What is this mystique behind the khukuri?

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golok

golok

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For centuries now, the khukuri has spun a global web of interest on this fighting knife which belonged to those ferocious fighting men up on the Himalayas.

Today, with the onslaught of various media, much information can be garnered about the Gurkhas and their curved blade. And yet, the khukuri continues to fascinate all who dare to listen and see.

I wonder what is this powerful mystique that had held the interest of so many fighting men of so many uniforms that even now in the 21st century, the khukuri continues to capture the imagination of even the non-combatants.

Can we say truly it is a magical blade?
 
to this Khukuri gem. For me, the fascination is multifold - It comes from a country that was a "secret land" until just 50 years ago. The culture and society is made up of the same types of people found anywhere, but they are still different, and new. The blade takes over 200 sizes and shapes, but is still the recognizeable "bent knife", and with its' many different shapes, it still has rigid traditional elements that the kamis won't change. Like the machete, it is mostly agricultural in daily use. Unlike the machete, which only goes with troops into the jungles, it is "always carry" equipment when Nepali troops go on the march, and is as useful as a battle blade as it was many centuries ago. Oh........and the other blades don't talk to me :D
 
When Nasa started working to develop a function space suit they found themselves turning to medieval suits of armor. Human physiology had remain a constant and suits of armor had over time evolved to provide protection and an optimum articulation of the joints.

The kukri is another ancient tool that has developed a certain level of perfection. It is fitted to provide the maximum leverage from the natural movement of the arm. This makes it a very simple tool to use. There is no need for specific training, and there is a natural efficiency of motion.

n2s
 
Wal,
"They", talk to you!!What do "they" say??Does anyone else hear them"TALK" to you?? Do "ALL" of your K's talk to you or just one or two! YEP, "funny farm time"! You & PAXTON can't ever find a post or Pic ,of me talking to K's! hee!
jim
 
With the exception of the Japanese katana, I guess no other blade has captured the hearts and minds of the blade enthusiasts everywhere. Like the katana, it does the job it was designed to do so superbly its basic design has survived to the modern day rellatively unchanged. The words functional perfection comes to mind.

Plus the stories that fascinate and hold us in awe. Just like we enjoy the tales of the samurai and their blades, we thrill to the exploits of the Gorkha units and the fierce reputation they have earned in the many wars. Their loyalty, bravery and sheer tenacity is reflected in the khukuris they carry. When you hold a khukuri, there is a little rush from knowing that the blade you carry could, in another time, have been in the hands of one of these famed fighting men in one of their campaigns.

Add the centuries of unbroken tradition and accumulated bladecraft passed down from one smith to another, and you have a true artifact of the Nepali people. When you examine an authentic khukuri you can see design decisions that go back several hundred years, the subtle signatures of all the smiths who went before. A history of this most ancient of crafts, formed into shining steel. In holding and using a khukuri, we get to feel, in a little way, that we are part of this history...

***

Actually I bought them because just like the khukuri's unique blade shape, I am a little bent... :D

Andrew Limsk
 
For me the fascination started with a friend in elementary school. This boy had lived his whole life traveling on a sailboat around the world with his mom and dad(until dad was lost at sea). They lived in Brunei(sp? ie, Sultan Of..)for awhile and while there they were escorted thoough the jungle by Gorkhas. My friend told these wild tales of giant curved knives that could behead a man with one swipe and the fierce men who carried them. I had never seen one until many years later, but those stories from my friend came rushing back as soon as I saw the first one. Then it was a few years later when I saw a tourist "junk khuk" in an import shop in Maui. From there to HI, the rest is history:)

The fascination continues in large part due to the connection with Nepal I feel through Uncle Bill, his stories, and the Great forumites who share their enthusiasm for these magnificient blades.

Speaking of that, can anyone recommend a really good book on Nepal? Either history or anthropology, or even well done historical fiction?
Thanks in advance!!

Rob
 
Somewhere I wrote a little essay called "What Makes the Khukuri Magic" -- or something like that. It's either here or on Knifeforums but I don't know how to find it. Maybe Berk can find it.

Easy reading is "The Snow Leopard" by Peter Mathieson. It gives you a good look into everyday village life in Nepal.

An oldie but goodie that gives you a good look at what Nepal was like when it first opened its doors to the outside world is "The Mountains are Young" by Han Suyin who also wrote "Love is a Many Splendored Thing."
 
Thanks for help with books Uncle:)

I'll let Berk track down that story--he's a pro!
 
Khukuris has lived thousands years now, still getting more and more peoples' attraction. I sometimes wonder Galactic Patrol's "Space Axe" might be a blade that looks like a khukuri...
 
Golok:

I think that each of the iconic blades (khukuri, katana, keris) have their own magic or mystique.

A couple of folks have already mentioned the connection factor. Unlike the katana and keris, the khuk is still being made and used on a daily basis by the people of Nepal. So, it not only offers a connection with the past, but a connection with the present, too. And as a combination tool/weapon, you can actually use your khuks - a definite benefit.

S.
 
In my relatively recent pursuit of these marvelous knives,
I have come to think not merely of the knives, but also
of the men who wielded them, the lives
they have lived, the environments which have formed them, and
the continued, astonishing courage of them as they fought, lived,
died...and contributed to the legend of their knives.
Marvelous knives, yes...but held by incredible men.
 
YES; most assuradely so!! These magnificent blades have spoken volumes about human heroism and human sacrifice;tragedy and victory;loss and suffering....and yes...removal of bodily extensions when necessary. I dont deny the savagery of the blade; but there is also a grace that is undeniable.

It seems as though someone with a real sense of humor "up there" "out there" whatever looked at a sword and thaught "Hmmmmm...{bending sound} laughing from cosmos)..now that should make life interesting...

They took anvantage of how unbalanced all of us are and decided to give us a tool that expresses all the qualities of human personality.

And then there is that which all of us are part of; the forges fire..it sings to all of us...thats why were here. NO place is it better expressed than in the khukuri.

Maybe someone in Nepal;Japan wherever already understood more about the human soul than we have yet to grasp and created weapons to "allow for our differences"...

MAYBE...they just wanted something to dig; cook; build; shave; chop; split;behead; and made a KUK--and thaught to hell with all the mumbo jumbo this'll work better....:rolleyes:

My 100th post..how fitting a small milestone should be here in the Cantina.
 
Raz, you were right. I got your email OK but my reply got bumped back. We can probably get what you want. Call or snail mail if the email doesn't get better.
 
Come to think of it, there is an elemental harmony in the way tools like khukuris are made. Fire from the forge, Earth from the coal, Wind from the bellows, Water from the quench, and Spirit from the smith merged into one harmonious whole...

Andrew Limsk
 
I like to toss in my own reincarnistic thinking -- taking a piece of lifeless junk spring, cast away as useless, and reincarnating it into a beautiful and useful item.
 
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