What makes a khukuri a certain model

J

jamaljahda

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Mar 4, 2009
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I know he ang khola comes from the indentations on he back of the blade because it means back valley and I know a sirupate is different from a chitlange because of the closed cho but looking at a malla a chainpuri and a chitlange all I see is subtle angle changes. So the question is what is it that distinguishes a model from another? What makes a chainpuri a chainpuri, a sirupate a sirupate a kobra a kobra and so on
 
jamaljahda its usually a combination of blade & handle shape almost like saying a bowie is separate from a drop point hunter or a slipjoint is different from a lockback or a linerlock. You get variations sometimes because of the Kami who made it or people request hybrid designs. I've been staring at them for 4 months and I can classify some Khukuri's but the finer model distinctions sometimes escape me. Here is a good place to start reading http://www.himalayan-imports.com/khuk1.html
 
Other differences include blade shape, use of chirras (fullers), spine thickness, degree of drop, the balance of the blade, bevel sizes, handle design, inscriptions on the blade, the origin of the design, etc. I've most likely missed out on other differences, but you get the point.

It took me a while to figure out the differences between models, but now I have a rudimentary knowledge.
 
I'm definitely a noobie both here on the forum and to khukuris in general; about all I new about them were they were bent and the Gurkhas use them. Prior to my first purchase I did some research and actually retained some info on the models I liked the best.

When the Ganjawal came up on the DOTD; I didn't remember it but liked what I saw although it was fancier than I usually like. After snagging it I searched for info and wasn't able to find much but I did find this link to a much smaller version from a competitor.http://www.gurkhaskhukuri.com/catalog/ganjawal/ganjawal_main.jpgWhat surprised me was the sheathe. I had thought the design was a custom, one-off; but it appears the Sarkis follow some kind of standard design to use based on which blade it's for. I don't know if this applies to all khuks or just the more ornate ones but it's possible the sheathe design could help id a blade. Here's the link to the post with my Ganjawal for comparison. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=769580
 
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From my understanding, a Chitlangi is distinguished by three features:

- domed, "bell shaped" pommel cap
- enclosed, "heart shaped" cho
- relatively narrow blade

H.I. offers three versions:

- the standard model which is the heaviest of them; it has the widest blade of the H.I. Chitlangis and has double fullers (IMO this is the most beautiful form of all khukris)
- the Panchthar (which refers to the blade shape), which has deep single fullers and very wide edge bevels in a profile almost like that of a katana
- the Dharaine, which is almost like a Kobra with a Chitlangi hilt

The Chainpuri is similar to the Chitlangi, but it doesnt have a metal pommel cap; just a small keeper, and it has a lightweight, narrow, and very pointy blade.

The Kobra is a modified Sirupati intended to be a weapon. It's supposed to be the lightest and fastest Khukri but I have a Sirupati/Gelbu hybrid which is lighter than most of the Kobras I've seen in its size class (20.25" and 24 oz).

The Gelbu Special is like a Chitlangi/Sirupati hybrid. It's blade is a little broader than a Sirupati and it has an enclosed cho like a Chitlangi. The blade has single fullers which are very broad and deep, making it quick and agile but with good hitting power.

The Sirupati is lean and nimble but strong enough to do some lighter chopping duties. Its distinguished by a narrow sword-like blade, but not quite as narrow as that of a Kobra.
 
-the sirupati is less wide than most kukris and is relatively lightweight and more neutrally balanced. It's light but still strong enough to do some decent chopping.

-the kobra isn't as forward-angled and is sort of like a thinner/lighter and generally longer sirupati. Consider it a (more) martial arts version of the sirupati.

-the chitlangi has double fullers, a closed cho, and a bell shaped pommel to make the kukri more neutral in balance.

-the chainpuri shares similarities with the chitlangi. It has a bell shaped pomel and a closed cho as well, but lacks the double fullers and also starts coming to a point sooner, making for a fairly pointy kukri.

-the malla has a flat back, not the traditional V-shape. It was based on a kukri found under the floor of BirGorkha and was dated back to the "malla" period (1200-1769)
 
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