Revisionist Khukuri history

Russ Kay

Russ Kay

Joined
Dec 19, 2000
Messages
186
A curious take on khukuri history appears on this eBay auction :

Up for auction is a VERY OLD Hand made dagger or KHUKURI knife. ALL hand made in NEPAL. Wood & leather sheath with a small sheath attached. There is a small version of the larger knife in the smaller sheath. The handle is carved wood and brass. The blade is hand etched. The sheath is wood covered in Buffalo leather. I don't know it's exact age but this one is old, and maybe an original from WWI. It is not a new reproduction. The Original Khukuri was designed as a multi-purpose tool for an elite british military regiment stationed in India and Nepal during WW1. These weapons are extremely durable, and handy in combat. Their design is condusive to cutting, digging, hammering, throwing, and using in various attack and defense poses. They were used for cable stripping, mine detection, etc., and the list goes on. An authentic Khukuri is difficult to distinguish from the multitude of different copies that have since been created to mimic the original designs. HOWEVER, there is a good reason to believe that this weapon is an authentic original! One reason is because of the lack of a trident symbol (engraved, etched, or otherwise). That is one good sign that it is an authentic KHUKURI. (also it's crude appearance shows it's not a new machine made copy) Several later manufacturers misinterpreted the knife's first religious allegiance and put a Poseidon like trident on the blade. Look at the photos below to see how they are really made.
Click to expand...

The seller then goes on to inform us (surprise!)

I must thank those who enlightened me and helped me in the research of this knife before listing it. READ totally and email all questions. I am not a dealer or expert!
Click to expand...
 
This is not as bad as some but truly begs for a note to the seller. Years ago I tried sending information to "confused" sellers but it was either ignored, the description not revised and in some cases most unwelcome.

CAVEAT EMPTOR
 
John, I sent the seller an e-mail suggesting that the khukuri was developed pre-WW I and that the HI site had good information on the topic. He blew me off and blew off the HI site as biased towards "tourist kukris" that they sell -- whereas his is the genuine article. Oh well.
 
Classify this turkey as another eBay know-nothing. The kukri he's shilling is about as standard as they get and it being "very old" is another description that's not even close. Oh well.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!
 
I told him that the only "multi-purpose tool" I see is the seller...

Kuks before WWI? Thats unheard of! after all this one is an ORIGINAL Kukuri!
 
I wondered the same, but I couldn't find any matches on the HI site, so figured maybe it was jsut the similarities of Nepalese people doing same work in pretty much same conditions(though wherever that shop is doubt they're treated/live as well as those who work for HI)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top