The Khukuri vs. Count Dracula

(scratches head) We've come full circle back to Khukuris, haven't we? Ernie Mayer is an American kami with an excellent rep, he does very modern designs and uses kydex sheaths exclusively...but he will use *only* wood grips. He explained it to me a while back; his reasons border on "mystical", in that the natural material grip allows a person to "connect" with the blade, that it somehow acts as an "intermediary" between the blade steel and your body. I don't claim to fully understand it but...you seem to be describing the same thing.

What it all boils down to is, us hoomans lack a proper user manual and God(s) only knows how many "undocumented features" we've got kicking around!

Therefore Rusty, I'm not going to call you nuts, not when Ernie Mayer reports similar.

Jim
 
I recall seeing a spirit sucking vampire movie. The vampire, a very good looking one, was brought back to Earth on a spacecraft. The only weapon that could kill it was a special ancient sword. Much of the movie takes place in London.

Will
 
One thing for sure is that not a single of my Khukuris scared of Vampires & Draculas! It is either I am scared of Vampires & Draculas ... or else ... Vampires & Draculas scared of me! nyah ... nyah ... nyah ...
 
Will Kwan, wasn't that movie called "Life Force", directed by Texas Chainsaw Massacre guy, Tobe Hooper?

PS - I liked the part where she got nekkid.

Pubertically yours,
VG

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Vampire Gerbil: Nosferatus Rodentus Moderatus; similar to a domestic gerbil, except for the odd accent and little black cape.


 
Warriors have studied their enemies weakness in order to exploit it for milleinia.Mhod`s post makes perfect sense to me.As does Rusty`s,in a different way.
I hope that the Royal Khukuri will have soul.I won`t know until I hold it.The personelization may make the difference.If not,I will give it to the museam post haste.I would not want my other weapons contaminated.

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Colonel, if I understood Ernie, he wasn't saying that a metal or synthetic grip blade lacked soul. He seemed to be saying that a wood grip allowed you to "make the connection" better. If I've got this right, it's not about how much soul is in the blade so if something was particularly potent it might show right through the brass. Or micarta, for that matter.

Two points: my discussions with Ernie were a while ago, plus I'm not quite sure I've got this right. I myself ain't too sensative to this sort of thing so...it's not a priority for me. I own some damn good pieces with synthetic grips, more of 'em than with wood.

Jim
 
Rusty, you may be on to something there about the relationship between the composition of a khuk's handle and the khuk's spirit. Wood and horn are by-products of living things -- perhaps the life-spirit continues on even after life ceases -- at least life as we know it. I think this is one of the reasons that people are naturally drawn to leather.

So, perhaps a khuk's spirit has as much to do with its handle as with the workmanship of its blade.
 
Well, my little thread about Dracula certainly generated some heat and light, didn't it?

Re: The 'soul' of a weapon: I prefer to use the term 'mana'. I don't own a khukuri yet (20" sirupati is on its way, probably be here tomorrow, gloat, gloat!) but I have owned other weapons that seemed to become more 'attuned' to my hand after a time. I have three Randall's, two ivory and one stag, that are 'alive' in my hands, while a little Puma stag hunter that I carried while flying over Europe in the '60's speaks to me each time I take it from its box. Other knives in my collection, with perfect grinds and hi tech hilts and handles, are 'dead' in the hand.

I am reminded of the Polynesian war club that I mentioned in an earlier post, which my bro. in law brought back from the Pacific...much MANA in that for him...as though all his struggle and travail during that time had been invested in it. That may be the true meaning of the notion that a weapon becomes 'baptised in blood'.
 
With me, the little 12" Sirupati feels like there's a data port in the handle that matches a plug in the palm of my hand. When I pick it up, it's hardwired to my reflexes, and it isn't an extension of me, it's an organic part.

Is this the product of centuries of concious and subconcious ergonomic engineering or is there really a spirit in these khukuris? Does it matter which it is? Beats me.

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Those who beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who don't.


 
Rusty, you know that I am not fond of brass handles. Perhaps there are both spritual and physical reasons for this. But my own personal preference is simply that -- my own -- and should not be misconstrued as any type of recommendation.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Bill, I've handled a couple khuks that I didn't bond with. One was brass handled, the other was horn.

What Jim and others surmised: That it isn't that the blade doesn't have a spirit, it's that once living handle materials conduct the spirit more efficiently. I kinda lean that way for me. Maybe someone else has a different electrical or psychic potential and the brass handled ones come alive for them. I'm speculating, that's all.

And don't forget that honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.
 
But let's throw something else in: my Outsider feels very "bonded" to me. No surprise, considering I designed it and molded the prototype mockup grip to my hand and grip styles. Grip is Micarta. In that case I'm not at all convinced the "bonding" is anything other than good personal ergonomics.

My 21" light Khukuri on the other hand feels just as good in different ways, yet it was by no means "personally fitted". It's just good general ergonomics; the Khukuri pommel allows you to "custom fit it" to your hand by letting it slide down and into the right place for you. The carved rings allow you to re-index to that same point once you've found it the first time, and you can do it quickly in total darkness. Astoundingly good design but we all know that
smile.gif
.

There's nothing "spiritual" in any of that stuff, although it could be mistaken for it? If there's anything beyond that I doubt I'd personally pick up on it. So realize, everything I say on the matter is theorizing, second-hand info and a little bit of "book knowledge", not experience.

Jim
 
Either way, I think we've gotten as close to an answer here as we're going to get.
 
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