Chrome-plating? [advice]

beoram

beoram

Joined
Nov 27, 2001
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1,780
I'm considering buying a khukuri from someone, but it looks as though it was chrome-plated (still some chrome in parts, but a lot has worn off). Does chrome-plating always = a bad khukuri?

It was apparently made in Dehra Dun in the 1940's and has a silver-handle - it looks like it was a 'presentation piece' for an officer in one of the Gurkha regiments (& it's not currently sharpened).

So my basic question is: is this a worth-while khukuri? It looks very nice and like it has a bit of history behind it.

Thanks for any advice.

Cheers, Ben.
 
Ben -

John Powell is the authority on military blades - I'd walk around that one several times until you hear from him.
 
I'm afraid of chrome plated models but what do I know. As Wal suggested, wait for John Powell.
 
I actually have a photo taken of it:

DD-KK-1.jpg


There's also a lot of detailling on the blade, including a set of initials worked in (a 'named' khukuri?).

Also, based on the research I've done, the insignia on the sheath appears to belong to someone (an officer, I'm supposing) who served in the 5th [Royal] Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) .

Thanks again all for any advice John Powell or anyone else can offer.

Cheers, Ben.
 
It is certainly easy to see the attraction, and John will benefit from the pic. There are two "put offs" or cautions (to me, which doesn't mean much) - the plating, and the dull edge. Another item John commented on in a thread somewhere (and I haven't been able to find it) was in regard to the crest being placed on the scabbard. It lit a red light, but my old memory refuses to tell me why, except that it was a caution sign.
 
What John wrote is
The emblem on the scabbard is something made up by the Indians to give it a military look and add a little embellishment. No proper military khukuri from India or Nepal had a regimental emblem on the scabbard or butt of the knife.
Click to expand...
 
I wouldn't swear to it, but from the side it looks like it has the famous lion's head pommel as well. If it is then that's another mark.

The shape of the small tools also looks like the ones that come with the same pommel.
 
Yes, the khukuri does have a lion's head buttcap, the smaller tools don't. B.
 
Sometimes the grey cells just don't fire, or at least not in the right progression :rolleyes: Let John make the final pronouncement, but all the little bits combine to spell "tourista", and unless it is a particularly good or valuable one, caveat emptor :(
 
I also heard to stay away from khuks with lion head butt caps and a crom plated knife usually is not a using blade but I'm really not sure.

Beoram, Welcome to the cantina if I missed you befor. Save your $$ and get an H.I.!!! Nothing is better and you won't be sorry.:)
 
Ben,
I just noticed that this kukri is featured on an ebay auction on which you have been actively bidding, but are currently outbid by a newbie who has broken the century mark with his first bid. My advice is to let him have his trophy. The kukri appears to be a good quality Indian tourist piece, c. 1950+. The blade shape is very nice, and the scabbard and accessory knives are well done for the genre. The enamel work is attractive if you like that sort of decorative motif, but never came close to any military association. I'd take the seller's representation of a "silver" grip with a grain of salt - could be, but more likely silver-plated brass. And remember that, since the seller is in Oz, it's going to cost another $20 or so to ship it to the US. It's tempting to keep up the bidding war, I know - I have several flashy losers on the shelf to prove I couldn't be beaten down - but patience in pursuit of better khukuris will be rewarded.
BTW, welcome to the forum and the HI cantina:).
Berk
 
Second what Berk says. Let this one slide.
Say Berk, did you get those "flashy losers" outbidding me?

--Mike L.
 
Originally posted by beoram
Yes, the khukuri does have a lion's head buttcap, the smaller tools don't. B.
Click to expand...

Beoram I've forgotten my manners as well. Welcome to the Cantina.

I should've made myself clearer on the post. The lions head pommel knives usually come with small tools that are just like the ones pictured. I have 2 khukuris such as these myself sad to say. They are both fakes.
The lions head pommel is usually a dead giveaway. I would most certainly follow Berk's advice.
 
Berkley is 100% on target.

This is a 1950s tourist piece. In addition the chromed bladed khukuries are usually very poor in quality. The blade is probably incapable of taking an edge. It is not worth $100.

N2S
 
for the great advice and also the warm welcome.

I'm not a knife-collector per se, but recently become interested in khukuris--from collecting Indian 'artefacts'. Ran across what looked like a decent khukuri a couple weeks ago on eBay--of course, turned out to be rubbish. Since then I've done a sort of 'crash course' in khukuris, but obviously I've still much to learn.

The chrome-plating of this khukuri is what worried me--I didn't realise about the insignia or lion's head being bad signs. Pity in a way though--I'd love to find a decent Indian-made khukuri.

I think I will get an HI khukuri (probably later this week in fact), as a point of reference if nothing else. I like the BAS model, I find the shape of it very appealling (of course, sorely tempted by the Royal Dhankuta, but don't think I have the lucre at the moment). The Ang Khola and WWII models look good too though....

Cheers again all, Ben.
 
Ben,

If you want to find antique khukuries there are still alot of good examples circulating around. Perhaps the best advise I can give you right now is to shop with your eyes and be patient. Forget the descriptions and the sales pitch. Does the knife look like something that a wealthy person, or a soldier, might want to own? Is the workmanship indicative of a highly talented maker? Jim Bowie never carried a primitive (crude) knife, Indian and Nepal royalty never carried a village khukuri (they are quite crude), and soldiers would never carry a non-functional knife. When you find one that is worth having, protect it, remember you have a piece of history in your hands.

If you want a good knife to use, an HI khukuri is the way to go. Just keep an eye out for some of the special deals that Uncle Bill frequenty posts to this forum. Act fast when you see one. They seldom last more than a couple of minutes, and I can be pretty fast on the email. :)

Welcome to the forums.

N2S
 
Welcome aboard Beoram. This is definately the place to get the real lowdown on khuks. John Powell is the expert on military ones and he sometimes takes a while to get around, but all the others have given expert advice as well and I am sure you have not been steered wrong. Any thing you want or need to know about khuks can be found by someone here and all have been more than happy to help in the past. I love these guys, I am getting all misty eyed...
 
Welcome to the cantina, Beoram! I won't rehash what everyone has said, but I will say it is very sound advice. I haven't been into khukuris terribly long myself, but you've happened upon a tremendously knowledgable bunch. It's hard to stump them. If you have a question, ask. They don't bite. Well, not hard anyway:D

I was snookered by an Indian government contract P.O.S. Khuk when younger and dismissed the genre of knife as junk. I had the opportunity to try out a HI WWII model and was amazed with what it did. Needless to say the hook was set and I've been growing my flock of Khuks little by little. I encourage you to go to the Khukuri FAQ page on the HI Website; it's a wealth of knowledge. NJOY!

-Craig
 
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