Kukri...

[derek]

That is a VERY nice first kukri. There are so many poorly-made kukris with un-tempered, chromed blades out there that it's sometimes hard to weed through them to find the good ones.

They are definitely a unique feel. A kukri is one of the few large knives/ swords that not only breaks the general rule of "don't use that on a tree", but most can even make for a reasonable chopper. It's a great camp-knife or work knife. I like the beauty and detail of piha kaettas, but the functional sensibility of a good kukri is a beautiful thing in its own way

Congrats, good find.
-d

[Flavio]

Hi Kronckew, Emanuel and Dereck, thank you for your kind comments and for the informations on these beautiful weapons Could you tell me more about the kukris with tulwar handles? are they nepali weapons or indian? for real use or for ceremonial? thanks again guys

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Flavio

Hi Kronckew, Emanuel and Dereck, thank you for your kind comments and for the informations on these beautiful weapons Could you tell me more about the kukris with tulwar handles? are they nepali weapons or indian? for real use or for ceremonial? thanks again guys

i believe there is a picture of the nepali museum here somewhere possibly posted by spiral (or sirupate) with one of the early kings favourite weapons, including a couple of kukhri with tulwar style handgrips. i've seen a number of indian weapons with recurved blades and tulwar handles, but believe those are larger and called something else (susson pattah?).

the mix of small principalities, tribal areas, the breakdown of the moghul empire, trade, religion, etc. really resulted in a mix of weapons being traded, captured, repaired, re-handled and reused, etc. around the area, including some rather strange ones to western eyes (like the ribbon sword). that's why afghan/nepali/indian arms are so diverse and interesting.

i have hands too big to comfortably use a traditional tulwar handle, so i have only the knowledge that my two tulwars will never be used by me. my more normal kukhri have (and will be) used, most likely as tools, but possible for other uses.

the british, having conquered, stolen, bought, bribed or inherited ownership of most of india were singularly unsuccessful in nepal, the thin red line being fought to a standstill by the short green one, the little smiling men with the bent knives forced them into a treaty based on mutual respect that still exists today resulting in the gurkha regiments of the british army which remain amongst the finest soldiers in the world - and they still carry their kukhris. issue ones for parade, but they have been known to carry their family heirloom ones when they really mean business.

anyhow, here is a link to a few tulwar hilted kukhri from the ikrs forum

Tulwar hilted kukhri

and a more general historical link, 1st picture is of 3 kora hilted kukhri from the nepal national museum

Historical link

[Flavio]

Kronckew, thank you soooo much, your help is very appreciated!!!!
The kukris with kora and tulwar handles are marvelous
I suppose that they are very rare... I try too look around if I will be able to find one (keeps on dreaming Flavio, keeps on dreaming )

[BBJW]

Originally Posted by kronckew

i believe there is a picture of the nepali museum here somewhere possibly posted by spiral (or sirupate) with one of the early kings favourite weapons, including a couple of kukhri with tulwar style handgrips. i've seen a number of indian weapons with recurved blades and tulwar handles, but believe those are larger and called something else (susson pattah?).

the mix of small principalities, tribal areas, the breakdown of the moghul empire, trade, religion, etc. really resulted in a mix of weapons being traded, captured, repaired, re-handled and reused, etc. around the area, including some rather strange ones to western eyes (like the ribbon sword). that's why afghan/nepali/indian arms are so diverse and interesting.

i have hands too big to comfortably use a traditional tulwar handle, so i have only the knowledge that my two tulwars will never be used by me. my more normal kukhri have (and will be) used, most likely as tools, but possible for other uses.

the british, having conquered, stolen, bought, bribed or inherited ownership of most of india were singularly unsuccessful in nepal, the thin red line being fought to a standstill by the short green one, the little smiling men with the bent knives forced them into a treaty based on mutual respect that still exists today resulting in the gurkha regiments of the british army which remain amongst the finest soldiers in the world - and they still carry their kukhris. issue ones for parade, but they have been known to carry their family heirloom ones when they really mean business.

anyhow, here is a link to a few tulwar hilted kukhri from the ikrs forum

Tulwar hilted kukhri

and a more general historical link, 1st picture is of 3 kora hilted kukhri from the nepal national museum

Historical link

Here is a photo of my tulwar gripped kukri. It is circa 1800. For scale I put in an officers kukri from around 1950 and one with a similar arsenal mark to the one posted. I caught "kukri fever" years ago.

Cheers
bbjw

[Flavio]

Hi all, I found this interesting picture of a kukri with some kind of tulwar re-worked handle (brass pommel).

[spiral]

Nice kukri Flavio! well made blade, good fullers, could definatly be of ww1 or slightly earlier. Nice price as well, sometimes they go a fair bit more than that.

The kora handled ones are from Nepal the genuine tulwar handled ones from the Punjab , but there are many are fakes & or composites of the tulwar handle ones with kukri blades, made in India & Nepal & by unscrupulos western dealers, this has probaby been occuring throughout the 20th century.

Here one of my smaller wall displays. The top one of these is a typical high quality Punjabi Sikh Sossun Patta {Liilly leaf.} style bladed kukri with tulwar handle from C.1850 or earlier.




Fantastic quality blade you show with the composite brass handle! never spotted that photo that on the net, where is it from? {If its ok to say?}

Spiral

[Flavio]

Thank you Spiral !! The picture is from a catalogue of well known Italian house of auctions specialized on old weapons.