- Joined
- Mar 9, 1999
- Messages
- 1,440
I just answered an inquiry from a collector down under and thought you folks might find it of interest. He had just bought a very large sirupate and wanted to know if this was a "sword" version.
"These very large kukris were made for only one reason: to decapitate goats, sheep and caribao as the last sacrificial act at holy festivals. Although you will find long examples of 19" or more most anything over that will have been made for this one purpose. You can also tell by the weight and thickness of the blade. Here are some pieces that are good representatives of early kukris that would have been used in lieu of a heavy kora. I have also shown a "standard" hanshee for comparison. A. 27.5", 2lb 1oz; B. 25", 1lb 13oz; C. 21.75", 2lb 4oz (a real monster with a blade width at the ricasso of 9/16"). There is a whole family of later 19thc large kukris that have highly decorated uncovered wooden scabbards, blued blades covered with designs or writing and grips with various bone or metal designs inserted, but it is these earlier models that are much more uncommon."
I will assume you guys who buy the big huge honkers from Bill ain't whacking away at the local the livestock, but here are their great, great ancestors.
"These very large kukris were made for only one reason: to decapitate goats, sheep and caribao as the last sacrificial act at holy festivals. Although you will find long examples of 19" or more most anything over that will have been made for this one purpose. You can also tell by the weight and thickness of the blade. Here are some pieces that are good representatives of early kukris that would have been used in lieu of a heavy kora. I have also shown a "standard" hanshee for comparison. A. 27.5", 2lb 1oz; B. 25", 1lb 13oz; C. 21.75", 2lb 4oz (a real monster with a blade width at the ricasso of 9/16"). There is a whole family of later 19thc large kukris that have highly decorated uncovered wooden scabbards, blued blades covered with designs or writing and grips with various bone or metal designs inserted, but it is these earlier models that are much more uncommon."
I will assume you guys who buy the big huge honkers from Bill ain't whacking away at the local the livestock, but here are their great, great ancestors.
