Old? Khukuri with kora hilt

Emanuel · 27th April 2006, 08:03 PM

Greetings,
I'd like to know what you think about this big khukri http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
It has a nice beefy blade - seller says 65cm long - so the handle is about 8 inches long...huge. Is it an old type of khukury? It has a pommel similar to indian disk pommels, but the "points" of the star/disk look somehwat sloppy, carved into the metal rather than shaped. The "bronze dip" looks melted/corroded off, and the companion knives are weird. Thoughts?

Manolo

spiral · 27th April 2006, 08:42 PM

mmmmm I saw that one, kukri in that style exist but this one Looks like a modern reproduction {fake.} handle put on an older blade, & it doesnt look like any modern Nepal real kami work, Ive seen.

Looks rather like the handle could even have electro welded seems & joins perhaps?

Glad to see none of the 5 bidders are in the the usual 20 or so strong kukri crowd.

The fish shaped Chakma {shapening steel/spark striker} is good & a typical style found on real village kukris. {as opposed to old military or the modern main manufacturer commercial kukris which are made for westerners to purchase.}

Spiral

Emanuel · 28th April 2006, 02:06 AM

The welding does give it away...what does genuine Nepali work in this style look like? Do the kora hilts still carry Indian-tulwar-like disks?
Would this modern hilt be an attempt to make the khukri seem older or are such hilts still an option subject to local preference?

Manolo

RobT · 28th April 2006, 03:46 AM

Hi All,
I agree with Spiral. The blade is old and the hilt is new. The sheath and by-knives are also old. What is especially distressing is that the ferrule is also appropriate to the blade and instead of simply fitting a proper replacement hilt, it would appear that somebody tried to make a "rare" piece of increased value. Judging from the closing price, it would appear that the strategem worked. The fact that they may have ruined a largely intact authentic antique in the process pains me on two counts. One for the piece itself and two for the fact that the seller's success will probably spur similar efforts. A plague on those responsible.
Sincerely,
RobT

kronckew · 28th April 2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo

The welding does give it away...what does genuine Nepali work in this style look like? Do the kora hilts still carry Indian-tulwar-like disks?
Would this modern hilt be an attempt to make the khukri seem older or are such hilts still an option subject to local preference?

Manolo

they are still occasionally making special run kukh's with similar style grips, but workmanship is generally better. Himalayan Imports Version: see Linky

that multipoint star on the grip would have failed me in shop class, the overcuts are really poor.

original talwar hilted kukhri, note v-notch in scabbard to fit hilt, something to look for in originals: Linky from BladeForums Kukhri subforum

Ferguson · 28th April 2006, 05:52 PM

I agree with everyone that the hilt was changed at some time after the khukuri was originally made. I also agree that the workmanship of the hilt is less than the original. The only thing I don't see, is any evidence of electric welding, either arc, mig, or tig. I suspect it was done by a metalworker in India, Nepal, or a similar area. The cylindrical part of the hilt does seem to be a piece of manufactured tubing of some sort. I can't tell if the seam is brazed or not welded at all, but it doesn't look electric welded.

It's a shame.

Steve

Emanuel · 28th April 2006, 08:28 PM

Many thanks for the explanations and links. The bolster as seen on the 7th picture seemes to show welding, and the tube handle showes signs as well. It really is sad that the hilt makers abused the knife so terribly. I like the blade on this one, in its original state it might have been aven more of a beauty.
How "comfortable" were the genuine kora hilts? It seems to me that the bottom disk would dig into the wrist no?
Regards,
Manolo

27th April 2006, 08:03 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Old? Khukuri with kora hilt Greetings, I'd like to know what you think about this big khukri http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 It has a nice beefy blade - seller says 65cm long - so the handle is about 8 inches long...huge. Is it an old type of khukury? It has a pommel similar to indian disk pommels, but the "points" of the star/disk look somehwat sloppy, carved into the metal rather than shaped. The "bronze dip" looks melted/corroded off, and the companion knives are weird. Thoughts? Manolo

28th April 2006, 03:46 AM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 488	Married Piece Hi All, I agree with Spiral. The blade is old and the hilt is new. The sheath and by-knives are also old. What is especially distressing is that the ferrule is also appropriate to the blade and instead of simply fitting a proper replacement hilt, it would appear that somebody tried to make a "rare" piece of increased value. Judging from the closing price, it would appear that the strategem worked. The fact that they may have ruined a largely intact authentic antique in the process pains me on two counts. One for the piece itself and two for the fact that the seller's success will probably spur similar efforts. A plague on those responsible. Sincerely, RobT

27th April 2006, 08:42 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	mmmmm I saw that one, kukri in that style exist but this one Looks like a modern reproduction {fake.} handle put on an older blade, & it doesnt look like any modern Nepal real kami work, Ive seen. Looks rather like the handle could even have electro welded seems & joins perhaps? Glad to see none of the 5 bidders are in the the usual 20 or so strong kukri crowd. The fish shaped Chakma {shapening steel/spark striker} is good & a typical style found on real village kukris. {as opposed to old military or the modern main manufacturer commercial kukris which are made for westerners to purchase.} Spiral

28th April 2006, 02:06 AM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	The welding does give it away...what does genuine Nepali work in this style look like? Do the kora hilts still carry Indian-tulwar-like disks? Would this modern hilt be an attempt to make the khukri seem older or are such hilts still an option subject to local preference? Manolo

28th April 2006, 05:52 PM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	I agree with everyone that the hilt was changed at some time after the khukuri was originally made. I also agree that the workmanship of the hilt is less than the original. The only thing I don't see, is any evidence of electric welding, either arc, mig, or tig. I suspect it was done by a metalworker in India, Nepal, or a similar area. The cylindrical part of the hilt does seem to be a piece of manufactured tubing of some sort. I can't tell if the seam is brazed or not welded at all, but it doesn't look electric welded. It's a shame. Steve

28th April 2006, 08:28 PM	#7
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Many thanks for the explanations and links. The bolster as seen on the 7th picture seemes to show welding, and the tube handle showes signs as well. It really is sad that the hilt makers abused the knife so terribly. I like the blade on this one, in its original state it might have been aven more of a beauty. How "comfortable" were the genuine kora hilts? It seems to me that the bottom disk would dig into the wrist no? Regards, Manolo