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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
The spirit of the Khukuri
- Thread starter Damian T
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 6, 1999
- Messages
- 1,151
Maybe I should have posted after some guy's posts who are from US.
For me an HI khukuri is as well from Nepal as from US. Many knowledgeable people have given me lots of Nepali culture here in this forum, I still have no first hand experience of Nepali's life. I can guess from only what my khukuri talks to me, no little talke.
It's funny, this "crooked" blade gathers so many "straight" people, and this absolute "chopper/ cutter" that "ties" us forumites.
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Did you enjoy today?
\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
For me an HI khukuri is as well from Nepal as from US. Many knowledgeable people have given me lots of Nepali culture here in this forum, I still have no first hand experience of Nepali's life. I can guess from only what my khukuri talks to me, no little talke.
It's funny, this "crooked" blade gathers so many "straight" people, and this absolute "chopper/ cutter" that "ties" us forumites.
------------------
Did you enjoy today?
\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Somewhere on one of my sites I have posted "What makes a khukuri magic." I'll try to link it up later unless somebody beats me to it. (hint, hint)
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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
- Joined
- May 5, 1999
- Messages
- 3,065
Uncle Bill, considering how many times you've given me exactly what I wanted, your wish is my command
:
What makes a khukuri magic?
"First, I believe the blade form descended from the Greek kopis which is about 2,500 years old, thus making the khukuri one of the oldest blade forms in the history of the world -- if not in fact the oldest. I believe that the blade form was carried to the sub-continent by the troops of Alexander the Great and was copied by local kamis. There are khukuris hanging on the walls of Nepal's National Museum which are 500 years old or even more. So, the long history is one of the things that make the knife magic.
"Another thing that adds to the magic of the khukuri is the cultural and religious significance which has worked its way into the knife. Almost everything about the knife means something. What we call a blood groove is said to be trident of the Hindu god, Shiva, the destroyer. The cho or notch has various meanings, the sun and moon, symbols of Nepal, the sexual apparatus of Hindu gods and goddesses, a cow track because the cow is sacred to the Hindus. The buttcap of the knife is said to resemble the eye of god, always watching, ever seeing. The rings around the handle mean something but the true significance has been lost in the mists of time. Even the basic curve is said to look like a cresent moon, a symbol of Nepal. So, the religious meanings that have been worked into the knife make it magic.
"Then there are the Gorkhas who did more than anybody to bring this knife to the attention of the world. For years, even centuries, the blade form lay dormant in the world, being kept alive only in India and Nepal. And then the Gorkhas appeared on the world scene a couple of hundred years ago and brought with them their traditional weapon, the khukuri. Because the Gorkhas were probably the best mercenary force the world has ever seen and may ever see part of their fame became the fame of the khukuri. Having lived in Nepal, being married into a Gorkha family, and having friends who are Gorkhas past and present, when I see a real khukuri I hear bugles and tigers. I cannot view a khukuri without thinking of Gorkhas, and I cannot view a Gorkha without thinking of a khukuri. No battle blade in the history of the world has more documented kills than the khukuri. That is part of the magic.
"Then there are the kamis, the untouchable caste who make the khukuris. Working under absolutely deplorable conditions and with nothing more than an open forge and a handful of tools most of which they have made themselves they produce one of the finest knives in the world. It is the experience that has been passed down for 200 or even 400 years and the native skill along with blood, sweat, tears, patience, care, and a pride in craftsmanship that makes the knife magic.
"When you add all these things together you get the mystique and the magic that is inherent in all real khukuris.
"For more information on any of this stuff contact: Bill Martino"
What makes a khukuri magic?
"First, I believe the blade form descended from the Greek kopis which is about 2,500 years old, thus making the khukuri one of the oldest blade forms in the history of the world -- if not in fact the oldest. I believe that the blade form was carried to the sub-continent by the troops of Alexander the Great and was copied by local kamis. There are khukuris hanging on the walls of Nepal's National Museum which are 500 years old or even more. So, the long history is one of the things that make the knife magic.
"Another thing that adds to the magic of the khukuri is the cultural and religious significance which has worked its way into the knife. Almost everything about the knife means something. What we call a blood groove is said to be trident of the Hindu god, Shiva, the destroyer. The cho or notch has various meanings, the sun and moon, symbols of Nepal, the sexual apparatus of Hindu gods and goddesses, a cow track because the cow is sacred to the Hindus. The buttcap of the knife is said to resemble the eye of god, always watching, ever seeing. The rings around the handle mean something but the true significance has been lost in the mists of time. Even the basic curve is said to look like a cresent moon, a symbol of Nepal. So, the religious meanings that have been worked into the knife make it magic.
"Then there are the Gorkhas who did more than anybody to bring this knife to the attention of the world. For years, even centuries, the blade form lay dormant in the world, being kept alive only in India and Nepal. And then the Gorkhas appeared on the world scene a couple of hundred years ago and brought with them their traditional weapon, the khukuri. Because the Gorkhas were probably the best mercenary force the world has ever seen and may ever see part of their fame became the fame of the khukuri. Having lived in Nepal, being married into a Gorkha family, and having friends who are Gorkhas past and present, when I see a real khukuri I hear bugles and tigers. I cannot view a khukuri without thinking of Gorkhas, and I cannot view a Gorkha without thinking of a khukuri. No battle blade in the history of the world has more documented kills than the khukuri. That is part of the magic.
"Then there are the kamis, the untouchable caste who make the khukuris. Working under absolutely deplorable conditions and with nothing more than an open forge and a handful of tools most of which they have made themselves they produce one of the finest knives in the world. It is the experience that has been passed down for 200 or even 400 years and the native skill along with blood, sweat, tears, patience, care, and a pride in craftsmanship that makes the knife magic.
"When you add all these things together you get the mystique and the magic that is inherent in all real khukuris.
"For more information on any of this stuff contact: Bill Martino"
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Berk, you are a true gentleman and further a man after my own heart. Muchas gracias!
------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ