hanshee description

John Powell

John Powell

Joined
Mar 9, 1999
Messages
1,440
In answer to YVSA's question I have shown Red Dog's knife, a very typical mid 1800s knife and at the bottom, a hanshee.

As you can see there are some obvious differences in the shoulder of the blades, the forward curve and the overall curve with the hanshee being the most pronounced. The other very distinct charecteristic of the hanshee is the long almost tubular grip. They are always very slender whether they are wood, metal or ivory. A classic hanshee will usually have a very shallow cho and like most early kukris there will be a twin parallel blood groove which is found on both the budhume and the hanshee. Always look for a metal bolster on any early kukri.

It seems as the kukri evolved the blade got straighter, the shoulder became more acute and the grip lost much of its curve. By the way, the kukri in the middle is one of the best 'feeling' kukris I have ever handled. It has all the right combination of grip, weight and balance and is a real solid, tough example.

Hope this helps and I wish you could all have these different type knives in your own inventory because the best way to categorize a kukri (or at least try to)is by comparison.
View
 
John,

As usual, great looking Khukuries. Let me know if you need my ship to address. :)

The hanshee looks like it's designed for a two handed grip, while the other knives are clearly one handed. Do we know if there were any major changes in the characteristics of the Gurkha during the 1800-1850 period that would have shifted their average body weight and strength upwards?

In other words I am thinking that we currently use the word Gurkha generically, but prior to 1769 (about 40 years before British intervention) the Gurkhas would only have been one of several tribes within Nepal. Perhaps, the intergration of the kingdom created a demographic shift which ultimately changed the design of these traditional knives.

Something clearly happens during this period and I speculate that the Gurkhas may be becoming physically stronger.

n2s
 
Looks like Mott got a nice knife at a very nice price...
I am jealous.:(

John, thanks for the pix...they go into my khukuri picture gallery.


--Mike L.
 
Very distinct differences.
The reason I thought Mott's knife may have been a hanshee was because of the shape of the spine.
It appears to me to have the arc and shoulder similar to the hanshee, just not as pronounced.

I absolutely love the old heavily curved handles on the few old knives I have got to handle at T-Bone's.
They have a great feeling to me even being as short as they are most are plenty long enough for just my hand with nothing left over and they 'lock' into my hand like none of the modern ones can.

I suppose the only way to get a handle similarly curved from the kamis of BirGhorka would be to make the handle model a chiruwa style.
It wouldn't be near as difficult to fit a chiruwa handle with the heavy curve as it is the rat tail tang.
And perhaps, just perhaps a heavily curved chiruwa handled khukuri wouldn't vibrate as badly as the straight handle ones do for me.
Might be really interesting to find out.;)

And if something like that is ever made it would give Tsimi another reason to continue with his precious 'Research,' don't know if it would be worth listening to Tsimi go on and on about it though.:rolleyes: :p :eek: ;) :D
 
You can heat the tang red hot, Bro, and burn your way around the corner -- or you can find a curved drill.
 
"And perhaps, just perhaps a heavily curved chiruwa handled khukuri wouldn't vibrate as badly as the straight handle ones do for me. "

AHHH HAAA!!!!!
:D

I heard you say it, I heard you say it, nani nani poo poo:p ;) :D
 
Originally posted by MauiRob
"And perhaps, just perhaps a heavily curved chiruwa handled khukuri wouldn't vibrate as badly as the straight handle ones do for me. "

AHHH HAAA!!!!!
:D

I heard you say it, I heard you say it, nani nani poo poo:p ;) :D
Click to expand...

:confused: Huh? Rob maybe you had better think about going back to Maui, those Maine winter's must be getting to you.:p :rolleyes: :confused:

Yvsa who doesn't have a clue whether Rob was talking about vibration or 'research.';)
 
JOHN,
WHY,OH WHY do you torment me so?? You and THAT NDN are going to drive me "NUTS"!Hmmm! Is THE WALL REAL(SOB,SNIFF)& do you keep "these" K's at your house!hee!Hmmm! bwaaa! Things can disappear!
Just wanted to HELP you look out for them, old buddy!Why don't you send me your security layout, you know alarms,codes etc. I'll be HAPPY to ck. them for you! NDN , why don't you do the same!:)Can't be too careful, with the type of people running around now! You are fortunate to have someone with morals like mine to help you guys!
jim
 
Jim,
Well you're onto my act. No, the wall isn't real nor are any of the pictures I post. I'm just really good at using PhotoShop to make things up to drive you crazy.

The few kukris I do have are kept in a trash barrel I leave on the street. For security I sometimes put the lid on it.
 
John,
Don't pay ANY attention to an old street person looking into your garbage can! ER,Ah before I ....! Never mind!! You're NOT telling the truth ,are you?
jim :(
 
The truth is I don't always put the lid on the trash can. In fact here's a picture of my latest hi-tech display box:
View
 
John,
Crapola!! Don't throw those out! Ship them to ME!! I'll pay shipping,just put them out of your mind,"SEND THEM"!!!NOW!! Ahh!
you got me again didn't you?? ARE YOU HAVING FUN!!!JOHN, you ARE A very disturbed person!!
JIM :( :( :(
 
John,

It's nice to see that you are moving quickly to mail some of those extra khukuries my way. Feel free to stuff a few more in that box before you ship. It cuts down on the postage when you do that.

:D :D :D :D :D
n2s
Home for neglected khukuries
 
Jim,
"Throw them out"? Those are the cream of my collection! (and they're all for sale, but you wouldn't have such things in your colection)

N2S: I seem to have lost your address. Guess you didn't get that last batch of kukris I sent out. Must have left them on the street too long....

hehehehe
 
HE,HE,HE!Last batch PUT OUT ON THE STREET!"THAT AIN'T FUNNY!:(
grumble,you are one SICK SUCKER! oNE IN THE PIC WAS stag WASN'T IT??
jIM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top