Do you know about Khukuris?

[Mimic Knife & Tool]

I need help with info on this knife my family member got for me at an antique fair. Maybe it’s authentic, maybe not.

I ran a 60rc file over the edge and spine and it skates. The sheath looks to have some sort of wax/clay on what seems like real animal hide. The Inside of the hide is lined with wood. There are two small “knives” that are unsharpened that slip in the top of the sheath. The handle looks and feels like bone. Any help/info/opinions offered are welcome.

I’m thinking I’ll restore it and use it no matter what. Thanks.

Andrew

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Im far from an expert, but here's my take:

It's hard to say for sure, but the fact that it skates is a good sign. Most of the tourist junk isn't hardened much. When these things are made for use, a teapot is used to temper the edge. Based on speed of pour and the color the steel turns, a kami can produce an edge that is around 50 at the tip, 60ish at the sweet spot, and maybe mid 50s through the rest of the knife. The thought being that the tip needs to be tough as it will smack into things, the sweet spot needs to stay sharp, the rest of the knife will be used as the chore demands.

Some of the ornate features point toward a decent tourist piece, but you rarely see a chakma and karda (burnishing tool and utility knife) in that rough of shape. Many times, an apprentice works his way up making those first. If that were the case...this guy needs practice The scabbard most likely had some sort of embossed leather design on it in the middle with a brass band riding higher toward the throat holding it together. The bead-like designs around the edge point toward something that was to be looked at and not used so much.

The blade is most likely secured in a traditional manner. It most likes has a fat tang that runs 2 or 3" into the handle and is glued in place with laha, a natural epoxy. That crap is hell for stout. The handle appears to be bone, most likely some type of bovine. The keeper has been tacted on the bottom. It may have been glued as well at one point, but clearly it's loosened.

Khukuris really only have "models" inasmuch as when they are cataloged and sold by companies. If this were made by Himalayan Imports, I would call it a Sirupati or something. The kamis are of an untouchable caste, so there is a lot of variation to their work, and they act as the local blacksmith that makes all kinds of tools.

In short, you probably have a decent tourist antique. It's not worth much, but it looks cool and if it's hardened to 60, at least that much care was taken to make it. If it were mine, I would clean it up and maybe attach that butt cap with something mild and use it as a display piece. The khukuri is a vital part of Nepali culture, and even a rough tourist piece is interesting to talk about.

Hope this helps

 

[Mimic Knife & Tool]

Thanks much that really is helpful

 

[Cobalt]

Well, I can tell you it is not HI, GH or any of the other known brands as it has no markings on it. The other hint that it is a lower quality tourist blade is that the blade itself looks to have flat stock ground and shaped by hand. Does not look forged in other words. Still should be a fun knife to restore. It's likely 1060 spring steel.

 

[Mimic Knife & Tool]

Thanks for the input