Yet another pretty khukuri (this one is from JP)

not2sharp

not2sharp

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(John asked me to post this for him)

After having done a lot more homework plus getting more info from the owner
I have determined this thing was made around 1870-1890 for the European
trinket market. Too many things wrong like the etched blade instead of
wootz, no T section for a blade from India, too pristine, never saw a
scabbard, etc. This was not a blade that was ever meant for use.
It is great eye candy, but I would take a pass. On a very good day at
auction it may bring US$600 to $1200. Not cheap,
but not as important as many other kukris.

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John,

How do you distinguish tourist khukuries from ceremonial ones, or, either one from those made to deceive early European collectors?

n2s
 
By seeing lots and lots of this type piece (never a kukri) and comparing other Indian pieces (talwars, khanjars, etc) that have similar designs, but either have provenance and are of finer steel.

I doubt this was made to "deceive" rather that it was always known it would be sold as a wallhanger. If you tried to hit anything with this, I would bet the blade would dent or bend. The owner was very vague about if there was even an edge or not.
 
A pretty one and thanks for help, n2s.

With the factory construction cash crunch frenzy I'm running out of time for non-essential stuff.
 
I just dont understand things like that.

If anyone here has ever read Musashi Miyamoto's Book of the Five rings... then you would know that there is no utility in "eye candy" and therefore no true function.

The prettiest blade in other words.. is the one that has the most utility. If it cant be used then its useless in my book.

Musashi Miyamoto is arguebly the greatest swordsman of all time. Anyone who is interested in sword combat or is interested in knowing how a true warrior thinks.. I suggest you pick the book up.

one story worthy of note is that he was so good at sword duelling in feudal japan that he would fight with wooden sticks instead of swords and still kill his opponents. He rarely showered or groomed himself too (yuk :( )

he followed the code of bushido to the "T"

anyways its one of those philosophical warrior books... its relatively short... and makes for agreat read.
 
If anyone here has ever read Musashi Miyamoto's Book of the Five rings... then you would know that there is no utility in "eye candy" and therefore no true function.
Click to expand...

As people become more knowledgeable they tend to gravitate towards functional pieces. Functional becomes sub-consciously an attractive asthetic. But, there is and has always been a wider audience, with little appreciation of product mechanics, and these items are targeted at them. Just look at the number of dollars spent on the stuff produced by Franklyn Mint. :barf:

n2s
 
Ah but what is utility. What is superfluous to some, is absolutely necessary to others in thier cultural context. Like heavily waved kris. On a physical level, they are detriments, as they increase the likelihood of failure in use (eg. getting stuck). But on a spiritual level, they are that much more endowed with talismanic powers, which to the warrior is just as valuable. For me, the real challenge and beauty of it is deciphering what is the true utility.

As for Musashi, the book is fictional, though I loved the movies. Toshiro Minfune will always be Musashi in my heart.:D
 
But on a spiritual level, they are that much more endowed with talismanic powers
Click to expand...

Not just spiritual. They are practical in the sense that they are just plain SCARY! Anything that makes your enemy hesitate is a plus for you.
 
I'm definitely in the pro-decoration camp.

Decoration indicates status, and status is intimidating. A weapon that intimidates potential opponents can prevent a fight altogether. I'd say that's the most functional you could ever hope a weapon to be!

In the words of Sun Tzu's _Art of War_, "To win without fighting is the greatest victory."

PS: Yellow scabbards rock! :cool:
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
Not just spiritual. They are practical in the sense that they are just plain SCARY! Anything that makes your enemy hesitate is a plus for you.
Click to expand...
One of things noted about Moro Warriors, in thier first dealings with Europeans, they showed no fear of these new found enemies. I suppose growing up with such exotic weaponry, the plain looking things the Europeans called swords musta made them all think that these new white guys aint got no mojo.:eek: :D
 
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