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Post by Eric Bergeron on Sept 1, 2022 21:27:59 GMT
Great video Thorfinn, the kukri is by far my favorite type of weapon I own.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Sept 2, 2022 0:12:15 GMT
Yes....It *almost* makes me wanna go there to shop. ALMOST... Nah.
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Post by simplerman on Jul 16, 2023 20:05:54 GMT
While Made in Nepal Khukuris usually are the most used and discussed in the west I find it interesting seeing khukuris made in regions with a strong influence of Nepalis/Gorkhalis, like Darjeling, Assam and Sikkim of India. While indian internal politics dont really encourage blade manufactuering and much else. I appreciate seeing these local markets, different designs, made more with use in mind then finesse and finish. The leather sheaths looks rather crude, the wooden one probably works great. No subtitles, but shows what could be attained from a local market in the hillregions of India. kukri bazar 00:39 A not to common kaudi, probably shamanistic in meaning, but who knows. kukri market in India
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pgandy
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Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Jul 17, 2023 0:54:55 GMT
I couldn’t help but chuckle when I saw the Indian kukris. A westerner wouldn’t touch them as they have rust spots, don’t shine pretty, bear wood grips, no frog, and the HRC isn’t up to their liking. I have to go out of my way to specify for many of those traits when ordering. Lately the HRC is higher than I like at about 57. In all fairness I haven’t had any real issue with that such as chipping, but forget about an easy re-profile, my files do a little more than to skate across the blade. My Windlass is a more to my liking. It is obvious we look for different things.
Cultural similarities will spill across borders, where political differences stop.
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Post by simplerman on Jul 18, 2023 19:15:43 GMT
I agree with much of what you said. These water quenched khukuris may be more of a gamble then an oil quenched one, so some export versions may be better in some ways. The quality may be better (if getting a good one, not a souvenir). But these are genuine Khukuris, the authenticity of these for me have just about the highest value of appreciation. It saddens me enormously to see blacksmiths and companies going out of their way making khukuris so non-traditional as possible due to foreign demand (mirror polish, guards, and designs that has nothing to do with Nepal or Gorkhalis). But one cant change things, call it distorsion or progress, but I cant stop it. But I can for those interested, give a glimpse (very limited by my own knowledge) of how traditional khukuris look, are used and by whom. From about 00:55-01:30 a shaman using a khukuri, the knife that follows all aspects of life, ever present from worship, to cutting vegatables, to self defence and cutting down trees and slaugther. A very significant and important blade I would say.
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Post by simplerman on Sept 8, 2023 1:05:18 GMT
A few days left until the release of the film Gurkha Warrior.
Lets hope for historical accuracy.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 14, 2023 14:00:38 GMT
For those interested, this year Dashain begins tomorrow 15 October and ends 28 October.
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Post by simplerman on Nov 18, 2023 21:26:06 GMT
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Post by airborne on Mar 17, 2024 12:19:04 GMT
I hope people dont mind me coming to this thread albeit a little late but I thought it might be time for a slight update regarding Kukuri manufacturers in Nepal . Back in 2021 " Simpleman " named four of the better known manufacturers , HI , Kailash Blades , KHHI and Heritage knives , and I tend to agree with most of what he said regarding these particular manufacturers . I admit to being surprised he did not mention both Tora blades and GGK who in my opinion stand at the top of their game . as Simpleman said each of the better manufacturers all have their own differences in what they offer and no one does everything the best ! Knowing what I know now after many years of dealing with knives in general ( but mainly kukuris ) , there are only certain companies I would actually buy from regarding quality , knowledge , fit and finish , correct forging , heat treatment and tempering together with weight to balance and good ergonomics etc . My choice ( maybe not everyones ) would be Tora Blades , Kailash Blades , Heritage Knives and GGK .I believe that KHHI have let slip their reputation over the years and not really moved forward with their traditional heritage just by producing any old kukuri like knife which has no relevence to the traditional made kukuri in weight ,verses balance verses ergonomics , enough said . GGK ON THE OTHER HAND MAKE SOME GREAT KUKURIS AND IN FACT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE ALMOST ANY HISTORIC STYLE SWORD A CUSTOMER ASKS FOR . I have four kukuris with my own semi customisation from Mr Purna Darnal of GGK and I have to say he turned out some really nice work with overall good fit and finish . I would say his command of English is not the best making it a little difficult to get him to understand what you really want in the customisation , I was lucky enough to have a Nepali friend translate for me .My only gripe with GGK now is that his prices seem a little high , especially for customisation . Tora Blades have quite a high reputation and a loyal following as they tend to stick with historical accurate replicas of different styles of kukuris but there is no room for any kind of customisation even with their scabbards which tend to be all the same black military style complete with frog , Being a traditionalist I like a little ethnology in my kukuris , ie brown traditional Dap with potuka buttons etc ( just to have that choice would be nice ).Kailash Blades on the other hand seem to make a good kukuri depending on the style you want and do have many different options for the aesthetics etc together with a continuing good all round reputation , good customer service and a very knowledgable guy in charge of the company . Last but not least , Heritage Knives . Once again VK does have a vast amount of knowledge regarding everything kukuri and by all accounts does some brilliant work with well finished and working kukuris . My only problem is after recently contacting him is that he has stopped sending his products to the UK , no slight on VK , just the idiotic UK customs laws making it quite difficult ! Other companies find their way around this so I cant see why Heritage knives cannot do the same . Hope this has helped a little to understand what is on offer , but as I said these are only my opinions and others may disagree .
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Post by simplerman on Mar 31, 2024 13:34:13 GMT
Never to early or late for discussions on bent blades. I compiled that list many years ago and choose companies that I had personal experience of. I thought Torablades were on the list but I thought wrong. Everything seen through the lens of traditional khukuris. An update of the list would look not very different today, but one member here got a bad experience from Kailash blades so today I would have toned down them slightly, still interesting if one would like something more modern though. I have had some of their traditional, their use of micarta and experimenting may be perfect for some, but for me I have moved away completely from them. Some described them as the hipster Khukuri company, perhaps. For those into modernized khukuris, worth a look, but not my cup of tea. I would say Torablades put other companies to shame when they started, and more people got to know the term "sharpened crowbar". "Tourist Khukuri". Historic reproductions vs "cool-looking made up khukuris". If copying is flattering it did start to pop up more historical models from the other houses. I havent had a Torablade for years, one reason being their fondness for mirrorpolish, that finish is not historical or traditional. I had a long discussion on the subject in this forum years ago, a working blade I would say should be satin or rawforge, mirrorpolish fills no purpose (5160). I do like his promotion of partial tangs, in a video he posted he went through several that have lasted a very long time. My personal preference is that fulltang is way to untraditional and not smooth working with. GGK I intentionally havent mentioned because I have never bought anything from him, the reason being that I think he mostly does modern fantasy blades. That some appreciate very highly I may add, but for a slightly boring traditionalist, nothing for me. Looking at the section of traditional khukuris, way to many handguards and "gripper-handle". And thats sad. Concering VK and Heritage Knives Nepal, while a smaller company, great source of information. I think its rather easy, what sells, is being produced, and why not. If I make a classic blade that nobody buys, I will lose my job and perhaps family. If I ad a guard, lanyard hole and teeths on the back of the spine, and that sells in great quantities, I would make those. But I think its extraodrinary important pointing out how khukuris traditionally have been designed, and used. Thats were my heart is. However we are so lucky, there is something for everyone out there. While taste and use differ, I would absolutely encourage folks to buy Khukuris from Nepal, no matter from what company. A rather new release from K&G on the Gurkhas, becomes better towards the end showing more of the complexity.
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Post by CivilSavage on Apr 1, 2024 1:27:17 GMT
I have been more than satisfied with Tora Blades.
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