old kardas

John Powell · Feb 3, 2001

Here is what high quality kardas looked like in the early 18th c. The grips are from the tiny deer of Nepal and SEAsia with the longest blade being 4.75" and the smaller 2.75".

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JP

Lt. Dan · Feb 3, 2001

JP, You don't know how much I appreciate and learn from your posts. It's ALWAYS a treat when you do stuff like this. These smaller tools are really interesting to me, but I haven't been able to stumble onto their history, evolution, or anything at all.

Were the khukuri handles unusual at all?

Berkley · Feb 4, 2001

Lt. Dan, khukuri handles from that period were generally shorter, more curved, with a more pronounced center ring, often more ornate, and (like those deerhorn kardas) made of materials which came from what today are considered endangered species:

"Kukri with hilt of ivory decorated with incised flower and frond ornament. The blade is 14 1/4" long and 2 1/2" wide. Total length 19". Victoria and Albert Museum" - P.S. Rawson, The Indian Sword
Berk

Lt. Dan · Feb 4, 2001

Berk, thanks for your informative post, and the above goes for you, too. Having you guys around is a blessing.

More of this is even better.

Dan

(Pr 3:13-18)

Johan van Zyl · Feb 5, 2001

I agree, this is REALLY good stuff, Mr. Powell! Although I live in South Africa, I MUST get hold of your book. I hope I'll be successful in that. I have never lost interest in khukuris - the more I learn about them, the more I want to know.
I have some interim goals I want to achieve with my small collection of khukuris:
1. I will search for a "piece de resistance" to crown my collection;
2. then I want to get hold of an "old" original khukuri (WWI or WWII):
and 3. lastly I want to get hold of a used blade so that I can make my own handle, sheath and karda and chakmak.
In the meantime I will go all out to expand my knowledge on khukuris. Thank you all for contributing to this! What a fascinating topic and bunch of knowledgeable guys in the field.

Craig Gottlieb · Feb 5, 2001

Looks like the modern afghan! (we're still working on the classic!).

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor

John Powell · Feb 6, 2001

Johan,
Unfortunately there is no book yet, but I promise there will be articles like the WW I piece in the future.
As to your desire for an old military knife and blade w/o a grip I have some items for sale. Please email me directly and we can discuss this.

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JP

Johan van Zyl · Feb 6, 2001

Heartfelt thanks, Mr. Powell! I tried to e-mail you upon receipt of your reply, but my computer, who now and then wags its finger at me, tells me your e-mail address has got "permanent fatal errors" and "service unavailable". I will try again within the hour, but in the meantime, my own e-mail address is johanz@glen.agric.za, if you would like to let me know of, possibly, a changed address.