First Post, having received my new WWII

Well, I got my Rosewood WWII in the mail a week and a half ago, and I thought I'd write and let you all know how it's bearing up.

Before injury curtailed my army career, I was at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, training to be an officer. My platoon commander there was an English officer serving with 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles, and the demonstration company (the 'enemy' during practise attacks on exercise) was sourced from 1RGR.

Curiousity inevitably gets the better of a young officer cadet, and we all wondered about the kukris carried by the gurkhas - would they be too awkward to handle, too heavy, too unwieldy? We all had the chance to handle them, and the lucky ones got the opportunity to try them out on unfortunate trees on Longmoor Training Area... Result - one officer cadet convinced of the wonderous nature of the native cutlery of Nepal.

I 'lose' myself around Scotland any chance I can, and in the wilderness over here it's best to go prepared. My last 'survival' knife had broken its handle six months ago, and I had made up my mind that the replacement was going to be a kukri.

Well, I've just been walking the length of Skye (nearly 100 miles in 7 days) and I'm happy to say the WWII behaved itself impeccably. Ne settling-in period, no chafing, no sticking in the sheath; it performed brilliantly, from chopping firewood to fine controlled work shaving kindling. The level of fine control you can achieve with this kukri is truly astounding.

Off walking in Sutherland next month, hoof and mouth restrictions permitting... I'll let you know if the good start is continued.
 
Joined
Aug 6, 2000
Messages
539
Welcome to the forum, bearcub! My first was also a rosewood WW2 -- an excellent knife, and I always seem to think of it first when the word khukuri comes up.

Gurkha khukuri training is a rather hot topic around here, and I'm wondering if you've ever seen any of this???!!! ("Wondering" is a gross understatement!)

Thanks for your informative post, and I'm looking forward to more....Dan
 
Hello BearCub! Welcome to the Forum. Your time at Sandhurst sounds very interesting. Did you by chance get to sample any gurkha cuisine whilst you were playing with their Kukris? I believe Im the only person in South Carolina who has had Gurkha Curry.
Right-Bearcub walking on Skye is very inspiring. There is this beautiful hill walking trail next to Kinloch Lodge on the Sound of Sleat that will always be in my Scottish mind forever.
We would enjoy any more stories you care to tell us. Stay in touch....Cheers! Pipey
 
Bearcub: I like the sound o'that! Sounds like you'll put more milage on the khukuri (and your feet) before its life is done.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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Since you mention gurkha curry I thought Id share this (slightly off topic) with you.
As a serving sapper in the Royal Engineers stationed at the Royal School of Military Engineering here in Chatham I was tasked with drawing up alterations to the kitchen in Kitchener Barracks. The Queens Gurkha Engineers were moving in to the barracks and required that the kitchens in the mess hall to be set up and licensed as an abbatior so that they could kill thier goats properly as their religon and lifestyles required. No small job due to the complexities of British health laws concerning the proximity of livestock to food preparation. At the end of the day the job was done and so pleased was 'Johhny' that he invited my section to the first meal to be prepared therin. No stranger to curries I accepted with relish. I promise you that one delicious bowl full of goat curry and yes 5 full pints of cold water later I can guarantee it was the hottest I have ever had. the meal is prepared in a huge cauldron called a kuraly (or kuralie) and I was told that they marinate the curry sometimes for days to achieve the accepted taste. Im not sure how true that is but ive never tasted the same anywhere since.
 
Hello Nick! Good to hear from you. We always welcome stories like yours and Hope you will tell us more. Cheers Mate!
 
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