Kukri: The pride of the Gurkha
Kukri is a knife, It is an insignia of nepal and the pride of the gurkha.The gurkhas carry this for pride and defence.
The very name of Nepal conjures up visions of lofty mountains, deep valleys renowned for their pictures, splendour, Sherpas, genuine mountain heroes, and the bravery of Gurkhas. Few people are aware of a knife that inspires remarkable tales of bravery and is still legendary today.
Other than stores offering camping and trekking tool and antiques, I used to frequently notice bright and dazzling knives of all sizes, big and little, being shown and catching my attention when shopping in the lanes of Thamel in Kathmandu. Though I had no intention of purchasing anything on one of these outings with my friend, I was intrigued about what made knives so exceptional, so I went into one of the stores to learn more.
The owner of the business gave us a welcome and started talking to us about knives and looked really knowledgeable. The utility Knife, Stiletto, Scimitar, Gladius, Roman sword, and Machete are a few well-known knives around the globe. He selected a knife from the shelf, took it in his hand, and declared that it was both tool in combat and an integral part of the home calling it a khukuri, which stands for unbridled strength and bravery in the face of conflict.
History
The history of the kukri knife dates back to antiquity. In addition to serving as Nepal's flag, the Kukri serves as the Ghurka troops' emblem. a priceless item that they have used to permanently carve a royal emblem for themselves.
The knife is thought to have been around for 2500 years. Greeks adopted the term 'Kopis' in the 4th century, according to history. Kopis resemble kukri but are not the same. Each knife has its unique specialty. However, it was acknowledged upon the creation of the British Gurkha Army following the Nepali War in 1814-16 A.D.
A well-known and profound phrase regarding Gurkhas reads as:
(If a man says he’s not afraid of dying, he either lies or he is a Gurkha.)
The British in India, who faced it in the well-reported wars against the Gurkha army in Western Nepal starting in 1814, first saw the incredible cutting edge of the legendary Kukri. In fact, Gurkhas have their own battalion and regiment in the Indian and British armies as a mark of distinction. The mythology and the romance were so formed.
These kukri are impeccable and extraordinary in the hands of the Gurkhas soldier's grip, He has demonstrated a few exceptional acts of bravery while confronting the adversary face to face in several encounters with this seemingly harmless piece of bent High Carbon Steel (HCS), which transforms into an exceedingly terrifying deadly arm .
Why is kukri the most unique tool?
It was created solely for the purpose of chopping or cutting. Kukri blades feature three portions, each having a specific purpose: a pointy tip for stabbing and skinning animals , a large middle for chopping, and a small region near the handle for whittling and carving. Its form can range from straight to very curved, with angled or smooth spines. The Kamis, who are believed to be masters, construct and design it. Kukri is a full set that includes two small knives affixed to the rear of the sheath and housed either in a built-in pocket or a leather case. Decorated with precious stones on sheaths mostly made of wood or horn and available in a variety of sizes and forms.
The casing is decorated with various decorations such as Nepalese national symbols and traditional cravings. Some even have simple or plain patterns to give a pleasing appearance. A slot (karda, kauda, Gaudi, Kaura, or cho ) is commonly seen near the base of a khukuri blade. The notch might also symbolize a cow’s teats, a warning that the khukuri should never be used to slaughter a cow, an animal adored and worshipped by Hindus. Kukri as a tool is extremely versatile and has importance in today’s military, with standard issues in the Indian army, British army, British royal army, Afgan army, and Nepalese army.
How to use a kukri
Khukuris are classified into two types based on their geographical location: eastern and western. Western Blades are often bigger and are referred to as Budhuna - a large-headed fish.
Eastern blades are generally thinner and are known as Sirupate Khukuri.
Khukuris, regardless of categorization, are used as needed across Nepal.
Whatever the facts are about how and when Khukuri rose to prominence. Despite being a famous emblem and a powerful tool in contemporary armed forces. It is used for home activities as well as a versatile tool. It is one of the household objects used for self-defense by people who live in remote highland areas.
It is a multipurpose multi-tool and an essential pride item in practically every family. The Gurung tribe, who live in ghandruk on the Annapurna trail, the Magars, who live in palpa, gulmi, and Parbat areas, and the rai and limbu of Sikkim are ethnic groups from the central and eastern provinces that still utilise it as an arm. In Nepal, the khukuris are also religiously significant.
Khukuris are adorned and worshipped during the annual Dashain festival. The khukuri not only represents bravery and courage, but it is also a Nepalese cultural icon and a beautiful work of workmanship and art. It is a keepsake that everyone should get when visiting Nepal. Spending almost an entire day at thamel khukuri place, captivated by the skill of the Kamis who make it.
When asked about the pricing, the shopkeeper stated that it starts at (five thousand Nepali rupee and goes up to twenty-five thousand rupees. The shopkeeper was quite humble and carefully answered all of our questions. My friend, who was impressed and needed one tiny, thought he got a fair bargain. I didn’t say anything, but I had the impression that khukuri was a precious property!
Taking care of your kukri
Making ensuring the blade is properly oiled is one of the most crucial things. To accomplish this, use engine oil. This will lessen the chance of rust growing and damaging the Kukri. It would be nice if you avoid leaving fingerprints on the edge as well. Make an effort to maintain it as well as you can give the conditions. It would be ideal if you were cautious about where you leave it and It will quickly shrink if exposed to the sun.
Avoid pounding Kukri over other surfaces as it is not a tool for that purpose. Avoid using the conventional methods of upkeep and repair since the heat might cause the cutting edge's temper to deteriorate.
Taking care of the sheath or the scabbard.
Almost all Kukris have a casing made of buffalo hide. It is sensitive to changes in the weather. When it's hot and humid, it can expand, whereas when it's cold, it can somewhat constrict or shrink. A longer period of sun exposure shouldn't be allowed for the Kukri sheath since heating might cause the calfskin to loosen and allow the sharp edge to penetrate.
Although the steel is of good grade, it shouldn't be used on stones or other hard metallic surfaces. Keep your fingerprints and water away from each other. Never forget that a Kukri with proper care may last for a very long time. Therefore, be sure to take all necessary precautions to preserve your Kukri and its accessories in top condition.
The ultimate guide to buying a khukuri
Blade material:
When purchasing Khukuri in Nepal, the first thing you should examine is the blade material. The real khukuri blade or main body is constructed of stainless steel, alloy steel 5160, and spring steel. Stainless steel is less expensive than other steel, but it is not as durable. In Nepal, you may also find a lot of imitation khukuris. You can tell the difference between fake and genuine Nepali khukuri.
In Nepal, the alloy steel 5160 is extensively used to create knives. This steel is readily curled, which is a traditional method of creating khukuris. In comparison to other steels, this alloy steel can be sharp and durable, traditional khukuris are mostly constructed of alloy steel, carbon steel, and spring steel. The Gurkha army employed this sort of sharp khukuri.
Handle:
The handle and Khukri Stand are important considerations while selecting a khukuri. Khukri is only effective if the user has the proper grip. Wood and animal horn are used to make the classic khukuri handle. Make certain that the handle is correctly checked and that the grip is secure. The well-polished handle is frequently slick. So, when purchasing a khukuri, be sure to test the grip for slip resistance. Check to see that the khukuri's main body is securely fastened to the end of the handle. Check whether the rivets (Khi) are properly positioned before tightening the blade and handle.
Sheath:
The khukuri cannot be carried in one hand. To retain the khukuri, a sheath is required. The sheath protects and preserves your knife while in use. Check the sheath cover, size, and whether or not the khukuri fits the sheath. The length of the sheath should be appropriate. The sheath is composed of buffalo leather and wood. The sheath's size should be correct and precise.
Blade:
Blades come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as a variety of materials. The reason for employing the khukuri may also differ. The various blade shapes are utilised for various cutting tasks. Check to see if the khukuri's edge (Dhar) is sharp enough. The fuller (chirra) should be carefully made since it absorbs impact. Check to see if the khukuri has a notch (kaudi) or not.
All basic Nepali khukuri has a Notch because it aids in the removal of blood from the khukuri and prevents blood from entering the handle or grip. The blade's form must be nicely curved. The tip of the khukuri should also be mentioned. So, while purchasing a Nepali khukuri, keep the khukuri blade in mind.
Tang
The tang, which passes through at the end of the handle is visible on the back of the blade. It is protected with rivets and fastened to a handle. there are two different tang types: the half tang and the full tang. You cannot use this kind of khukuri for severe cutting since the half tang is weaker than a full tang. The strongest and most common Nepali khukuri, known as full tang, is used for vigorous chopping and cutting.
