Kothimoda vs Presentation?

Rusty

Rusty

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I seem to remember a long time ago on KF, Bill was talking about kothimodas being retirement presentation khukuris and that Pala had told him if you carried a kothimoda, you'd better have the papers for it. Maybe I misremembered.

A short time ago, I think Bill also said that Pala told him a kothimoda was just a "rich man's" khukuri.

I know I'm confused, but are the retirement khuks kothimodas, or are they different? Are the kothimodas presentation only, and it's bad form to buy one yourself? Would Bura's banspatis be considered kothimodas? Where does the shipping off to the Newaris for engraving come in?

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' ... and on the 8th day God said, " You take over, Murphy..." '.


 
John Powell owns more kothimodas (or mora -- depending on who you are talking to) than anybody I know and also knows more about them than me. If my memory isn't failing me again he told me there were four different grades -- from the cheap tinfoil type scabbard decoration to a scabbard with perhaps 5 or 6 hundred dollars worth of gold and silver decorations on it. The khukuri itself is secondary to the scabbard.

And, I don't know if the same law prevails since the revolution in Nepal which took a lot of power away from the king but I heard that in days gone by a presentation grade of Royal or Military quality that was presented with papers HAD to have the papers to back it up or it could not be legally owned.

I think by definition (highly decorated scabbard with gold and silver) that Bura's Banspatis could not be classified as kothimoras. But they are certainly presentation grade.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ



[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 21 November 1999).]
 
Like all khukuris there is variation on variation, but yes there are 4 basic types.
Kothimoras are basically fancy models used as dress knives for court, for regimental functions, for wearing by senior mess havildars (sergeants) or presentation to dignitaries, honoured guests or officers leaving the 'paltan' (regiment/unit). The nice thing about this last category is that while the scabbard will be fine leather or velvet embellished with gold or silver mounts, the khukuri itself is probably a working knife used by the senior ranking Gurkha. Perhaps the subedar-major, or havildar-major.
The beautifully engraved knives being made by HI aren't considered kothimoras, but because they're khukuris they can be anything the owner wants them to be.
As to carrying paperwork on an important kothimora I'm sure that's true. They are considered national treasures. I purchased all 9 of mine in the UK.

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JP
 
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