Ghorka khukuri scabbards

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Do the Ghorkas make any modifications to their khukuri scabbards for operational reasons? Ghorka experten, your thoughts.



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Harry

Toujours l'audacite!
 
I have seen some old retired Gorkhalis in Nepal who have dressed up their scabbards more than I like personally -- turquoise, coral, and even some 24 karat gold which can be pulled off the scabbard and sold if the chips turn down.

I guess the answer is yes.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Uncle Bill, this would certainly come in handy if money were needed.

Getting back to operational efficiency, would the Gorkhas remove the brass tip, drill a hole or two near the bottom of the scabbard, for water drainage purposes, reinforce the frog, wrap camo tape around the scabbard, etc.?

Harry
 
Harry, in combat situations I think they do any damned thing they please. In more or less peaceful settings there is one for go and one for show. The one for go can be modified to meet the needs of the user. The one for show always passes inspection.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
In one of the videos I have about the Gorkhas, the men are shown with shiny patent-leather sheaths when in their full-dress uniforms. Yet, when in combat attire, their sheaths vary greatly as do their khukuris. Apparently, when in the field they can carry any kind of khuk/sheath they wish. It's only when they're standing for formal inspection that they have to carry a standard-issue rig -- at least this appears to be the situation according to the visual clues provided by the video.
 
Hi guys.
In all the battleworn khukuris I have had the pleasure to see and handle I have never seen a modification other than what type of fabric they slipped over the scabbards. No holes drilled, no cutting into the original wood. I do have one bizarre modification that someone turned the knife into a "left handed" model by reversing the frog and screwing it into the bare wood. I have a picture of it but don't know how to post it.
The Gurkha soldiers were issued a parade knife (patent leather and highly polished and sharpened blades) and a fighting knife. There were regulations stating how and where they wore it, but in combat pretty much anything was allowed. The current Gurkhas (of England) and Gorkhas (of India)have the same setup, but their combat knives are heavily camouflaged including painting the grips green, brown and black.

Civilian knives are a whole other deal. I have seen them with straps and buttons, extra knives and tools stuck in the back, homemade frogs, pieces of ivory and bone with incantations engraved on them, wrapped with wire and coins....it goes on.

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JP
 
Thanks for the information, guys!

smile.gif


Harry
 
When Pala was serving in Assam Rifles he did some scabbard modifications for his carry khukuri which made his life a little easier.

He still uses some old Gorkha tricks for stretching and shrinking scabbards.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
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