Mystery to me

Rust

Rust

Joined
Sep 29, 2001
Messages
119
Hello all,

I've been directed to this forum for help with a little mystery. I bought a Khukuri at a flea market this summer (my first), and I'm not sure just exactly what I have here. I've put up a temporary page with images featuring the sheath and handle, and hours after putting it up, I was approached by an individual offering me a "decent pocket knife" in exchange, despite claiming not to know a thing about it and remarking on its poor condition.

If anybody could offer information about this knife, I'd be grateful. The link to my temp page follows:

<HTML><A HREF="http://www.bmts.com/~othrside/khukuri.htm">http://www.bmts.com/~othrside/khukuri.htm</A></HTML>

Thanks.

-Rust
 
Hi Rust,

Welcome to the forums.

It looks like a WWII-Post WWII military kukri. Can you tell us if there are any markings on either the blade or the sheath?

n2s
 
The sheath has some artwork done in straight lines, in crosshatch and herring bone patterns, with four 'X'es at the top, surrounding the emblem. The emblem appears to be a fleur de lis, atop two crossed blades - it's a little difficult to make out. It also appears to be a brass decoration, with silver plating. The blade seems to be almost completely unmarked, unless corrosion has wiped out something near the handle. Other than that, there are two lines, one on each side of the blade, which run about halfway up the blade, a couple mm from the spine.

Searches for the word "Ghurka" have brought up a clothing company and no end of fiction, but not much solid research material. I've been completely unable to find an image of their crest to see if it matches. Am I barking up the wrong tree anyways?

-Rust
 
The cross khukuri is a traditional symbol of the gurkhas. Most of these knives are completely unmarked, so yours falls right in. I am sure that John Powell our resident expert (and author of an up-coming book on these knives) will confirm the age of your knife. It would help if you could give a full picture of the blade - the one on your website has the front 1/3 of the blade cutoff.

For further reading:

The Himilayan Imports FAQ site has more info on khukuries than you will find everywhere else combined:

http://www.tx3.net/~howardw/Khukuris/KhukuriFAQ.htm#

n2s
 
Hah, that's what I get for using a flatbed scanner in lieu of a digital camera. I'll try to get a good scan of the blade today, else it'll be three weeks before I can offer any new images. I gather from other threads that though this isn't tourist crud, it's not exactly a first-rate rarity either?
 
Welcome to the Cantina, Rust. As mentioned, John Powell, our resident expert will be around to help you ID the knife. Sometimes the scabbard tells more about the origin than the knife itself so if you can get a good detailed shot of the scabbard that will help John in his effort.
 
Rust,
The khukuri appears to be a good village khukuri in need of a cleaning. I don't think the sheath is original to the khukuri. I've seen this type of sheath on a few tourist khukuris.
Get a few more pics if you can.
God Bless.
Terry
 
Uncle Bill is right on as usual. It would be very helpful if the frog was still around as they also tell a lot about a khukuris age and origin.
I have a WW II khukuri, sans scabbard, that's in just somewhat better condition than yours and all in all it's a pretty good old khukuri.
After doing a little testing and honorable work it is now retired to the rest it has definitely earned.:)

And N2S isn't too far off either IMO, actually he could be right on as well.

It's too short to be one of Atlanta Cutleries Assam Rifles khukuris which come in around 18" oal.
And all in all they're not too bad a khukuri either, just way behind H.I.'s quality.:)

John Powell is the one best qualified to give the final answer. He's usually around fairly quick unless he's on a trip to aquire even more khukuris.:D
 
I didn't get my usual email from John this AM so he's either gone or off for the weekend but he'll be back.
 
Awright, I've gotten a few opinions on this piece. Here's where I try to get the info out straight:

I've read the Khukuri FAQ (or parts thereof), and my mystery piece seems to resemble the M43 in many respects, though mine appears to have a rat tail tang. It more closely resembles one of the five "officer's Khukuris", with the rat tail and shouldered blade (possibly the middle one). I hesitate to post the URL without permission.

It's been suggested that this Khukuri needs a cleaning. I agree, but I'm not real sure how best to do this without causing further damage. I've given it some much-needed oil, and that's given the handle a much better appearance. What else can I do?

I will try to have some more images available soon. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to John Powell's return.

-Rust
 
Hi Rust! You could send the khuk to Terry Sisco he is a professional knife restorer and sheath maker. His work is first rate, top notch and is VERY reasonable! I've seen this 1st hand and also had him and his lovely wife,Sandi do some work for one of my Khukuris!
 
Rust,

I don't think you need permission to post URL's pointing to sites or pictures. But I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know.

Regardless, you have my permission to post URL's pointing to pictures in the FAQ.
 
Howard,

Thank you. The URL for the image with the Khukuri closest to mine (middle one) follows:

http://www.tx3.net/~howardw/Khukuris/Powell/z2.jpg

This is based on the handle shape and style, the appearance of the butt cap, the brass shoulder, the width and length of the groove on the blade, and the shape of the blade.

The more I look at this knife, the more it looks like a DIY project. I have some brass sheet that I could make a new butt cap from, the handle needs a very light sanding and some proper teak oil, and the blademay just need a good wire brush and polish. The sheath has had it, but I could salvage the original wood and what shiny bits are left, and fashion a new sheath.

Is this madness?

-Rust
 
Actually, I believe you have made a very astute self-diagnosis. Welcome to the Cantina, and you'll find you've plenty of company in your ironic obsession.

I'd suggest holding off on restoration until we hear from John Powell. It may be of some value, and if so you don't want to destroy that value.

You sound like a candidate for a tempered, partially finished blade-only HI model that you can do up as a project. Talk to Yvsa as he's done a couple of them. That way you're guaranteed the blade will be worth whatever the time you put in on it.
 
Rust we had some discussion quite some time back as to how to clean up a blade with the least amount of damage or the discounting of an antique.
Cougar Allen suggested using an early model copper penny that was real solid copper instead of the harder alloy that pennies are made from today.
I have tried this and it works, albeit somewhat slowly, and it doesn't hurt the blade.
Use the edge of the penny to rub the rust off. And of course the more pressure that's put on the penny the faster it works, but it's still a slow process.
I showed Ruel this trick on some active red rust on a Yataghan he has and as the penny removed the red rust it left the black patina that's more desired, something I hadn't seen happen before.
The problem with the penny process is that it won't remove the pitting, but I think the blade looks better the less done to it possible in order to preserve and maintain the blade from further damage.

But if the knife isn't a valuable antique and you want to clean it up for use then by all means attack it with sandpaper and coarse steel wool, fix the handle to where it's usable and comfortable as possible, sharpen it and go for it!!!!:)
 
Okay, I'm getting the message that until I have a better idea of the value of this piece, I should hold off on DIY restoration. Fortunately, I've done nothing beyond some polishing and liberal oiling, thus far.

Is there a HI DIY kit with a similar shape, I wonder? I really like the sleek lines of this one - other types are possibly more effective for particular tasks, but not as aesthetically pleasing to me. Where can I find a pictoral catalogue and price list for HI kits?

-Rust
 
Hi Rust and welcome. You might want to check out the Himalayan Imports website or shopping site. Look at the bottum of Uncle Bills posts for the links.
 
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