Why the two small knives?

[SpyderJon]

Hello! I'm new to the world of larger fixed blades, like the ones produced by you fine folks. The question I have is, most of the pictures I've seen of your knives have two smaller blades shown below them. I'm curious as to why this is? Is it something traditional, or used for size comparison? I'm not really sure, so I thought I'd ask. I hope that I don't offend anyone by asking a question that is too simple, but I would like to know. Thanks!

 

[ddean]

The only silly question is the one unasked.

One is a small utility knife, the other is a knife shaped steel for keeping the khuk edge in shape. There are 'slots' behind the big blade where these sit.

Some older khukuris came with a very complete kit of up to a dozen extras (i've seen a picture of one such example).
Common items included a tinder pouch, tweezers?, awl, and others.

The Nepali version of (and predating) the Swiss Army Knife.

Someone else here can provide a more complete picture than I.

regards,
dean

 

[Vicks]

Its just a case of the right tool for the job. A khuk is probably the most versatile fixed knife ever made. The karda (knife) and chakma (burnishing tool) add to this versatility. Before lighters and matches became available dry tinder was a must-have as well. I'll bet Uncle Bill and the kamis would be millionaires if they were peddling HI khuks in the era of western expansion.

 

[WrongFriend]

This is not what chakma & karda are equipped for, but you can adjust the tightness of khukuri scabbard by them. Push them more into the scabbard, it will be a bit tighter.

 

[Bill Martino]

Thanks for good help.

 

[SkagSig40]

Hi Jon and welcome to the forum! Go to the H.I. website and you will learn all there is to know about the best knives on the Earth...Khukuris! Enjoy!

 

[SpyderJon]

Thanks for the help! it's always interesting to find out something new about a great knife! So, it seems that with a utility blade and a sharpener with a khukuri, this might be the perfect set-up for camping trips and the like. Why haven't I heard more about these knives as camp knives then I wonder? Could it just be that the unusual blade shape puts doubts into peoples' minds about its utility? Something to think about, definitely. I'm looking forward to finding more information about these knives, and who knows, maybe I'll end up with one (perhaps for my birthday?? ???) Thanks, again for the information though!

 

[Tohatchi NM]

Originally posted by SpyderJon
Why haven't I heard more about these knives as camp knives then I wonder?

Khuks aren't exactly what most Americans think of when they look for a knife. Someone can correct me, but we've pretty much stuck to the straight-bladed butcher/hunting knife and variations on that theme since colonial days. Lots of knife-preference is familial or cultural, passed down from parent to child (not to mention in preproduction era, blacksmiths knew how to make certain kinds of things).

Khuks are still pretty low on the radar - at least until you get number one - then 2 through 50 follow pretty rapidly.

 

[redvenom]

Its our little secret. Well, mabye not no secret since the Gorkhas in British service and their khukuris have had their share of limelight for the most part of the last century.

But, we will slowly convert the masses to the cult of the bent blade. Once you have used one, resistance is futile...

Andrew Limsk

Originally posted by Tohatchi NM


Khuks aren't exactly what most Americans think of when they look for a knife. Someone can correct me, but we've pretty much stuck to the straight-bladed butcher/hunting knife and variations on that theme since colonial days. Lots of knife-preference is familial or cultural, passed down from parent to child (not to mention in preproduction era, blacksmiths knew how to make certain kinds of things).

Khuks are still pretty low on the radar - at least until you get number one - then 2 through 50 follow pretty rapidly.

 

[Bill Martino]

"cult of the bent blade" I like it.