Did I find a treasure?

sharpstick

sharpstick

Joined
Jan 28, 2003
Messages
261
A friend is interested in selling me his old khukuri. It was supposedly purchased in 1907. The khukuri has an integral guard, full tapered tang, and handles scales made of black horn and elephant ivory.

I can't post pics here as a basic member, but I would be happy to email them to someone who could post them.

I am interested in buying this from him, but neither one of us know the value. Since he is a friend, I want to give him a fair market price.
 
Sounds like a nice one with intergal gaurd and ivory. This does increase the value somewhat.

What are the demensions?
 
Sharpstick, that sounds really cool, I'd be glad to try and put pics up for you. Just click on my profile and send me an email, just make sure to put something like HI pics in the subject line, and if possible don't use a corporate email, my spam filter is set pretty high.

Lagarto
 
Sharpstick, does the back of the blade run in a continuous curve, rather than having a bend in it? If so, it could be a Mark I taken home and fancied up by a vet. Interesting stuff. I have a couple examples of M43's (later curved model) prettied up in that fashion. If you could e-mail me a picture, I'd love to see it.

Tom
 
The blade spine has an angular bend, not a curve. I emailed a couple of members several pictures. Maybe someone could help post them here. I really believe this is a handmade piece, but it looks like nothing I have seen before.
 
Okay here are the pics which sharpstick sent me. I hope this helps. This certainly looks like a custom job to me, although I'm no expert on Khukris.

Lagarto
 
Is the bolster actually a part of the blade and handle?


edit.. oh integral guard.. hehe.. I should read first.
 
Thanks to Unlce Bill, we have this forum. Due to this forum, much information has been pulled together. Your khukuri looks like what John Powell has illustrated and identified as an "officer's khukuri." You have a nice find indeed. Certainly it was hand-made.
 
lagarto said:
Okay here are the pics which sharpstick sent me.
Click to expand...
yours:
attachment.php


mine:
twaivoryhornkhuk-5chakmas640.jpg

12" oal
from: www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318932

Judging from mine I'd say a very nice one you have there.
Prices I don't know.
But if I were to see the twin of that one
at the Arms Show this weekend
no visible damage, with bare blade or rotten scabbard
---on my personal, weekend budget--- !
I'd probably pay up to $100
and part with that with tight fingers.

Yours has good scabbard & karda/chakma
I'd expect the asking price (they'll always take less, depending)
to be -anywhere- between $100 & $300, or more
depending on who's selling it & many other factors.
At $100 I'd jump at the opportunity.
Odds are that at the Arms Show I wouldn't be able to find an agreeable price
& would have to admire it at a distance.

It's - 'value' - I have no idea.

Again at the Arms Show;
[ ignoring truly ridiculou$ offerings (rewelded, fabled, etc)]
An 'average', real (not tourist junk), WorldWar period, bare-blade khuk
with no damage
will be marked $50-$100.
This type, if I want it, I might offer $30-$60
more if there's something special about it

For a guide perhaps,
look at the real Nepal Armoury blades offered by AtlantaCutlery.

I'd guess this type grip is not exactly rare,
but falls a bit closer to uncommon.
I once saw a tourist-junk khuk with a layer of bone or ivory.

Try emailing one of the collectors for advice.

Best

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Yvsa said:
Looks like you found a real treasure too me!!!! :D :cool: :D
Click to expand...

Hey, I have a set of custom made hairplates that would look great with your straight dance outfit. Let me know if you are interested.
 
From the pictures, it looks very well made - good tolerances, tapered tang, integral bolster. Blade looks a bit shiny, like it's been polished recently. I might get suckered, but depending on the circumstances of the deal, I'd guess $150 would be a great price. If the steel is decent, a modern custom of equal quality would run at least that. If it's the *real deal* I could see the price going much higher, from the right buyer.

If it feels right, and the price matches your budget, I'd snag it. Wouldn't necessarily look to turn a quick profit on it, though.
 
sharpstick said:
Hey, I have a set of custom made hairplates that would look great with your straight dance outfit. Let me know if you are interested.
Click to expand...
Thanks SS for the thought.:D It's been a while since I've been able to dance and I've been thinking lately that I ought to sell my outfit instead of keeping it put up. Just haven't been able to bring myself to do it as I keep hoping I'll be able to get back into the circle.;)
 
Tohatchi NM said:
From the pictures, it looks very well made - good tolerances, tapered tang, integral bolster. Blade looks a bit shiny, like it's been polished recently. I might get suckered, but depending on the circumstances of the deal, I'd guess $150 would be a great price. If the steel is decent, a modern custom of equal quality would run at least that. If it's the *real deal* I could see the price going much higher, from the right buyer.

If it feels right, and the price matches your budget, I'd snag it. Wouldn't necessarily look to turn a quick profit on it, though.
Click to expand...

I think the flash from the camera makes the steel look brighter than it actually is. The steel on the tang is fairly black from handling. There are a few light surface rust spots on the blade that look like they could be cleaned up fairly easy.
 
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