I'm not sure how to post pics, but I have a 10 inch Kukri with a wooden handle brass on the end classic shape with no markings or stamps, it has a wooden holder wth what looks like a diamond on the bottom a circle with 3 spouts in the middle and a butterfly shape at the top all brass. I had some one tell me it's 19 century , I'm not sure at all. And I can't find a pic on the internet to one like what I have. Help !!
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Kukri id !!!!!
- Thread starter Babagnush
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I'd set up a photobucket account. You can link from there. There are Sooooo many different types of khuks. From tourist garbage to real-deal warhorses. Without a pic, it's a stab in the dark.
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Probably not that old, and N2N is correct, a lot of it will depend on the heat treat.
A lot of the tourist stuff is made for decoration. It may be a stout knife, but heat treating the edge is usually a low priority for something meant to be sold to westerners looking for a souvenir.
That said, some of them are well made. Usually if it has a big gaudy lion's head, run. They are garbage. However, it could go either way. There are a couple of ways to check the blade if you want to.
However, I don't think it's "worth" much.
A lot of the tourist stuff is made for decoration. It may be a stout knife, but heat treating the edge is usually a low priority for something meant to be sold to westerners looking for a souvenir.
That said, some of them are well made. Usually if it has a big gaudy lion's head, run. They are garbage. However, it could go either way. There are a couple of ways to check the blade if you want to.
However, I don't think it's "worth" much.
not2sharp
Platinum Member
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- Jun 29, 1999
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Use the knife. If the edge chips, disforms and dulls quickly, the heat treat is either no go or non-existant.
n2s
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its most likely handmade. Even the "real deal" khuks by Himalayan Imports are handmade, i.e. a bladesmith literally sits down on the earth and hammers/forges/finishes a blade with only the most rudimentary power tools.
The devil is in the details. The hard part of making a khukuri (or any knife, really) is in the heat treat. Well made khuks go through a pretty strict process of pouring water over the edge at JUST the right rate to end up with a cutting surface that is tough yet durable and holds an edge. Most of the tourist stuff are left soft as the process isn't really necessary for a wall-hanger.
You could try taking a file gently down the edge. If it bites through the recurve, then skips about 3" from the time, then bites again, it probably was heat treated.
If could also cut up a lemon with it if you don't mind the edge getting a patina. The lemon juice, if left to sit on the blade for a bit, will mark out the pattern. If your khuk has been heat treated, then you will notice a different intensity of gray coloration just south of the tip for a few inches. This is the hardened "sweet spot" made to do the heavy cutting. The rest is softer to absorb impact.
The devil is in the details. The hard part of making a khukuri (or any knife, really) is in the heat treat. Well made khuks go through a pretty strict process of pouring water over the edge at JUST the right rate to end up with a cutting surface that is tough yet durable and holds an edge. Most of the tourist stuff are left soft as the process isn't really necessary for a wall-hanger.
You could try taking a file gently down the edge. If it bites through the recurve, then skips about 3" from the time, then bites again, it probably was heat treated.
If could also cut up a lemon with it if you don't mind the edge getting a patina. The lemon juice, if left to sit on the blade for a bit, will mark out the pattern. If your khuk has been heat treated, then you will notice a different intensity of gray coloration just south of the tip for a few inches. This is the hardened "sweet spot" made to do the heavy cutting. The rest is softer to absorb impact.