Authentic Nepal kukri's?

Kailash Blades said:
I think that it helps in these situations to have a look at dated antique blades and see if there are trends.

I agree that straight handles saw an uptick in the second half of the 20th century. I think that part of this is just that handles got longer as user's hands got bigger- both through sales to westerners and also the Nepalese themselves becoming larger. If you were to measure the angle created between the bolster line and the flare of the rear buttcap these angles are often very similar it's just that on longer handles this occurs over a shorter distance so the radius of the handle curvature is a lot more intense. This can be seen on our blades with small vs large handles.
I think that it is also the influence of the mk5, of which historical examples had really quite straight handles. I think it can be said that a lot of the features of this blade (buttcap style, bevel style, blade shape) became almost the standard for khukuris for some period afterwards in the bulk export and souvenir markets.

I also like the ergonomics of the more strongly curved handles and think that Tora handles are quite comfy. However I think that some tora examples I've seen are so curved and hooked as to be ahistorical for the style they're going for. While there were certainly some handles that intensely curved it was far from as universal as it has seemed in tora's lineup at some points. A look at some of their BSI's compared to original examples sometimes shows a drastically different handle shape for example. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing as I do believe that for the majority of customers these are more comfortable and locks the hand in nicely. Offering a consistently comfortable non custom traditional handle for westerners is a real challenge and I believe that some modifications should be welcomed. I think that the main thing such handles fix is to get the upper point of the buttcap tip nice and far away form the meat at the back of the palm- pressure at this point can be horrible especially with formed sheet metal buttcap styles as seen on the BSI for example. Alternative buttcap shaping and more generous handle sizing are other means of achieving this goal.

In terms of historical examples of longer handles the hanshee style are very long- to the point that some have speculated that they were intended to be gripped in front of the handle ring rather than using it as a subhilt with the rear portion being counterweight/offhand support. Some of these handles are quite intensely curved but some are really quite straight. Beyond this time I would be tempted to say that broader blades with more tip drop tended to see more curved handles but there are so many exceptions. It's very possible that this was a matter of user preference when getting a blade made. I think that metal handles often had a bit more curve than non metal handles. I kind of associate these blades with india but don't have much reason to make that association. Here's a very curved indian example with a metal handle that maybe helps with that connection.

Take care,
Andrew
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Thank you, Andrew, for the explanation!
 
Not all kukris from Nepal are the same. While Nepal is the origin of the kukri, quality depends on the blacksmith, materials, and heat treatment.

GK&CO and Khukuri House are well-known and popular with beginners. They make functional blades, but quality can vary between models.

If you’re looking for a kukri that can actually handle real use, look for:

5160 carbon steel

Full tang construction

Proper tempering (hard edge, softer spine)

I run Everest Forge — we focus on hand-forged, working kukris made by skilled smiths in Nepal. Happy to help if you ever need guidance, whether for collecting or field use.
 
If you’re new to collecting knives and kukris, you’re not alone—it’s a fascinating world with deep history and craftsmanship behind it. One of the most common questions people ask is whether all kukris from Nepal are considered authentic. The truth is, not necessarily. While Nepal is the birthplace of the kukri and still produces the best examples of it, not every kukri made there is high quality. In tourist areas, it’s common to find blades that look traditional but are actually mass-produced with poor steel, no proper tempering, and are mainly made for decoration. A truly authentic kukri should be hand-forged by skilled blacksmiths using traditional methods, made from high carbon steel like 5160 (often recycled from truck leaf springs), and properly hardened so that the edge is sharp and durable, with a slightly softer spine for resilience.

Brands like GK & CO and Khukuri House are among the better-known names and do offer a variety of kukris for collectors and casual buyers. Some of their models are decent for light to moderate use, while others are more decorative. They do have real forging setups, but their focus tends to lean toward volume and tourist-friendly products. As a collector, it’s important to check the specifications of each blade and read reviews carefully to see if the kukri is really made for functional use or more for display.

When choosing a kukri, look for signs of quality. The steel should be carbon-based and heat-treated properly. A full tang handle is generally stronger, especially for larger kukris. The sheath should be made of real leather or buffalo hide, and the kukri should feel balanced in your hand. Most importantly, it should come from a smith or workshop that actually forges blades by hand, not machines.

If you're looking for blades that are truly hand-forged and built for real-world use, I’d recommend checking out Everest Forge. Their kukris and knives are forged in Nepal by experienced blacksmiths using traditional methods and high-quality materials. They're designed to be functional tools, not just collectibles, and they're a solid choice if you want a blade that holds up to real work.
 
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