What was the prefered World War II Kuhkuri?

[Jack Corbett]

I just received my World War II 16.5 inch khkuri with a black horn handle. Its blade is 11 inches long and it weights 24 ounces or 700 grams. Its a beautiful khukri. What I am wondering about, however, is, although undoubtedly different versions of the khukri were used during World War II with varying blade lengths and weights, what was the most representative type? We have here at Himalayan Imports two models, one like mine at 16.5 inches overall length and the other at 18 inches. Which length would have been more favored?

Khukri House offers two World War II models with 13 inch blades. According to KH they weigh between 1050 to 1100 ounces. So this is KH's concept of what the typical World War II Gurkha's khukri was like. I already have from KH a custom that has a 13 inch blade and weighs around 1100 grams. It's slow to wield, and it feels massive, but I imagine it's going to stop just about anything. It has their World War II style blade so with the exception of the special handle it's no doubt typical of their idea of what a World War II favorite would have been.

So here we go. I would imagine an average HI World War II model is going to weigh around 800 grams or so which is considerably lighter than a World War II KH khukri So I am wondering if most World War II gurkhas would have favored 13 inch models going over a kilogram which would significantly heavier to carry day in and day out or if they would have favored something like I just got from Himalayan Imports---a 16.5 inch model with an 11 inch blade weighing 700 grams. Or would most of them have preferred something similar to the 18 inch model weighing around 800 grams or so?

This 16.5 HI World War II model is a very beautiful piece. Am thinking about getting the 18 inch World War II model but also have my eye on an 18 inch Ang khola which is apparently significantly heavier, although with their intended use being to put up on my walls I like the idea of a khukri that is more representative of WWII.

 

[bemo]

Welcome to the forum! I'm sure Berkley will be by shortly as the history is his specialty. From the little bit I know, there were about 4 or 5 different issued types of khukri from several manufacturers. However, some Gurka took their own family khukri with them. Could you post pics? Particularly of any identifying marks? And again, Welcome!

 

[HighlanderNorth]

I dont know the exact length of the 'official' Kukris used in WWII, but I have read that they were smaller in pretty much all aspects than the versions being sold to us in the West. I believe they were in the neighborhood of 14-15" overall, which is handle and blade, and were significantly lighter. The handles were shorter too. The models sold to western folks are enlarged. The handles are larger, longer and so is the blade.

I would like to have a traditional size WWII Nepalese Kukri, remake or original.

 

[Berkley]

20th Century British Military Pattern Gurkha Issue Kukri
The HI models with blades most closely resembling WWII Gurkha issued kukris are the M43 (naturally) and Ajambari (derived from a Mk 3).

 

[Steve Tall]

Some more reading on the topic, from the FAQ at the HI site:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/MilitaryStyles.htm

 

[Issun]

heres my 1941 issued Khukuri next to an HI cobra
its about 17.5" long, making it a BIG knife, but its far lighter than any of my HI knives, these things were designed to be carried and to cut a soft target, not to cut wood reliably. Himalayan Imports knives are made (with a few exceptions) to be woodsman's knives and are much beefier in order to help with cutting tougher targets (wood over flesh) at the expense of weight. an exception would be the Foxy Folly, its design feels more like the old Khukuris.

 

[Jack Corbett]

Here's the lineup. With the exception of the Himalayan Imports WWII model (for now), I've duracoated all of my kuhkuris. In general based on this single HI kuhkuri I'd say the overall fit and finish is a bit better. The knife to scabbard fit is perfect for example. The geometry of the blade is truer. However, there are some models at KH that have better attention to detail than the KH ones I presently have.

I've been living in Thailand so on this order from HI it was shipped from the U.S. after being shipped to the U.S. from Nepal. In my case this means International shipping after the kukri was shipped from the factory in Nepal to the U.S. I will be in the U.S. again in 3 weeks. Also have a supply of duracoat waiting for me in the U.S. (costs 3 times as much to buy it here as in the U.S.) that is good for 2 kuhkuris. Planning on duracoating the 16.5 inch WWII model. Needless to say I'm tempted to buy another HI kuhkuri to go with the 16.5 inch WWII Model as I will be wanting to make use of the duracoat material plus I'll be saving $40.00 on the International shipping. In fact I have just ordered a small display stand from Nepal. It's gotten to the point my walls are starting to look like an armory or museum so I'm looking for alternative ways to display newly purchased kukris as I want to confine them to this small bedroom--office to keep them out of the living room away from prying eyes.

Thanks for all your replies and help re the World War II kuhkuri's actually used in the conflict. Seems the lineup used by Gurkhas was all over the place. Until now I was thinking the Most favored style and length was on the order of my 13 inch custom which would be a decapitator par excellence. My 16.5 " WWII would have gone easily on the belt of Gurkha soldiers being just 700 grams. The heavier and slightly shorter 11 " extreme is substantially lighter than the 13 inch custom but is balanced in such a manner and still pretty heavy that I think it offers a great compromise between portability and capability of delivering maximum impact. So---if I were a Gurkha soldier during WWII I'm wondering what I'd really favor to go Japanese head hunting. All of this is sheer fantasy of course. The reality is---what would make a good companion piece, for me, to the WWII 16.5 " HI that I just took delivery of two days ago?