Kukri photo

bernard_levine

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Feb 18, 2000
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I don't know where and when this was taken, but it is interesting.
Seller says Nepal 1875.

G03067.jpg


G03067a.jpg


BRL...
 
mmmm......I can almost swear I've seen this image before....:confused:
 
Nice. Thanks for sharing.

Wish I could look at the original under a strong magnifying glass.
 
I'm interested by two or three things. First, look at the carry--all three that I can really see are spine down, all handle-leftward-diagonal. That's going to mean plenty of gravity assistance in keeping them in place. I'm figuring that the draw is going to be a reach-right-hand-over maneuver that will result in a rather circular motion on actually withdrawing the blade from the scabbard. Thinking aloud, I'd expect that to do a nice job of pressing the spine of the blade into the spine side of the scabbard, thus preventing (somewhat) the dangerous pressure-toward-cutting-edge situation that can result in the blade's cutting its way through the scabbard and its leather wrap. Actually, it'd make for a pretty convenient one-handed draw, even if the scabbard-to-blade fit were very tight, wouldn't it? One downside I'd see is that it'd be easy to cut through the "edge" side of the scabbard right at the throat of the scabbard, since you'd be tempted to cut corners if you're pulling the knife up and leftward with your right hand.

It'd also result in the user having the knife pretty high and in front once the point cleared the scabbard--we're talking the handle would be right about in front of the user's face, at a minimum, when the tip came out.

I'm also interested in noting the difference between this carry and what I have seen in pictures of 20th Century khukuri carry by Gurkhas and British soldiers working with them. The usual 20th Century Gurkha carry I've seen in photos seems to be belt-slung (using a two-strap frog), vertical, and usually WAY back toward the rear on the right side--like at about 4 or 5 o'clock. This looks like it'd get in the way of sitting down, but in practice one's rear end kind of pushes the scabbard aside when one bends to sit. One picture I've seen of a from-Britain British soldier carrying a khukuri showed him using a belt-slung carry, but forward and on the left side, at about 10 or 11 o'clock, in sort of a cross-draw arrangement (i.e., with the handle angling slightly rightward across his front). But the carry in this photo looks more like what I see in old paintings of khukuri carry.

I'm also looking at the length. Though it's hard to gauge actual size when you don't know the size of the people, those knives look like they're right about at two handspans' total length for the people carrying them. On me, that'd come out to about 18 or 19 inches--probably less on someone with smaller hands. So I don't think we're looking at 20-inch-overall khukuris in this picture; what do you all think?

Any other observations?
 
I agree. My measurements are sole of the foot to the knee seems to be about right. I'm 5'6' - that translates to 17 inches on me but I am short in my legs and longer in the torso.
 
Look at the vegetation, too. Lots of big, thick, hardwood-looking trees--but also plenty of light, brushy stuff. That's likely what their khukuris will be designed to cut.
 
Good observations,
I wonder if maybe since they are using a walking stick in their right hands they might draw their khukris' with their left hand with a pommel up-blade down grip for a schythe cut. I tried a similar carry with my wool F&I rhendezvous sash and it was comfortable and easy to draw with my left hand, wearing my WW II 17". Although my 17" didn't stick out as much, to simulate that carry I think I would have to wear a 20" khuk, at 6'1"( granted I am a 12 cheese burger eating American and not an in shape mountain climber like they are in bare feet ).
I also like their sash, it goes around twice and is thick enough to support the Khuk comfortably AND it looks as if it acts as a sort of lower back cushion for the pack basket and tumpline setup. Looks like i'm gonna need more fabric...
mark
 
I'd agree on sizing, the kukri as seen on the left of the picture looks to be about 16".
 
negative could be backwards
nepalis.jpg

this way walking stick is in left hand & right is free.
highest man is now gesturing with his right hand.
 
Good observation there, I'm willing to go for that, durn photog majicks...lol.
Right handed scythe draw then?
mark
 
Thanks for the photo Bernard and Howdy from over the hill in the high desert!
(Prineville) Happy Holidays all..
 
The first picture looks more real to me. The long kukri look like an old villager with about an 18 inch blade.

Gurkhas wear kukri over the spine, or when in combet most often on left hip for cross draw.

Slanted to right is most common in old photos of sash wear kukris. But these fellows were labourers who use them as tools & are wearing them probably from sun up to sun down to earn a days rice & lentils for themselves & family., fast draw wasnt a requierment, actualy it usualy isnt in war either.

With a good sheath tucked in a sashis traditionaly provided it usualy is a two hand process. {Ive tried it with many kukri just to see.}

Actualy it is even with many ww1 & 2 era kukri.
Spiral
 
The first picture looks more real to me. The long kukri look like an old villager with about an 18 inch blade.
Spiral

Spiral, do you really think it's got an 18-inch blade? I'd guess it more like 18 inches overall--or maybe a bit less. You might be right, but I wanted to confirm that you didn't mean overall length.
 
negative could be backwards
This is possible... but unlikely. Albumen prints were printed from glass plate negatives (film did not exist yet) and flipping the glass negative would probably have thrown the image out of focus.

Then again, I have seen a few cartes de visite, which were printed from glass negatives the same way, that did appear to have been flipped.

I copied this thread to my own forum when I started it. There are some later kukri wearing photos posted there now, and it is true -- all the wearers using a sash, both Gurkhas and Brits, have the handle pointed to the wearer's right.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=517904

BRL...
 
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