Help identifying a Khukuri please

K

Katexochen

Joined
Apr 4, 2001
Messages
10
I purchased a second-hand khukuri from my local antique weapons dealer and I'm very happy with it - the balance is superb.

I've now found a picture of an almost identical one on the following site:
http://www.tx3.net/~howardw/Khukuris/Styles.htm

It is in the picture titled 'Kothimoras.jpg' about two thirds of the way down the page, and in that picture it is the sixth one down (with the silver work in three clear sections).

If anyone can give me more information on that particular khukuri I would be most grateful.

Andy
 
The picture Andy is referring to is this one.

kothimoras.jpg


Andy and I spoke over the e-mail about this. He understands that this is a kothimoda but is looking for more information on this particular style and it's historical origins and uses.
 
Hi Howard,

Yes, that's the photo. I was waiting until I got home from work to take a pic but you beat me to it!

The one I have is almost identical (probably is identical) to the sixth one down.

Just as a quick aside, how do you measure the length of a Khukuri? Is it straight as the crow flies from hilt to tip, or do you follow the inner or outer curve?

Andy
 
Bill, I'll post a higher res picture of it later tonight. I think it probably is a tourist khukuri as the silver is quite thin and the scabbard is wood, covered in velvet.

Andy
 
:
Welcome to the cantina Andy!!!
biggrin.gif


Khukuris are measured as the crow flies from the center of the butt cap where the tang is peened over straight to the point.
The handle is measured from where the tang is peened over to the center of the bottom of the bolster and the blade is measured from the center of the bottom of the bolster to the point. This sometimes causes a discrepancy between the over all length and the lengths measured seperately.


------------------
>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
That is a nice presentation kothimora that you have Andy. Is it named?

These particular 'box' models seem to have started appearing around the 1860s and were used as the standard regimental presentation piece. They are still in use today and most are very well made. The authentic pieces are usually named on the locket or along the scabbard spine.

There are tourist versions of this with stamped 'silver' chapes, lockets and can have a small chain and crest. The velvet covered scabbard is standard, although there are very authentic and old kothimoras that were covered in some pretty horrific colours.

------------------
JP
 
I haven't seen a name on it, but I'll take another look just in case. I was wondering if this pattern could be tracked to a particular group of some sort, or maybe it's just a production run for us tourists (well, me anyway!)

Andy
 
:
How about a pic of the khukuri itself along with the karda and chakma?
That will maybe tell more about the rig than pix of the scabbard?

Nice looking scabbard though.
smile.gif


------------------
>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Ok guys, please find below some more detailed shots:

accessories.jpg

blade.jpg

handle.jpg

join.jpg

main.jpg


It does need a clean, but that's another discussion thread...

Andy

[This message has been edited by Katexochen (edited 04-08-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Katexochen (edited 04-08-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Katexochen (edited 04-08-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Katexochen (edited 04-08-2001).]
 
:
Interesting and thanks for the pix Andy.
smile.gif


The khukuri doesn't appear to have a butt cap or keeper and there's also no pin through the handle for added security. Is it possible that this is a partial tang khukuri?



------------------
>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
That thing looks big. How long is it?

Could anybody talk about the "naming" of a khukuri, and the lockets? Do these kothimodas have individual names, or are scabbards engraved with the name of the person for whom they're made?

BTW, I notice that the karda and chakma seem to be handled much differently than the plain-ol'-horn of the big knife, including the hatching on the butt of the karda. I'd bet the original khukuri in that scabbard looked like that. Is that white horn with silver mounting?
 
This is getting more interesting all the time...

Sadly in this modern high tech world I don't own a ruler at home any more! I'll measure it tomorrow at work.
The size is quite likely to be accentuated by the camera angle, so I'll try a different shot tomorrow and overlay the dimensions too.

Andy
 
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