What are the little knives for?

[wacki]

I got my WWII and I'm loving it. I can see the need for 1 small knife (cooking / dinner) but why two? What' the point of the little knives?

 

[Karda]

Karda - small 'utility' knife often found accompanying khukuris

Chakma / Chakmak - small sharpening steel often found accompanying khukuris
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/Construction.html



All you ever wanted to know about khukuri:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/FAQindex.html

 

[Howard Wallace]

Some of the old khukuris have several accessory tools. Things like awls, buttonhooks, etc. in addition to the small knife and the steel. HI has made some of these old style sets on occassion.

 

[wildmanh]

The Karda and Chakma tend to be scaled with the Khukri. IE A small Khukri gets small tools and a big one gets big tools. The Karda that came with most of my Khukri's is to small for me to use effectively, so I normally leave it at home, but the Chakma normally see's use in the field to touch up the edge.

 

[Thomas Linton]

The Chakma was also routinely used as the "steel" in "flint and steel" - so sparks could be struck to start a fire. A couple of mine came with a chip of flint and some tinder in the pockets.

 

[wildmanh]

The Chakma was also routinely used as the "steel" in "flint and steel" - so sparks could be struck to start a fire. A couple of mine came with a chip of flint and some tinder in the pockets.

Thomas, thanks for the reminder. I totally forgot about that use. I have used the Karda off of some Khukris as a firesteel striker before. When I use the little Karda's that seems to be main way that I use them.

 

[Howard Wallace]

The Karda and Chakma tend to be scaled with the Khukri. IE A small Khukri gets small tools and a big one gets big tools. The Karda that came with most of my Khukri's is to small for me to use effectively, so I normally leave it at home, but the Chakma normally see's use in the field to touch up the edge.

I've done special orders with larger kardas for just this reason.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Thomas, thanks for the reminder. I totally forgot about that use. I have used the Karda off of some Khukris as a firesteel striker before. When I use the little Karda's that seems to be main way that I use them.

"Striker"

Think of the flintlock musket. The sharp edge of a piece of "flint" does the striking, and the friction of shaving off a bit of the steel, plus the rush of air as the bit(s) falls, turns the steel into a molten blob. Capture them in water, and you find teardrop shapes. Somehow, since the days when flint and steel was the common way to start a fire (or light a candle) that has been reversed in common understanding. Back then, what is now miscalled a "striker" was a "fire steel."

 

[Berkley]

Back in the days when the chakmak was intended for serious fire-starting, its design and that of the scabbard often reflected the fact. Of HI's offerings, I think only the big dui chirra (and ganjawalla if it is still being made) have a tinder pouch, and I have never seen a modern chakmak with a textured blade.

Our logo khukuri still has tinder in the pouch.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Several ePrey vendors had IDds old textured chakmak as a "file." Understandable as compared to "Indian Finnish leuku."

 

[sweetcostarica]

In those days the Kukri was used everyday and by more of the population in Nepal. It is a shame the traditional Kukri with all it usefulness and gear is disappearing. But that's progress I guess to a more modern society.

Above picture from Himalayan Imports
Today there is a Kukri "boom". That is the Kukri is in great demand overseas which is good. Since we, non-Nepalis are usually novices in the use of the Kukri, the chakmak, or the Karda we have no idea of the who, what, why, when, and how. But I know you and I are happy HI and a few others are here keeping the tradition alive.