Tom,
You have a knack for making visual associations. It does like a big chakmak or karda (don't remember which is what).
Regarding the spine of the blade -- it is completely flat. In fact, the blade is generally thinner than most Kukris I've seen.
By the way, those are fantastic hilts! They remind a little bit of the kastane's grip. Mine would definitely be the "working stiff's" version compared to those.
Thanks for sharing those. BTW, have you heard the term "Madras" applied to those before?
-d
|