Found this khukri at a yard sale

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kaosu04

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Apr 26, 2005
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Was only $2. Guy claims he brought it back from nepal. Anyone have any ideas?
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Thats what I imagine from the nepal stamp on it. Are these of any quality? Can they actually be used?
 
Well it's definitely not HI. I guess you can try using it, but not too expect too much.

How big is it? I can't really tell by the photo.
 
Shouldn't be too hard to tell if it's a "user" vs. tourist junk.

Very lightly drag a small metal file at a shallow angle, across the edge at the sweet spot, going from spine to edge. If it skates along the metal with minimal friction, the heat treat and steel are probably good. If it bites into the metal and leaves marks, it's junk.

If it passes that test, things it's suitable for would depend on the length and thickness. Looks like about a 7-8" blade? Really hard to tell without references. If that's the length and it's under 3/16" thick, I'd say it's basically just a big, bent knife, probably made on the cheap in India and then imported into Nepal to sell to gullible tourists. If it's around 1/4" or 5/16" or more, though, and passes the file test, it should basically be good for chopping through anything you have the patience to whack enough times.
 
Looks like it could be as the man told you.
Could be tourist junk or could be a good little user......
The only way to know if it's a good khukuri or not is to file test the sweet spot to see if the blade has been hardened.

As this isn't an H.I. product, i must move this thread to the Cantina.
 
Due to the crude "Nepal" engraving, I'd guess it was made for export. You should try chopping a small sapling and see if it holds together. If it doesn't break you probably have a decent quality beater. If it does break it was only $2.
 
I dont have it yet, my friend saw it at a yard sale and knew I was into khukris. I will test it tomorrow and take better photos if I find anything interesting. But even if it's some cheap slab of metal, can't complain about $2. At that price it's worth it just to show why HI offers so much value for the money. Where else can you get a piece that is unique every time, made strong enough to handle more than it was designed for, and at prices under $200? I'm also thinking it's a pretty similar size and shape to my 15 inch AK
 
HI put out some pieces with similar NEPAL stamping. I think they were complying with some customs regulation but then figured they could comply with little "Made in Nepal" stickers.
 
I got this thing today but forgot it at work. It is small. Same length as my bilton. It is considerably thicker than my kothimoda bilton. The spine is thick and the belly wide, almost like this thing is meant for chopping. The handle is wood and has a little bit of a rough finishing job. It isn't very symmetrical. It feels solid and has some corrosion on it. The sheath seems as well made as my HI sheaths and it has a small belt loop attached to the sheath with tiny nails. There are no identifying marks of any kind other than the nepal stamp. I don't know the quality of the fakes/replicas out there, but the quality of this thing does not seem to be representative of a cheap fake to me. In a couple days I will clean up the rust and sharpen it some.
 
Judging just by the thickness, at least, I'd say chances are decent that it's the real deal. Just a simple, basic, small khukuri like a village smith might make for someone who wants a relatively short khukuri. Most of the touristy junk ones I've seen, looked like they were stamped out of thin sheet steel, only a bit thicker than your garden variety wal-mart machete.
 
That is very good to hear. I'd sure like to know the story behind it, but maybe not knowing is part of what makes it cool. It definitely does not feel cheap. It does not have the perfect but unique attention to detail my HI's have, but it certainly does not feel cheap either. Thanks everyone for your expertise and if anyone happens to know more about or want more detailed pictures please speak up.
 
kaosu04 said:
That is very good to hear. I'd sure like to know the story behind it, but maybe not knowing is part of what makes it cool. It definitely does not feel cheap. It does not have the perfect but unique attention to detail my HI's have, but it certainly does not feel cheap either. Thanks everyone for your expertise and if anyone happens to know more about or want more detailed pictures please speak up.
Click to expand...

When I saw the first picture a few days ago I thought it looked like a nice little villager. The only thing I thought was wrong was the sloppy Nepal stamp/engraving. After checking out the new more detailed pictures I stick by my first impression. Looks like a nice little Villager that needs some loving and use.

I say use it, take pics and let us know how it goes. Years ago I got a used Villager from Uncle Bill. A real villager, IE one that a village smith made, HI got their hands on and sold to us. Aside from mine having a horn handle the fit and finsh look a lot like this one that you have. Personally I'd love to see HI get there hands on some more true village Kami made Khukris.
 
So how does this little khukuri rate? Have you got around to trying to sharpen it, do a bit of chopping or otherwise checkin it out??? :)
My WAG is that it's a nice little example of a Nepali Khukuri... :D
 
I strongly believe that this little kuk is not a wallhanger at all and should be worth at least $30-40 or, at the bare minimum, $25. Either way, a great catch for $2 and a great gift for a young person just getting into knives, or a great backup blade.
(Then again, what do I know!:confused:)
 
good find especially for the price - hope your finds just get better and better
 
I will eventually use it some. It has a very bad sharpening job on it and the edge will require some attention that my diamond sticks just won't be able to do.
 
even if you have to touch it up with a grinder first, before putting an edge on it (what fun and good practice as well) for 2 dollars - if it takes an edge and holds it at all i would be happy - looks like it would make a good all round knife - camping - some household chores.

Tourist or not; i still like the 2 dollars aspect
 
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