04-24-2017, 09:50 PM
this thread needs more kukri's.....and other things

http://66.media.tumblr.com/2d2a716648d73a661f71a23409f8f0a6/tumblr_ljienucaYV1qajllro1_r3_500.gif


I didn't notice any khukuris...

voodoo_man
04-24-2017, 10:11 PM
I didn't notice any khukuris...

may have been my mistake, I could have swore I saw at least two sharp kukris.

Sherman A. House DDS
04-24-2017, 10:50 PM
She left her high beams on.


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Maple Syrup Actual
04-24-2017, 10:52 PM
I got one as a wedding present from a friend who'd spent a bunch of time in the Himalayas. I've barely even experimented with it though.

Does look effective. Must chop like a son of a bitch.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170425/2f5cd809654c19a7fe7868755f2e1673.jpg

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Maple Syrup Actual
04-24-2017, 10:55 PM
Um...does the above post come out in three fonts for everyone else or am I not fully recovered from this three-day bender yet?

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

BobM
04-24-2017, 11:09 PM
It's not a true Kukhri, but I like my Kabar/Becker Machax. 15946

Pennzoil
04-25-2017, 12:02 AM
Here are my 3 from Himalayan Imports.

Himalayan Imports also has excellent customer service and I couldn't recommend them enough if you are looking for a Khukri. When I ordered the Kobra the USPS decided to misplace it for awhile. I contacted HI and they had lost the tracking information. So HI sent me a second Kobra out the same day I contacted them. Well come to find out the first one the USPS misplaced finally arrived a month or so later. I contacted HI and they gave me the sale price on the second one they had sent me as a replacement. Great people to deal with!

As a side note I'd stay away from the horn handles if someone is looking pick one of these up, as they develop cracks pretty easily.

Kobras
15949
Tin Chirra -normally don't post business pic's here but took it from our instagram and we're a site sponsor
15950

Drang
04-25-2017, 01:26 AM
15952

"Gorkha Infantry Soldier..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apfaDqcf2FA

JHC
04-25-2017, 06:27 AM
A couple years ago I read an account of a former Mil PSC who was working overseas with some Gurkas and as a student of the blade he asked for some instruction on their combat technique with the khukri. The Gurka obliged by raising it high over his head and swinging it down, then again, and again, and again. :D

I've got a beat to HELL old Cold Steel Light Khukri I'll have to get pic of and post. It's a master chopper.

El Cid
04-25-2017, 06:32 AM
Um...does the above post come out in three fonts for everyone else or am I not fully recovered from this three-day bender yet?

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Looks normal to me...

BehindBlueI's
04-25-2017, 07:24 AM
I had the pleasure of supervising some Ghurkas while working for DynCorp. Great group of guys. 20% of the bitching, 200% of the work vs supervising Americans. I did learn the British trained consider themselves a cut above the Indian trained (perhaps a generational issue, the British guys were older), and to not intermingle them if it could be avoided. Do that, and bitching was even more minimal.

blues
04-25-2017, 08:00 AM
Gurkhas, Gorkhas, Ghoorkas (http://www.himalayan-imports.com/gurkha.html)

A few images from the above referenced link...well worth visiting.

15954

15955

15956

Lex Luthier
04-25-2017, 08:33 AM
"...was never among them during an action, but I was once privileged to watch, from a distance, a company of them attack a Japanese position. There was a Highland unit to their left, advancing at that slow, steady 110 paces per minute tread which used to be the trademark of the kilted regiments; the Gurkhas were trotting to keep up, little green figures with bush hats at a rakish angle, each man with his rifle at the trail in his left hand and his drawn kukri in his right. The Highlanders accelerated suddenly, but any noise they made was drowned by the earsplitting scream of the little hillmen going like demented dwarves, brandishing their knives as they scampered into the trees – and I was profoundly glad I was not Japanese. One of the Highlanders told me later…that they found the ground outside the position littered with Gurkha rifles. Most had gone in with kukris alone."
George Macdonald Fraser - Quartered Safe Out Here, describing the battle of Pryawbe, Burma, 1945

LOKNLOD
04-25-2017, 09:52 AM
I've always wondered...
What (if any) is the significance of the small notch in the blade ahead of the handle?

Drang
04-25-2017, 10:05 AM
My understanding is that it symbolic of a portion of the female anatomy; I think it has something to do with Kali, but I don't know. I imagine Blues, or maybe a Googler, will show up shortly...

blues
04-25-2017, 10:21 AM
I've always wondered...
What (if any) is the significance of the small notch in the blade ahead of the handle?

It's very controversial. I remember "Uncle Bill" Martino (the late owner of Himalayan Imports) discussing it when I met him in FL years ago and online.

People have attributed all kinds of significance but apparently the true meaning has been lost to history.


https://youtu.be/6xYoUh3kSKA

LOKNLOD
04-25-2017, 11:03 AM
Interesting...

JackRock
04-25-2017, 11:38 AM
Blues, Great post. Is there a company you'd recommend for a Khuri purchase? I've wanted one for a long time, but was always reticent about quality. Thanks.
I'd go with Himalayan Imports if you want a more "traditional" style. I have the 15-inch Ang Khola (http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/15inchangkhola.html) that I picked up for about $75 back in 2002 or so (it was a less-than-perfect sale that Uncle Bill posted on the forums back then). I just pulled it back out of my tool storage yesterday (I recently moved, and still unpacking a little), and that sucker is still looking great, sharp as expected, tough as hell, and a fantastic cutter. And all that after many years of abuse of chopping and cutting in my Army days. Makes a fantastic "machete" and even a small shovel when necessary.

And that "less-than-perfect" part? A small line in the brass finish on the pommel. That's it. Nothing wrong with the functionality of the blade or handle.

If I run into a need for another Kukuri, I'll probably get the Chiruwa Ang Khola - slightly thicker blade (1/2" vs. 3/8"), and and inch or two longer. I only picked up the 15" because that deal came at just the right time and at a beautiful price.

Cecil Burch
04-25-2017, 12:02 PM
Another thumbs up here for Himalayan Imports. I have 4 different Khuks all from them, and back in the day when Bill Martino was still alive. Great blades that are affordable and they actually provide a decent living for an absurdly poor community in Nepal.

There is not "a" Khukri. There are a number of different styles. The Ang Khola or the WW2 models are excellent choppers, the Sirupati and Hanumans are better "figthers", and the British Army Service is probably the best general purpose version.

The JKM is not a khukri but a general purpose knife made by the same forge and is another terrific utility blade - really good as a backwoods belt knife.

The quality on every single one I have seen is functionally great. Maybe not the prettiest at times, but rugged as hell, and takes a good edge, and is easy to resharpen.

Man, I have not bought one in 15 years. And now I have the itch.

blues
04-25-2017, 12:22 PM
Another thumbs up here for Himalayan Imports. I have 4 different Khuks all from them, and back in the day when Bill Martino was still alive. Great blades that are affordable and they actually provide a decent living for an absurdly poor community in Nepal.

There is not "a" Khukri. There are a number of different styles. The Ang Khola or the WW2 models are excellent choppers, the Sirupati and Hanumans are better "figthers", and the British Army Service is probably the best general purpose version.

The JKM is not a khukri but a general purpose knife made by the same forge and is another terrific utility blade - really good as a backwoods belt knife.

The quality on every single one I have seen is functionally great. Maybe not the prettiest at times, but rugged as hell, and takes a good edge, and is easy to resharpen.

Man, I have not bought one in 15 years. And now I have the itch.

So true, Cecil. The BAS is probably my favorite all around khuk in terms of its do everything character.

I don't know if you were around back then but the JKM was named for James Mattis (http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/chai-cutlery-james-mattis.123503/) (like the current cabinet member) who was a true and good gentle soul from the midwest who operated "Chai Cutlery". He died well before his time and is greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.

I had one of the original JKM's from HI which I gifted to another good soul in Austria, and a handful of other pocketknives and puukkos I purchased from James during those early years of bladeforums. Gone but never forgotten...just like Uncle Bill.

Cecil Burch
04-25-2017, 12:28 PM
So true, Cecil. The BAS is probably my favorite all around khuk in terms of its do everything character.

I don't know if you were around back then but the JKM was named for James Mattis (http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/chai-cutlery-james-mattis.123503/) (like the current cabinet member) who was a true and good gentle soul from the midwest who operated "Chai Cutlery". He died well before his time and is greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.

I had one of the original JKM's from HI which I gifted to another good soul in Austria, and a handful of other pocketknives and puukkos I purchased from James during those early years of bladeforums. Gone but never forgotten...just like Uncle Bill.

I was on then and communicated numerous times with Bill, and enjoyed reading Mattis' comments. Always so informed and helpful. And Uncle Bill was a genuinely decent human being.

What a tragedy when they both left this world.It has been so long since I was on the HI forum and I can't remember, but was it Mattis who died just a few days before Bill? All I can recall was that it was one of the long time members that everyone was mourning and then we got the horrible news that Bill went too.

The BAS is usually what I tell the first time buyer to get.

blues
04-25-2017, 12:34 PM
Another dear friend who walked west was Yvsa Gigagei. I spoke with Yvsa and emailed with him regularly but never had the pleasure of visiting with him in person. His spirit lives on in all who knew him.

I can't remember the timing...but I'm sure James when first followed by Bill. It was certainly a blow. I'd see James at the Blade Show in Atlanta and Uncle Bill the one time we had a little mini get together in Ft. Lauderdale.

Seems like a long time now. I've been on that site since the middle to late 90's, even before Spark took over from Mike Turber.

Erik
04-25-2017, 01:06 PM
Sigh. My wallet hates you all.

Wondering Beard
04-25-2017, 01:29 PM
I like Khukuris but I've never owned one. The closest I've got is this obvious descendant of the Khukuri, the UUK:

15972


More info here (http://szaboinc.com/edged_weapons/uuk/).

Cecil Burch
04-25-2017, 02:00 PM
I'm starting to feel like I need to buy one of those...

dooooooooo eeeeeet

alohadoug
04-25-2017, 02:14 PM
Three quick Gurhkas/Khukuri related items, then I'm off to drool on HI's website:

1. My wife's unit in Hawaii would give them as Farewell gifts, her CSM waited till she and I were at the airport to present it to her. His "excuse" was that the plaque wasn't ready...later confessed that the officers requested that he wait b/c they were afraid she'd use it on a couple of them.
2. Unit formally known as Central Identification Lab - Hawaii (MIA recovery unit, can't think of name off the top of my head) ordered a number of them from Nepal direct and issued them to recovery teams in SEA. Much preferred over issued machete at the time (1998-2005).
3. Wife was deployed to East Timor (1999) under Australian command. Aussies requested Gurhkas from Nepal/UK to assist. Gurhkas got off plane in bush shorts and long sleeve shirts with small rucks (carrying FALs hadn't switched to SAR). When they patrolled to small villages they would bribe local kids (with chocolate bars) to run into village yelling "Gurhkas are coming" (in Indonesian or local dialect)...militias would leave stack of weapons in village square with sign "No Militia, go West Timor (Indonesia)" Apparently after their first encounter with the militias they developed a reputation....jumping out of raw sewage filled canal and taking several militia heads will do that....

1slow
04-25-2017, 10:39 PM
I like Khukuris but I've never owned one. The closest I've got is this obvious descendant of the Khukuri, the UUK:

15972


More info here (http://szaboinc.com/edged_weapons/uuk/).

I have at least one of those. Interesting piece.

Willard
04-25-2017, 11:49 PM
Thanks Blues et al. I have a WWII 16.5 headed this way.

blues
04-26-2017, 08:04 AM
Thanks Blues et al. I have a WWII 16.5 headed this way.

Congrats, Willard. I hope you enjoy it. Please post about it here...or in a separate thread if you prefer.

NEPAKevin
04-27-2017, 10:51 AM
A late shooting buddy came to practice one evening with one he picked up that day at SARCO (http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/knife.aspx) in Easton. Apparently they had shit-tons of the inexpensive but functional blades. I was only in their store once, did not see the Khurkuris as I was distracted by the WWII and older Katanas, and other stuff but the place a cross between an old fashioned army navy store and a disorganized museum where you can buy stuff.

Clusterfrack
04-27-2017, 11:18 AM
This is what I traded for 5 packs of Camels in 1990 in southern Tibet:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170427/327e79fc940b44986db0b3e0acf99bcb.jpg

StraitR
05-05-2017, 08:43 PM
16315

Erik
05-05-2017, 09:59 PM
I'm now the proud owner of one of the British Army Service models (http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/brarse1.html). Very cool. Looks just like their picture. Didn't need it. Glad I bought it.

blues
05-05-2017, 10:18 PM
Congrats, Erik. I hope you enjoy it. I think the BAS has a special "just right" feel to it.

taadski
05-05-2017, 11:24 PM
My last trip to Nepal we had some down time after flying back into Kathmandu from the Khumbu and did a bunch of wandering around the city. I found a cool shop in Thamel selling nothing but Khukuris. I picked out two that I brought home and gifted to friends. One being a member of our command staff; a giant Norwegian Viking of a fellow who, as you might imagine, was immediately enamored with it. It still sits to this day on his mantel along with a couple other sharp and pointy historical trinkets. I was over visiting earlier this week and remembering this thread, meant to take a photo of it. Alas, I forgot. :( Figured I'd share the story anyway.

Very cool thread!

BillSWPA
05-06-2017, 12:18 AM
I'm now the proud owner of one of the British Army Service models (http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/brarse1.html). Very cool. Looks just like their picture. Didn't need it. Glad I bought it.

Excellent choice.


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Lex Luthier
10-22-2020, 09:06 PM
#1 Daughter and husband bought a house.

The New Kitchen:

62142

Wondering Beard
10-23-2020, 10:34 AM
The kitchen tool second from the right is for tenderizing meat.

blues
10-23-2020, 11:15 AM
The kitchen tool second from the right is for tenderizing meat.

Don't loan it to Toobin...

UNM1136
10-23-2020, 03:20 PM
I weighed in when LL was looking to buy one with my support for HI. I also got one lost in the mail and HI replaced quickly, no questions asked. That was 20 years ago. I did my homework on BF before buying. After years of off and on yard use I drew an Elk tag. I wanted a good chopper for quartering and/or rigging an A-frame to hang quarters from, since I had a 2 mile hike from my camp to my hunting honey hole. My Ang Khola at 2.5 pounds made the cut. I HATE sharpening recurves by hand and had a local guy that I take my kitchen knives to every 12-24 months for some slackbelt love. I went to drop it off and the owner of the shop came out to tell me that he was afraid of the liability he was taking on if he sharpened a blade and I ultimately used it to dismember someone. I laughed it off and showed him my elk tag, explained the unit I was hunting, and my plans for butchering and packing out the meat, and the next day picked up my new, super sharp khukri.

If I had it to do over again I might end up getting a Sarupai as a companion for my AK.

pat

blues
10-23-2020, 03:37 PM
If I had it to do over again I might end up getting a Sarupai as a companion for my AK.

pat

Do you mean a Sirupati?

UNM1136
10-23-2020, 03:52 PM
Yeah. Been a while since I was looking. My mistake. Need to start shopping again.

pat

randyho
10-23-2020, 06:53 PM
People have attributed all kinds of significance but apparently the true meaning has been lost to history.
So, not a bottle opener? This is confusing.

Oh, and I just bought a knife, not even a khukuri. This place is a problem.

randyho
10-23-2020, 07:01 PM
People have attributed all kinds of significance but apparently the true meaning has been lost to history.


https://youtu.be/6xYoUh3kSKA
Obviously Star Wars resistance logo:
62174
The implications are also obvious.