What is the purpose of the cho?

What's the purpose of the CHO

  • symbolic of clitoris of Kali

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • symbolic of penis of Shiva

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Represents Surya ra Chandra (sun and moon)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Represents a cow track

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • is a blood drip

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • is a substitute guard

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • other... perhaps a cap lifter (insert smiley here)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
not2sharp

not2sharp

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
20,466
We know the list of generally accepted opinions but but where does the Cantina crowd stand?

The HI FAQ lists the following possibilities:

1) clitoris of Kali
2) penis of Shiva
3) Surya ra Chandra (symbols of Nepal)
4) a cowtrack
5) a blood drip
6) a substitute guard
7) some other thing (a beer bottle cap lifter?)

Take the poll and lets' find out...

n2s
 
Hmmm, as tempting as it is to vote, I think I'm going to wait and see how the winds are blowing. :) Plus, my vote would mean little seeing as I have amongst the least exposure to Hindu culture of anyone here. :(
 
Bob,

You might as well vote away. There are no right or wrong answers here, only opinions - and yours is as good as everyone else combined.

n2s
 
The only thing you'll find agreement on is that without a cho it is not a khukuri.

( Also, you forgot the enclosed cho's such as eye of the dove and two eyes of the dove ).

And yes, this means exactly what you think it does, thus making choless versions mere copycats.
 
Perhaps the Cho was a combination of things? I am bias towards suspecting that there was an underlying practical reason for the cho, and that perhaps some of the Iconic language was originally intended to distinguish certain design styles. But I can well imagine that over time the terms came to be used interchangeably in the same way we use to interchange the words "photocopy" and "Xerox".

n2s
 
I'm convinced that the cho has religious significance but what for sure I can't say and, of course, can't prove anything.
 
One thing to note is that its amazing how long certain traditions hold on despite other changes in society. I would not be surprised if the cho's original meaning has long since been lost, and that out of sheer tradition its still placed there just because its always been placed there. Also that tradition having changed over the years perhaps making what would be un-recognizable as a cho in the khuks early conception to what we all recognize now.
 
Could the cho be what once was the 'mark' of the Kami? I figure that even with the caste system of yesteryear there would be respect held for those who make the tools for survival, much like how the Japanese mark their swords and make forgers 'living national treasures'?

Now a couple of 100 years later we just make a 'cho' to add style and follow tradition.

I dont know, they all work for me. :)
 
The cho is the answer the kamis came up with in order to put in a good Heineken bottle cap opener for thirsty HIKV Knuts on a khukuri;) :D :D
 
I remember once tormenting a kami about the cho -- I told him it served no purpose, looked crazy, weakened the knife, took extra time to make and thought the khukuri should be made without one. He looked at me like I was nuts and told me I didn't understand anything about khukuris.
 
I have had similar experiences after questioning kamis about the cho, the blade, the diamond shaped keeper, the ring on the grip, etc, etc and usually get the same look.

My favorite answer from a wonderful old Nepalese gent: "You make too much of this knife. It is a knife and it has a cho." Best answer I've ever heard. Now you see why writing a book about kukris is so easy.
 
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