Thread: Two knives

Paladin Press has an excellent book on the Kukri. It covers the history and use of the weapon. The Kukri is a great slasher and chopper but lacks something as a thrusting weapon.

Care to stand in front of one and say that? I might have to hunt up that book for myself now.


Mick

IMO the Kukri is a great tool/weapon but I feel a good well designed Bowie is far superior. A good Bowie will slash like a razor, pierce like a dagger and chop like a cleaver. No other hand held bladed weapon of the general size of this class of weapons does so many things so well with the possible exception of the AL Mar warrior which is no longer made.

I'm not going to stir a debate, but personally I prefer the Japanese blades like a wakizashi. From memory they range from a little over 12" to 24". I have a couple old blades (no furniture) and can see just how handy they would have been. Please don't get me wrong, I like most blades made of good steel.

Originally Posted by d. m. ellington

IMO the Kukri is a great tool/weapon but I feel a good well designed Bowie is far superior. A good Bowie will slash like a razor, pierce like a dagger and chop like a cleaver. No other hand held bladed weapon of the general size of this class of weapons does so many things so well with the possible exception of the AL Mar warrior which is no longer made.

A khukuri slashes more like a sword and chops more like an axe (depending on the model of khukuri). Generally the Khukuri is a heavier blade than a bowie keeping the respective blades in the same period of manufacture. The old Khukuri was a lot bigger and heavier than the modern. Bowies have come in various guises from the heavy chopper to the slim sticking knife. A Khukuri (one model variant) also comes in a metre long (approx) bladed version for decapitating Bulls. I have yet to see a bowie like that . Having said all that, I like both styles equally as well as each other.


Mick

Mick,
You seem to know a bit about khurkuri's. The link profided to Khukuri House, have you used them? I've been considering one for quite some time for use as it's next to impossible to find a good working machete.

I don't think a Khukuri would do too good for use as a machete. I've used and use a machete at work on occasion and have toyed with khukhuri's in that capacity. THe blade angle is a bit odd for chopping brush and stuff for my taste.

COLD STEEL has some blades for use as machetes.

I carry a Mexican made version of this. I suspect mine is a bit heavier than this one.
KnifeHog - Cold Steel Heavy Machete 97HM

Mine will cut some serious wood and since it has no point the bosses don't get their panties in a wad.

This one here is the one I was considering, it doesn't seem to have quite the angle. I'll have to look at the cold steel version. I just don't want something that weighs a ton, good steel, and of course a handle you can work with. I have a modern wakizashi that I use here and there, but it's just a touch on the long side & the straight handle tires the hand...no bulb at the rear of the handle. I guess I could just make handle that would work I can't believe I haven't thought about that until now...THANKS YOU GUYS!

Originally Posted by MickR

Here are three of mine; The top one is a WWI model, Middle is the model carried by todays Gurkha and the bottom one is just a general knife that you would find in use in a kitchen or a field. Mainly an Eastern Nepalese design. A farmers knife.
You'll notice that not all Khukuri came with the small 'knives'. These were a newer addition, and in my opinion, a practical one. The Bic lighter is there for scale.



Attachment 114778


Mick

Simple question but what are the knotches for in the blade?

The Kukri is the knife of the GURKAS and is a traditional fighting knife from Nepal. The odd notch in the blade is for allowing blood to drip off without getting onto the handle.

The GURKAS I've worked with/met told me the smaller knives were for skinning and general use.

Hope this helps, oh and when you draw a Kukri you have to draw blood before you put it away :-D