Dracula vs. Khukuri.

S

Seax

Joined
Nov 24, 2000
Messages
42
It's been a while since I saw Bram Stokers Dracula on the big screen, but here the other night it went on one of the channels.

When I last saw the movie, I knew nothing about Khukuris so I did not notice then, but that movie contains some awesome Khukuri scenes. Especially the scene where Van Helsing beheads the brides of Dracula. You can see some more Khukuri action at the end of the movie as well, but I won't spoil it for anybody who might be interested in seeing it.

This is probably old news to most of you guys, but it came as a big surprise to me, considering I have at least seen the movie two times before.

Shows you how selective the mind might be sometimes. Or is it perhaps just me, turning into a complete Khukuri nut!?!

Seax


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Walk on.
 
A good point, Seax...interesting when our minds don't see what our eyes do. The local neuro-ophthalmologist says that we see with the brain and not our eyes. Perhaps he would be a little happier if he didn't lead a khukuri deprived life.

Know where I could get a good, traditional Leuku at a fair price?

 
Dear Dan,

I like and use Finnish Puukkos, but don't like to pay the prices that seem to prevail. I go to http://www.ragweedforge.com/ . A number of Leukus are listed.

And the owner Ragnar is a very nice guy.

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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
Rene, thanks for the good link. A great friend humbled me with an excellent Roselli puukko; it's one of those things that I've always wanted, and is my favorite knife of all time.

Seax, about that last line of yourpost...yeah, you're hooked. And you're not alone. We oughta start a chapter of Khukuri Addicts Anonymous, with those in denial (that would be me) welcome to all 'net therapy sessions.

Thanks, guys. You're among the best....Dan
 
He, he.... thanks Dan.
biggrin.gif
Maybe we could go commercial on this thing, and make a lot of money.

Now I actually remember what caught my mind the first time I saw the movie; the big shiny Bowie knife of the Texan gentleman, a character named Mr. Quincy P. Morris (I was into Bowies those days).

Well, I seem to go in circles. Maybe that therapy club is a good idea.

Anyway, look at the bright side. It gives us a perfect excuse to by big knifes.

Seax
 
Seax: Uh-huh. It seems like lately I've become satisfied by working on a new handle for the 25" AK panawal. This current therapy could be a way to pacify the desire for yet another khukuri, but I'm going to see how long this ride will last.

I'm not really sure which khukuri I want next. This biggie is in some strange way like shooting a Barrett. While there are larger destructive devices, this 2-hander has taken my noncollection to a new level...and holding for now!

It's been said that an honest confession is good for the soul. I'll sleep well tonight....Dan
 
Dan et al,

Here's another link from a very good knifemaker in the USA that uses blades from Finland, Norway, and other parts of Scandia. He has also started forging his own blades. Does everything in the PUUKKO style, and is quite reasonable for handmade knives. Even pauts his own sheaths!!

http://tmknives.com/

His website has a lot of information on knives and smithing from that part of the world.

I saw a Kellam catalog, and just fell in love with the blade style.

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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
Rene, thanks yet again! Turns out that I once had and managed to lose the second site, and now here it is! I wonder what a khukuri would be like with a heavy Norse/Finn/Swede influence? (not inexpensive, that's for sure)

Seax, can you envision a khukuri from the Northland? BTW, how do the home folks like your khukuri(s)?

Good to have hear from you, Craig. As for Dracula, I try not to read much, as it inhibits my prejudices.

Take care, forumites....Dan

[This message has been edited by Lt. Dan (edited 02-18-2001).]
 
DeathDancer: Nice site you got there!

Here is some other links to "Tolle-kniv" (Norwegian name for small pukko-like knifes) related sites, or other sites desplaying Scandinavian knifes: I only selected the ones with an English text option

[url="http://www.kniv.net/trond/"]http://www.kniv.net/trond/
[url="http://www.euroedge.net/knifemakers.shtml"]http://www.euroedge.net/knifemakers.shtml
[url="http://www.ragweedforge.com/...w.ragweedforge.com/NorwegianKnifeCatalog.html

Lt. Dan:

I have been giving some thought to your idea about a Norse-inspired Khukuri, and what I think it would look like. I think the best way is to show you some Norwegian artwork, and some images of old knifedesigns from the Viking period: Namely the Scramsax or Seax (hence my username):

The pictures on the following link, shows different details of a knife produced by a Norwegian Knifesmith Knut Dahl.

[url="http://home.online.no/~profe...tp://home.online.no/~profero/knut/kniv-9.html

and:

[url="http://home.online.no/~profe...tp://home.online.no/~profero/knut/kniv-5.html

Note the details of the handle. This Viking-style dragonhead is a very good example of the artform used in the Viking culture, and I think this would be the kind of style you wold find in the Khukuri handle (instead of the traditional Chapri).

Just to get some idea about Viking blades, I included a picture of the Sax/Seax type.

[url="http://www.theblessedbee.com/LJBEAR.htm"]http://www.theblessedbee.com/LJBEAR.htm

The picture shows a somewhat modern interpretation, considerng the fancy choice of material used in the knife. An original piece would be of a more simple design, and have leather or wood for a handle. But notice the shape of the blade, witch reproduces the typical outline of a Sax. The weight and size of such a blade, could be anything from a 15" Sirupati, up to the full-size equivalent of a one handed battle sword.

If the Vikings had invented the Khukuri, they would immediately recognice the value of the design as a weapon. This would lead me to believe, that a Viking Khukuri would be both long and heavy enogh to chop through the leather or mail hauberks worn by their warriors.

Now picture a Khukuri with the rough shape of the Afghan, with a wood handle, and a dragonhead butt, and you have my idea of a Norse Khukuri.

And yes, everyone who have seen any of my Khukuries, have made the WOW- exclamation. They seem to be very impressed by its effectiveness as a field tool.

Craig:

The movie I`m referring to, is the latest verson.

Any chance for a GH-line of Norse Khukuris? I`d be happy to supply you with a design proposal.

Seax
 
Seax, you're really tying some loose ends together for me. First, thank you for those fine links. You're gonna learn me somethin' in spite of myself here! What incredible knife art...just amazing. Such a kuhukuri could make a Kothimora blush.

Would you consider a design with a handle like a traditional puukko? The Rieger (correct spelling as per Otto) is a bit similar, but a blonde puukko handle (with hidden full tang) seems right here.

Also, you might be interested in a thread by Chris S.: "has this been suggested?" which was last posted on Christmas Day 2000. somebody even suggested a piggyback puukko instead of a karda. (not forgotten, and I was planning to give it a ride back to the top soon with a new idea)

Having an Afghan, I can tell you that the blade is unlike the other khukuris, and it seems to have a graceful power to its swing. Something lighter (but similar shape) might be desireable here, or maybe even a Cheetlang style blade. Actually, what would you think of it being smaller, say about SN1 or WW2 size?

Don't let me mess up your vision. I don't have a drop of Viking blood in me (even though I love Hardanger fiddles). Tell me more....Dan

 
Dan:

Thanks for your kind words, but you should take credit for this too. After all, you came up with the idea, and I think it is a good one. It is always a nice talent to have (and you have it), to release and bring together thoughts like this. So don't worry, your not messing up my vision, rather you contribute to it. And by the way, don't be too sure about that lack of Viking blood either. Their genes spread all over the world. Either way the true Viking spirit is not a matter of ancestry, but that of attitude and heart. Their true strength did not lie in their might of arms IMO, it was in their ability to absorb and adapt. In other words their ability to exchange knowledge with people of totally different cultures.

As for the handle I think you are onto the right thing. The handle should IMO be in masur birch. But I would opt for keeping the handle shape of the traditional type, with one exception. That would be to change the bell-shaped butt for the dragonhead.

By the way, the idea about the piggyback is great here. The smaller blade could be made in the shape of a Pukko!!!!
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Concerning the blade type, I think the Cheetlang would also be great. The overall impression should be that of a long and graceful blade, ending in a carved dragonhead, just like the Viking longship. I can also think of many traditional carving patterns that could be made to fit on the handle itself.

Thanks for your great ideas.

Seax
 
Seax, you've got some great ideas here; keep them coming. Well, I suppose there could be some Viking blood somewhere down the line...all German, except a little Swiss, and a bit of Scot or perhaps Irish. Norse things have always interested me, though.

A small puukko "riding shotgun" would be nice. Now that you've mentioned having a longship dragonhead at the end of the handle, that really works!! (it's great on a fiddle pegbox) I wonder how close the Nepali effort would be.

Yes, such a blade needs to be Viking in nature. My own personal taste runs light and fast, but can such a blade look the part? We might consider making it different from the standard GH models. Is 17 inches (in overall length) too small? Perhaps a lighter Afghan with deeper fuller? Maybe it's not so much the large size that's so important, but rather the shape of the blade.

Other than not making it real big, I don't really have any serious pre-conceived notions. I'd very much like to keep working on this with you, Sgt. D., and others from your neck of the Northland. You guys understand the attitude so much better, so don't let anything I say influence you too much...Dan

(Like Seax says, there could be a little Viking in all of us forumites, so y'all speak up now, y'hear?)

[This message has been edited by Lt. Dan (edited 02-24-2001).]
 
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