A traveling kit

Howard Wallace

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Airline regulations for the transport of firearms, company policies, traveling companions, or other factors may make it inconvenient for some to carry firearms on trips.

An alternative that I have experimented with is the 15 - 16 " khukuri in a jola. This length of khukuri will fit conveniently in a jola. The double zippers on the jola can be adjusted so there is a slight opening in the bag over the handle of the khukuri. This conceals the khukuri and allows access to the handle for a draw. The chape on the end of the scabbard must be covered to prevent it from poking through the loose weave of the bag. I use a small square piece of light cardboard, folded in half, then in half again, to produce a small square 1/4 the size of the original piece. I fit this over the tip. The 90 degree angle of the cardboard corner is wide enough to prevent penetration of the bag.

The jola and khukuri can be transported in checked baggage with no notification requirements. Upon arrival at the destination the jola can be removed from the checked luggage and carried. When traveling by car the jola can be placed in the passenger seat and buckled in. This provides easy access, concealment, and security in case of an accident.

I have been using my 16" Udhaipur in this manner. Based on my experience I think a 15" Sirupati or Kobra with a loose sheath would be the ideal khukuri for this type carry. The slim blade and the loose sheath provide for an easy draw. A larger knife like a BAS could be used, but the draw would be a little slower and might require two hands.

The unusual appearance of the jola will not excite apprehension like an IWB holster or a fanny pack. You might, however, be accosted by ladies who want to examine your beautiful purse.
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Howard --- Have you taken a khukuri as carry on? --- I tried to take a pair of kama's as carry on in a small suitcase to Florida a few years back. The x-ray machine picked them up so I had to check them off separtely and get them at my destination airport.
 
Dangnabbitt Howard. I got two jolas for just that purpose and I spent most of an hour playing with them and khuks and guns in different configurations. Got my nickeled 8" Python to work by placing in in an unzipped gun rug. What really drove me nuts was the possibility of letting the monkey poke his head out so he could see what was happening. Who would think Hanuman's head...

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"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Himalayan Imports Website
 
Jay,

I wouldn't take a khukuri as carry-on.

Bill can tell you what happened to him at Narita.

Khukuris fall well on the forbidden side of the fuzzy "forbidden carry-on items" line.

You certainly wouldn't want to attempt to fly out of Tribhuvan with one in your carry on!

Rusty,

Warped minds think alike! Perhaps we should develop some design details for a custom jola? Bill could probably have some custom work done in Nepal. Imagine a jola with a special pocket that just fits the sheath. The pocket holds the sheath in the desired orientation even if other articles occupy the bag.
 
The khukuri karry on jola! Special compartment lined with lead.

Here is an interesting bit of info about carrying on khukuris. In 1988, I think, Yangdu and I were preparing to leave Nepal for the US. Unknown to me she had stuck two or three khukuris into my carry on, down at the bottom, and when we did our final packing (always in a hurry) I stuffed some things into the carry on and away we went. I had no idea there were 2 or 3 khukuris in my carry on.

Got thru Tribuvan and onto the plane no problem. Flew to Hong Kong where we stopped for 3 or 4 days and got off and back on with no problem. We stopped for a couple of days in Seoul, off and back on the plane, no problem. Got to Honolulu and had to change flights. By mistake I went past customs and had to reenter. I got busted much to my surprise! KAL took the khukuris and said I could pick them up at LAX. I got to LAX and no khukuris. I never saw them again.

If you get lucky you can get away with it sometimes. But I have never tried and probably won't.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (18,000+ posts)

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 09-24-2000).]
 
That's the trouble with taking something collectable. Never know whats gonna happen to them.
 
As I recall a couple of khukuri-wielding fanatics hijacked an airplane out of Tribhuvan a year or so ago. I will bet that security around the world regarding khukuris has increased considerably since Bill’s wanderings with khukuri in bag.

If you really need to have a khukuri as carry on, do it the smart way, like Yangdu does. Put it in someone else’s carry-on.
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Thanks for AM chuckle, Howard, and you are dead right about last trip. I have been thru Tribuvan a dozen times and I had NEVER seen security like the last time. They even confiscated my bic cigarette lighter and almost took a pair of 3 inch scissors! Very tough!

But the good news was I was carrying the number 1 kothimoda and a couple of other khukuris (all with proper support documentation, I might add) in my checked luggage and although they looked at the kothimoda and called over buddies to take a look (obvious admiration, I'll have to admit), it made it all the way without problems or interference.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Archives (18,000+ posts)
 
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