Can you identify this kukuri?

Newbie ques, what do u guys mean by Intergal Khukuri? U guys are making me jealous,I can't wait for x-mas! Babba very nice catch!
 
JUSTRIGHT, the integral refers to the bolster between handle and blade. What we westerners would call the guard. Integral means that it was forged as part of the blade and tang, or so well welded to it that blade, bolster, and tang have become a single piece.

You have to understand that this is something usually found made before 1950. Most khuks made in the last 50 years have thin sheet brass bolsters and caps soldered together that are filled with handle material and laha ( or himalayan epoxy a Uncle Bill used to call it ) a mixture of tree resin, beeswax and god knows what. Interestingly, if you add brick dust to the mixture, you end up with "cutler's cement" or so I'm told.

Part of the fascination with old, often Indian made khukuries, besides their military history, is that many are Panna Butta style, in that they have a full tang with scales on each side that are "riveted through" ( panna butta in Nepali ).

The opposite is the khuk that has a rat-tail tang either burned or drilled into the handle, and filled with laha. Those made by the local blacksmith or kami often end with the tang only partway through the handle. These eventually come loose and have to be rehandled. The HI khuks have a rat-tail that extends completely through the handle, goes through the brass buttcap and a separate smaller eye or diamond shaped keeper, and then is peened over to lock it in place. This allows excellent solidity while at the same time insulating the user's hand from vibration shock as opposed to the panna butta.

Short of running over the thing with a main battle tank ( and even there the question is what gets hurt - the khuk or the tank ) either method ( full tang or full peened over rat-tail ) is plenty tougth if well done.

One advantage of the panna butta is that the scales can be made of smaller material than needed for a rat-tail handle. This means white gold ( ivory ), stag, exotic horn, bone, or fancy woodcan be used to excite the innate greed of the buyer. As a rule our forumites are truly gentlemen except when they turn from Jeckyl to Hyde and become Great White Sharks on a feeding frenzy. Watch for an UBDOTD ( Uncle Bill's Deal Of The Day ) and you'll see what I mean.
 
I can't help it - I keep visualizing this cartoon of great white sharks dressed in dinner jackets standing around sipping martinis in a veddy british gentleman's club.
 
some integral bolsters:
View
 
John,

If you ever start running out of space just let me know. I'll be happy to provide a caring home for some of those. :) ;) :)

(subliminal message for John)
we want your book Your
we want your book Response
we want your book To
we want your book This
we want your book Question
we want your book Was
we want your book Excellent.
(end subliminal message)

n2s
 
JP,
The next-to-bottom on the right - does it really have RED plugs over the handle rivets? WOO WOO!:D
BB
 
John,
NO00000! Not again! I thought you were "over" doing this!!!
Bubba, next time you get a K like the nice one you have "Show it to me first"!hee,hee!
jim
 
Guys,
Don't take to much stock in Bubba's lament, "I'm an OLD M/A,I need my sleep etc."! I'm OLDER than Bubba!!! He does NOT need extra sleep, he's in MUCH better shape than THIS old man!! As far as Vince & M/A oes, He is soooo fast & moves so gracefully it's just plain "SCARY"! To set the record,as far as M/A,I'm at the bottom
looking up at the TWO experts, Bubba & Vince! If I can EVER achieve their knowledge ,speed & grace, I will have arrived! Welcome to the cantina Bubba!
jim;)
 
JP ~ When is the date of the sales? ;) Pleaseeeeee email me if you have decide the date! :D
 
JUSTRIGHT
here is a better picture showing the regular bolster next to an integrated one. BERK, note the red insets on the grip.
View
 
Hello, not to butt in, there is the old post of a photo of another, [mine] in knifeforums of a intergal with a "rat tail". It is very interesting to see how many variations exist. I wonder if there is a museum with all [many that is] of what has been made over the years?:cool:
All the best. Sam
 
Back
Top