Damascus Kukri

Sajen · 2nd September 2019, 05:10 PM

Hi Jose,
Very nice piece! Blade is after my fancy too dark etched, or too strong, I would repolish the blade a little bit. Anyway, congrats!

Regards,
Detlef

mariusgmioc · 2nd September 2019, 06:28 PM

Very good and rare aquisition!

However, this is not a kris so the etching should be very discrete... if any.
I suspect it was over-etched to make the pattern discernable in the photos, and facilitate the sale.
So, I agree with Detlef and suggest you polish it a little. The pattern should be only visible in reflected light.

Battara · 2nd September 2019, 10:52 PM

Thanks folks.

I will go back and repolish and re-etch the blade to where it won't be so dark and a little more subtle.

Also I'll also get back to you on the measurements as well.

MacCathain · 2nd September 2019, 11:51 PM

Here I have its cousin from the tin chirra branch of the family. The laminations are certainly visible in the right light, but I haven't brought it out through etching.

There are a few spots on the grip where there is a gray/white residue (you can see this in the close-up . . . next to the ring on the concave side of the grip).

Please educate me: What's the story behind liming the grip?

Battara · 3rd September 2019, 10:13 PM

MacCaithan thanks so much for posting - you have now confirmed what kind of scabbard should I choose to make one for my kukri.

The "white" parts of your hilt appear to be silver plating over the steel. I figure that the lime packing is for visual effect, that it brings out the designs better (like that of some Moro scabbards).

Also I forgot to add the lengths: 15 inches over all (37.5 cm).

BTW - I LOVE your kukri example.

MacCathain · 3rd September 2019, 10:47 PM

Thanks, Battara. The silver bits in the design that contrast with the darkened steel areas constitute what I think could be classed as niello decoration, and they are, indeed, silver.

The residue that I mentioned is different; it looks a bit like old toothpaste in the small crevices (the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be). There are only a few places where these are visible, so they may not be residual decoration (perhaps they're just toothpaste).

The scabbard struck me as being unusually plain for this well-executed kukri. I would have expected something a bit more flash. Even the chape has been given the darkened steel treatment, though, so I believe it is the original scabbard. Here's a better view of what the face of it looks like.

This kukri measures 15.75" straight from the tip to the farthest end of the pommel cap. The grip is among the smallest in my small collection at only 4" on center.

Battara · 4th September 2019, 02:09 AM

Yup that "toothpaste" is lime.

Also thank you for the scabbard picture.

2nd September 2019, 11:51 PM	#4
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 68	Here I have its cousin from the tin chirra branch of the family. The laminations are certainly visible in the right light, but I haven't brought it out through etching. There are a few spots on the grip where there is a gray/white residue (you can see this in the close-up . . . next to the ring on the concave side of the grip). Please educate me: What's the story behind liming the grip? Attached Images

3rd September 2019, 10:47 PM	#6
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 68	Thanks, Battara. The silver bits in the design that contrast with the darkened steel areas constitute what I think could be classed as niello decoration, and they are, indeed, silver. The residue that I mentioned is different; it looks a bit like old toothpaste in the small crevices (the deposits are not as easy to see in the image as I had hoped they would be). There are only a few places where these are visible, so they may not be residual decoration (perhaps they're just toothpaste). The scabbard struck me as being unusually plain for this well-executed kukri. I would have expected something a bit more flash. Even the chape has been given the darkened steel treatment, though, so I believe it is the original scabbard. Here's a better view of what the face of it looks like. This kukri measures 15.75" straight from the tip to the farthest end of the pommel cap. The grip is among the smallest in my small collection at only 4" on center. Attached Images

2nd September 2019, 05:10 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,207	Hi Jose, Very nice piece! Blade is after my fancy too dark etched, or too strong, I would repolish the blade a little bit. Anyway, congrats! Regards, Detlef

2nd September 2019, 06:28 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Very good and rare aquisition! However, this is not a kris so the etching should be very discrete... if any. I suspect it was over-etched to make the pattern discernable in the photos, and facilitate the sale. So, I agree with Detlef and suggest you polish it a little. The pattern should be only visible in reflected light.

2nd September 2019, 10:52 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Thanks folks. I will go back and repolish and re-etch the blade to where it won't be so dark and a little more subtle. Also I'll also get back to you on the measurements as well.

3rd September 2019, 10:13 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	MacCaithan thanks so much for posting - you have now confirmed what kind of scabbard should I choose to make one for my kukri. The "white" parts of your hilt appear to be silver plating over the steel. I figure that the lime packing is for visual effect, that it brings out the designs better (like that of some Moro scabbards). Also I forgot to add the lengths: 15 inches over all (37.5 cm). BTW - I LOVE your kukri example.

4th September 2019, 02:09 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Yup that "toothpaste" is lime. Also thank you for the scabbard picture.