Genuine Ghurka Kukri 17" Overall + Small 'Service' Knives
Walnut Handle, Stainless Steel & Brass Fittings, Leather Wrapped Wood Scabbard
•••
7/2/22 added $1,000.00 to price until I can get these back in stock. Otherwise eBay deletes the listing with sales record and watchers.
First, all the negative reviews of this kukri originated with the same Seller, knivesdeal, and I have to assume they are factory seconds that should have been returned. The one 5 star review was purchased from me! Deal with trusted Sellers that offer free returns if there's ever a problem. I stand behind my products and whenever possible I check items before shipping.
The Kukri has endured for centuries because it’s equally effective as a fighting knife, around the camp or in the jungle! Only the American Bowie has influenced, inspired and informed as many modern day knife designs.
Handmade in Pakistan
Sharpness: The newest shipment comes a decent factory profile (not particularly sharp) ready to be honed to use. With a chopper like this only the forward curve is normally sharpened. The small service knives are unsharpened.
Specifications: This kukri is 17" overall, 6" handle, blade is 11" long, 1-1/2" wide at ricasso, and 3/16" thick spine, full tang of course. The smaller service knives are 4-3/4" long. The kukri by itself weighs a hefty 1 lb, 10 ozs. Factory edge.
Comments: Solid construction for rugged use. The materials, workmanship and quality control of these items is decent. There are a lot of kukris on the market - I’ve inspected and photographed these and I can recommend them. Some minor flaws consistent with being handmade in Pakistan are possible. I only tell you this in case you're expecting to get a shiny factory manufactured knife. These are rugged. These are real. This model the nicest of the several different kukris I carry at this price point, and for authenticity I like that it includes the two smaller blades that are traditional. For top of the line please see the Damascus version, eBay item # 223028768384 I’m a collector and a weekend warrior, active in my local HEMA group and Renaissance Fair where these are a favorite. See my Seller ratings and buy with confidence, plus I ship fast! A $1.50 price increase in October '20, sorry.
•••
History:
The Kukri is an ancient weapon that dates back to the Kiratis who came to power in Nepal about the 7th Century. In modern times all members of the Brigade of Gurkhas receive training in it’s use. It first gained fame in the Gurkha War for it’s effectiveness. It’s continued use through World Wars I & II enhanced it’s reputation among both Allied troops and enemy forces. It’s acclaim was demonstrated by one unit’s situation report. It reads “Enemy losses: ten killed. Ours nil. Ammunition expenditure nil.” During WWII the Kukri was adopted by many of the British, Commonwealth and US troops including Special Ops units like the Chindits and Merrill’s Marauders that conducted long range penetration and jungle warfare.
On September 2, 2010 a retired Army Gurkha soldier Bishnu Shrestha, alone and armed only with his kukri, defeated a score of bandits who attacked the passenger train he was on in India. He killed three of the bandits, wounded eight more and though wounded himself by a gunshot convinced the others to retreat.
When the Zombie Apocalypse comes the kukri will be the weapon of choice. In Resident Evil: Extinction the heroine Alice (Milla Jovovich) dispatches legions of the undead dual wielding the vicious blades and and demonstrating once again the advantage of a weapon that never runs out of ammo :)
Design:
The kukri is designed primarily for chopping. The shape varies a great deal - from being slightly to highly curved, with smooth or sharply angled spines. Traditionally it includes two smaller blades; one used for sharpening (the Chakmak) and one for tasks requiring more precise control (the Karda, meaning ‘small knife’)
There are substantial variations in blade dimensions depending on intended us as well as region of manufacture and smith that produced it. Generally the spines are very thick, up to .2 to .4 in (5 to 10 mm) at the handle tapering to less than .1 in (2 mm) at the point. A standard issue kukri is usually 16 to 18 in overall (40 to 45 cm) and weighs between 1 to 2 lbs (450 to 900 grams). They usually have a notch at the base of the blade, called a kauda, kaudi, or cho. Various theories have been offered for the original purpose including that it a symbol representing Shiva, a Hindu deity of dedicated to destruction of evil, among much else.
The handles are most often made of hardwood or water buffalo horn and often comes with a flared butt that allows better retention in drawing, cutting and chopping. Most have metal bolsters and butt plates generally made of brass or steel.
It typically comes in a wooden scabbard wrapped in leather with a metal chape and is most often carried vertically in back of the belt.