Malayasian Khukuris & more.

My 1st Khukuri is a 15" AK - I named it as Dhaju or Big Brother (as suggested by Pakcik Bill) - it impressed everybody that handle it!

Malaysian blade is not zone hardened - I guessed it is fully hardened - I used to watch bladesmith forging Parang and I saw them just dipped the red hot blade into a bucket of water - that's all! No wonder it always failed when in hard contact with any strong material either at the blade part or the at the tang.

Yvsa.
The 1st time I import HI Khukuri thru my Kashmiri friend who is an antiquites shop owner. After the 3rd purchased he advice me to import direct as he was interograted by Custom Department - BTW this friend of mine is not a Malaysian citizen. Then, I decided to import direct from HI - Alhamdu-li-(A)llaah! I received them without any tax being charged on me (I wonder why? According to Public Relation Officer at The Royal Malaysian Custom Dept I will be charged with 20% import duty for import of knives!).

In Malaysia - it is abnormal to bring any type of weapon in public places. Nobody bring knife or folding knife especially those about 12" OAL to office! SORRY TO SAY BUT THIS IS FACT - In any Malaysian mind somebody who bring such knife in public must be a criminal or a potential criminal to be! Those very rich guy only that bring firearm and it should be concealed and hidden from public.

Now - in other words - I kept my Khukuris in my house all the times! - only taken out to be used for cutting trees or bushes at at my small coconut plantation land at my village which is about 100 km from KL (Kuala Lumpur).

Alhamdu-li-(A)llaah! I have 3 sons - no daughter yet! I am not a pure Malay - I am a Javanese - my parents come from Java Island, Indonesia during the Dutch Colony (end of 18 hundreds) - so maybe I am not that mild or shy type like those pure Malays! The points is I always want all my sons to be respected persons - brave - stand firm to the true principles - and in the modern era I saw that quality in Gorkha! So I purposely let them handle and play around with my Khukuris in the house. They all love HI Khukuris! Beside I teach them Islamic ethicquetes - what is wrong and what is right - why they should do right things in life - what they will face in the hereafter if ever they do wrong things in this life ... they are 18, 16 and 12.

See - Malays are not secretive! Traditionally - we don't have any seasonal open house because our houses are always open! Anybody can always come and go - all welcome! The modern problems creeping to our society - now it is canged bit by bit and piece by piece! Last time we don't bother to lock our house all days long! Now we can't do it any more ...

Pakcik Bill.
I hope you don't mind about my lengthy answers to Yvsa's Q!
 
Thanks mohd,that is very interesting.I noticed who can bring firearm to office,concealed not openly.It`s been a long time,but a Brit wrote a text on the insurrection,and the fact that the commies were mostly ethnic Chinese,was most helpfull to the counter insurgents.
 
:
Thanks again Mohd.
You mentioned having a small coconut plantation.I know that oil is mad from the coconut,but I am very ignorant as to other uses besides food.I love to eat coconut pie and cake.
What parts of the coconut is used and how?
How many harvests can you get in a year?
Do they have any natural predators or diseases that you must guard against?

Do you clmb the trees and harvest them with a 20" Sirupati or the 15" Ang Khola?
smile.gif


I am wondering if you have any problems with your scabbards being tight and then loose like some people do?
How about any rusting problems?
What do you use on your tools and Khukuris to keep them from rusting?

Mohd I strongly suspect that even in Malaysia that some people making tools and such,like the Parang,don't always have all the necessary skills to make a good one.
There are people in every culture that like to take shortcuts.
Sometimes these people invent things like the bucket and such that I believe Ghost mentioned somewhere.
Then sometimes things are made in a hurry and not done right.

I have seen it mentioned in another place that many of the Parangs and Barongs and other knives from your part of the world are of the highest quality.
Some people look for the same quality in those knives that are found in the village models Uncle Bill sells.
They are tough,but ugly.

This Moro Sword I have is probably as good as any Spanish Toledo Blade ever fashioned.It is even much better than average finish.
The black carbon from the final heat treatment is still on it in many places,but the blade is very smooth underneath.It would qualify with the better village model Khukuri.I would trust my life with it and know it would never fail me if I used it for what it was made for.

Thanks for fixing up the links for us.I found that very informative.The guy has the Goloks and Parangs mixed up then.Perhaps no one has ever told him the difference or maybe it hasn't been documented as it should be in the books we study to learn about different cultures weapons and knives used as weapons.

Your boys are 18,16 and 12.I can remember when mine were that age.
smile.gif


My oldest son is 42 now.My wife and me have 20 grandchildren between us now.Three of them are adopted in the Indin way,so not all of them were born to us.
The youngest was born yesterday.A little girl 7 Lbs.10 Oz.-- 21 3/4" long after she was measured the 2nd time.
And named "It" for now.
"It" will have her new and permanent name by this evening.Thier oldest boy got to name her.He is 3 years old.

------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®
Cornbread ain't s'possed ta be sweet!....Dagnabit gurl,whut did they teach you way up north in....;) hehehe.

Khukuri FAQ


 
Mohd, this is really great info, and Yvsa, thanks for bringing this subject up! Like you (and I suspect many other forumites), I too have a keen interest in edged weapons of different cultures and any info from primary sources is highly valued.

The weapons and systems of southeast Asia are very intriguing based on the little I've seen and read. I'd love to get some authentic weapons myself (one of these days ... ). There doesn't seem to be much literature on Malaysian weapons and systems yet (I'm waiting for Hunter Armstrong to publish his "Malaysian Martial Culture"), but there are some on Indonesian and a lot more on Filipino weapons and systems. Wonder if anybody has read Donn Draeger's book on Indonesian fighting systems - I thought it was good, even though it has been out for several decades now. I also really liked Mark Wiley's "Filipino Martial Culture" a recent publication, which looks at the history, background, culture, etc. of the Filipino martial systems, and also includes a whole section on wonderful interviews with many Filipino masters.

I haven't been to Malaysia myself, but my brother was there in '92 competing in the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Kuala Lumpur. He had a great time there. Of course, being Tibetan/Sikkimese he was mistaken for a Chinese and it seems everybody had a hard time understanding why a Chinese or Korean fellow was representing Team India in the Middle-Weight division! It was only after people heard his accent for a while that they decided that Yes! it did sound a bit Indian after all
smile.gif


And then there was my Mom's cousin back in the 50s who spent many years chasing CTs (I think that's what they were called - Chinese Terrorists - doesn't sound too PC now, does it?) in what was then Malaya with the British Gorkhas. I'll have to ask Mom more about him when I go back home this time.

- Sonam
 
What! I don't believe it! This was supposed to go on the HIKV thread, not this one. Right after Sonam's post answered my question about how I could know when I reached the squad, platoon, company level in my armory!
......................................
Thank you Sonam.

Sometimes I see what comes over this forum and it makes me want to step outside and yell YEEEAAAHHHHOOOOOOO! for the sheer joy of finding out something odd and awesome and neat.

New York City, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Nepalis, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jewish, Canadian, Cherokee, so much undreamed of knowlege to bask ( and in Nevada we had a Basque sheepherder's kid - or was it a grandkid - for Governor )etc., etc., etc. Neat people I never would have met if it wasn't for the internet ( and a good forum ). Yes, I know, life still *****, but as the saying goes, if life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

Joy to us all!
And before I forget, Kozak, thanks for the hilarity.

[This message has been edited by Rusty (edited 21 October 1999).]
 
Yvsa, let's see that sword.
smile.gif


Gtguy, Donn Draeger's book went through reprint about 7 yrs ago. I sold my copy but it is a good book.
 
The piracy rate in Malaysia is up enough for State to issue a warning to mariners.All Malays do not seem to be as peacefull as our friend.

------------------
 
Pakcik Bill.
Sinus problem caused me to take few days rest at home - no access to net - lately the quality of Malaysian air especially at Kuala Lumpur is deteriorating - % of air polution is a bit high here - cost of industrial develpement! Anyhoow it is still better than LA - when I was there during fall 98 it was so foggy at about 4:00 pm in the afternoon.

Yvsa.
Gongratulation to you for the gift of another grand daughter. It seems it is still far for me to be a grandpa! I am just about the same age with your eldest son.

As I mentioned before edge weapons in Malaysia are having very close similarities with edge weapons of South East Asia. Take for example Keris - you can find Keris in Malaysia as well as in Indonesia, Singapore, South of Thailand, South of Filipine - slight differences in length, handle shape, blade materials, no of lok (curve), shape of ganja (sort of cho for Keris) and style of pamor (pattern of damasc) from place to place. Traditionally a Malay warrior will always bring along two Keris - short Keris (OAL about 9" to 12") will be tied or slip at waist band and a long keris (OAL about 13" to 18") will be hold by left hand - normally short Keris will be position at the back and it will be shifted to the left side just before fighting.

You may called it as Moro sword because it was made in South Filipine but actually it is a Malay sword - no difference!

Malaysia still has Orang Asli (you called them as "jungle people") - Govt is trying to bring them to civilization - anyhow some of them just love their way of life - free - surrounded by nature! Afterall I guess they have less worry in there - They don't have to bother about traffic jam, tax, duty, levy, increasing cost of living, politic, ideology, power struggle, nuclear weapons, war everywhere (the latest one is at Chechna - it seems nobody mention about their fate - afterall they are just few Moslem that can always be regarded as fanatics or violance or fundamentalist!), etc ... etc! Mandau is the special edge weapon of our Orang Asli (especially Eban of East Malaysia @ Borneo) - they are famous head hunters - it is long time a go - not now!

Ghost.
Piracy in Malaysian water! You are correct - this is another scarry problem for our Malaysian fishermen - they may carry knives but no guns! No way for these poor fishermen to fight those pirates! The pirates have automatic guns and powerfull boats! They come from our neighboring countries - our Malaysian Navy has a tough time chasing them but normally they escape to our neigboring countries water! So ... normally our Malaysian fishermen take precaution by avoiding certain water which are too near to our neighboring countries water! That is the problem when your economic condition is better then your neighbors!!!

Sonam.
You are correct about CT! Anyhow it was a past! Compared to other countries Malaysia is a multi-racial country which have less racial problems! Why? As I mentioned before - Malays which is the majority is actually a shy and mild type of race - You come to Malaysia then you will understand I mean.

Silat or Penchak Silat is the Malaysian martial art - again it is shared by people of South East Asia - slight differences by place in stances, steps, hand movements and shadow dancing - but basically it is the same Silat. This Malay Silat reflects the characteristic of Malay people - shy and mild!

Pakcik Bill.
So sorry for my lengthy post - so many Qs to answer - I feel like a diplomat now! WOW!NEPAL HO


 
This is the kind of discussion I enjoy and definitely a situation where everyone benefits. Thank you ¥vsa for starting this thread, Mohd for graciously answering questions and everyone else for participating.

Harry
 
Even if I meant my last post to go on another thread, it sure applies here too. It's a joy to read this kind of stuff. I look forward to it whenever it happens. Rusty
 
Rusty, you are dead right again! What is great about this info is it comes straight from the horses' mouth so to speak, and is not filtered through the eyes and mind of some reporter or government writer. REAL stuff!

Interesting to me and I hope everybody took note -- pirates have the guns, the fishermen are banned from having them. When weapons are outlawed only criminals will have them!

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
...and the government will do a lackluster job of defending its unarmed subjects.

Just my two cents.

-Dave
 
Right Dave, and heaven forbid that the victims try to protect themselves, they'd just fall under the evil demonic spirits that inhabit those nasty guns and knives and turn decent people into raving frothing at the mouth lunatics.

Disregard the overexcited ones who want to have a way to scare criminals off or actually defy them. Besides, ((after all they are just a few ____________ who can always be regarded as fanatics or violent or fundamentalist...))
wait a minute here, this sounds familiar for some reason. ( Hi Mohd! )
 
Rusty ... Rusty ... - you are right! I guess if I have to go to sea then I have to bring my 15" AK or BAS only! I know it is not enought to protect even my only self because those pirates are having guns but ... should I bring a gun without a liscence (it is not that easy to get a gun and a gun liscence for an ordinary poor people like me!)- then Navy or Police might caught me (and charge me as a pirate) and put me to gallows!

The point is that as a Malaysian that doesn't means that I am agree to that law and regulation (I personnally would like to have Kalashnikov or whatever light firearms as to protect my family and myself!) - but to play safe as a Malaysian citizen I have to follow that law and order! To change that law and regulation set by the govt is a long winding way ... a politician might have chance to initiate it ... you know ... sometimes you just feel you are being traped in between of the villain and the govt!

Yvsa - that's why I told you before that I let all my sons to play around with my HI Khukuris just to expose them to the reality of life and death! "My sons, be brave to face the challanges of this life! be brave to face the fang of death! stick to the true path! Lose or dead is the not the main concern but always be in the correct path!"

Pakcik Bill - is my advice to my sons sync with the spirit of Khukuri!

Forumites - Please go the following URL to know about Malaysia in better English (coz mine is Broken English!): http://www.visitmalaysia.com/main.html http://members.tripod.com/testingjason/visit-malaysia/ http://www.b-m-s.demon.co.uk/khairul/navigate.htm http://www.stormloader.com/travel/

NEPAL HO

[This message has been edited by mohd (edited 25 October 1999).]
 
Mohd, you should take one of your khukuris with you when you go fishing. That mob in Lebanon wasn't deterred by the sight of firearms, but terrified by a sheathed 15" AK. It couldn't hurt.

------------------
Well NOW you tell me...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top