The Khukuri blade

[Lt.Col.Vortex]

Anyone use them, have prior or present experience with them, are they a practical tool?

I saw this knife design a many years ago and fell in love with it, and now I'm going over designs and considering making one. There are some fairly complicated angels and lines to consider (kind of a perfectionist ), but I think I can pull it off. Any steel recommendations? I was just going to use the 5160 I has lying around.

(not my image, I happened upon it via the wonderful tool called the internet)

 

[cmott69]

I have used them for years and love the design I have one made circa 1860 that will out chop anything in its weight class.
I also have several of the newer variants and the only one that comes close is the ontario model.
5160 would be excellent for this style of tool 1075,or the more easily found 1084 would also work well but after all it usually comes down to the heat treatment.
I would really like to see what you come up with.

 

[WA Martin]

Well, I'm certainly not qualified to really answer knife making questions but here's one thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/166024-Safety-Thread-Be-safe-not-sorry!

Also, respectfully, think "Ghurka". The khukuri is their primary edged weapon.

You also might check out Patrice's thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1015432-Kukri-WIP-The-Bone-Collector

 

[Lt.Col.Vortex]

Much appreciated, thanks for the links.

 

[wildmike]

I have used them for years. I consider the Himalayan Imports M43 Kukri to be the best survival tool one can carry.

The Himalayan Imports sub formuc in the manufacturers forums is full of a lot more info.

 

[Daniel Koster]

Kukris are fun to own
Not so much fun to make...properly.
Unless you live in Nepal and really like rice...a lot.

 

[mete]

5160 and similar are appropriate steels. They still make them out of truck springs .I also have a smaller one made of 440B stainless .My larger one is basically the military version ,very efficient and capable of serious cutting .It's 24 ozs.

I used to have a book about the Burma campaign [it "disappeared " ] .It had a chapter devoted to the knives they carried .A fascinating read but the book and name etc I no longer have.That would be excellent reading for this forum.