WWII Video Showing Survival Skills with Khukuri and Machete

jdk1

jdk1

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This is a neat video from WWII which was posted on a khukuri site. The first part shows some survival skills taught for the Burma theater. It shows khukuri and machete being used, though the machete is strange. BTW, from photgraphs, it appears khukuri were very popular with Allied troops in the China-Burma-India Theater. Of course, machetes were widely used by troops, as well as parangs from what I understand. Anyway, it's almost like watching Les Stroud work, except 80 years ago. Hopefully you'll find it as interesting as I did. Take care.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnjU1uIh86s&feature=player_embedded
 
Wow, the WW-II survival kit folding machete in use. Made by Case, Camillus, and Cattaraugus plus an English company or two.
 
That is a pretty neat video. You really don't get to hear much about the CBI theater, its always Europe or the popular pacific stuff like Siapan, Iwo, etc. My favorite part was seeing the airman using his folding machete, those things are so cool. Thanks for posting.:thumbup:
 
I got interested in the CBI Theater after picking up this khuk, whose owner, LtC. Elgin B. Rittenberry, used in when flying missions over the "Hump".

PPMkIIkhuks002.jpg


LtC. Rittenberry in earlier years.
post-8213-1329272913.jpg
 
Thanks for that, that was really cool
I had one GrandFather on both fronts...My Father's Father was in the Pacific, he saw some rough stuff.
 
jdk1 said:
I got interested in the CBI Theater after picking up this khuk, whose owner, LtC. Elgin B. Rittenberry, used in when flying missions over the "Hump".

PPMkIIkhuks002.jpg


LtC. Rittenberry in earlier years.
post-8213-1329272913.jpg
Click to expand...

WOW, that is cool as hell.
 
Thanks guys. The folding machete! That's where I've seen that one before. I knew I'd seen the weird shape. Sounds like a product destined for failure:) The credit for finding this video goes to Simon Hengle of Tora Blades. He posted it on his khukuri forum.

GNN, I love that khuk. I picked it up on the Bay. On a whim, I emailed the seller asking if he had any additional info, knowing he wouldn't. He emailed back with tons. Turnes out, he picked it up from his neighbor, who was the late colonel's son IIRC. Kind of sad he got rid of it, but it will be cherished in my collection. Take care.
 
Those folding machetes are pretty tough, over built sort of tools. Used to be very common at gun shows back in the 70's but have disappeared into collections now I guess.
 
I had one of the folding machetes. It was a very good tool...disappeared years ago.

The Kukri's shown are very similar to my HI M43. I used that Kukri as my main survival tool over several very hard years. They are extremely versatile and capable, much more so than they first appear.
 
I picked up a folding Cattaragus in a pawn shop about 10 years ago. Paid 5 bux. It rides in the door pocket of my truck.
 
sodak said:
cool video! What was he rubbing on the bamboo to make the fire?
Click to expand...

More bamboo I believe, just make sure it's nice and dry. It a form of friction fire (called a bamboo fire saw); you can find videos of the technique on YouTube.


To the OP, thanks for the link, I really enjoy watching the old military training videos:thumbup:

-sh00ter
 
Nice to see the video. That CBI piece is very nice indeed. I have one with, ahem, patina -- and beetle damage to the horn handle The scabbard has a CBI Theater badge attached. Love the continuous curve.
 
Awesome video thank you so much!!
 
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