Heres a few points about kora/kukris & this grip.
Gurkhas hands are much finer boned/ smaller than most western hands.
If you are born in a shack most of you woulndnt consider fit for a garden shed, Living with your parents , sick grandmother & 7 siblings & a load of chikens half way up a mountain in Nepal, without carpet, matresss, windows etc. where you have to descend a ravine of 2000 or 3000 feet evry morning just to get your water to drink your concepts of comfort may be somewhat different that us who live in what would be beyond the dreams of luxery to most Gurkhas of yesteryear.
The concept of hanging onto your weapon in battle would be a greater priority than comfort to them.
.But sure I think the kora was comfterable & usefull as far as they were concerned.
Some western Perceptions of the tecniques used with kora may not be based how the Gurkhas percied their use. Personly I find them quite usefull & would not find them awkward to use if neccasary. Lateral thinking & all that.
AK47 is better
but its bayonet is a better wire cutter than weapon.
Whoever made that "kora" handle, couldnt make a blade remotly like that. It exhibits no forging, its an assembly of junk from a scrap bin & exhibits nill knife workmanship skills.
Having had a closer look, Steve is right it is not welded but it does exhibit clear evidence of Brazing. Originals would also be brazed, but that sure isnt one of them.
Lots of modern fake Tulwar handle kukri in Nepal & India for sale, But they are made by kami. {still tourist junk though.}
N2S Has the best example of a genuine one I have seen in the west so far.
Spiral.