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30th January 2010, 07:30 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 695
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A pig in a poke :-)
Quite a usual story: an eBay kukri with two very bad pictures (never make such pictures when selling weapons :-) Here are the original seller’s pictures:
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30th January 2010, 07:31 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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From these pictures I was pretty sure that it is quite old (at least first half of 20th c.), so I risked to buy it (as any other pig in a poke it wasn’t expensive :-) When I’ve received it I found out that it is very thick, massive, heavy and large thing (almost 50 cm long), and on couple of places an old bright polish with Damascus pattern was still visible – a good inspiration for cleaning!
The final result was really fascinating, that’s why I want to share it. The skill of the old Nepali village smiths was really high! And it looks like originally these kukris were polished and etched to reveal the pattern – it was a question that bothered me for a long time. As usual, I will be grateful for any comments :-) |
30th January 2010, 08:03 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Oct 2007
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Hi Tatyana,
I think you've just disproved the old adage about 'being unable to make a silk purse from a sows ear'. Spiral, as you know, is the one who will be able to help you on this. If I were you I would drop him a P.M. to have a look as he might not pick up on the Kukri angle from your title. My knowledge in this sphere is very limited but it is impressive, seems early and certainly looks a genuine 'user'. It is nice to get a 'good' surprise from eBay!!!! My Regards, Norman. Last edited by Norman McCormick; 30th January 2010 at 08:28 PM. |
31st January 2010, 01:20 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
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That is truly stunning. I have only 1 kukri with any pattern at all, but yours is amazing.
Congratulations! Steve |
31st January 2010, 01:26 AM | #5 |
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Location: Louisville, KY
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I think it is rare to get one with a pattern on it. I also think it is older than 20c. Nice puppy!
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31st January 2010, 01:48 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
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Wow nice one Tatanya!
A lovely old piece indeed, it reminds me strongly of this one. Although your laminations & photo quality are much finer! Spiral |
31st January 2010, 06:04 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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Thank you all for he compliments and comments! I have some other old Kukris: all of them have laminated blades, but the pattern is random, functional and has a very low contrast. Normally I leave them bright polished, without any etch… That’s why I wanted to share this piece, finding it truly fascinating!
Spiral: it looks that your Kukri is from the same sword smith ‘school’ as mine :-) Thank you for showing it! Do you have any guesses or theories about their provenance or age? I am pretty sure that both are pre-WWII and most probably from Nepal, but I would like to know more :-) |
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