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- Mar 5, 1999
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What kind of khukuris do they make in Nepal today? The following.
TOURIST AND EXPORT
These are the majority of khukuris made in Nepal today. Some are flashy with lots of engraving and scabbards covered with all sorts of brass decorations (usually made by Newaris in Patan -- beautiful but non-functional). Others "appear" to be a high quality khukuri. When Cliff examined one of the latter during recent testing he did he said it looked very good. When he tested it the khukuri failed penetration test (tip bent) and lateral strength test (blade bent). Cobalt has essestially destroyed one in normal use. Looks can be deceiving.
NEPAL ARMY KHUKURI
Not a bad knife. It is made by a shop in Bhaktapur and is generally pretty decent quality although the handle is too small for most Americans.
BRITISH ARMY SERVICE
A shop in Bhojpur had the contract for these the last I heard but with only 238 Gurkha recruits going into British Army Service this year this is not enough to keep the shop alive. So I am not sure who is making these knives today -- could be the Bhojpur shop or maybe some smaller shop. Good blade, decent handle, fair fit and poor finish.
LOCAL USE
Next to the Himalayan Imports khukuri generally the best khukuri made in Nepal today. Why? Because the customer is local and will come back and complain if the khukuri does not do what it should. Almost always fitted with the partial tang handle which will fail but excellent blade. Finish is poor -- not required for locals. Karda, chakma, scabbard, generally not included.
HIMALAYAN IMPORTS KHUKURIS
The highest quality khukuri being made in Nepal today. Made by master kamis only with spring steel blades, excellently zone hardened. Fit and finish excellent. As old tests and recent tests by experts and users demonstrate there are few knives in the world that measure up to this one.
Questions or comments?
Uncle Bill
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 30 March 1999).]
TOURIST AND EXPORT
These are the majority of khukuris made in Nepal today. Some are flashy with lots of engraving and scabbards covered with all sorts of brass decorations (usually made by Newaris in Patan -- beautiful but non-functional). Others "appear" to be a high quality khukuri. When Cliff examined one of the latter during recent testing he did he said it looked very good. When he tested it the khukuri failed penetration test (tip bent) and lateral strength test (blade bent). Cobalt has essestially destroyed one in normal use. Looks can be deceiving.
NEPAL ARMY KHUKURI
Not a bad knife. It is made by a shop in Bhaktapur and is generally pretty decent quality although the handle is too small for most Americans.
BRITISH ARMY SERVICE
A shop in Bhojpur had the contract for these the last I heard but with only 238 Gurkha recruits going into British Army Service this year this is not enough to keep the shop alive. So I am not sure who is making these knives today -- could be the Bhojpur shop or maybe some smaller shop. Good blade, decent handle, fair fit and poor finish.
LOCAL USE
Next to the Himalayan Imports khukuri generally the best khukuri made in Nepal today. Why? Because the customer is local and will come back and complain if the khukuri does not do what it should. Almost always fitted with the partial tang handle which will fail but excellent blade. Finish is poor -- not required for locals. Karda, chakma, scabbard, generally not included.
HIMALAYAN IMPORTS KHUKURIS
The highest quality khukuri being made in Nepal today. Made by master kamis only with spring steel blades, excellently zone hardened. Fit and finish excellent. As old tests and recent tests by experts and users demonstrate there are few knives in the world that measure up to this one.
Questions or comments?
Uncle Bill
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 30 March 1999).]
