Like your khukuri curved?

[John Powell]

Here's a nice old hanshee that not only sports a very well done and handsome metal grip, but has an incredible 'drop' of 4 13/16".

 

[not2sharp]

John,

Very interesting piece. Would that have been made in Nepal or India? It looks Indian to me; especially the metal work on the grip. BTW, that's a long handle, is it intended for two handed grip?

N2S

 

[Ivan Campos]

Amazing as usual, John!
What else can you tell us about this style?

 

[SamuraiDave]

Wow
Thanks for the pic!

 

[SkagSig40]

I would guess Indian as well N2S. But I'm no expert! We will have to wait and see! Very nice John! Where did you find it?

 

[Bill Martino]

Another beautiful old example of the kami art. Give us a rundown, John.

 

[John Powell]

After a lot of research I am really leaning towards the strong Indian influence on this style khukuri. The early drawings and paintings show these knives being carried by the 'Tharu' or 'Thakar' jats who are more Indian ethnically. This style is probably from western Nepal while the 'budhume' could be purely eastern provinces.

Besides the overall curve you can always identify this type by the very plain and shallow cho. The scabbards (which very rarely are found with these for some strange reason) are the same style and form as all other khukuris and will have a karda & chakmak, tinder pouch and traditional straps with buttons.

This particular example has a very well done grip of silver that is engraved and incised. This grip is certainly long enough for two hands, but the length would also give the user a lot of options with a one handed swing. I would date this at 1790-1820.

 

[Bill Martino]

An oldie but certainly a goodie. Thanks, John. It is very nice to have your expertise available.

 

[Berkley]

Apparently the khukuri I have always called the "Bura boomerang"

is really the one and only "HI hanshee"

 

[Bill Martino]

That one has a pretty healthy drop, too. Thanks for usual good work, Berk.

 

[Black Bear]

Really nice Kuk John Thanks for sharing it with us.


Berk, What type kuk did you buy yours as? I love Bura's work as I've said before "He's my Hero".

 

[Berkley]

Black Bear,
The "HI hanshee" was just called something like "Bura's version of a forward-curving khukuri", and so far as I know was the only one made, because everyone else thought it was just too radical a shape. But hey, it only has 3.5" of drop!

 

[Bill Martino]

I don't think they perform as well as the more modern dogleg versions. But they look good!

 

[John Powell]

I wouldn't risk testing one of these old warriors, but I have to agree with Bill. They didn't evolve into today's form to make them less efficient. It would be interesting to let one of the forum's martial artists loose with a hanshee...
The only thing I have discovered is the long, narrow grip gives you some very flexible angles with one hand.

 

[Rusty]

Remember that "these old warriors" came from an era of muskets slowly replacing other weapons, and that some armor was probably in use. I noticed the ones I handled feel wrong when trying to use their belly as axes, but when used as war hammers to drive their points deep become much more agile.

That's just what they seemed to whisper in my ear - that they should be used as spikes.

 

[Bill Martino]

The handle on the example John posted is clearly long enough to make an easy two handed grip for a Nepali and I don't think they made it that way for chopping wood.

 

[beoram]

Originally posted by Berkley
Apparently the khukuri I have always called the "Bura boomerang"

is really the one and only "HI hanshee"

any chance Bura could make another one? B.

 

[Bill Martino]

If he can find the time.