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Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
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Hey everyone. I would just like to introduce myself to the forum. I've already purchase 2 HI Khukuri's (BAS and Chitlangi) and have plans for more. I guess that I have the bug. I have been following the forum since December and am full of questions that I know everyone here will be able to help me with. My first question is (drum roll) of all the models that HI has, which one (size, blade style, etc.) is the closet to what the Nepalese actually carry or have carried into battle or active duty. I know it's probably village specific, but which model is probably the most common choice for personal carry.
 
Welcome to the Cantina, Cuch. Most recent information is that, besides the issue blade, Gorkha troops are allowed the blade of their choice for field use. There would be no way to determine the popularity of any one style among the ranks, without taking a roll call. A recent news photo of a young Gorkha wiping down his blade showed what to me appeared to be a Udhaipur, or Gelbu Special. The brightness of the blade even hinted at an HI product, but there is no way to know.
Edited, because I got over being lazy (for a second) and found buoy's old post

http://www.comcat.com/~floodc/Photo/gorkhas.htm
 
Is the Gelbu Special considered a Udhaipur style blade? It's hard to tell blade shapes from the pictures. My blades don't look like the pictures that I saw before purchasing--they're much better.
 
The Gelbu Special was patterned after the Udhaipur villager owned by Howard Wallace, and shown in his FAQ (see links at the bottom of Uncle's posts). Blade shapes in pics are difficult to sort out, as the pics in my edited addition show. The general blade shape and closed "eye of the dove" cho are the only real points I base my ID on, but the pic needs to be blown up several magnitudes before it is really identifiable. Also, the Gorkhas in the pics are about 5'6" onaverage, against a sand background. This throws the blads out of any recognizeable proportions for us Yankee hulks :eek:
 
Welcome, Cucha!

Uncle will have to take a shot at that question. Depends on whether you look at just the British Ghurkas or the Indian Army Gorkhas, or historically ( WW11 and earlier ).

IIRC the Brits usually recruit among the Rai and Limbu tribes, which are linked to the Chainpuri ( sigh - among other types and styles and the favorite style of the local village kami ). But they are issued and carry for dress -now- the BAS equivalent.

But when they go into the field, they get to carry what they want. Ofttimes, this is a khuk handed down from a formerly serving father or grandfather, or even a gift when they go away to service.

John Powell will probably be kind and correct me gently where I've gone wrong.

Again, welcome, and you only have to be middlin' odd to fit in 'round here. Like we say - you don't have to be with us long before ya go from talking to your khuks, to talking back to your khuks, to arguin' with 'em, to eventually gettin' used ta losing those arguements pretty regular like.
 
At other times, in other places, this might pass for senility. In the Cantina, it is just another gentle symptom of HIKV. :rolleyes:
 
Put it this way: take a 18" Sirupati.

Now give iive it an enclosed "eye of the dove cho. The 18" GS/Udhaipur blade will look otherwise identical in shape to the Sirupati, but due to fullers be much lighter and quicker.

The 18" Chainpuri blade will be much the same weight as the GS/Udhaipur, but will have been unfullered, making it narrower from spine to belly at the same length. The Chainpuri also has the "eye of the dove" cho. It also comes in a leatherless wood scabbard. My 20" Chainpuri is also in Howard's FAQ's.

Either way the Udhaipur and Chainpuri will move like lightning compared to the Sirupati. Have I confused myself enough?
 
I see pix of Gorkhas in and around Afghanistan carrying what have to be village khukuris from Nepal. In the Indian Army the Gorkhas carry whatever they want except in parade and inspection. In combat it comes down to whatever works.

And, welcome to the Cantina.
 
Osiyo cuch:
Welcome to the Cantina!!!!:)

I can't add anything except to comment that IMO you have one of the best weapon khukuris that's made in the Chitlangi you have!!!!
All of my khukuris are my favorites, but some are privileged to set out next to me at the computer bench.
There is a Chitlangi, UBE, YCS, BGRS and a 17" Steel Mounted Villager next to me. A certain Malla:) is there to, but just hasn't made it back to the safe.
Kinda strange in that all of my favorite khukuris are setting out in the open while my others are locked securely away in the safe.:rolleyes:
All of the khukuris setting next to me cut like a much heavier knife which is the reason they're my very favorites of fighting knives.
And I totally believe any Ghorka that can carry what they want in the field could make a choice outta these.

The big and heavy knives have their place as well, even on the field of combat and would do excellently in perfoming tasks of prying open crates and boxes although they're too heavy to fight with except in an emergency.
Not all combat tasks are adventurous and exciting. An 18" AK would do just fine in digging a latrine trench.
And that's gotta be better than the BirGhorka Charpi.:p :rolleyes: :eek: :D



Even if your foot slipped and went into the trench up to the knee.:p
 
I appreciate all the response. I guess actual style is hard to determine or just varied in preferance, but what about size? Are most of the historical knives out there probably in the 15" or 18" range and which probably has the most overall utility in your experienced opinions or which do the formites prefer?
 
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