Picture Day, HI, Antique, Bazaar, Tourist

ferguson

ferguson

Joined
Feb 21, 2001
Messages
4,238
I was in the mood to take some pictures today. Some are HI, most are a variety of older ones. I hope you enjoy them!

The first is an HI Dhankuta with a Kothimoda type sheath. The normal Dhankuta has a horn sheath, while the Kothimoda has a leather over wood.

Steve
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Next is a silver mounted carved AK by Kumar. The wood was dry and almost cracking. A few coats of teak oil fixed it right up. I love the steel and silver mounted khuks.
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A closeup of the carved AK handle. The carving man really knows his craft. I gives an amazing grip. Wouldn't want to chop with it all day, but in an emergency situation, it sticks to your hand like it has suction cups.:)
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This is a small tulwar from Ebay. It's probably a tourist piece. The grip is extremely small, even for my hand.
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This little khuk was used and abused. It had been ground on a bench grinder, the buttcap is missing, and some S.O.B. had either used the spine as a hammer, or hammered the blade through something. The scabbard is split on both sides. It's kind of like an ugly puppy at the pound. I just had to take it home.
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A simple little bazaar khukuri. The buttcap was loose and torn and required solder, epoxy, and peening the tang. The horn on the karda is worm-eaten.
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This little one from Ebay has the smallest handle I've ever seen. The carving is nice though.
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thank you very much.

The ugly puppy at the pound would have grabbed me too. There's Something about 'rescue work' that makes whatever effort is involved worth-while.

nicely done.
 
Originally posted by btice
Steve, great shine on the horn handles. Did you just use hooflex?
Click to expand...

On horn pieces that don't have high collector value I sand to 1000 grit, then buff on a muslim wheel with a polishing compound called "Zam" or "Scratchless Pink". This is available at knifemakers supply, but the red rouge in your polishing kit should work too. You just have to be careful not to get the horn too hot.

On very old pieces like the khyber knife, I just hooflex.

Steve
 
Thanks for the info Steve. Where do you guys find all these great knives?
 
Steve,
Thanks for displaying your collection. It makes us appreciate the history from where all the HI kukris started.

Your tulwar was originally a cavalry sabre used c1880 around Hyderabad perhaps with the 1st Madras Lancers (a long shot), but the fluted grip is described in a "stores account" from that period and unit. The officer's carried a British Pattern sword, but the sepoys would have had this and a musket. The unit became "King George's Own" in 1910. This grip was also much later copied for 'tourist' sales because of its attractive style.

The kukri with the small fruitwood grip is a very nice example from around 1850 and probably made in Nuwakot province. This style is very indicative of that area and date.

Good stuff and thanks.
 
I wqish I knew as much as John about khukuri history but, alas, I have been educated by kamis "10,000 years old and came down from the clouds."
 
Bill, the kami's answers are always much better and more accurate. I'm just reading stuff and listening to other guys....the kamis LIVE this history.
 
The Khukuri with the small carved handle is very nice.

What's it's grip length and OA length please.
 
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