Identifying Types of Kukri
Dec 2, 2013 4:35:08 GMT
Post by sweetcostarica on Dec 2, 2013 4:35:08 GMT
Identifying Types of Kukri (Revision 1.02)
The above photo is of a very famous crescent moon stamped Kukri belonging to Major General John Frederick Lane Fisher, called The Fisher Kukri. He was a Lieutenant at the time of the Siege of Delhi in 1857, during the Indian Mutiny.
Kukri Types
First Group
Traditional Nepali Military Kukris - Goorkha Army Kukris (GAK). Size weight and quality vary depending on financial considerations, and regimental requirements.
Second Group
Nepali Civilian Kukris (villagers). There are many types/styles of Villager Kukris due to personnel requirements and finance.
Third Group **
Chhetri Caste Kukris - Chhetri are a high Hindu caste in both Nepal and India. Chhetris helped unify Nepal, and along with the Magar were the backbone of the Gorkhali Army in the mid-16th century, perhaps the best known type is the one associated with the title 'Hanshee'. These kukri are highly collectable, especially Kothimomra variations.
Fourth Group**
Kukri for the British Gurkhas
A. Pre-1900 issue made by the Battalion armorers
B. Battalion issue up until 1926 (quite often hand made)
C. Regimental Issue from 1926 (quite often hand made)
D. General Indian Army issue (War time); example ring handled kukri
E. Mark Issue, a result of Lord Kitcheners Reforms and issued to any unit that qualified for kukri
F. Post the Mk4 Service issue (BSI)
Until 1858 they were made for Goorkhas in the East India Company's Bengal army, then for the Crown, and then under Lord Kitchener's reforms in 1903, they became the Indian Army.
Fifth Group
Kukris for Export & the Tourist Trade - Can be any design, quality, or weight. These tend to be heavy, non-traditional, & lower end Kukris.
Sixth Group
Current Production Kukris made with modern materials & industrial production methods (example: Cold Steel, Ontario, Fox Kukri, etc.). These vary in dimensions and weights.
Seventh Group
Current Production Replica Kukri - Close copies in materials, dimensions, weight, and production methods of traditional Nepali/Indian Kukris of the past & present.
Note: 5 of the different groups of Kukris I have seen and read about in “Identifying and Collecting the Nepalese Military Kukri” by Ben Judkins.*
The third group was introduced by Simon Hengle because of it’s importance.
The seventh group was added by myself because of it’s uniqueness in Nepali made Kukri Knives used outside of Nepal. Tora Blades seems to be the only Nepali Kukri manufacturer making replica Kukri exclusively in traditional weights and dimensions.
Reference(s):
*www.chinesemartialstudies.com, in Kung Fu Tea. Title: Identifying and Collecting the Nepalese Military Kukri by Ben Judkins, November 5th, 2012.
**Edits, corrections, and additions made by Simon Hengle.
The above photo is of a very famous crescent moon stamped Kukri belonging to Major General John Frederick Lane Fisher, called The Fisher Kukri. He was a Lieutenant at the time of the Siege of Delhi in 1857, during the Indian Mutiny.
Kukri Types
First Group
Traditional Nepali Military Kukris - Goorkha Army Kukris (GAK). Size weight and quality vary depending on financial considerations, and regimental requirements.
Second Group
Nepali Civilian Kukris (villagers). There are many types/styles of Villager Kukris due to personnel requirements and finance.
Third Group **
Chhetri Caste Kukris - Chhetri are a high Hindu caste in both Nepal and India. Chhetris helped unify Nepal, and along with the Magar were the backbone of the Gorkhali Army in the mid-16th century, perhaps the best known type is the one associated with the title 'Hanshee'. These kukri are highly collectable, especially Kothimomra variations.
Fourth Group**
Kukri for the British Gurkhas
A. Pre-1900 issue made by the Battalion armorers
B. Battalion issue up until 1926 (quite often hand made)
C. Regimental Issue from 1926 (quite often hand made)
D. General Indian Army issue (War time); example ring handled kukri
E. Mark Issue, a result of Lord Kitcheners Reforms and issued to any unit that qualified for kukri
F. Post the Mk4 Service issue (BSI)
Until 1858 they were made for Goorkhas in the East India Company's Bengal army, then for the Crown, and then under Lord Kitchener's reforms in 1903, they became the Indian Army.
Fifth Group
Kukris for Export & the Tourist Trade - Can be any design, quality, or weight. These tend to be heavy, non-traditional, & lower end Kukris.
Sixth Group
Current Production Kukris made with modern materials & industrial production methods (example: Cold Steel, Ontario, Fox Kukri, etc.). These vary in dimensions and weights.
Seventh Group
Current Production Replica Kukri - Close copies in materials, dimensions, weight, and production methods of traditional Nepali/Indian Kukris of the past & present.
Note: 5 of the different groups of Kukris I have seen and read about in “Identifying and Collecting the Nepalese Military Kukri” by Ben Judkins.*
The third group was introduced by Simon Hengle because of it’s importance.
The seventh group was added by myself because of it’s uniqueness in Nepali made Kukri Knives used outside of Nepal. Tora Blades seems to be the only Nepali Kukri manufacturer making replica Kukri exclusively in traditional weights and dimensions.
Reference(s):
*www.chinesemartialstudies.com, in Kung Fu Tea. Title: Identifying and Collecting the Nepalese Military Kukri by Ben Judkins, November 5th, 2012.
**Edits, corrections, and additions made by Simon Hengle.