Beware the lion

John Powell

John Powell

Joined
Mar 9, 1999
Messages
1,440
A few of you have written me and asked about the "lion" pommeled knives we usually disparage and generally speak ill of. Here are 3 very typical examples of "kukris" (I can barely use the word with these things) so you'll know what to avoid.:barf:
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For those of you that do have one of these gems in their collection take advantage of seeing why they're not good pieces. The more kukris you can look at and compare the better...even these things.
 
John do I also detect some of that awful punch mark 'engraving' on a couple of these as well.

Haven't really heard any disparity about knives with this so called engraving, but I also associate it with the lion pommeled knives.

So is the punch mark or dotted 'engraving' another giveaway sign to a bad kukri?
 
John e-mailed that the prize for the last Junk Khukuri Contest would be a knife with the Bert Lahr butt cap, or a "Lion's Butt" Khukuri. I was going to wait 'til it arrived, but thanks, John - as you say, the comparison will be valuable. Other than one villager, and this one, I doubt if I will ever own anything other than HI blades. I'll have good examples of those "less than" HI, and the old ones are beyond reach.
 
The 'punched' design is almost always poisonous. Then again some older Newar pieces use this in conjunction with other techniques and sometimes you will see a date or name done this way which can be a plus.

Look for this style: lion's head, poor horn grips with bands of 'silver', pins in the tang, chromed and this design on one side and if it's more than $7.50, don't take it home.
 
I've seen a few village models also with some pretty crude punch engraving that were very good khukuris. I think maybe the kami had time on his hands.
 
(with the offending buttcap cleverly cropped out of the scan;) ), and punch-dot engraving that's a cut above average.
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Berk, please tell us you only spent $7.50 for that knife.....Just so there is some hope left:rolleyes:
 
Berk,

I really just don't see the difference. If it's pounched and it has the "lion's head" pommel, why it should only be worth $7.50 tops.

I'll tell you what, you're a nice guy and all, and I really hate to see you get stuck that way... so let me send you $8.50 for that khukuri. Just drop me a note and I'll tell you where to mail it.


:) :D :) :D :) :D
N2S
 
I once got in a village knife when we were actively searching them out that had the kami's name on it. He'd used a very small punch to outline his name -- so the name was slick and everything around it punched.
I believe the guy's name was Bir Bikram but can't remember for sure.

The fellow who bought that knife more than ten years ago still buys HI khukuris and he calls 3 or 4 times a year and he always asks if I've ever gotten another knife from Bir Bikram. Tells us something about the quality of that old village model.
 
Boy, it takes a sailor and a lawyer to make me look stupid. In the kukri lexicon there are always exceptions, but I'll stick to my guns about 'punch engraving': poison, especially in conjunction with my earlier description.

Here's a example of finely punched work that was almost obliterated by the over-polishing of the blade. Not as elaborate as Berk's, but probably by the same maker.
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Note the inset shot of the lion's head.
 
My first khukuri was just about identical to one of those in the pix at the top of the thread. Made by Doon Steelworks in Dehradun, India, costing a staggering $5.90 including shipping (literally). It took a year by sea mail to get to me, back in 1968. The highlights of the overall quality have already been touched upon. At least it didn't sour me on khukuris in general. Took a long time to find Uncle Bill though.
 
I still have a boxfull that make GREAT prizes in the "incredibly ugly kukri contest". Speaking of which, let me know when you guys are ready for the "ultra XMas X-travaganza ugly kukri contest".
 
It's just great being so filthy rich. In fact I just tossed out some silver mounted kothimoras since the colors didn't go with my new mink wall to wall carpeting.
 
Originally posted by John Powell
I still have a boxfull that make GREAT prizes in the "incredibly ugly kukri contest". Speaking of which, let me know when you guys are ready for the "ultra XMas X-travaganza ugly kukri contest".
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JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS :D
 
You would think a nice 19th century Persian would have been a better fit.
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I believe that's what the fabulously wealthy Mr.`Powell uses for a bath mat;).
 
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