Neat little village khukuri

G

Guy Thomas

Joined
Feb 1, 2000
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Here are some pictures of a neat little village khukuri I picked up. It only weighs 1/2 lb and is 12" long OA with a 8" blade. Roughly finished (like most village khukuris I assume) but with a blade that I feel was forged by a very talented kami! The blade is 1/4" at the thickest point on the spine. Any idea what the wood of the handle would probably be? Also, would a small knife like this have been used by a boy or woman?

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Jim, I know this one is too small for you, should I throw it back and let it grow some more?:D

Guy Thomas
 
The wood used on your villager handle looks exactly like the wood my HI 18" WW II handle is made from, I believe it is called Saatisal. The "Older" Zen Handle Masters will be able to expand on my breif answer, when they drag themselves out of the rack. Guy I haven't forgotten about that article on the business side of blacksmithing, I've just been pretty busy lately trying to finish up a job. I was going to try and get it out today. See Ya !
 
If the wood is Saatisal, after you've sanded-steel wooled it very smooth, it should show distinct dark brown-to-black lines, and maybe some golden "sap" grains slightly below the surface, and behind the dark lines. A few coats of oil will make the surface translucent, and really start to show off these "buried" patterns. A kami who has the talent and patience to do the bolster work in your pics would surely have the smarts to use a good wood, and those at HI prefer Saatisal for its' toughness.
 
Silent,
YEP! THOW IT BACK, SOME wimp WILL PICK IT UP! jUST KIDDING, LOOKS LIKE A NICE "LITTLE" VILL. my "12 YR. OLD NIECE WOULD LOVE IT"
Wait until Uncle puts up some "big" stuff! You will buy just "one" & go "ABSOLUTELY NUTS"!!You will then become one of the calcalating sane ,like me, or go frenzy like them!
jim:rolleyes:
 
Silent, I'm no expert, but that looks too nice to be a village model to me. I don't see any grind lines on the blade. Those seem typical of village knives, since they only have to work, not look good. I would guess this may be a Gurkha (or Gorkha, properly) officer's knife. The bolster, buttcap and scabbard also look too nice for a villager, to me. Also it looks like the frog is the military style like the HI BAS. If memory serves, Nepali farmers, etc. don't use belts, they just stick the knife in a sash. Uncle might be able to confirm this, and John Powell will of course be able to say for sure if it's a military knife.
 
I think it's a little to fancy for a village model but I've seen some village kamis put out some pretty fancy stuff when it was wanted.
 
Now that's interesting, the blade is nicely finished but the handle never saw a lick of abrasives beyond what the file did to shape the handle and cut the grooves in the bolser. The bolster and butt cap are very well made but also still show file marks where it was smmoothed
up.
The sheath was stiched with what looks like plain cotton twine and the frog is pretty flimsy stuff. The kharda and chakma are missing but some red patent leather was used to encircle the area where their sheaths are at.
Interesting to speculate about but we will probably never know.

Guy Thomas
 
If they could only be made to talk. I have a few knives I would love to put through the full third degree. :)
 
I believe that the stamped markings on the blade are the letter "M" crossed out with an "X". This is probably a knife rejected by the military, then used, then broken at the cho, then fixed, and used plenty more.
 

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Guy:

I re-read your comments on the condition of the knife, and the contrast between the handle finish (or lack of same) and the rest of the blade sounds as though your Khuk may have been back to the kami for a new handle. Refinishing it could lower the value to another collector, but if that is not a concern you personally, it might be interesting to find out what can be brought out in the wood.
 
Hi all, it's been a while since I've been able to check the forums, even longer since I've posted anything ... anyways, this khukuri looks EXACTLY like the one my father carried as an officer in the Gorkha Rifles - the curve of the blade, cho-shape, handle, criss-cross marks on the bolster, light weight, right down to the scabbard! Unfortunately, he passed away several years ago, last time I was back home I found the khukuri lying neglected in a corner and brought it back with me. It now resides on my bedside table.

- Sonam
 
Bhanis (gtkguy?), thanks for the information on the knife your father carried. I'm glad you have it as a reminder. I was hoping everyone would enjoy seeing the pictures and I've gotten quite a bit of information in return!

Walosi, my wife has threatened me on pain of death not to touch the handle of this khukri (this is the one she laid claim to when it was delivered!:D I'll just have to try and make one of my own. If I get half a chance tomorrow Im going to do some forging and this little khuk would be the perfect piece to try and emulate for learning purposes. Of course the dratted grass needs mowing again, hey, what do you guys think of khukri blades for a lawn mower!:D

Bill, I have to hand it to you, you really keep on top of the forums!
 
Bhanis means nephew in Nepali. Sonam's clan is the same as Yangdu's and in that part of the world that makes us relatives. Sonam's Dad, Col. Atuk, was a career Gorkha officer in the Indian Army.

And thanks for the kind words. I try to keep up on the forum as best I can.
 
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