Old Khukuris vs. New H.I. Khukuris: are the specifications the same?

B

Broken Arrow

Joined
Dec 1, 1999
Messages
651
I was wondering if the older antique Khukuris were similar in size, thickness, weight, etc. to the modern H.I. Khukuris. I know that the average Gorkha is not as large as an average American. For those of you that have antique Khukuris in your collection, could you please inform me if there is a difference. Thanks in advance.
 
I think that John Powell and others are more qualified to answer this so I will defer to their expertise.

Harry

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L'audace, toujours l'audace!!!
 
Problem is, Khuks from different parts of Nepal will vary all over the map regardless of the time period involved. The grade of steel available would have an effect too - if you've got crud steel, you're gonna make it thicker to compensate?

I'd be willing to doubt there'd be the sort of linear progression that might seem logical.

Jim
 
Yup, John is the master. I have some older khuks, and while some are thinner in scale and some are thicker, I dont really have enough of the old ones to give an accurate answer to the question.

There is one piece on my wall that I believe to be 19th C. Indian that is 17" long, 2 1/2" wide (at the widest point), and only 1/4" thick. it is very finely made though, and the blade temper at the edge makes it ring like a bell when tapped. I will try and organize a pic for those interested. Yvsa you would love it, it is as curved as can be. :-)

Cheers for now,

QL.

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QL, it would really be great if you and others who had antique khuks would, on occasion, post a picture or two. Most forumites, myself included, would really enjoy seeing the older khuks.
 
In a nutshell, if BirGorkha replicates an old khukuri the profile is pretty much the same but the blade will almost always be thicker. "Heavy blades don't fail, thin blades do."

Read the post about the kothimoda when I was trying to get Bura to make a thin blade. He has a point that is hard to argue with.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Well after my visit to the Powell Collection, I would have to say yes. In terms of thickness of blade and blade profile (varying wide of belly) are pronounced on most antique pieces. Handle materials and there width as and the length of tang also vary.

I was surprised to see a kukri with a 3" handle and on wood pieces I noticed a small carved wood ring near the pommel for grip.

I myself don't need a lot of belly on the blade and the new HI kukris are good enough for me, attractive and usable.

 
IMH(1 1/2 cents)O there are two main differences in the spec of various old Nepalese Khuks vs new HI Khuks:
  1. The thickness of the blade - HI Khuks are always thicker - stronger!
  2. The handle length - HI handles are always longer - increase manouverability![/list=a]I guess it makes HI Khuks better - I like it that way!

    NEPAL HO!
 
I wonder if it is possible that older blades were sharpened and polished down by the kamis so many times that they just sort of lost weight as they got older?

I think Uncle Bill has mentioned the process of "refitting" old khukuris which could almost turn an AK into a rapier!

-Dave

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Craig Rosebraugh is innocent!
 
One thing to also be considered is the scarcity of good steel in the old days. Rat-tail tangs have the advantage of lessening impact shock transmitted to the hand, but they also allow more metal in the blade where it can be used.

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Horse sense is what a jackass ain't got.
 
:
I had One Helluva time getting on here today!! Whew!! Thought I was gonna miss my fix for today!!

QL how does the old Fully Curved khukuris handle compared to the more angular blades of today? Have you ever made any cuts with them to check their balance as such?

I am most interested in that aspect as some people have said they didn't like the handleing characteristics of even the Foward Curvng blades like the FWCK.

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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"Know your own bone, gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it again."

'Thoreau'

Khukuri FAQ
 
Yvsa, look for a fun package to arrive next week. :-)

The handle on the old khuk I mentioned earlier is short, about 3 1/2" (on a khuk that mentions about 17 1/2" overall). A picture says a thousand words as those wiser than I have already said - I will be snail mailing some photographs on my collection out to Lee and Howard for inclusion on their fine sites, should they wish to do so.

I have made some practice cuts (on green camelia wood) with my forward curving khuks, and my findings agree with those of others - the sweet spot is way up toward the tip, and smaller than on an angled khuk. The challenge would be then I suppose, hitting point of aim with a smaller target, but if contact with the sweet spot (of the blade) is made a much deeper cut can be made. Make sense - accuracy of impact is something that the study of all martial arts drums into you, and would also be a learned skill for those who spend a good part of their lives with khukuri in hand.

Cheers for now,

QL.

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We are in the process of replicating some REAL forward curving khukuris -- like the ones in the old pix I posted. However, I suspect they will be thick and unbreakable. We should be seeing a couple of these by April -- 18 inches straight across.

I believe it will be Bura who makes these first models.



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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
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