What do I have?

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
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It's not an HI but I thought some of you here might be able to help me identify/date this Kukri. I got it about 6 years ago at a local antique shop, for a decent price. I think it's probably about WWII vintage, but they didn't know. The handle is some kind of dark wood (ebony?) and it seems well made in terms of fit and finish, although not as good as the one sharpstick posted, so probably not an officer's model is my guess, but not sure. No markings as far as I can tell, but I may have missed something. Leather sheath has pouches for the Karda and Chakma, but they were lost well before I bought it. Blade is about 14 - 16 inches long. ( I forgot to measure it) That's about all I know, but hopefully the pics will help.

Thanks in advance.

Lagarto.
 
I thought they started using brass for bolsters & caps around the 1920's? The cap on the pommel looks like those that are on a couple of mine from the 1950's but they are all military.....
 
Lagarto it looks like a decent enough khukuri that's in pretty decent shape although the scabbard has pretty much had it and the loss of the karda and chakmak hurts any value it may have had.

Run a good file across the sweet spot, if it skates across the edge instead of digging in you have a khukuri that's well tempered and will do a days work for you.:D
I agree with Fenryr that it looks like a horn handle instead of wood.
 
Looks pretty nice. Horn for sure, and nice bolster and cho. I'll bet John Powell could nail its origin within a few years.

Norm
 
Green Ice,
I've tried chopping with it a little, it does okay, but needs to be sharpened. Yvsa I will have to try that, I did try to sharpen it with a bastard file when I got it, IIRC it was a little difficult but it did somewhat take an edge though I can't get it scary sharp. Seems to hold what little edge I put on it okay though. You're right, it's in decent shape, except the sheath and somebody splattered what looks like paint on one side of the handle. Incidentally does anyone know what would take that off without damaging the handle? Thanks for info so far.

Lagarto
 
Svashtar said:
Looks pretty nice. Horn for sure, and nice bolster and cho. I'll bet John Powell could nail its origin within a few years.

John could probaly tell you what day of the week and what the kami had for lunch the day it was made...

:D

.
 
lagarto said:
somebody splattered what looks like paint on one side of the handle. Incidentally does anyone know what would take that off without damaging the handle?
Try scraping the paint off dry with the edge of a popsicle stick,
credit card, or some such.
that failing, try a drop of solvent in a spot to see if it helps loosen.
then try scraping again.
I'd lean toward Goo-Gone or other pure 'citrus solvent'---
not combined with any other ingredients, including water.
Citrus solvent is apparently about the safest solvent you'll find.
(What is citrus solvent; www.floridachemical.com/whatisd-limonene.htm)
Then there's turpentine, mineral spirits, naphtha, nail-polish-remover/acetone, others.

I sometimes use a disposable razor-knife to -carefully-
shave off the glue/paint/other above the surface to start this type cleaning.


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