Kukri Knife information

not2sharp

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
20,457
The more I discover about the kukri knives the more interesting they seem. They have been made in Nepal and outside of Nepal, by hand and by factories, from a variety of materials, in a number of different shapes and sizes. Some are clearly marked, but most are completely unmarked. They have been made for the affluent, the working classes, the military, turists, and unfortunately (some really low quality copies) for novice collectors.

Does anyone know if someone has published a book exclusively on these knives? It would certainly be interesting reading.
 
A while back we finally got tired of telling Uncle Bill he needed to write THE book on the khukuri. For now, the book is a living part of this forum. In the future someone like Howard will edit it.
 
Please put me down for a copy. I think is time to properly document these knives, and I'll like to encourage the effort in any way I can.
 
Put me down for one Howard!
smile.gif
 
For now the FAQ is in a "data collection" mode. New material is continually being added with only minimal thought to organization and editing. When the flow of new material starts to slow down, and when I am done with my current academic endeavors, I hope to further organize and edit the information. John Powell, Bill, and I talked about the lack of references for these knives, and that is how the FAQ came to be born. The idea was that eventually it might turn into a book.

The material I currently have is available to you all. I have constructed the pages with the pictures on them, rather than linked. While this makes the pages slow to load, it allows you to print out loaded pages on your printer with minimal effort. The FAQ is, as Bill mentioned, a non-profit endeavor. The pages are copyrighted simply to prevent commercial exploitation. The copyright statement grants any individual the right to print them for personal use.

The world is changing. I just printed out a copy of a 16th century swordsmanship manual from the web. It may be that the best way to disseminate information is no longer ink on cellulose and lignin. I suspect that giving the developed world exposure and easy access to information on the Nepalese knifemaking traditions will do more for the economy of Nepal than the meager proceeds from a khukuri book. Nevertheless, a book sure would be neat for the coffee table!

Let's see what happens.


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Howard Wallace
Khukuri FAQ
 
There is something about the printed word that the electronic age simply cannot compete with. Maybe it is knowing that I can stick that book in my back pack and take in anywhere in the world and read it any time I want if I have a candle with me. There is something very comforting to me about that.

If you ever get the book together I'll be very pleased to own a copy and give several away.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
REMEMBER ALL,
When you have a printed copy, it remains static. You have a hard copy for good or ill. This is why it is so important, no matter the cost, to maintain the copys of OUR constitution. The Evil New World Order types would have a field day if we were dependent on electronics to maintain those documents. All that would be needed is a change of punctuation here and there a few letter changes; what's a deleated word among friends,etc. Remember the book "Fahrenheit 451", the premise is chilling. May the printed page last till the end of time!!!!!!!
Rant mode off.
Dan
 
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