Military Khuk Question

[foxjaw]

This will probabaly have an obvious answer but here goes. Why do all the pics I see of Ghorkas show them using Khukries with shinny blades ? Every combat knife I know of now days has a parkerized finish or the like to cut all glare in the field. I'm sure there is some logical explanation.

Foxy

 

[Walosi]

IMO the Gorkhas just don't subscribe to the "tactical black blade" out of pure tradition. A blade is shiny. Besides, in the hands of a Gorkha, a Khukuri IS a tactical blade - if they don't want you to see it, you won't. If they DO want you see it, you will only get a glimpse.

Uncle Bill has said that a Gorkha recruit, on his first leave, will go to his village kami, or one nearby, to get "his" Khukuri. The issue blade will be used as required by the service, while the "real" blade is used for Khukuri things

 

[John Powell]

Didn't 'blackened' blades really come into accepted use in the 60s? Except for the the Fairbairn-Sykes sticker, all the fighting knives were bright steel. Even the early F-S knives weren't blued or browned.

Sometimes the Gurkhas did have 2 knives, but during WW I they mostly used the issued Mk I and Mk II, and during WW II the K45, M43 and Mk II were also their main weapon. I do know that the issue knives of the last 40 years have been replaced in the field by a better homegrown variety, but when it comes to inspections and parade it is the highly polished issue kukri that is worn.

 

[Bill Martino]

When I viewed the pix of the Gorkhas in Afghanistan (or nearby) not one had the issue khukuri in his hand but rather some "favorite" from the village kami.