Blade "Shine" in Combat?

C

Craig Gottlieb

Joined
Mar 8, 1999
Messages
1,760
I had a customer ask me why gurkhas might carry a shiny blade. I'd never thought about it, but it is a very good question. As a Marine, I only carried subdued blades. I know that in the past (pre WW1), long range snipers weren't really a problem, and fighting usually took place in such close quarters that stealth was not usually required for most missions. Here's my question: do gurkhas today subdue their blades, and if so, how?
 
I have no idea about what they look like in combat conditions, but I know that for inspections which I assume are fairly regular, the khukuris need a high polish. Based on that I would assume that any coating would have to be of a very temp. nature.

-Cliff
 
I'm not sure what the Gurkhas are doing these days. Brother-in-law Lhakpa is in Brunei until he retires out in November and he carries an "inspection ready" BAS. Brother-in-law Gurme is serving with the Singapore Gurkha Police Contingency and he carries an "inspection ready" blade, too. Not a lot of steath required for either assignment.

Uncle Bill
 
The khukuris carried "for inspection" are, of course, as bright n' shiny as possible. Craig, the polished Service model you have on your website is an ideal example of an official "inspection-quality" khukuri.

But out in the field, as noted in posts some time ago, the Gurkhas seem to have more of a leeway as to what khukuri they carry. As a result, I remember Gurkhas in dad's outfit carry a variety of khukuris while out on training exercises, manning border posts, patrolling the volatile Indo-Pak and Indo-Tibet/China frontier, chasing terrorists/insurgents in all parts of the subcontinent ... None of these were bright n' shiny like those carried "for inspection". I also don't recall anyone going out of their way to deliberately subdue the shine on their khukuris.

From what I gather, it seems it's pretty much the same with the British Gurkhas too. Check out the video "Gurkha" available thru ihffilm.com (I think), which John Powell mentioned in a post some time ago. You can see at least one, if not more British Gurkhas carry a different style of khukuri in the field than the Service type(you gotta pay attention to make out the differences, though!).

Also, the khukuri being an all-purpose tool as well as a weapon, the Gurkha would probably use it more often for clearing grass/shrub, cutting firewood, slaughtering that chicken/goat for dinner, prying open boxes, etc. than for sentry-silencing. And lastly, when it does get time to get down to the dirty business, the typical Gurkha khukuri charge doesn't require too much stealth - it's still close-in hand-to-hand work. The last Gurkha to be awarded a posthumous galantry award won it for charging and dispatching several of his foes with his khukuri - this happened as recent as 1987 in Kashmir. The Gurkha in question: Naik (Corporal) Prem Bahadur Gurung of 3/4 Gorkha Rifles.

To make a long story short, from what I know, I don't think Gurkhas generally subdued the "shine" on their khukuris - they really didn't need to. And in those rare occasions if they did, then a liberal coating of grease, easily available from the motor-pool or the armory, would probably take care of that.

- Sonam

[This message has been edited by gtkguy (edited 18 May 1999).]

[This message has been edited by gtkguy (edited 18 May 1999).]
 
Bright shiny blades are horribly intimidating. I think a black khukuri just will not have this effect.

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No, I was never lost. But I was mighty bewildered one time for three days.

--- Daniel Boone

 
So do Gurkhas have multiple khukuris? One kept shiny for presentation and others for actual field use? Are they of different styles?

-Cliff
 
Sonam, because he grew up with Gurkhas in India is best qualified to comment on the Indian Army. In the British Army the Gurkhas are required to have the standard British Army Service for any "official" function. But in combat anything that works is used.

Uncle Bill
 
All: thanks for the info. I knew that they carried knives like my Service Number One (polished) for inspection, but I'm glad to learn about the combat specs. I know that a bright shiny khukuri strikes fear in the hearts of gurkha adversaries, but I do expect that they'd need something for tactical use. Almost every combat knife in the world is subdued (bayonettes, K-Bars, etc). I think the "grease from the motor pool" is a great idea, as it both preserves the blade and makes for tactical carry.
 
A Marine would have a couple of problems with motor pool grease.It is messy,non edible and shines in moonlight.Of course,I am only Army.
 
Yes, only Army but from E-1 to O-6 with a Silver Star and four purple hearts to mention a few counts for something.

Uncle Bill
 
I've read that US Infanrty units use flat black spray paint to resubdue(nice new word, huh?)their knives when the original finish wears off. I doubt that Gurkhas do this, although it might possible. My guess is that Gurkha units on extended duty in the field use their Khukuris on a daily basis. Carbon steel will discolor after a while. I've seen pictures of WW2 Randalls that are discolored to a dark gray. Seems like a natural subdued finish to me.
 
I know they have one for use and one for inspection. I have personally not heard about the black spraypaint thing. I would use cammie paint to solve the problem, as it is oil based, and can be wiped off. Of course, I have only carried kbars, and I don't think the armory would take kindly to me spray painting them
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
I think I'm back, but am keeping my fingers crossed that the PC doesn't go back on the fritz.

Birchwood Casey makes a "Plum Brown" barrell finish like on the old muzzle-loaders. I'm trying it on a village khukuri blade. May take several more days to get it right.
 
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