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chakma and karda
- Thread starter DEI Jones
- Start date
- Joined
- May 5, 1999
- Messages
- 3,065
Dave,
In the 19th Century, the scabbards of Nepalese khukuris often came with a wide range of small tools:
and a small pouch designed to hold tinder. In the 20th Century that kit was reduced to a small knife, the karda, used whenever the owner finds a small straight blade more useful than a large curved one, and the unsharpened chakma (Craig prefers chakmak, though the English spelling of Nepalese terms is a fertile field for disagreement). The chakma(k)'s primary use is as a steel for burnishing the blade to reform it by wiping it along the edge. This does not remove significant amounts of metal, but it will align and thus restore the edge. The chakma(k) can also still be used as a striker for firestarting with flint and tinder, though I understand cheap butane lighters are readily available and preferred for the purpose these days even in Nepal
.
Berk
In the 19th Century, the scabbards of Nepalese khukuris often came with a wide range of small tools:
and a small pouch designed to hold tinder. In the 20th Century that kit was reduced to a small knife, the karda, used whenever the owner finds a small straight blade more useful than a large curved one, and the unsharpened chakma (Craig prefers chakmak, though the English spelling of Nepalese terms is a fertile field for disagreement). The chakma(k)'s primary use is as a steel for burnishing the blade to reform it by wiping it along the edge. This does not remove significant amounts of metal, but it will align and thus restore the edge. The chakma(k) can also still be used as a striker for firestarting with flint and tinder, though I understand cheap butane lighters are readily available and preferred for the purpose these days even in Nepal
Berk
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 1,760
Berk: excellent review of terminology, and correct in every regard. Interestingly, I do have footage on the video of an elder bishwakarma using the chakmak to light a cigarette!
Chakmak and Karda: "The son and daughter of the khukuri." (according to bishwakarma folklore).
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
Chakmak and Karda: "The son and daughter of the khukuri." (according to bishwakarma folklore).
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor