Okay, just "why" do you like or collect khukuris?

Someone once said that if you pick up a knife and it doesn't make you feel like going out and doing something heroic it is not the knife for you. Even my Indian made "Assam rifles" Kukri from AC gives me that feeling. I am eagerly awaiting the time when I can buy my real Khukuri from HI. I will probably only buy one, for the same reason I only have one wife, and it will probably be a "plain" YCS because I like the design and to honor the designer whom I admire and who lightened a burden for me recently by sharing it.

To hold a Khukuri is to say that you are prepared to use it to build a shelter, to make meat or to stand in harm's way for those who depend on you. To me a sword speaks of glory but a Khukuri whispers of duty.
 
Nicely put.
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Rob
 
I saw my first 'Gurka knife' over 50 years ago, a war-souvenir sent home from the CBI by a 'Hump' pilot. With its ivory hilt, aged patina and scabbard wear, it spoke of adventures beyond the Indus, in the land of Kipling's "Kim". It started a love affair with authentic ethnic blade designs that has been with me for half a century.

I owned one other 'tourist' khukuri. It was neither authentic nor satisfactory.

When I learned that HI was selling new hand-made khuks for such reasonable prices, I had to have one. I only have two now, but they are enough for the present (realizing that there ain't no cure for HIKV, just temporary remission!)

If some swell guy named (let's say, for fantasy's sake) Bob Pastorini, formerly of the Peace Corps in Malaysia, offered a real hand-made kris, I'd probably have gone for that in a big way too. (Or maybe, while we're fantasizing, Dick Orsini's Arab jambiyahs, or Ray Pellegrini's Afghani shashquas!) Well, maybe in some other Universe....
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The sword cannot cut itself, the eye cannot see itself.
 
:
Thanks for all the great responses guys.
One of my uncles used to tell of a Ghorka he served with and this particular Ghorka was one that did let the blade taste blood if the khukuri was pulled for any reason except fighting.
However the karda and chakma being utility didn't get the same treatment.
I had almost forgotten about that until I read it in the above post.
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When I was young and had access to a really good dictionary I would turn each page carefully looking for knife pix of all kinds and studied each one diligently.
Then the old movies like the Iron Mistress and the Black Rose always had my close attention.
No telling what would have happened if I had of see a movie with khukuris in it.
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Matt some time back there came a Polish Exhibition at the Philbrook Art Center.
It was called "The Winged Horsemen of the North" and featured many aspects of the life of Polish people way back in time.
And Barb being 1/2 Pole, I thought she should see the exhibition.
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A huge painting of something like a "Faire" showed many, many weapons and customs of the time.
And Poland being where it was/is and the government of that time had many varied people from other countries.
There were Turkish Bows, All kinds of Axes and Swords and the like.
The one display that I couldn't get enough of was the display of two
Polish Carrabella Sabers!!!
One had a semi-precious stone handle, don't recall the other, but these were some of the most beautiful swords I have ever seen.
They were very finely finished.
I was really surprised.
There was a write up on them telling about their superiority over other steel blades of the time and place nd their desireability among the Polish Warriors.
I kept going back to them over and over and I think I was making security antsy.
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And there were examples of furniture and other heavy things and one of those funny looking tents that's usually seen in old knight movies.
The one other thing that really caught my attention was the oh so very delicate porcelien.
Some of it was so thin it looked to be as you could see light shining through it. Very Exquisite and beautiful and not something I thought the artisans of the time capable of.

And thank you Ron.
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I am pleased that I was able to help some small amount.
And I am open to any questions about the system you may have.
It's a long row to hoe!!!


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>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Thanks Yvsa, have been doing some walking and have found that that helps quite a bit with my back, seems to help keep me loose.

I have been mostly lurking again because there wasn't much I could contribute, but your question got me thinking. Bad thing that, my wife hates that sawdust burning smell!

I remembered your post about tomahawks and I just found a site that has belt axes. I had read a review somewhere that these were some of the finest forged tools being made and I finaly found the site. I was amazed at some of the variety of tools here. I guess I can sort of relate this to your original post by saying that the axe is sort of like the Scandinavian version of a Khukuri.
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http://www.fine-tools.com/index.htm

Keep well.
 
Why do I like khukuris? Good question. I think part of the reason lies in the fact that they remind you of another era, when overzealous political correctness was not yet in vogue. There is a rugged individuality about khukuris. When I hold one I think, "I can do anything I want with this, whether it involves building a shelter, preparing food, or protecting my loved ones."

Why do I collect khukuris? It's all Uncle Bill's fault. I've wanted a "real" khukuri since I was a kid. My first two were a couple of mass produced khukuri imitations. Then I stumbled onto HI. I had planned on buying only one, a BAS. The treatment and trust that I received had me coming back for more though, and before I knew it I was hooked. And as they say, "the rest is history..."
 
Yvsa,
I also saw that exhibit when it came through Huntsville, and I think I know exactly which two swords you're talking about. It was very interesting to see all the other things as well, I learned things that even I didn't know. I think that the older cultures are really the most fascinating, and I have to say I'm proud to be related to those people. One interesting thing is that in a time of absolute monarchy derived from Holy authority, Poland broke tradition and elected it's kings.

What does this has to do with khukuris? Um, well... In WWII the free poles and gorkhas fought together at Montecassino. There, that's something. So you see, almost anything can, of course, be linked to khukuris.
 
Few would collect khuks without the Gurka connection or weapons application. No one collects digging or brush clearing implements.
I also like Warrior/upper class examples of traditional wear knives such as the Jambaya, Thee or the Kurd that go with being an adult male in Moslem Asia and N. Africa. Present day Muslems aside.
The Scots and the Norse maintain the dress knife tradition. I have theirs. Perhaps others as well.
The Panga, Machete, Bolo and the like have killed more people, but have no appeal as cane knives are not the weapon of the Warrior.
I knew of the Ghurkhas and their knife, but hadn`t thought about them in years. Then I found the KF site. There were not many posts to read then.
As I learned that these were still made in the way Ghorkhas of old would have used,(Well, the pedal powered grind stone is a bit modern, but still within the acceptable range). I wanted an example for my mil. collection. This is no longer true, so I`m glad that I bought them when I did. I bought a BAS.,WW11 and much later, bought a current issue SN1 for the same reason. (I will not buy a SN11, if adopted. I have filled the niche that I wanted.) Plus, they are wearable and will do anything I need in the way of knife, light maul, axe and prying with no worries.
Well, I live on a farm, so the 20" AK has a use for me. I even use it in winter to adjust wood that doesn`t quite fit the stove.
I thought that the Sirupatis would see more use, but I don`t have a peasant back so the machetes get the nod for that. They are fun to play with.
Hanuman, Rusty talked me into. I wanted to see all of the acesssaries that used to be carried with them in the 19th Cent.
The Royal Khukuri, I wanted because Bura made it and it looked neat. It`s not too practical. Absent goat slaying it`s too big and the brass grip is cold and slick. It is a hand and a half, so controlable.
I had reason for the rest, but those are the more practical ones.
They also make great conversation pieces, if you have the background to talk about them.
I have been tempted by some of the more artistic endevors, as hand work in Nepal is cheap. I am very happy with the Thee that Bill was kind enough to pick out for me knowing my 100 X eyes when it comes to QC. Silver is cheap and soft, and the work is well done by third world standards. It`s a real croud pleaser when set on a place setting for a dinner party. I have a small kuk for that too.
Same of the kardas will do also. I see no point in a karda that won`t make a steak knife unless, as in one case, the kuk itself is simply too small to fit a larger one.
So many knives, so few plates,alas!
 
Here's a quote that should spark more interest in khukuris.
"His hands are cold as ice, and an hour ago I found him whetting the edge of the great Ghoorka knife which he now always carries with him.It will be a bad lookout for the Count if the edge of that 'Kukri' ever touches his throat, driven by that stern, ice-cold hand! "
From Bram Stoker's <u>Dracula</u>

Bob
 
FNG,
You managed to accomplish something that has not been done in a long time! You surprised me!I would "never" have pictured you as a collector!"BRAVO!Thank you,brought a smile.
jim
 
Hi Uncle Bill,
Sadly I never finished reading Dracula. Francis Ford Copula's movie came out when I was young, and was supposed to follow the book so closely I never bothered to finish it. Oh well, maybe this summer, I also need to finish The Illiad which I started over two years back, and never finished.
I do find it strange that Harker never carried a kukri in the film though, and they subsituted a bowie knife instead. I guess Keanu Reeves wasn't man enough to use a knife. :-)

[This message has been edited by bobwill (edited 02-10-2001).]
 
Nothing is as it seems. I`m not even here. Pack rat would be more appropos.

How does one become a collector? You aquire a lot of examples and do some research.
No more than that.

As your knowledge grows, you become more discriminating.(Non PC). You then look for pieces that mean something.

The point of the matter is; I have kuks that will never be exported again, made in the old way. No BS Nepal mark, either. Originals are unmarked.

I am sure that some old kami somewhere is making kuks in a hut with no power.
Now, you would need a rifle plt. to get to where he is making for the locals.

That`s why we pay Bill the big bucks.
The Chicoms are getting worse.

Craig is more immune to this. He deals with fait accompli. It is ready to export when he gets involved. Not quite the same as a peace corps worker who hasn`t recognized the failure of the program.

You did not expect less from me.

I had a FITREP once that said,:Brutaly candid".

[This message has been edited by FNG (edited 02-12-2001).]
 
FNG,
CANDID!Amen! WOULD NOT HAVE EXPECTED LESS FROM YOU, WOULD HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED OTHERWISE!Appreciate your input"ANYTIME"!
jim
 
As a boy, happened to read about the Ghorkas and was fascinated by their exploits and the khukuris they used. When I found Himalayan Imports, I was able to fulfill a childhood wish and have collected khukuris since. Learning about Nepal, it's people, the cultures, the religions, history have been added bonuses as well as having the opportunity to meet online some great people in this forum.

Harry
 
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