Are there examples of kukri that lack the distinctive notch(cho)?

Pitt1999 · 14th June 2022, 08:03 AM

With the cho being such a quintessential feature of the kukri, I think a kukri that lacks it's characteristic notch would make for an interesting variation of this type of knife.

kronckew · 14th June 2022, 11:53 AM

From what i've read, very early (pre 17c) ones may not have a recognisable cho/kaudi cutout. They still seem to have an unsharpened narrowing of the blade for a bit before it enters the grip. Exactly when & why they started having one is unknown, and still is. The modern take is that it is NOT a proper khukuri without it, just a KLO. (khukuri-Like Object. Many recent khukuri shaped machetes, and some large knives with recurved blades do not have one, and are this really just KLO.
(Khukuri is the transliteration of the Nepali word for these knives)

BBJW · 14th June 2022, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

From what i've read, very early (pre 17c) ones may not have a recognisable cho/kaudi cutout. They still seem to have an unsharpened narrowing of the blade for a bit before it enters the grip. Exactly when & why they started having one is unknown, and still is. The modern take is that it is NOT a proper khukuri without it, just a KLO. (khukuri-Like Object. Many recent khukuri shaped machetes, and some large knives with recurved blades do not have one, and are this really just KLO.
(Khukuri is the transliteration of the Nepali word for these knives)

The oldest kukri I have ( from a well known San Francisco collector) circa 1800 has a cho/kaudi. Koras before that did not have one. At least as far as I know.-- bbjw

werecow · 14th June 2022, 09:52 PM

Quote:

KLO. (khukuri-Like Object.

A condemnation, it sounds like. }|:oP

This one likes to live dangerously, but flinched.

kronckew · 18th June 2022, 08:14 AM

A KLO may be a perfectly good knife, thai eneps, Viet knives, other recurved knives, kopis, yataghans, etc., it's just not a khukuri. it's Not a disparaging term.

Kothimora scabbards with good functional older design khukuri are cool. The kardas and chakmaks (aux. blades;m karda is a utility knife, chakmak is a hardened very blunt 'steel' for rubbing out dents in the edge.) don't have a cho (and are not khukuris).

My Hanshee and my Enep: (and I eventually found a nepali museum with an 18c Khuk with a cho-less ricasso. It does have a proto-cho notch. The swords to the left are Indian sosun-pata KLOs.

Pitt1999 · 23rd June 2022, 05:24 AM

Thanks everyone for this information! I was asking more about the traditional Nepalese form, but I like the direction this went with the Kukri Like Objects. Thai enep knives were one of the closest things I have found that resemble a kukri without the cho. Certain examples of Chammoro knives can also resemble a kukri lacking a cho. While I was mulling over this topic I found the Heritage Knives website that features a section dedicated to the history of the military from John Powell, and there is this photo showing multiple kukris. If you look at the one at the very bottom, that example seems to lack the cho entirely, possibly not even having a ricasso. This kukri is the only one that I have seen in the traditional Nepalese form that doesn't even show a trace of the cho.

colin henshaw · 23rd July 2022, 04:18 PM

If of any interest... here is a kukri-like chopping knife that came with some African stuff I wanted. Its a large heavy piece, with a thick spine. Length is approx. 44cm. Don't know where its from, can anyone advise ?

kronckew · 23rd July 2022, 04:56 PM

The blade shape is ubiquitous in SEA - cho-less.

Simple heavy choppers like that are found in kitchens everywhere.

My Thai Eneps:
Small (16in.) in wood scabbard, larger (25in) in the bamboo basket.
also two Viet Hmong (Montagnyard) knives, 8in. blades.

Battara · 1st August 2022, 02:08 AM

The Moro barong and kris are from completely different origins. The barong is more leaf shaped. It never takes the recurved shape of the kukri.

Regarding the kris mouth looking like a cho, different. When properly oriented, the Maguindanao kris mouth comes from the form of a bird (like in your example), often looking like an eagle. This also applies to the Maranao kris, though in a different form. With the Sulu regional krises, it takes on a different look, more like an elephant form.

They may look similar, but looks are deceiving.

ausjulius · 18th January 2023, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

If of any interest... here is a kukri-like chopping knife that came with some African stuff I wanted. Its a large heavy piece, with a thick spine. Length is approx. 44cm. Don't know where its from, can anyone advise ?

that knife is not african its used in british burma as a belt knife for the military, it came with a leather riveted scabbard .. its modeled on the enep and other similar knives used by shan, thai, burmese ect ethnic groups.

14th June 2022, 08:03 AM	#1
Pitt1999 Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 105	Are there examples of kukri that lack the distinctive notch(cho)? With the cho being such a quintessential feature of the kukri, I think a kukri that lacks it's characteristic notch would make for an interesting variation of this type of knife.

18th June 2022, 08:14 AM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	A KLO may be a perfectly good knife, thai eneps, Viet knives, other recurved knives, kopis, yataghans, etc., it's just not a khukuri. it's Not a disparaging term. Kothimora scabbards with good functional older design khukuri are cool. The kardas and chakmaks (aux. blades;m karda is a utility knife, chakmak is a hardened very blunt 'steel' for rubbing out dents in the edge.) don't have a cho (and are not khukuris). My Hanshee and my Enep: (and I eventually found a nepali museum with an 18c Khuk with a cho-less ricasso. It does have a proto-cho notch. The swords to the left are Indian sosun-pata KLOs. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 18th June 2022 at 08:40 AM.

23rd June 2022, 05:24 AM	#6
Pitt1999 Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 105	Thanks everyone for this information! I was asking more about the traditional Nepalese form, but I like the direction this went with the Kukri Like Objects. Thai enep knives were one of the closest things I have found that resemble a kukri without the cho. Certain examples of Chammoro knives can also resemble a kukri lacking a cho. While I was mulling over this topic I found the Heritage Knives website that features a section dedicated to the history of the military from John Powell, and there is this photo showing multiple kukris. If you look at the one at the very bottom, that example seems to lack the cho entirely, possibly not even having a ricasso. This kukri is the only one that I have seen in the traditional Nepalese form that doesn't even show a trace of the cho. Attached Images

23rd July 2022, 04:18 PM	#7
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	If of any interest... here is a kukri-like chopping knife that came with some African stuff I wanted. Its a large heavy piece, with a thick spine. Length is approx. 44cm. Don't know where its from, can anyone advise ? Attached Images

23rd July 2022, 04:56 PM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	The blade shape is ubiquitous in SEA - cho-less. Simple heavy choppers like that are found in kitchens everywhere. My Thai Eneps: Small (16in.) in wood scabbard, larger (25in) in the bamboo basket. also two Viet Hmong (Montagnyard) knives, 8in. blades. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 23rd July 2022 at 05:09 PM.

14th June 2022, 11:53 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	From what i've read, very early (pre 17c) ones may not have a recognisable cho/kaudi cutout. They still seem to have an unsharpened narrowing of the blade for a bit before it enters the grip. Exactly when & why they started having one is unknown, and still is. The modern take is that it is NOT a proper khukuri without it, just a KLO. (khukuri-Like Object. Many recent khukuri shaped machetes, and some large knives with recurved blades do not have one, and are this really just KLO. (Khukuri is the transliteration of the Nepali word for these knives)

1st August 2022, 02:08 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	The Moro barong and kris are from completely different origins. The barong is more leaf shaped. It never takes the recurved shape of the kukri. Regarding the kris mouth looking like a cho, different. When properly oriented, the Maguindanao kris mouth comes from the form of a bird (like in your example), often looking like an eagle. This also applies to the Maranao kris, though in a different form. With the Sulu regional krises, it takes on a different look, more like an elephant form. They may look similar, but looks are deceiving.