KHUKURI KNIVES
Introduction
Elements of the Khukuri Knife
The Khukuri, a semi-curved metal knife, is synonymous with the valor of the legendary Gurkha soldiers. Though the Khukuri is the national knife of Nepal, it is not only famous in Nepal or for the Gurkha soldiers, but it has gained popularity in the world for being one of the most practical, convenient and peculiar knives. As for the Bowie knife, The Stiletto, Scimitar, the Roman Sword, Samurai sword or Machete, which are all famous types of knives and swords.
They all had their roles to play in the different historical events and eras, because of their cutting edge over other weapons. The most famous of them all is probably the Kukri Knife.
It is a curved metal knife and is always carried by each Gurkha soldier. It was said that once a Khukuri was drawn in battle, it had to 'taste blood' - if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning into its sheath. In the hands of an experienced wielder the Khukuri is a formidable weapon. The little men, utterly courageous, supremely cheerful, stealthy as leopards and as agile as a mountain goat.
Their tactics usually involved, ducking when the enemy stabs with their bayonettes, and thrusting the Khukuri into the soft flesh of the stomach area, ripping them open in a single blow. The result of such a dangerous combination of man and blade is a superb and effective quick and silent death.
The Khukuri, however, is more than just an enemy's nightmare. From its origins as a valuable farming implement, the Khukuri evolved over the centuries into a lethal fighting weapon. To most of Nepal's rural people - who constitute more than 90% of the kingdom's population - the Khukuri is their everyday tool: a multi-purpose knife which can be used for cutting grass, chopping wood, peeling vegetables, slaughtering animals and skinning meat, not to mention warding off dangerous animals and the occasional human invader. Nepalese people traditionally carry their Khukuris, even when traveling abroad.
The Khukuri is also used in sacrificial ceremonies: during Dashain, within the Gurkha regiments, the Khukuri is used to behead a cow, thus pleasing the gods and goddesses, who in return will protect the Gurkhas during battle. Those Nepalese who do not want to participate in the spillage of blood, usually slash a pumpkin instead. The Khukuri is then draped in flowers and blessed with or without the animal's blood.
The typical, standard Kukri, The British Service No.1, is very thick at the base, measuring about 10 mm or a little more than a quarter of an inch in thickness. From the back it is thinned off gradually to the edge, which has a curvature of its own, quite different to that of the back, so the blade is the widest, and thickest at the back and middle, and tapers down towards the hilt and at the other end towards the point. The point of the Khukuri is as sharp as a needle, and thus the Khukuri can be used for cutting and stabbing. The unique design of the Khukuri makes it a heavy knife, and ideally suited for chopping too. A blow from such a weapon can be a terrible one, the very weight of the blade, if allowed to fall from a certain height, would drive half way through the arm of a person.
The Khukuri has never been broken during battle. Not a surprising claim, considering that the knife is made only from high grade steel often taken from a railway line or truck spring. A Khukuri handle is usually made from rosewood, buffalo horn or metals such as Aluminum or Brass. In some cases Ivory and Antlers are also utilized for making the handle. The common scabbard is made from leather or wood and often features various carved designed.
Most Khukuri models, feature two little knives attached at the back of the sheath held either in a built-in pocket or a leather purse. The small sharp knife is a Karda. Besides being used to hone the master blade, it serves for small cutting jobs as well. When a child is born, the Karda is used to cut the umbilical cord. Afterwards the knife is placed at the side of the cot to ward off evil spirits. The other knife is called a Chakmak. It can be used to make fire and is also used to hone (sharpen) the blade.
The Gurkha and his Khukuri are inseparable. Together they've earned their fame, which can never be forgotten.
This is Nepal, famed for the Gurkhas and their Khukuris.
Origin
The word Kukri is the current accepted spelling. Although a shortened version, the Nepalese word "khukuri", is actually a three (3) syllable word: "kook-er-ee", and have over the years been watered down to the words kukri or khukuri as we know it today.
|
Nevertheless, the Kukri is the National weapon of the Gurkhas and Nepal - and has been since the early 1600’s. The Kukri is an efficient tool in the hands of his Nepalese Master and is used for building, digging furrows, cutting up meat and pealing vegetables, hammering in a nail or two, as well as a very efficient and lethal fighting tool. According to the writer hereof, it is the latter that has given the Kukri its reputation over the years. It also has its religious roll to play in the different Hindu festivals held during the year - especially during the Dasain, which is the most important of the Hindu festivals. |
|
The Rare Kukri. Silver mounted court Kothimora scabbard. The Blade is a budhume type.
Mark McMorrow Collection. |
Thus, not only a tool, but also, all in all, a part of everyday life for the citizens and soldiers of Nepal.
Regarding its origin, unfortunately, not much is known, but its features are similar to a blade used and carried by the Egyptians. This was called a kopesh. A similar type weapon was also used by the Greeks - it was called kopis. In Roman times it was referred to as a falcatta.
It is quite possible that some of these influences could have found their way to the East via the trade routes of the time, or even with Alexander The Great. The earliest known Nepalese style Kukri belonged to Raja Drabya Shah, king of Gorkha in 1627.
Like all things, the Kukri has evolved over the years, and some were even manufactured in Tibet, India, Assam, Italy and even London in 1878. After 1800, all kukris came with the distinctive notch in front of the grip and bolster. The bolster being the metal divider between the handle and the blade, sometimes referred to as the "guard".
This notch, or kauri, is commonly referred to as a cho. The exact purpose is unknown, but it could either be to catch and neutralize an enemy blade or a purely Hindu religious symbol - or even a Holy Cow Hoof. There are some arguments for the idea that it was designed to keep blood from dripping on the handle, thus preventing it from becoming slippery during battle.
http://www.kukriknives.co.za/knife-knowledge/about-kukri-knives.htm
Gustavo
"Las armas tienen por objeto y fin la paz,
que es el mayor bien que los hombres pueden
desear en esta vida."
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616)
