testing wit h kora pix

[John Powell]

Hopefully this picture will show up and stay. Here are 5 koras with scabbards...hard things to find. These are not to scale.

 

[Black Bear]

Hi John, Very nice collection of Koras, thanks for sharing them with us. Are these from your collection? Also are the handles, the condition they are depicted in the photos, how they have always been? The washer type bolsters look as if they would slice the wielders wrists while using them. Were these knives weapons, tools or like the kuks both? Since joining this forum I have learned more about ethnic knives and swords in a couple of months than in the preceeding 5 decades. Thanks to everyone out there in the digital highway for being so generous.

 

[Berkley]

BB, welcome to the forum. Those koras are from John's collection, but as he indicated represent only the ones with scabbards. He has several others

, including some that are not shown in that picture. Koras, unlike khukuris, are swords, pure and simple. Some are designed for the ritual decapitation of sacrificial animals, and some are designed for the dismemberment of enemies in battle. None are very useful for cutting firewood or digging potatoes like a khukuri.

 

[Rusty]

HOWCOMEWHY DO JOHN AND BERK GET THE LEAN LITHE LIMBER LANKY ONES AND THE ONE I GET IS SHORT AND FAT?

bwaahhhhhh!

 

[SamuraiDave]

I like the ones that are lean better. The one on the far right I really like, but the third from the left tells me something also.

One day I will have my own....one day....

 

[John Powell]

BLACK BEAR,
The only handle that is not original is the bottom one as is the scabbard and leather discs. The 2nd from the top was made as an all metal grip while the others are wrapped with twine or cord and varnished.
SD,
Seems you like the non-Nepalese pieces. The 3rd from the left is Tibetan and the far right is from Bhutan and is also the oldest.

RUSTY,
Can't speak for Berk, but I go for the lean and lithe because I'm not.

BERK,
Thanks for being my PR flack. Now, can you write this book for me?

 

[Walosi]

I'd gladly volunteer to help with your book, John. Copy reader, spell checker, anything at all. And you could send me some of the blades for cleaning, polshing and research.....OMG!! Did I say that?:barf:

 

[Berkley]

Rusty,

HOWCOMEWHY DO JOHN AND BERK GET THE LEAN LITHE LIMBER LANKY ONES AND THE ONE I GET IS SHORT AND FAT?

Actually, I have one that is short and fat

and one that is lean, lithe, limber & lanky

John has all the other remaining koras in the world
.
Berk

 

[SamuraiDave]

1. Do some of these have edges on both sides, or oncave side only?

2. Are the handels round, oval, teardrop or other?

The only thing I recognise is that we are going to need a really really good model maker, and that I will kick myself (hard) if I miss these things when they are produced.

 

[Yvsa]

:
And I believe that at least Bura wouldn't need a model, perhaps some of the other or maybe all of the other kamis as well.
Rusty bought a Kora from Uncle Bill I believe that was made by H.I., but I could be mistaken, my memory has surpassed the CRS mode.

I wouldn't mind having one myself, but not with those old style handles. Those things would have a tendency to break a man's wrist IMO!!!!
But there is another style knife that several of us would like to have BirGhorka make for sale. I can't recall the correct spelling, but I know Rusty or perhaps Berk will make it right.
And the knife's called a Jinjharling or something like that.
Now those things are Absolutely Beautiful
You would think I could remember how to spell something I like as much as I like those!!!!

Help me out here little Bro!!!
And bring up another pic if you can. I am really impressed with the quality of pix that I can see on this computer.
Not like Penny's old beater in Phoenix at all!!!!!!!

 

[Bill Martino]

I'm very happy to have John and Berk around. They add an extra dimension to this forum and many thanks for this. And, thanks all for great contributions.