Is this a very early HI khuk?

J W Bensinger

J W Bensinger

Joined
Mar 26, 2009
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2,228
Just got this- the quality and the devangari on the blade made me wonder. 16" OAL, 11" blade 3/8 thick.
Every aspect, from the pommelcap to the scabbard, says "HI". Anybody know? image.jpgimage.jpg
 
Any markings on the other side? Looks like there used to be a brass tip on the sheath. The Sheath doesn't look quite right up on the frog. The knife to my simple mind does look HI to me.
 
Only marking is the devangari inscription by the bolster. The sheath is nice thick buff hide, like the current HI's. Frog is not laced but it's well done.
 
Im thinking not, some of the other companies mark in devangari as well. Looks like a Kuhk House blade but im not 100%, I would think Karda might know.
 
Found a reference (at another forum) to this type of marking being put on some McCurdy khukuris (he would get special khuk designs made by one of the khukuri houses and then resell them).

images
 
I think it's a khhi ww2 model. Dude I got it from also had a Mccurdy, which seems like substantiating evidence!
Glad it's not an old HI-it feels good, and I'd hate to beat up a piece of HI history.
 
You figurin to beat it up some? Just a honest user or you gonna be a rough customer on it?
 
Just an honest user. It's like the 16.5 ww2 (which I was going to get as a camp/hiking khuk) but it loses a half inch in the hilt, not the blade. I may replace the buttcap with a solid plate, but I won't try to hurt it.
Originally I was going to put it out on my table @ one of the gun shows, but I like it a lot, and it was cheap, so I'm gonna add it to the stable...
 
So far I can't even get my gelbu or the sirupati dirty lol- they're my martial training/carry khuks.
This one I'll get dirty.
 
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