British Service Issue Impression (Actual Military Kukri)

[sweetcostarica]

The 1959 - 1995 British Service Issue (BSI)

Recently I purchased a Deal of the Day (DOD) BSI made in the late 1970's to early 1980's from Simon Hengle (Tora Blades Forum). My 1st impression of this British Military Pattern Kukri is that it is of good quality and it must have been a nice companion for someone in the field.


It's construction is still solid after 40 to 50 years. The handle is tight, the steel is of normal quality, and it feels balanced. The lightness of this BSI (15.15 oz / 430 grams) stands in contrast to many copies of it today that are about the same size (38 cm / 15 in) but weigh much more.


This Kukri's handle is short (9.5 cm / 3 3/4 in). I was made for a Nepali soldier or Gurkha. The blade shape is straightforward, angled and elegant.

Below is a comparison picture with the MK2 (Top), a Tora Blades BSI (middle), and our genuine BSI (bottom).


Overall this Kukri is a nice representation of the early BSI design. I like it and recommend the same for your collection of historic Kukris.


Specifications:
BSI
Length/Blade: 27.5cm (10 7/8 in)
Length/Handle: 9.5 cm (3 3/4 in)
Length/OA: 37.7 cm (14 7/8 in)
Blade thickness at tip: 2 mm (1/6 in)
Blade thickness at belly: 8 mm (5/16 in)
Blade thickness at bolster: 8 mm (5/16 in)
Weight: 430 grams (15.15 oz)
Markings: "None

 

[shortwinger]

Hey sweetcoastarica,

Another fantastic find my friend! As you know the BSI is one of my favorites, its only drawback is that it is common and easily obtainable. Its a shame so many people overlook it because it is just about the most perfect camp knife you will ever find. Not too big, not too small and tough as nails. Like you, I prefer some of the older BSI models because of their better balance, weight and feel but that is really more a matter of a fanatics (me) micro picking at details...

In some aspects they are remarkably similiar for a hand made knife, as can be seen in this pic of a few Service No 1's (polished handle) and a few raw horn handled Jungle models.



But when comparing the different generations (and manufacturers) of the BSI, a more familiar eye will see a good deal of difference in the size shape and design. (the bigger differences are in the details the camera can't see such as weight, spine thickness, balance and feel) The next pic shows [from top to bottom]:
A modern (2010) Khukuri Palace Service No 1; Khukuri Palace Jungle; NKH Jungle (my first kukri); Himayalan Iimports BSI; Tora Pattern One; and lastly and authentic military issue with ORDEP NEPAL stamp.


An unfortunate reality is that the military issue is the least well made. I suspect it is the same with most militaries and government agencies, lowest bidder wins! However this is a good thing for us because the modern BSI, no matter if it is called a Jungle, Service No 1, BSI, BAS or other name is 2 or three times better than the real military issue of today. Some companies take "fit and finish" to a higher level, others concentrate on historical accuracy and still others use the price point but having a BSI fail in the field is a rare thing, even when they are puched far beyond what is reasonable. Its actually much more difficult to find a poorly made BSI so no matter which company you get one from, just tell them you are going to use it and you should get a keeper!

 

[sweetcostarica]

I thought I was the only besides that one fellow on YouTube that praises his HI BAS (BSI) for close to half an hour. Being a practical man I want to be able to use every blade I collect. I don't use my antiques but want the replicas and modern interpretations I have to be user friendly. For me that is weigh/measure somewhere close to want the people in the source country use. Of course it should have a longer handle and be weight adjusted for the bigger westerner.

Above: Made some quick feather sticks with different makers BAS/BSI Kukris.
Left:Tora BSI, Middle: Ex-Gurkha Khukuri House, Right: HI BAS,

Your collection Bill is truly decadent. A fantastic group of British Service models :thumbup:. I agree with you on the build and finish on the real military issued BSI. It truly is a no frills knife. But like you said it is probably a lowest bidder thing and mass produced. The one I have seems to be a better one in terms of useability and toughness. If my hand were size small I would call it perfect for my hiking and camping activities. May I add that the Malayan Parang is a close second favorite to my outdoor activities. The 14 to 20 oz Parang is an excellent all round cutting tool and I love the way it digs into wood.


Note: in your 2nd picture the authentic military issue with ORDEP NEPAL stamp is the smallest Kukri. Question: is that a common occurrence that real Kukri are smaller in size to the Kukri domestic manufacture BAS/BSI/Service Number One copies.

 

[shortwinger]

My ORDEP is a 1988 version so I'm not sure if the current model is just a little bigger or the military issues are just smaller. Perhaps a better way to look at it is that the real military issue is the correct one, the others are whatever that company decides to do. If you notice in yours and mine the leaf shape was much more pronounced in the older versions and the newer ones have that hard break at the shoulder and straight top line.

And of course the older issues are larger with each successive generation (version) all the way back to the Mk issues.

 

[sweetcostarica]

OK, got it. I will look at the military issue are the correct model. Love the leaf shape, functional and artistic.