Possible insight into oldschool khukuri technique

[snowwolf]

Fourth Here,

There are millions of less honorable ways to die.
Hey tiger, one last favor. Make it quick... Please.

 

[Berkley]

For anyone who has not seen the video, there is a well-documented tiger attack that shows the speed and ferocity: [video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1N_r7EXY3E0[/video]
Warning: graphic imagery at end, not as serious as it might have been all things considered, but if blood disturbs you do not watch. After seeing this, it is obvious that a kukri is a better choice than a stick, at least.

 

[J W Bensinger]

Low prospect of success aside, one thing I thought ws interesting in the woodcut is the body mechanics of the gurkha. Assuming for the moment that the artist was observant and accurate in this, that is a drawcut. His shoulder is so open that if that was a hard cut with some snap against a 600lb+ moving target, you'd be looking at a totalled rotator cuff.
(Try GENTLY slapping a big heavy bag in that position and you'll see what I mean.)
If these things are correct that khuk is SHARP. Grabby sharp.

 

[blue lander]

I'd wager that the illustrator was an englishman working from a description rather than first hand or even second hand observations.

The idea of taking a tiger down with a khukri does seem unlikely, but never underestimate what a human can do with enough practice. Especially if his life depends on it.

 

[Bawanna]

Just a personal observation but in the video Berkley posted I believe an agile person with a good nimble khuk might have a fair chance, not that I'd be willing to volunteer for a test dummy. The Elephant driver saw the tiger coming and had time to make a plan. His plan of throwing a stick at it was not a good plan but in lieu of what he had at hand I couldn't come up with a better one.
If he'd had a Khuk he might have fared much better me thinks.

 

[Steve Tall]

The same book mentions the khukuri being used with a "drawing" cut:

from page 1395
http://books.google.com/books?id=8XsLAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1395#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Low prospect of success aside, one thing I thought ws interesting in the woodcut is the body mechanics of the gurkha. Assuming for the moment that the artist was observant and accurate in this, that is a drawcut. His shoulder is so open that if that was a hard cut with some snap against a 600lb+ moving target, you'd be looking at a totalled rotator cuff.

I agree, with blunt impact the shoulder would a gonner. However the cutting through the material would spread the impact out over space and time and thus the max load on the joint on any given time of the cut would not be 600lb. But hey even if its "only 150" it would still make for some bad outchy in shoulder and the elbow probably even more.

 

[Howard Wallace]

I second that, Gehazi.
I have no need for a dead tiger, and I'm not gonna eat it. Ergo, tigers and their ilk are safe from me.

He He! I third that! If im in that situation its already too late! Stick a fork in me! Big Pussycat wins!

Fourth Here,

There are millions of less honorable ways to die.
Hey tiger, one last favor. Make it quick... Please.

This reminds me of one of the Jataka stories, stories of previous incarnations of the Buddha before he reached his final enlightenment.

http://ignca.nic.in/jatak025.htm

 

[mohd]

This reminds me of a Bagh Marne (i.e. Tiger Killer) Knife.
Uncle Bill mentioned that he had one in his own collections.
Here is the picture.

.. The Bagh Marne is 10.5 inches overall length
blade length is 6 inches, 1/4 inch max. thickness. Weight = 9 ounces Handle is water buffalo horn ..

.. The blade is sharpened on both sides .. The handle is fitted like our khukuris, drilled thru, and spike tang fitted thru ..

mohd

 

[JayGoliath]

Found one from oldschool45:

 

[spiraltwista]

I have photos of the uppercut being taught & used by Gurkhas in WW2. Its a fast cut & if you try to block it you may lose a hand.

The Mahout on the elephant through his metal spiked & hooked goad at the tiger.....The stick was in the other hand.

Rev, woods was a professional & prolific author of other peoples tales.

spiral

 

[J W Bensinger]

Rising cuts at close range are indeed a drag to deal with. Avoiding them and staying in range to counter without getting nailed is very tricky.
They're one of my favorites.