Is The Chape Merely Decorative, Or Does It Serve A Function...?

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Messages
1,390
If they do serve a purpose other than stabbing the person carrying the khukuri, does tradition keep them from being reincarnated in well rounded versions? I kind of like the look for display models... Also, why don't the sarkis affix them to the scabbard using several short brass nails as well as the laha? Thanks! Dan :)
 
Their purpose is two-fold: 1) To cause puncture wounds in the back of the calf of the owner. 2) Poke holes in car seat upholstery (Historical note: before automobiles, they were used to poke holes in yak saddlebags.)

I prefer my sheaths chape-less. Or if one MUST be present, it should be nicely rounded. Good luck telling the kamis that, though.
 
Originally posted by raghorn
The extra nails would make it harder for us to remove them. ;)
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:D You're right, raghorn! I removed mine very simply by heating it over a candle flame... Dan :)
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
I prefer my sheaths chape-less. Or if one MUST be present, it should be nicely rounded. Good luck telling the kamis that, though.
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I'll try on my special order, Aardvark... It will probably come back with a small blade on its side, be American expoxied, and riveted in place. ;) Dan :)
 
In all seriousness, unless you are going for one of the ornamented sheaths, let Terry make you a custom. He does great work. Especially in the brown leather.
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
In all seriousness, unless you are going for one of the ornamented sheaths, let Terry make you a custom. He does great work. Especially in the brown leather.
Click to expand...

I agree with you, Aardvark. For an ornamental sheath, I'll take the HI sheath, although I do prefer brown over black. Terry will be commissioned for my next khukuri scabbard, and brown is definitely favored over black. Dan :)
 
I plan on hiring Terry myself someday. But I haven't had much trouble with chapes. There is no need to special order a khuk without, as they are very easy to remove.





munk
 
The chape is a last-ditch weapon, you use it when the khuk and two torture knives have been lost or broken :rolleyes: :D Thrusting works better than slashing I find.
 
I think the purpose is to protect the sheath from banging into dirt and mud and rock. The end might become a mess without it, and that might injure the blade. They probably didn't have a lot of chairs 500 years ago in Nepal. You sat in the dirt and the khuk sheath filled with debris. That's my theory anyway. If they wore the sheath in a sash around the waist, though, my theory doesn't look as good because that should keep the tip out of the dirt.




munk
 
Munk... I removed my chape, and after the application of a black paste shoe polish, you can hardly tell one was ever there. Your theory sounds logical, and for sure it would be to protect the blade. The bolster prevents the khukuri's travel, so the chape would definitely not be there to protect the wearer. ;) Thanks. Dan :)

mPisi... :D Dan :)
 
I think that it is a vestigial form of the original chapes, or the chapes that you seel on Kothimodas.

It the sword world, pointy chapes are usually tipped with some sort of rounded ball or teardrop, to keep the leg jabbing and yak stabbing to a minimum.

I think the chape also:
Strengthened the scabbard at the tip.
held the scabbard together at the tip.
kept the blade tip from poking through the scabbard if it took a hit.

Keith
 
The poking through part makes sense. Except that it must be difficult for a khuk to poke through as travel is limited by the bolster in contact with the sheath. Even the khuk's shape resists sliding forward the way a standard blade would.


But we all know how Yaks hate to be poked.



munk
 
After deciding i did not feel like being poked in the thigh anymore i bought a packet of 1/2" brass jingle bells which had a cross cut in them rather than a single slot. careful bending inwards to match the tip angle of the chape and filled with urethane 2-part resin they applied nicely and now look fairy professional. if i'd had a proper machine shop i'd a brased the things on but the epoxy seems to be holding up and was applied w/o having to remove it from the sheath. the bells have a small loop at the base which will also take a small split-ring to which a tie-down cord can be added.
 
I take the chape off all my sheaths. I think they look 10x better without it. I usually coat the tip of the sheath and fill any hole in the bottom with two-ton epoxy. Seems to work pretty well. I suppose I could leave a hole for drainage, but it hasn't been a problem so far.
--Josh
 
Interesting theories on the ol' chape...:D

Me thinks the chape (similar fittings on other sheaths of other blades can be seen) is there to protect the most fragile (like there is anything fragile in a Khukri :rolleyes: ) and abused part of any blade...that being the tip. The chape prevents the tip from suffering any blunt force trauma to it (oh...too many cop shows) and keeping tip in nice and sharp condition so you can stab your trees with gleeful impunity.

:footinmou
 
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