- Joined
- Jul 30, 2004
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- 3,833
Zoomorphic (animal-head shaped) weapons hold an ancient place in man's evolutionary trail. Did early (earlier) man seek to capture the power of the animal by carving its likeness? Of course. Who wouldn't want to be as fast as a cat or as clever as a monkey?
With the addition of a recent khuk to my *modest* collection, I now have three animal-headed khuks: Hanuman, Snow Leopard and Garud models.
Thought you might like a look.
Interestingly, all three are totally different (dui chirra, Gelbu Special and Ang Khola), but all made by Kumar. Back in the, well, pre-U.B. marking days, it was generally considered that Sher made the strongest khuks, Kumar made the prettiest and the Old Man (Bura) put his touch on the best of all. Personally, I like the work of all three kamis. But having all three zoomorphs made by Kumar is pretty cool, to me.
The oldest would be the Snow Leopard:
It's a Gelbu Special, about 20", and for some reason has a 1/2 spine, making it like a guilliotine blade (it's also really sharp).
Snow Leopard in hand (there's some who prefer in-hand photos)
Next is a personal favorite, the Monkey God of the Ramayana, Hanuman:
Sacred to the Hindus for many reasons, martial artists sometimes get monkey blood added when they get a tattoo (it is said on the internet) to incorporate the power of Hanuman. I really respect faith like that.
Hanuman in hand. It's a respectable and beautiful dui chirra, note the twin fullers; usual 3/8 thickness.
Next is the Garud, sometimes said Garuda. I am less familiar with the Garud's story, but it makes a nice zoomorphic khukuri:
This Garud is an Ang Khola; same usual thickness of 3/8.
Hope you liked the pix; these are somewhat unusual. Not everyday users, no, but they certainly could be (especially that dang cat!) Do they lend the power of a troop of animals and gods to my collection? Yes, as far as I'm concerned.
Mike
With the addition of a recent khuk to my *modest* collection, I now have three animal-headed khuks: Hanuman, Snow Leopard and Garud models.
Thought you might like a look.
Interestingly, all three are totally different (dui chirra, Gelbu Special and Ang Khola), but all made by Kumar. Back in the, well, pre-U.B. marking days, it was generally considered that Sher made the strongest khuks, Kumar made the prettiest and the Old Man (Bura) put his touch on the best of all. Personally, I like the work of all three kamis. But having all three zoomorphs made by Kumar is pretty cool, to me.
The oldest would be the Snow Leopard:
It's a Gelbu Special, about 20", and for some reason has a 1/2 spine, making it like a guilliotine blade (it's also really sharp).
Snow Leopard in hand (there's some who prefer in-hand photos)
Next is a personal favorite, the Monkey God of the Ramayana, Hanuman:
Sacred to the Hindus for many reasons, martial artists sometimes get monkey blood added when they get a tattoo (it is said on the internet
) to incorporate the power of Hanuman. I really respect faith like that.
Hanuman in hand. It's a respectable and beautiful dui chirra, note the twin fullers; usual 3/8 thickness.
Next is the Garud, sometimes said Garuda. I am less familiar with the Garud's story, but it makes a nice zoomorphic khukuri:
This Garud is an Ang Khola; same usual thickness of 3/8.
Hope you liked the pix; these are somewhat unusual. Not everyday users, no, but they certainly could be (especially that dang cat!) Do they lend the power of a troop of animals and gods to my collection? Yes, as far as I'm concerned.
Mike
