Kukri - The Gurkha knife of Nepal - Part 1

[@ra8640]

I taught Japanese karate and weaponry in the 1970s. One of My students was Indian and taught Me kukri basics He had learned from his father. He gave Me one as a gift. I was looking at it recently and I am so glad I found Your channel. I am truly more respectful of this fine weapon now. Thank You for Your no-sense detailed information.

[@DannoCrutch]

My Step dad served with Gurkhas during WWII. Talk about some captivating war stories. He often said he was alive because of them, and remained in awe of them for the rest of his life.

[@scholagladiatoria]

DannoCrutch My great-uncle did also, in Burma.

[@DannoCrutch]

scholagladiatoria Yes, Burma. Mars Task Force. after surviving Merrill's Marauders. Also noted were the native Kachins. He would say if it wasn't for them, they'd still be hacking their way through the forest.

[@docleafman]

Kukri house has many options for those interested in these knives. They sell traditional, military, and modern styles. Like any tool use is the only way to appreciate the design. Being from the U.S. I favor bigger knives and have been thinking that a Bowie style knife would be THE fighting knife but due to using the kukri more I will be going with one of these.

[@pathrst]

it might be worth noting as well how the kukris use as a general tool has influenced its various designs. I love kukris simply because they are almost everything you would need. weapon, wood processor, food processor, gardening tool. that is why they are so important to the Nepalese.

[@233NATOMAN]

Really enjoyed this video as my father was with Gurhkas in Nepal ww2. I still have the weapon.

[@scholagladiatoria]

My great uncle was also with Gurkhas and Indian troops in WW2 and his family still have his kukri also.

[@233NATOMAN]

scholagladiatoria My father was in the RAF on 'classified' radar work detecting Japanese Aircraft. Khyber Pass, Nepal,Tibet, Ceylon, India, and Burma. Away for 4 years. Never a well man after Jungle warfare. .Like many.

[@davor1507]

I know that kukri is quite popular in bushcraft, but historically are they weapons or did they have a different use also? Thank you for the answer and all of the great videos.

[@scholagladiatoria]

According to 19th century accounts they were used for everything, from bushcraft, to butchering meat, to fighting. However, the best quality ones were clearly meant primarily to be status symbols and weapons only, I think.

[@ratnakr.gurung8066]

Its a multipurpose knife

[@nonyabiz9487]

I have one of the Gurkha kukris and its an excellent utility knife and weapon. Its great for camping and is excellent for chopping wood. Its also probably the best edge weapon of that size than others and I think the Gurkha kukri would be a better weapon than a hatchet. It really is a heavy blade weapon and in my opinion is almost more of a very short sword than a knife.

[@Dustypilgrim1]

Nice to see a vid on Kukris/kukhuris where the speaker is not spreading drivel about the blade having to be blooded every time it is drawn... or ... also, claiming that the Kaura/Kauda/cho is a blood-drip assist. The first one would mean most of the Nepalese would have died of blood loss and blood poisoning if they self-harmed with every withdrawal, as the kukhuri is the most predominat tool used in Nepal, and throughout their history.. The second would only be believed by someone who had never experienced combat, let alone CQB. Blood does not restrict itself to the politely defined edge of a blade, attain a convenient 'remove' then use it as a drip-point. Blood , viscera, excreta, and body fluids go everywhere. Equally a combatant would be using the back of the blade, the flat, and especially the spine , as a bludgeon. The butt/buttcap would also be applied as a pummeling device. The so called blood-dripper would be useless. Anyone seriously versed in CQB would be more likely to assess the 'notch' as a potential blade trap/hinderer, and consider it potentially applicable as a deliberately employed blade-arrest technique. The spiritual references attached to it are also more likely than the blooddrip naievity. You mentioned the latterday appearance. It might be worth researching whether that coincided with any increase of Hinduism in Nepal. It representing the trident, a bovine (sacred) hoof, or even the fertility symbol representation of 'the goddess's' genitalia is far more likely. The spelling of Kukri you offer , is indeed accurate , but a purist would state it as referring to British military application, and any item/unit covered by Queen's regs, as that was the formally adopted military form applied in HM armed forces. None UK military issue blades can be very correctly termed as kukhuri/khukuri, and myriad other spellings, just as Gurkha can become Goorkha,Ghurka,Gorkha, etc as the translation and transliterations are both phonetic, and as such subject to very broad interpretations where it is impossible to state one is the definitive form. I enjoy your vids. atb.

[@mysteriousbeing3249]

It's called khukuri by Nepalese.

[@yashbhandaree6800]

Haha yeah cutting every time we draw is insane haha i mean its primary function is to cut branches and utility.it is not a kill machine.

[@jonathanhenson5875]

so when I read about the kukri's and I read everything I can found there is something I hear about that is they are described as a x between a tomahawk and a Bowie knife. since a tomahawk is one of the hand to hand weapons I have trained with would the chops and swings of the tomahawk work with the kukri's

[@donavantew8278]

Awesome video Matt. Kukri is a awesome blade and no true collection is not complete without two are three

[@mickthesick]

About that notch: it looks like the star-crescent moon in the Nepali flag. Nepal's rulers believed themselves to be the descendants of the Sun (these descendants called themselves Suryavanshi) and Moon (Chandravanshi). The notch in the Khukuri is that star-crescent moon from the flag, a symbolic representation of the Nepali ruling dynasties over the centuries.

[@ramisabreur7961]

The kukri is a formidable weapon ... there are fascinating stories from 19th and 20th centuries that illustrate the effectivenes of this weapon

[@tremblingcolors]

I love this knife. I would love it if you did a video on the Kopis or Falcata which had the same basic blade shape but longer at some point.

[@eldricgrubbidge6465]

I've heard it argued that the notchy bit has a structural role- essentially kukris are traditionally differentially hardened (like the katana: the edge is quenched making it hard but leaving a softer back) this means you have steel with different tensile qualities in different areas and possibly even a certain amount of tension within the blade. The notch cuts across the line of the blade and allows expansion/contraction at the quenching stage and generally frees up the harder edge to do its own thing during impacts rather than pitting it against the rest of the blade. I've no idea how true this is, but it makes a sort of intuitive sense to me.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Well I have no idea how likely that is, but it is a very interesting suggestion!

[@HaNsWiDjAjA]

I read an account of a hunt in the Tarai region of modern day Nepal written by 19th century British officer and big game hunter Henry Astbury Leveson. He described how his hunting companion, a Gurkha 'chief', hamstrung a wounded female elephant thats about to get up and either escape or charge him, with a single blow of his kukri. Thats some truly marvelous bladework!

[@Julian-bq9qv]

what a superb channel; outstanding! So glad I encountered it. Thank you for the exceptional work. Keep it up! Well done.

[@trevorjohnson8442]

Do you know anything about the use of the Spanish falcata? Were there any similarities to the style that the Ghurkhas used with the kukri?

[@mindremote]

If you could choose any "knife" in a duel which would you pick? Kukri, Bowie, Karambit, rondel, butterfly knives id say count

[@84hemiboi]

Nice . Educational as well. I been looking into them for about a month or so now an I'm really interested in buying an collecting these. Probably gonna order my first one next week.

[@leestephenson4952]

84hemiboi hey, I just found this channel & have also been interested in getting a kukuri. Did you ever get one & if you did, what kind & how much do you like it? Thanks.

[@ScottMcFall1]

Do you think that it is possible/probable that the design came from Falcata carried by the troops of Alexander through the region?

[@quidestveritas659]

I've heard it may have developed from the Macedonian Kopis after the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom developed nearby from Macedonians who settled there after Alexanders expeditions.

[@greatkaafir7881]

Not true becouse gurkha are using kukari befour the birth of alexander

[@ramisabreur7961]

Please Is it possible to make a video about the Persian shamshir or the Turkish Kilij ? Those two swords were formidable cutting weapons .

[@raizumichin]

I think he has discussed the shamshir at one point.

[@dajolaw]

raizumichin He uses the shamshir as a comparison when discussing the Indian Tulwar and 19th c. European sabers. I don't think he's done a direct analysis of the Shamshir itself, which would be nice.

[@PhilStern80]

Nice Video Mate.....I own several Khukuris, they have never failed me in any tasks.

[@Whiskerz100]

Have you ever of heard or seen a Kukri bayonet? I remember seeing a kukri shaped bayonet in a box of bayonets at an airshow a few years back. The blade had the distinctive shape but was a socketed style bayonet.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes, the socketed kukri bayonet did exist - if you have a look on Google images lots come up. They seem to have been a popular experiment in the Anglo-Indian army around the 1840's.

[@Creedonator]

Cheers for the advice. I might pick up an antique kukri myself.

[@billmelater6470]

Shout out to Kailash Blades if anyone is looking for a great maker. Their styles are great and so far for me, their edge geometry is superb, not to mention the heat treating.

[@ALEJANDROARANDARICKERT]

Hello . Congrats four your very interesting explanations. May I ask you if Kukris were actually used in the Falklands ?

[@psynthpriest]

One of my favorite tools/weapons.

[@Fishhunter2014]

I think I actually have that exact same kukri. I've mainly used it for chopping up firewood. Heck, I even used it to chop down my christmas tree last year! However, I find its' weight makes it a little awkward for its' size. I feel like a small forest axe or a hatchet might be a little more practical for my needs. If anything else, it looks great on my dresser.

[@ThaerisHLP]

Those are some wonderful kukris you have there! Bar none, the kukri has become my favorite heavy all-purpose blade. I have one of the antiques offered by Atlanta Cutlery, and supposedly this is WWI issue. For 110 USD, I don't think you'd be able to buy a finer knife. The tang is glued, and the knife bears three adjacent line fullers on each side - by far it is the most attractive fullering I've seen on a weapon... Ranting aside, antique kukris are probably all I'd advocate buying from Atlanta Cutlery/Windlass. The modern knives will more than likely work well enough as tools, but you'll get what you pay for. The principal description I've heard for the cut out is religious symbology. Circular cut-outs appear to represent a cow's footprint, while the arc with the central projection is representative of the spear of Shiva. The symbolism for the first does nothing for me, but the latter is really quite touching.

[@tgillies101]

If you want a current production kukri the most reliable outlet is torabladesdotcom the gentleman that runs it commissions the kami (nepalese smith) to makes them to specific measurements based off antiques. I think he makes annual trips to liase with the kami too. Great mob if you dont want to hurt an antique with use.

[@s.waldron8532]

Ka-bar makes a great one.

[@kenibnanak5554]

Kukri identification and collecting is an art form of itself. They have been made for 500 years and in the same fashion by literally hundereds of smiths and knife makers, often without any markings at all. TThe Atlan tic Cutlery and IMA knives from the Nepal cache mostly all date to before WW2, and some of them possibly much older. Sad the teams pulling them out of the royal arsenal made no attempt to date them in place and instead just mixed them in crates for shipment.

[@entropy156]

Anybody who doubts the effectiveness of the kukri...and even those who don't...take the time to Google the name "Bishnu Shrestha" for a rousing tale of such hairy-assed manliness it'll make you wish you were a Gurkha. One man vs 40 robbers/rapists armed with swords, pistols and clubs....on a train. Guess who loses...

[@edi9892]

Nice vid! Could it be that the notches are there to prevent blood from running on the handle, making it slippery? As deep as they can cut and as short as the blade is I could imagine that this could be a real issue.

[@VoyagerLife826]

Not really that's an old housewife's tail they are there to strengthen the blade and prevent it from braking

[@TheOldSchoolCrisis]

Nikola Andonovski How are you so sure of this? It is stated that no one knows what they are for and his explanation seems much more reasonable than yours. After all Cutting metal out of your blade doesn't typically strengthen the blade.

[@scholagladiatoria]

TheOSC I think Nikola is referring to the fuller, which is for lightening/strengthening the blade. The notch that we are talking about is somewhat of a mystery, but I do not think it has anything to do with blood running down the blade, as that would run down the flats as well as the edge.

[@VoyagerLife826]

TheOSC Just shut up you saw what Schola said thats what im referring too and as for the blood thing it makes 0 sense

[@puppyenemy]

edi I saw the episode of Deadliest Warrior where they had a Gurkha vs. a French Legionnaire, and the Gurkha mentioned that exact same thing - it prevents the handle from getting slippery with blood... how that now works. Although this is coming from Deadliest Warrior and not a more trustworthy documentary about the Gurkhas.

[@stefanr00]

Where did you got them? I have one from a company called Tora tora tora in the UK that is now out of business. It is a fullsize fighting kukri with 3 fullers (tri chirra). Very nice specimen. Might do a video on that soon. I also want to thank you. Very informative video's about swords. Helped me in orientating for a medival sword. I ordered an Albion Crecy yesterday. Should come in next week. Im definitely doing a video on that one.

[@scholagladiatoria]

+stefanr00 Antique shops mostly.

[@jeffreyhill5178]

+scholagladiatoria I wish the antique malls around here had antique khukuris! Wrong side of the pond on my end for that unfortunately.

[@kaizmorgan]

Been meaning to ask for a while. Could you maybe make a video about how you got started in collecting swords and weapons with some pointers (like the lions head). I know for me and I would assume some other viewers it is difficult to know where to look and what Is a good buy. Any thoughts would be very helpful. Keep up the good work.

[@Alopex1]

Just to add a thought: The blade of the Kukri is basically identical to the ancient Greek kopis. The question is whether one influenced the other. Who knows - maybe Alexander the Great brought the design with him to India where it evolved into the Kukri.

[@zeno4681]

Ufthak1 lol wtf r u talking about??? Kukris r there about 2000 years ago, long before Alexander's grandfather was even born

[@greatkaafir7881]

You sounds stupid

[@brennomarani4307]

@@zeno4681 Ehm... Alexander was around 2300 years ago

[@gautam9]

what are the best resources to buy old khukris and any recommended market place in Nepal or the UK?

[@edi9892]

I cannot imagine Kukris as fencing weapons, except longer, lighter ones, especially those with the tulwar-style handguard. They rather appear to me like a weapon/tool where you hope to hit first and drop the enemy with that strike. Can such tip heavy blades be wielded in an agile fashion due to their short length?

[@kolombokolombo3170]

referring to the kopis,eh? odd how kukri overshadows the kopis..i suppose due to modern use of kukris? .. :/

[@saabsly1]

No, definitly not. It can only be used as a brute chopping weapon. But it is soooo efficient in that way. Read my other replies I give a lot of information about how it was designed and used.

[@saabsly1]

kolombo kolombo I cannot really speak for the kopesh, as i am far from an expert in these weapons. But when you look at the design of the blade and its resulting physics, you understand that the kukri's design and useage is a perfect match, while the kopesh for me is a more akward result. Blade is too long to achieve the cutting/splitting momentum and movement of the kukri. The resullt is that the kopesh likely just turn around the point of impact and look like it wants to get free from your grip instead of wanting to go throught the material in a cutting manner. But i'm only assuming based on similar experiences.

[@HaNsWiDjAjA]

The kukri is a great weapon because the Gurkha is such a great soldier. On its own I agree it's a bit of a compromise between a weapon and a tool, it's certainly not meant for dueling unless one also has a shield (in which case the fighting style harken back to the Iberian caetrati!). The kukri was never intended as the Nepalese primary weapon (that would be the talwar and shield, and later musket and bayonet), but when called upon it's a formidable sidearm and silent killing weapon.

[@dajolaw]

Kukris seem to be the "exotic, badass" weapon of choice, although Karambits are on the rise. It is definitely a formidable weapon, but like the Japanese katana or English longbow, they've become such a source of cultural pride that their effectiveness is often overblown by legend and myth.

[@gearhartadventures]

Would you suggest that the Cold Steel Kukri-shaped machete is a good balance of modern thought or do you think it has strayed too much from the traditional design, such as having the band on it? Thank you for making this video! It was very informative and interesting.

[@jeffreyhill5178]

I'm not Matt, but the Kukri machete is just that: a machete. It lacks the thickness and weight of a legit khukuri to perform the same. Himalayan imports would be my recommendation for a legitimate khukuri hand forged in Nepal. Great customer service and a friendly community on bladeforums. Cold Steel makes a more legitimate khukuri but it costs a ridiculous amount compared to a HI one when it comes to value.

[@gearhartadventures]

Thanks Jeffrey Hill, I appreciate the feedback! I will certainly look into it.

[@aniruddhmadhusudan3214]

HI Matt, love your videos. Just wanted to get your opinion on Windlass Assam rifles Khukuris though. Made in India, with the Lion Pommel and no rivets, yet supposed to be military issue...

[@xeroeddie]

Are these replicas or the original productions of the 19th century and later?

[@scholagladiatoria]

+- Xerophthalmia - Original antiques.

[@samuraiprose]

Where did you get the first kukri that you handled in this video?

[@DouglasMilewski]

I see the kukri as a multifunction tool. Any good soldier wants to carry something around that has many uses. I've seen multiple examples of grass cutting tools that have the same shape. People always need to chop wood and cut things, and the kukri allows them to do both in one tool.

[@DouglasMilewski]

I also think that the notch has a perfectly practical use that had nothing to do with being a weapon. That saved carrying yet another tool.

[@williamjones9459]

Great review for a great weapon/tool. My knowledge of sabers is limited... but weren't they supposed to be one handed (yes) and ment for either stabbing or (with a dull blade) breaking skulls/bones? I've seen some old English/Confederate sabers with sharp blades though. :-)

[@fenryrgreyback1298]

Apparently the proper spelling is Khukuri, and that's also the way i've heard ghurka soldiers pronounce it. Also, i've heard an active Ghurka soldier say the cutouts are to stop the blood from getting on the arleady smooth grip and from you losing the knife

[@KingdomOfDimensions]

+badr selfaoui Schola touches on this in another khukuri video, the blood would be everywhere anyways. A little cutout like that wouldn't stop blood from flowing down the flats or spurting onto your hand.

[@jeffslade1892]

Khukuri is the preferred british army spelling as with the Royal Gurkha Rifles. Indian pronunciation seems to be 'kukri' but then they have 'Gorkha' regiments. English spelling is in any case merely a phonetic rendition of nepali (aka gurkha, gurkhali or gorkhali) or hindi languages If you ask six Gurkhas what the cho is for, you'll get at least seven different answers

[@LPtheDESTROYER]

Excellent informative video. Thanks

[@RobKinneySouthpaw]

8:05 Thanks for the advice.

[@danzigrulze5211]

I have one that looks just like yours from Tora Blades, they make some beautiful blades that are well balanced and affordable straight from Nepal.

[@ahh_my_nemesis]

Hi Matt, thanks for the great video. It looked like a few of your kukris were quite polished and didn't have much patina. Do you remove the patina to get a more polished finish? I thought this wasn't often done, but wanted to check. Thanks. Ben

[@scholagladiatoria]

Ben Sheahan Some antique swords and knives have just been kept oily for long enough to not develop any patina. However you can buff patina off any piece of steel with abrasive - the softest way to do it is with a cloth buffing wheel mounted to something like an electric drill.

[@ahh_my_nemesis]

Thanks Matt. Did you do something like that to your kukris?

[@justpettet3506]

the cutout is for the differential heat treat so it acts as hinge

[@hadrianbuiltawall9531]

Has anyone ever compared the Nepalese Kukri, the Iberian falcata, the Greek Kopis, the Ottoman Yatagan and the Thracian Romphaia and Sica. The similarities as well as the usage could indicate a common ancestor. The various sources seems to suggest they were rather effective against armoured opponents as well. The groups that didn't use this type of blade seemed to use axes as an equivalent.

[@jeffreyhill5178]

The theory is the kukri existed pre Alexander, and when his campaign reached (and ended) in India/Nepal, they refined the design in co ordinance with the kopis.

[@hadrianbuiltawall9531]

Jeffrey Hill I've always believed that the "Kukri" style of weapons that I mentioned were originally weaponized tools rather than specifically made weapons. Consider that to the west of the "Kukri" region (roughly Greece to Nepal), they used the axe and to the east they used something else (don't know what but no indication of it been the "kukri"). This isn't the only weaponized tool - consider the axe, the hammer, the bow, the spear and various sickle swords (Egyptians, etc). While the Kukri is very effective as a weapon, the kukri set (large, medium and small blades in a single scabbard) is good for chopping, cutting and skinning in that order. Its a survival kit all on its own.

[@eleahjacobson5044]

Hi, I did have 2 kukris and I sold them to a friend that kept asking me to sell them for a couple of years to him, I I really like them and really want to get 1 good original 1, good info always

[@tylerloving2851]

Those groves might also help your hand catch if it slides up the blade thrusting? Just my theory.

[@kurtbogle2973]

There is a certain satisfaction I get from making my own edged weapons. The freedom to make what you see is liberating .

[@learnaboutnepal]

The cuts near the handling is to prevent the blood going into hand which could make the khukhri slip from hand

[@chipoftheundead]

Have you noticed that with a lot of weapons if you catch your opponent with just the tip it's not so effective even if the weapon is long and sharp. Whereas the design of the kukri blade puts all the weight and force right into the tip. Even a glancing blow with the very tip will bite, carry impact through and do serious damage rather than just making a nick. 2 or 3 small edgy, wristy contacts can be debilitating which then leave the opponent more vulnerable to finishing blows from the centre of the blade.

[@57WillysCJ]

I have several khukris including a long slender one and really short one. I also have one from India that has a full tang but is made from flat steel by the stock removal method. Nothing really wrong with the quality, it just doesn't feel right when compared to a forged blade.

[@xXCP1993Xx]

How would one go about finding an original?

[@The1Helleri]

Mine has no fuller :( It has this water or cloud like etching where the fuller would be. it has rivet on the handle as well. But, I think they are decoration (they are more like pins and arranged in triangles that don't quite line up on the other side). Also the shape of mine is somewhere between the heavily angled and smoother shape....over all I don't really like mine. But, what should I expect for $10.00, lol (got it for $10 because the scabbard was falling apart and missing those two mini ones).

[@szymongruszczynski]

awesome videos! thanks very much for these! I know gentlemen do not discuss finances (certainly not on YT), but what's the average cost of (genuine) kukri of the old style (the thinner one)? also- where can one find ones (legally)?

[@KnightlyNerd]

I'm surprised there's no mention of Turkish yatagan swords, whose shape and structure could be broadly considered as a true sword with a kukri forward curve.

[@simplethunder]

If the cut-out is sharp, it's probably for utility. Cutting rope or fishing lines and that sort of thing. Pretty essential for commando-esque forces.

[@scholagladiatoria]

It's not sharp - they are always blunt.

[@saabsly1]

scholagladiatoria Actually, that depends of the part of the blade you are talking about. In blade weapons, there are 3 general angles of edge. 10, 20 and 30 degrees. 10 degree edges are for very precise cutting; like a fishing knife. Edge are fragile and unfit for a weapon. 30 degree is the edge for heavy duty work. Like an axe. 20 degree are for combat knifes and some machetes. Now that being said, the kukri's blade is a 30 degree edge at the inward curve near the handle, and changes progressively to a 20 degree edge at the other curve till the end of the blade. While it isn't meant to be very effective at slicing, the intentionally unbalanced blade creates a momentum upon impact that actually thrusts the blade forward (away from you) if you hold the blade parallel to the surface you are striking, or more neutral if you hook your wrist (holding the blade toward your forehead). It all depends on the desired effect. Remember that Gurkas were mountaineers. So they often had to engage while suspended by ropes. They had to had a weapon capable of killing on one hit. They often use the kukri in a vertical strike, aiming the 30 degree edge right on the forehead of the ennemy, slicing the skull in one blow. To avoid the blade to be stuck in the head, they used the hooked wrist technique so that the force of the impact acted like an axe so that the the skull would split wide open. exactly like when you are splitting wood. If for instance the goal was to disarm an ennemy, they would hit an arm with the 20 degree edge, while holding the knife in an extended grip fashion so that the momentum, would create a slicing action, using all of the blades weight (again thanks to the very unbalanced blade which by the way makes this weapon impossible to throw). That makes that weapon suprisingly effective at cutting, while retaining its edge intact. Also, this weapon CANNOT be used for thursting in any way. You would bend your wrist upon impact. Other common used are for cutting climbing ropes in one strikes while your ennemies are still hanging on it, or cutting you lose in some emergency situation. They also used it as a survival tool obviously for cutting wood, and meat (yes it is just sharp enough to do that).

[@cjhinsley4882]

scholagladiatoria could you possibly cover the kukri's potential as a thrown weapon? Someone told me they were very effective as throwing knives

[@cjhinsley4882]

scholagladiatoria could possibly be for used as a blade catcher. but we'll never know

[@coolbord9]

Cj Hinsley i believe it is just to stop your finger from riding up to the blade

[@weaponsandmore3027]

would a kukri with a 15" blade which weighs 1100 grams work as a sword substitute?

[@HaNsWiDjAjA]

I think for that weight I'd much rather have a much longer sword for its increased range, which is incredibly important for an unarmoured fight.

[@ratnakr.gurung8066]

Hi, let me tell you we nepalese pronounce it like this khukuri. Please don't mention india because about this knife they known nothing. It is we nepalese who use this knife. It is our pride and sacred to us.

[@rasiabsgamingcorner2258]

So I have a long fat kukri is that normal or no?

[@muscularismaximus6321]

I have one bought from the Knight Shop. Its the windlass official kukri of the Assam rifles. It has a lion on the pommel...! (Full tang though).

[@abcdefghijklmnopr]

Kukri ist the best knife i ever have !

[@s.waldron8532]

I have a great one made by ka-bar

[@keonianderson5145]

Dude, your weapons are gorgeous.

[@gewgulkansuhckitt9086]

The notch thing was used since ancient times to pop the tops off of bottles of beer and/or soda. Battle makes you thirsty.

[@geoffclark9820]

I suspect he notch is for catching another blade. Check out one of John Fitzen's Bowie Knife videos. He does a good job explaining the function of a real bowie fighting knife. I think its the same idea.

[@SirSelby]

Geoff Clark That makes absolutely zero logical sense.

[@geoffclark9820]

SirSelby, check out John Fitzen's fighting knife tutorial. That's the only thing I can think of. The Kukuri does not have a hand guard though. Any of the ones I have made are basically straight up replicas. If you have a better theory, by all means, let's hear it.

[@SirSelby]

Geoff Clark my theory is that it is a symbol of religious significance. If it were intended to catch blades it would be much more optimized for that task and there would be a record of it having actually been done. Not to mention, sometimes the notch is closed off.

[@geoffclark9820]

SirSelby, and you said mine made logically no sense. Hahaha, yeah, religious. baahahahaha

[@SirSelby]

Geoff Clark Yes, a notch in the shape of a cow's hoof on knives made by people who are generally religious in that region does make perfect sense as a potential *theory*, whereas a "blade catcher" is shot down after thinking about it for 5 seconds with some basic common sense- even more so if you study the history of these knives and how they were actually used.

[@justpettet3506]

that thin one is a rare find. they are normally pretty heavy

[@harrywilliamson33]

An old Gurka Senior NCO told me the nick was for drawing first blood but it was great to take tops off Gunness bottles this was at the formation parade of The Royal Irish Regiment at Warminster

[@fridgemagnett]

Where can you buy old kukris? I don't want a new one, as they all look like tourist souvenirs.

[@bachanrai7140]

You can buy old kukuris in nepal ..

[@SirSelby]

fridgemagnett If you want a really nice real khukuri, check out himalayan imports or tora blades. Those are the only two places worth bothering with, in my opinion.

[@plinkbottle]

That little cut away in front of the grip is a bit of a mystery. I think I would prefer to have it there so I could feel where my finger was in relation to the cutting part of the blade.

[@ether5463]

I think I remember reading somewhere that it had cultural significance of some sort.

[@dizzt19]

Ah, the staple of Neverwinter Nights x)

[@dimmak3223]

Looks like a Tora ,which means it looks very well made the first one you displayed,I would love to buy it from you Matt name you price Nice Guy.

[@Onewayticket2]

Are you planning to make a video with tipps for buying weapons and what things to avoid? Im planning to get a nice european longsword since some time but the replicas are really expensive. It's alot more easy to get some japanese replica weapons then european ones for a reasonably low price, funny enough.

[@scholagladiatoria]

I might do that, but it is a big topic and will take lots of videos :-)

[@kendon81]

to me it looks like the Kukri evolved from an agricultural/forestry/general work knife that doubled as a defense/war knife.

[@ArnimSommer]

If Kukris are boomerang shaped, can they be thrown alike?

[@ThaetusZain]

no they can't

[@jamestyler4676]

I don't know if you really know how boomerangs are used, but would you want to catch it if you threw it?

[@ArnimSommer]

james tyler I didn't think that far - but good point!

[@The1Helleri]

Arnim Sommer They will come back at you with a vengeance if you toss them any harder then it takes to point them the direction that you want them to go, if that counts. Although they are tricky to throw in general. Goto cup the spine with the butt sticking forward to pull it off well. I can stick mine from up to 25 ft. away 9/10 throws. And when they do stick they go deep. I got one stick that was about 4 1/2 inches into an oak round, and it partially split it (hit near the top). Took about 3 minutes to wiggle it back out. I'd just about rather have anything else in the world thrown at me then one of these, lol.

[@LPtheDESTROYER]

Boomerangs rely on a single bevel,wing shaped, and light weight to fly. Kukris would be more of a dangerous as hell frisbee....

[@AvengerofWarcraft]

Please tell me the blade of a kukri isn't brittle like the katana's. That would be a real dealbreaker.

[@justsomeguy3931]

I love that long kukri, I have a ColdSteel magnum kukri and love it but would prefer something higher quality. Some day...

[@justsomeguy3931]

@@ryanlowe6753 I'll check them out, thanks!

[@CapitalMort]

Your Kukri is identical to mine, pretty old, mines from my grandfather.

[@zinalexzender6933]

I believe the long one is called shirupatey, I can be wrong

[@ratnakr.gurung8066]

Yes You r right

[@diiliipraii]

To check the power of the khukuri look for the video in the YT. the title of the video is Gurkhas vs the Special Forces of the World and you can see the gurkha chopping off, beheading the special head off in one single strike. but becareful and be warn....very scary.

[@quagomar]

That weapon remember me to the Falcata, but small.

[@thornwarbler]

Cracking video ............Thankyou

[@Slarti]

That notch at the bottom of the blade is for opening beer bottles.

[@Borjigin.]

Funny - this is the first time I've seen the name in writing, so I'd always assumed it was spelled 'cookery'. It looks like a design that could easily have started off as a food-based implement, for various uses ranging from slaughtering animals to cutting meat to slicing vegetables. Every time I see it I think of how good it would be for this last use, simply holding it with both your fist and the swell of the blade on a table, and then pulling it towards you over a carrot or leek or something.

[@Sergei_Ivanovich_Mosin]

I know what the notch is for, it's there so the user can do a wombo combo, W for wombo of course.

[@leehuynh2668]

Hi, is this an example of a crap kukri with a lion's head? I thought Atlanta Cutlery had a good reputation, which is why I ask. EDIT: Ugh, cannot put links in comments. It's the Assam Rifles Kukri at Atlanta Cutlery, made by Windlass Steelcrafts.

[@Halinspark]

I think my kukri is more a tool than a weapon. Has a sturdy plastic handle like a modern machete.

[@TechNep]

The shape of the khukri really depends on which part of Nepal you are from, or which cast/ tribe you are from. it has nothing to do with the which period it was made on.

[@B51608]

I would prefer an older slimmer version with less bending of the blade, if I had a choice.

[@ThaetusZain]

that longer one is almost a kopis/falcata

[@Bishnu_Pantha]

I'm a Gurkha by birth and trained on Khukuri , this is my weapon and I know what's that "W" shape cut near the handle, ok this for- when we cut by a KHUKURI , the blood flows through the edge of it that cut stops the blood on that point so that the blood doesn't get to our hands and hands doesn't become slippery because of the blood of the enemy and we don't loose it, it says firm and dry in our hands. GOOD BLESS GURKHAS.. JAY GURKHAS!!!!

[@scholagladiatoria]

B So, what about the majority of the rest of the blood, which flows down the flats of the blade?

[@DamienNeverwinter]

scholagladiatoria I have heard the notch described as having religious significance -representing the 'Spear of Shiva'. I have also heard from a former serving Ghurka, the story about it being a blood channel. However, the primary raison d'être is the same as that of the notch commonly encountered on the bowie. Happy Christmas and God Bless, Damien.

[@anthonybeers]

Are they only used for war or are they used for agriculture and carpentry as well? It seems like it could be a handy tool for general bush craft or subsistence farming. Just curious.

[@Bishnu_Pantha]

We use it for anything, we mostly use them to cut meat and hard bones at home but it's shape may not be suitable for new users on everyday household cutting. They are mainly designed to fight the enemies.

[@Fortigurn]

I thought that notch was for opening beer bottles.

[@siouxsettewerks]

Tora imports way better kuks than Himalayan Imports, for one, the handle is in the general curve of the blade with Tora's and ergonomically, it's imho way better, especially chopping into hard woods, whereas HI handles are in a straight line with the spine, something I can't say I've saw on antiques!

[@kurtbogle2973]

The Nepal Swiss Army Knife.

[@isaweesaw]

I imagine that the cut out is something mundane like hanging the knife on a hook or nail on a wall. It doesn;t seem to serve any other purpose.

[@MrZdixo1]

+Callum Bundy bottle opener?

[@geneoconnor55]

+Callum Bundy Some Spanish knives (Aitor) that you can buy today have a little cut out on the blade similar to the one on the kukri. They call it a lashing point. So you could tie your knife onto a stick and make it a spear. A kukri tied onto a stick would make a pretty good sickle. Just a thought.

[@isaweesaw]

Gene O'Connor Yeah, that seems like a reasonable option.

[@justsomeguy3931]

It's obvious what the cut out is for! It's where the pommels used to be, to help balance the kukri a bit, but they were all used up ending people rightly because they made poor guards