Khuk history question for John Powell

Sylvrfalcn

Sylvrfalcn

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Jun 4, 2002
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John, I recently came into possession of a BAS that had been callously abused by someone, and then lovingly restored to serviceable condition by Kismet. I like the BAS model, always have, so I was wondering if you could cast some historical light on it. For example;

- During what time period did the BAS first come into prominence as an "issue" khuk for Ghurkha forces? (I saw 'em carried in Desert Storm, and talked to guys who carried 'em in the Falklands conflict, but there's a pretty big gap between WWII and then)

- Who chose the design? (could have just stuck with WWII pattern, or maybe gone to something like a Sirupati or Gelbu)

- Why the difference in what the Ghurkhas get issued and what the Nepali Army gets issued? (the latter looks like the same knife, only a skosh smaller)

I realize you've got more to do with your time than satisfy my curiosity, but I'd appreciate whatever lore you'd be willing to share. The WWII and BAS are distinctively "military" khuks, but unlike the WWII, I haven't been able to dig up much history on the BAS.

Thanks,
Sarge
 
Sargent Falcon,
I will bow to Bill's wisdom as to who, why and where HI decided on what they call the British Army Service. It was almost an exact copy of the kukri issued to both the Nepalese Army and the British Regiments starting around 1960. The Gurkhas in Brunei and Oman order their kukris seperately.

The model has changed very little since except to get straighter, shorter and the blade slightly thicker. The pouch was not a part of the scabbard and the karda and chakmak continued to shrink. These issue knives go to both the Indian Army (at least as of a few years ago) and the Nepalese. The ever dwindling corps of Royal Gurkha Rifles in England still get their knives from Nepal.

The only noticeable difference that I can see is that the scabbard will have two carrying straps or a single wide piece. In many cases the scabbards come with a camoflaged covering of either cloth or tape. The blades are no longer marked as they once were with a soldier's number. If it says "Gorkha Army" on the blade it was probably sold at a bazaar or via a mail order company. None of these knives ever were marked with the British "broad arrow".
 
As I recall though, in some of the photos of Gurkhas training for Afghanisthan, it looked as though they may have been using 'personal' khukuris, rather than standard issue ones.
 
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Ironically, the lovable and selfless Shmoos ultimately brought misery to humankind because people with a limitless supply of self-sacrificing Shmoos stopped working and society began to break down. Seen at first as a boon to humankind, they were ultimately hunted down and exterminated by the U.S. government to preserve the status quo. (Thought extinct after the 1948 adventure, one Shmoo always seemed to escape to Dogpatch's Valley of the Shmoon to form a new colony and the basis for a later plot revival by creator Al Capp). There was even a green-colored evil version of the Shmoo called a Nogoodnik.
 
Kismet obviously used to write for FOX before they cancelled the X-files...

We need him to design an "alien" Khukri... something used to dissect unsuspecting backwoods rednecks. If we get him started on a metalurgical project he will probably figure out something with the likeness of what Preditor carried, "lighter than aluminum but cannot be scratched by a diamond" type of thing...:cool:
 
A clearer answer about issue kukris:
The Nepalese Army and the RGR still get the model pictured in the top of this photo. At times Indian Gurkha Regiments got this same kukri.

The other kukris are types used at various times since 1947 as issue kit for the Indian Gurkha Regiments and variations are still in use today.

Every few years the Ministry of Defence will bid out for the regiments and each contractor only goes by the loosest of guidelines. In addition to this, each regiment or battalion may do their own bids and get yet another type of design. And officers may decide they want a particular style different from their troops. A silver buttcap or chape and the metal bands will be silver instead of brass.

The M43 style (2nd from the bottom) and the bottom knife with the brass bands on the grip are popular. It is not surprising to find a very authentic Indian Gurkha Regiment to have a blade that says "Made in India" or "Stainless Steel" or even the manufacturer's name. You will find minor modifications such as a brown leather scabbard vs black, or the stylistic cuts or a ridge at the middle of the grip.

I hope this makes more sense.

issue kukris.jpg
 
John;
If you don't mind another question or two. On the HI FAQ Page there is a set of links to pictures from your collection. On "Page 2", #28 is a small, very pointed khukuri.

1) Is this a paticular style?

2) If it isn't, is it the original profile and just unusual or is it cut down?

3) How big is it (it's hard to tell in the photo with my 12 inch screen)?
 
squatty body.jpg


Red,
is this the knife you're referring to? If so, here are some answers:
particular style? "squatty body" is the closest I can come up with
cut down: nope, but should have been cut in half
size: 14" of ugly

I don't mean to ridicule any kukri, but this is not a pretty sight nor a well balanced knife. Very thick blade although the grip and bolster aren't badly done, but look at the 2 strips of metal used for the supposed karda & chakmak. This may be an attempt by an apprentice kami trying one on his own. I doubt the master ever saw it, but it did end up being sold on the street in Pokhara in 1968.
 
591603oldkhukuri22.jpg


Here is a similar 14" khukuri. It is not bad, but certainly a little unusual. The blade is thick, perhaps 3/8 of an inch, and there is a wide fuller similar to the Ang Khola.

n2s
 
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