Gurkha, or Kukhri folder

F

Full Tang Clan

Joined
Jul 22, 2000
Messages
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Has any cutlery company produced a folding Gurkha knife? I thought I saw one by Cold Steel or some other company years ago but perhaps I'm imagining it.

The Spyderco Ayoob, and some hawkbill designs, are close in theory but I don't see any current folders out there that are true Gurkha blades.

How difficult would it be to fit the boomerang shaped blade in a standard handle if one were designed?
 
Originally posted by im2smrt4u
You would need a HUGE handle for that to work! :eek:
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Very true. It would probably have to be a megafolder where you could choke up (or down) on the handle. Although, with a modification, you may be able to make it sub 4 inches; similar to hawkbills.

It occurred to me a while back while looking at my REKAT SIFU, that the blade looked essentially like a straightened Gurkha blade.

I think someone like Darrel Ralph, or Rob Simonich, could actually pull it off. Maybe I could plant the seeds for the next BladeForums limited edition knives! ;)
 
Originally posted by im2smrt4u
BTW, how large are you talking? I'm imagining taking an 18" HI AK and making it a folder! :eek:
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I was thinking more in line of a miniturized gurkha megafolder with a 5.5 to 6 inch blade and a slightly longer handle and grip.

It might work if the angle of the "kink" in the blade is opened to, say, 130 degrees and the handle housing it is a crescent shape; much the way some hawkbills are designed.

Your design sounds like a mega-megafolder and would probably require one strong lock!
 
It's an interesting idea, because a knife like that should slice powerfully. The cutting edge would be a lot like the Sifu, yes.

Have you seen the new Smith & Wesson FL2? It's a framelock based on Darrell Ralph's EDC. It has a drop point recurved blade, close to a kukri profile.

There was a knife years ago that was hyped as a folding kukri, blade similar to the FL2, and it was a follow-up to a fixed blade which was a sort of kukri/camp knife mix. Too late tonight to remember the name :)
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
Here's a pic of the FL2.
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That looks a lot like a Benchmade 750 with a skeletonized handle. A bit more recurve in the blade though.

But yes, you thoroughly understand the basic premise. A bulbous front end ala the blade of a Gurkha or Kukhri knife. It still must be kinked however.

Unfortunately, in retrospect such a concept as a "folding Gurkha megafolder" would have limited appeal. It could only be primarily a self-defense knife and would suck as an EDC.
 
It wouldn't be too hard to design a knife that had that kink. Take an FL2 but cut the tang so that instead of opening all the way, straight off the handle, it engages the lock a few degrees before that. It would fit in the handle, and your pocket, the same, but it would open up at that extreme bend.

As an EDC it might be unusual, but especially if it were a reasonably large knife, might make a good slicer. You could use it for a skinner. It could chop. Depends on how thick the steel of the blade was.
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
There was a knife years ago that was hyped as a folding kukri, blade similar to the FL2, and it was a follow-up to a fixed blade which was a sort of kukri/camp knife mix. Too late tonight to remember the name :)
Click to expand...

I've only seen pictures, but Blackjack made the folding Khukuri. It's more just a recurve but looks like this.
foldingkukri.jpg


Steve
 
YES! Esav, Ferguson, and Mykel.

That's the kinda thing I'm interested in. Although, I think along with some of the suggestions posted by the others we could do a much better job of designing a Gurkha megafolder.

Now only if I had the money for that custom one... :(

Thanks for your input, suggestions, and leads everyone.
 
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