ww1/ww2 area kukri

I can’t say what is best, nor do I fully understand ‘best’. I think that you’ll get a good kukri from any of the top manufacturers in Nepal, and I suggest buying only from Nepal. Your interest seems to spread from WWI through WWII. During that time there was a change in the concept of a kukri, both in manufacture and use. During WWI the kukri was still considered a primary weapon. This had changed by WWII due to the advancement in firearms and they appear to be more of a utility/combat knife with a strong British influence towards WWII in the form of the grip which by that time was a panawal (full tang w/scales). Production changed from the individual kami in many forges to a few companies using machines making them more uniform. You will probably get many “best” replies as people are prejudice and opinionated. And westerners tend to go more for eye appeal.

I’ve had good luck with KHHI, but the rep I was dealing with is no longer there. I am considering a replacement for my large 15” antique kukri with the basic design adopted in 1903. My antiques were made probably in the early 1920s. The design of the larger one appears to focus mainly on combat and is less efficient as a GP (General Purpose) knife, weighing in at 960 g with a 15¼” x 13 mm blade. It is shaving sharp and a powerful cutter. I was considering this one as a replacement but do not like the grip as the lines do not flow with the rest of the blade. Perhaps they will adjust on my request. That grip does not match with the antiques they show, or I have. www.thekhukurihouse.com/gi2-gurkha-issue-2nd.

So, am strongly considering this one from GGK www.greatgurkhakhukuri.com/shop/military/14-shri-tri-chandra-shumsher-khukuri/. Due solely to the lines. I’ll request an unpolished blade and grip if I go that route. As for the 2 small knives, I think GGK threw those in to impress the westerners.

Below is a photo showing my two antiques, both are from the WWI or immediately there afterwards. The smaller one has a 13” blade and while not as powerful as its bigger brother is the better GP knife as it is easier to carry, a desirable feature to any grunt, and a better utility knife lending itself to do more jobs easier.


Also, here is a photo of KHHI’s GI4 (Mk3 of WWII). I opted for a 15” blade instead of their default 13” thinking to replace my 15” antique. The original Mk3s had a 12” blade. In the end that GI4 is a powerful cutter weighing in at 1024 g but doesn’t have the good weight distribution nor handling as the antique with its partial stick tang. It will effortlessly halve a gallon heavy wall cloro bottle, something that many of my 19th and 20th century military swords won’t do. While not correct for an issue kukri it is possible that some grunt ran around with one of these as a private purchase. There are so many kukri variations it’s mind boggling.
 

In short, there were so many variations in kukris, even issued ones, up until WWII it is impossible to define any one as 'the pattern' though similar. Beginning during WWII or immediately before with machines’ mass production things settled down a bit. After WWII the issue kukris became smaller suggesting the primary use is intended to be an utility knife, not that it couldn’t be used as a weapon in a pinch. When you get up to WWII they began looking more like this, a Mk3.

As a side note, when ACC had surplus kukris there were more with 12-13” blades than their stock of large kukris giving a rough estimate of the popularity of that length blade. My favourite GP kukris are of 12-13” blades although my most used for work I use 5”, 8”, and karda. But these are not issue lengths that you are most interested in. For shear backyard cutting fun it’s a 14” copy by KHHI of the issue kukri that preceded the model adopted in 1903 adopted immediately after the Indian Mutiny. That’s the one I grab for fun stuff.

The copy                                    An origianl from KHHI
  

Thanks a lot for the replies guys. pgandy Did not know that the main purpose of the kukri changed between the 2 great wars. In that case, I will look for ww1 versions or earlier because I am interested in kukri which was intended as a main battle weapon to do battle with.

eric Bergeron Thanks for the info that you have stuff on sale. In general, I would be interested but due to some unexpected real-life spendings (water damage due to broken pipes) I cannot spare any money for non essential stuff until next month.

If you still have them in january we might do some busines. I might be interested in the big bladed kukri on the left. What kind of model is it?

Thank you Pgandy for the assist :) Yes the big one is $200 shipped USA.