Kukri ID

blindside · 11th December 2011, 11:26 PM

So I'm not really a collector, I have acquired a number of modern and antique blades to accompany my martial arts practice. I haven't had any experience in a martial art related to the kukri, but anyone who has spent any time in weapon arts has heard of the tales, so I had to get one. This was an ebay purchase, selected both because it was relatively inexpensive and because quite frankly I liked the lines.

Blade length (measured along the spine) is 11 inches, it weighs in at about 14 oz, so a little on the smaller side. Handle appears to be a greenish horn of some kind, with some damage on one side. There do not appear to be any markings on blade or hilt. I realize this is pretty generic (or appears to my eyes) but if this provides any clue to anyone, I would love to hear any info on its story. Thanks!

Stan S. · 12th December 2011, 12:12 AM

Thats a nice kukri. The hilt is most likely hard wood as opposed to horn (there is no such thing as green horn, unless it is dyed) and looks old. However the leather on the scabbard appears to be new. Since there are no markings or other traits identifying this kukri as an antique, I would be inclined to consider it a contemporary piece. Its size and weight also fits this categorization. It is quite simple and functional, which is the most important feaure to those who appreciate these knives.

blindside · 12th December 2011, 04:08 AM

The hilt is definitely horn, I can see from the damage that it is not wood. It certainly has a more greenish cast than the carabao horn from my Filipino pieces. The third picture down has the best representation of the actual color, though in actuality I wouldn't call it "green," maybe a green-brown or something similar.

I am not surprised that it may be a fairly modern piece, I figure I will try it out for a season as a camp knife.

Thanks,

Rick · 12th December 2011, 04:08 AM

I expect that it's horn; looks like rodent or insect damage IMO .

Rick · 12th December 2011, 04:10 AM

I'm thinking it's pre-1950; where's Spiral ?

fearn · 12th December 2011, 05:50 AM

Damage on the hilt is probably from silver fish. I had that happen to me a few months ago. Annoying.

F

Atlantia · 12th December 2011, 08:24 AM

Spirals article is the best quick recource for military kukri types. The one in question appears to be based on the current issue kukri.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1889

The holes in the horn look like bettle/bug damage to me as well (Fearns silverfish sound like tough little customers, the ones I rarely see here are cute and about 1cm long).
The only real option for that damage is to mix up a little resin based filler of similar colour and fill the holes in. They aren't very big, it'll work OK.
Have a look round a car boot sale and buy something made from black buffalo horn and use a rough file to grind off a kind of chunky dust and mix it with a little black wood stain and epoxy then spatula it in and smooth it off. When it's dry polish it with fine sandpaper and it'll look much better. Not invisible, but better than holes.

11th December 2011, 11:26 PM	#1
blindside Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 33	Kukri ID So I'm not really a collector, I have acquired a number of modern and antique blades to accompany my martial arts practice. I haven't had any experience in a martial art related to the kukri, but anyone who has spent any time in weapon arts has heard of the tales, so I had to get one. This was an ebay purchase, selected both because it was relatively inexpensive and because quite frankly I liked the lines. Blade length (measured along the spine) is 11 inches, it weighs in at about 14 oz, so a little on the smaller side. Handle appears to be a greenish horn of some kind, with some damage on one side. There do not appear to be any markings on blade or hilt. I realize this is pretty generic (or appears to my eyes) but if this provides any clue to anyone, I would love to hear any info on its story. Thanks! Attached Images

12th December 2011, 04:08 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,325	Hilt I expect that it's horn; looks like rodent or insect damage IMO .

12th December 2011, 12:12 AM	#2
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	Thats a nice kukri. The hilt is most likely hard wood as opposed to horn (there is no such thing as green horn, unless it is dyed) and looks old. However the leather on the scabbard appears to be new. Since there are no markings or other traits identifying this kukri as an antique, I would be inclined to consider it a contemporary piece. Its size and weight also fits this categorization. It is quite simple and functional, which is the most important feaure to those who appreciate these knives.

12th December 2011, 04:10 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,325	I'm thinking it's pre-1950; where's Spiral ?

12th December 2011, 05:50 AM	#6
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Damage on the hilt is probably from silver fish. I had that happen to me a few months ago. Annoying. F

12th December 2011, 08:24 AM	#7
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Spirals article is the best quick recource for military kukri types. The one in question appears to be based on the current issue kukri. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1889 The holes in the horn look like bettle/bug damage to me as well (Fearns silverfish sound like tough little customers, the ones I rarely see here are cute and about 1cm long). The only real option for that damage is to mix up a little resin based filler of similar colour and fill the holes in. They aren't very big, it'll work OK. Have a look round a car boot sale and buy something made from black buffalo horn and use a rough file to grind off a kind of chunky dust and mix it with a little black wood stain and epoxy then spatula it in and smooth it off. When it's dry polish it with fine sandpaper and it'll look much better. Not invisible, but better than holes.