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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Khukuri of the modern Gurkhas
- Thread starter j man
- Start date
Welcome J-man!
Himalayan Imports does not and has never held a military contract for khukuri.
H.I. specialises in making khukuri with larger handles to fit american sized hands and have a reputation for producing the finest khukuri imported directly from the shop in surya benai nepal.
While many will claim to supply the british gov't and the gurkhas,and many have had a contract at one time or another, who actually holds the present contract is an unknown.
H.I. khukuri come in many different sizes, from the small bilton at about 8 inches to large sacrificial khukuri at 30 inches or more. Take time to browse our forum and website to learn about the different sizes and styles. Much information can also be found here :
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=719860
We have a few aussie members here. Auntie Yangdu has shipped there many times.
Himalayan Imports does not and has never held a military contract for khukuri.
H.I. specialises in making khukuri with larger handles to fit american sized hands and have a reputation for producing the finest khukuri imported directly from the shop in surya benai nepal.
While many will claim to supply the british gov't and the gurkhas,and many have had a contract at one time or another, who actually holds the present contract is an unknown.
H.I. khukuri come in many different sizes, from the small bilton at about 8 inches to large sacrificial khukuri at 30 inches or more. Take time to browse our forum and website to learn about the different sizes and styles. Much information can also be found here :
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=719860
We have a few aussie members here. Auntie Yangdu has shipped there many times.
I am not sure who makes the current ones. If you do a search of the net, you will find a number of places that claim to make them for the Nepalese Gov't.
My guess is that they have a 9" or 10" blade with a 4 1/2" handle. With 2.54 cm per inch, it is easy to do the conversion to metric measure.
My guess is that they have a 9" or 10" blade with a 4 1/2" handle. With 2.54 cm per inch, it is easy to do the conversion to metric measure.
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2010
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- 5,431
Here's a link to a recent thread with a video, in case you haven't already seen it:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=802804
j man
To the best of my recollection, the Ghorkhas have a khukuri issued them to carry in parades and for training and in battle they are allowed to use their own personal khukuri. Their personal khukuri may be handed down through family or a style that the soldier grew up with and is familiar to him.
There have been various style khukuris issued during different time periods. You can probably find some discussion on these styles here at the HI Forum and the HI Archives using the Search feature. Some of these may even have photos of older models they've bought used.
Himalayan Imports BAS (British Army Service) is listed as the same size and style as the military issue, so perhaps you might start there. There is also the HI version of the WWII that you might consider.
If you get more questions, let 'em fly and I'm sure someone here will be glad to share with you. Whatever your decision, please take the time and read the Safety Sticky. We'd like to have you come back and visit again...whole and healthy.
To the best of my recollection, the Ghorkhas have a khukuri issued them to carry in parades and for training and in battle they are allowed to use their own personal khukuri. Their personal khukuri may be handed down through family or a style that the soldier grew up with and is familiar to him.
There have been various style khukuris issued during different time periods. You can probably find some discussion on these styles here at the HI Forum and the HI Archives using the Search feature. Some of these may even have photos of older models they've bought used.
Himalayan Imports BAS (British Army Service) is listed as the same size and style as the military issue, so perhaps you might start there. There is also the HI version of the WWII that you might consider.
If you get more questions, let 'em fly and I'm sure someone here will be glad to share with you. Whatever your decision, please take the time and read the Safety Sticky. We'd like to have you come back and visit again...whole and healthy.
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2010
- Messages
- 2,424
You wont be disappointed with a M43, that's for sure. Good choice.
I've got a BAS, I like it, but mostly because of the brass-inlay, it's pretty. My two users though, and thus my favorites, are my 16.5" Ang Khola, and 18" M43. They can get any job done.
Personally, considering my BAS weighs more than my AK, even though it's a half inch shorter and doesn't seem to be any thicker (I guess it's the fuller), or choppier, I don't see a place for it in my line-up.
After I put a new handle on it, I'll be trading it off.
shortwinger
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2010
- Messages
- 1,085
j man,
Your questions have several answers each.
Many people call a kukri a Gurkha, but obviously that is not correct.
Lots of people also think that every unit that uses a kukri is the same unit call the Gurkhas, incorrect again. Lots of different units use the kukri such as the British Gurkhas, the Nepalese Police, the Nepalese Army and the Indian Army to name a few.
Then comes the real problem, what size and shape is the issued kukri? Truth is, lots of different units use different size and shaped kukris and even the same unit may get their version from different vendors. Look on the Khukuri House sites and you will see a 9 inch Nepal Army kukri that looks like a small Service No.1 and the Nepal Police kukri that is also 9 inches but looks like a small heavy chopper rather than a slender Service No.1.
The British Gurkha units are said to be issued a Service No.1, a Ceremonial Service No.1 and a Training or Jungle kukri. I'll bet their duffle bags are heavy!!!
The Indian Army kukri is supposedly provided by Windlass Steelcrafts and looks very different from the modern Service and Jungle issues. And even there, they have a Regimental version, an Assam Rifles version and an Officers version, all very different is shape and size.
Who provides them? In all reality they all probably do at some level. Most of the Khukuri Houses are owned by the same family consisting of a father and 3 or 4 sons. As was already mentioned by Karda, the only thing you can say for sure is that HI does not provide any military unit with their kukris.
But if you want a "very well made" version of the kukri carried by the Gurkha units serving in the British Army, contact Yangdu and ask for a British Army Service (BAS). That is a great all around kukri that doesn't get nearly enough credit or attention! Small enough to carry and big enough to do just about any job from self defense to chopping wood.
Or you can save yourself the time and expense and just get an M43 right away! Because just like the old White Owl commercial said: sooner or later, the M43 is gonna get ya!
Good luck,
Bill
Virginia
Your questions have several answers each.
Many people call a kukri a Gurkha, but obviously that is not correct.
Lots of people also think that every unit that uses a kukri is the same unit call the Gurkhas, incorrect again. Lots of different units use the kukri such as the British Gurkhas, the Nepalese Police, the Nepalese Army and the Indian Army to name a few.
Then comes the real problem, what size and shape is the issued kukri? Truth is, lots of different units use different size and shaped kukris and even the same unit may get their version from different vendors. Look on the Khukuri House sites and you will see a 9 inch Nepal Army kukri that looks like a small Service No.1 and the Nepal Police kukri that is also 9 inches but looks like a small heavy chopper rather than a slender Service No.1.
The British Gurkha units are said to be issued a Service No.1, a Ceremonial Service No.1 and a Training or Jungle kukri. I'll bet their duffle bags are heavy!!!
The Indian Army kukri is supposedly provided by Windlass Steelcrafts and looks very different from the modern Service and Jungle issues. And even there, they have a Regimental version, an Assam Rifles version and an Officers version, all very different is shape and size.
Who provides them? In all reality they all probably do at some level. Most of the Khukuri Houses are owned by the same family consisting of a father and 3 or 4 sons. As was already mentioned by Karda, the only thing you can say for sure is that HI does not provide any military unit with their kukris.
But if you want a "very well made" version of the kukri carried by the Gurkha units serving in the British Army, contact Yangdu and ask for a British Army Service (BAS). That is a great all around kukri that doesn't get nearly enough credit or attention! Small enough to carry and big enough to do just about any job from self defense to chopping wood.
Or you can save yourself the time and expense and just get an M43 right away! Because just like the old White Owl commercial said: sooner or later, the M43 is gonna get ya!
Good luck,
Bill
Virginia
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2010
- Messages
- 4,988
Back in the vaults of HI archives, the late Great Uncle Bill sent some Sirupates to Afghanistan to help the american troops.
I just couldn't find the thread by Simon Hengle who trained with Captain Indra Gurung. He mentioned that the M-43 design is the best WWII kukri ever made.
The curve profile of M-43 with the large belly would make slashing effortlessly.
I just couldn't find the thread by Simon Hengle who trained with Captain Indra Gurung. He mentioned that the M-43 design is the best WWII kukri ever made.
The curve profile of M-43 with the large belly would make slashing effortlessly.
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shortwinger
Gold Member
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- Apr 7, 2010
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:thumbup: Yeah for me its a slam dunk, the M-43 (MK-II) is the best all-around kukri ever made! But the HI Bonecutter and BAS are not far behind.
Bill
Virginia
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2005
- Messages
- 3,410
Back in the vaults of HI archives, the late Great Uncle Bill sent some Sirupates to Afghanistan to help the american troops.
I just couldn't find the thread by Simon Hengle who trained with Captain Indra Gurung. He mentioned that the M-43 design by HI is the best WWII kukri ever made.
The curve profile of M-43 with the large belly would make slashing effortlessly.
I would be very interested in that thread as I have a very hard time picturing Simon saying that.
He has his own line of khukris and has been very critical of HI in the past. I don't feel comfortable suggesting that he has endorsed a particular HI blade without seeing the actual post.I would be very interested in that thread as I have a very hard time picturing Simon saying that.
Simon's comment may have been about the classic M-43 they used in WW II and not the modern HI model. In general, I get the feeling he likes lighter kuks for tactical use.
I, personally, love my M-43 and my HI WW II for chopping but they both could lose 6-8oz for tactical use.
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- Aug 1, 2010
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- 637
You Guys are great.
Yea serched all the old threads. I will get the M43 & the BAS .
I will keep a strong eye out for a military marked one at the Gun & millitary shows. A large number were imported to Australia a few years ago with military markings.
I think i have a new hobby. :thumbup:
Yea serched all the old threads. I will get the M43 & the BAS .
I will keep a strong eye out for a military marked one at the Gun & millitary shows. A large number were imported to Australia a few years ago with military markings.
I think i have a new hobby. :thumbup:
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- Mar 27, 2010
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Karda & Tedwca, it was a typo mistake. Simon was referring to M-43 design.
Gosh hopefully i didn't just stir things up.
I'm sorry.
On one hand, as i mentioned there was a thread lying somewhere else,( knifeforum, ramonon or even IKRHS ).I will post it once again when i found it.
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Karda & Tedwca, it was a typo mistake. Simon was referring to M-43 design.
Gosh hopefully i didn't just stir things up.
I'm sorry.
On one hand, as i mentioned there was a thread lying somewhere else,( knifeforum, ramonon or even IKRHS ).I will post it once again when i found it.
No worries, jay.
Simon Sez..........Rub yer belly and pat yer head.
It would be preferable that whatever Mr. Hengle says be left where he said it and not brought here. I hope you understand.
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shortwinger
Gold Member
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Can't we all just get along?!? (it had to be said)
Karda, I told you those "Pearl of the Orient" boys were trouble!!!
Bill
Virginia
Karda, I told you those "Pearl of the Orient" boys were trouble!!!
Bill
Virginia
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Hehe since when the "Pearl of Orient" comes into the text? I bet Coth will find it refreshing that his name is mentioned here.
Trouble? Let's give him a break. You don't want to get your name mentioned in other post you completely don't know.
No worries, jay.
Simon Sez..........Rub yer belly and pat yer head.
It would be preferable that whatever Mr. Hengle says be left where he said it and not brought here. I hope you understand.
I hope you UNDERSTAND the squirmy consequences of a can opener.
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I'll take it as being funny, if ur not being funny then....
... This means war!!! Hey Jay, fancy a trip to Virginia? We'll show them why when terrorist hear of them 'pearl of the orient boys' they piss in their pants!!!
Ayo Pearly boys!!!