Kukri from Birmingham (UK) antique arms fair.

David R · 22nd February 2024, 10:52 PM

The piece I am possibly the most pleased with from Brum. It's been a while since I last bought a Kukri, and this is a cracker, well forged and finished and in good condition, with just a little surface rust and some degradation of the leather. The grip is brown-green horn (with a small crack) rather than black, and with a steel butt-cap held by two screws as well as a tang peen. My guess is tween the World Wars and private purchase by an officer. I just gave it a little scrub with oil and wire wool for now to keep it safe and a little dressing on the leather.... Found in the cheap box mixed in with the all-sorts!

drac2k · 23rd February 2024, 03:56 AM

She is a beauty; with all of the luck that you have been having lately finding blades, I think that you need to buy a lottery ticket.

RAMBA · 23rd February 2024, 08:08 AM

More around WW1 with a butt cap with the 2 screws like that.

Kmaddock · 23rd February 2024, 02:40 PM

Well Done David a lovely example.
My understanding of Kukuri is limited but I believe having the fullers on the blade (known as chirra) is desirable.
Great to see the horn handle not cracked and from the sounds of it a good price also, which is always preferable.
Keep well,
Ken

RobT · 23rd February 2024, 11:36 PM

Hi David,

Very nice khukri indeed. I assume that the ferrule is steel also? That type of fuller is called ang khola. From what I have read, it originated in northern India (a lot of khukri blades, even Nepalese GI ones, were forged in India). What is the length of your blade as measured in a straight line from the ferrule to the tip?

Sincerely,
RobT

AHite · 25th February 2024, 02:26 AM

Very nice Kukri! I've not seen one with the fuller in the blade, but am now in the hunt. I own three decent ones and have passed on a number of tourist grade kukris that seem to be fairly common here in the States.

kronckew · 25th February 2024, 07:30 AM

This blade shape is my favourite. They do not have the odd 'knuckle' discontinuity more modern khuks have from around just after WW2. The M43 was the last before they did that. Definitely an ang khola khukuri. Ang Khola means 'back valley' for it's one fuller near the spine. I've seen them with up to 5 fullers (chirra). here's mine with a stag grip and a rough leather cover over the more std. black leather & wood scabbard. She's a beast, so I call her 'Godzilla'.

David R · 26th February 2024, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi David,

Very nice khukri indeed. I assume that the ferrule is steel also? That type of fuller is called ang khola. From what I have read, it originated in northern India (a lot of khukri blades, even Nepalese GI ones, were forged in India). What is the length of your blade as measured in a straight line from the ferrule to the tip?

Sincerely,
RobT

All steel, no brass anywhere.

RobT · 27th February 2024, 03:11 AM

David R,

You must be a pretty big guy or at least have big hands because the khukri looks smaller than it is in relation to your hand. Still, it is small enough that I wouldn't rule out a private purchase by a WWII airman. For me, a steel ferrule is more desirable than brass because of its strength. Altogether, a great find (especially since you got it in a bargain bin).

Sincerely,
RobT

Marc M. · 16th October 2024, 02:14 PM

This kukri is my most recent purchase, inspired by David's kukri I started looking for a kukri with a blade of this quality. Kukri's plenty on the net but mostly for those who travel and want a memento. This is the first one with a very good forged blade I have found for a reasonable price. The others I have are ok but have a standard simple blade. This one also has the nice rounded back versus the broken back of the more recent ones. The scabbard is in poor condition with remnants of a blue fabric. Could it be a kothimora kukri? Oal 46cm, blade length 35.5cm. No idea of age. Comments welcome.
Regards Marc

BBJW · 23rd October 2024, 02:10 AM

Not a Kothimora. Likely post WW1.-- bbjw

Marc M. · 23rd October 2024, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBJW

Not a Kothimora. Likely post WW1.-- bbjw

Thanks for your response, correct me if I am wrong, but in my opinion that what makes it a kothimora is the quality workmanship of the sheath, and a good blade which this ang khola is. There is not much left of the sheath outside of some leftover blue fabric so no idea if there were ever silver pieces on it. Probably a kukri for those who could afford it and belonged to their status at the time. Happy with the estimate of between the two world wars.
Best regards
Marc

Battara · 23rd October 2024, 08:22 PM

Kothimora seem to be blinged out with silver (sometimes with gold too), given to a commander upon retirement or as a gift from the unit. Here is my example

RobT · 23rd October 2024, 11:41 PM

BBJW,
I’m not saying that your age estimate is incorrect but I don’t see anything about this khukri that couldn’t be pre WW!. The blade profile is excellent and the cho and sword of Siva are well cut. From what I can see of the peaked spine, it is well done also and the ferrule is steel. I don’t know when the Ang Khola fullering was developed but if it started between the wars, then that would serve to give an earliest date to the piece. Another clue would be the size of the blade (as measured in a straight line from the center of the blade at the ferrule to the tip). Older blades tended to be larger.

Marc M,
That isn’t a kothimari hilt and ferrule on your khukri. The hilt on David R’s would be would be more in line with a kothimari although it would very likely have some decorative carving on it. Likewise, the ferrule and butt cap would likely be more decorated and the but cap would be pinned, not screwed.

Sincerely,
RobT

Marc M. · 24th October 2024, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Kothimora seem to be blinged out with silver (sometimes with gold too), given to a commander upon retirement or as a gift from the unit. Here is my example

Impressive specimen, thanks for sharing.
Best regards
Marc

Marc M. · 24th October 2024, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

BBJW,
I’m not saying that your age estimate is incorrect but I don’t see anything about this khukri that couldn’t be pre WW!. The blade profile is excellent and the cho and sword of Siva are well cut. From what I can see of the peaked spine, it is well done also and the ferrule is steel. I don’t know when the Ang Khola fullering was developed but if it started between the wars, then that would serve to give an earliest date to the piece. Another clue would be the size of the blade (as measured in a straight line from the center of the blade at the ferrule to the tip). Older blades tended to be larger.

Marc M,
That isn’t a kothimari hilt and ferrule on your khukri. The hilt on David R’s would be would be more in line with a kothimari although it would very likely have some decorative carving on it. Likewise, the ferrule and butt cap would likely be more decorated and the but cap would be pinned, not screwed.

Sincerely,
RobT

Thank you for your info, my understanding of what the kothimora is have increased a bit again. With most of the kothimora I have seen ( internet) all have a richly worked scabbard, usually silver and a fairly simple handle, only a few times with a decorated handle, like Battara's specimen.
Best regards
Marc

RobT · Yesterday, 12:13 AM

Marc M.

I too have seen for sale rather pedestrian hilts (and blades for that matter) paired with kothimori sheaths but consider this, it is relatively simple to make a blingy sheath. It is quite another matter to make an elegant hilt with ornate furniture and even more difficult to make an elegant blade. I suspect that many online sellers have had kothimori sheaths made up for ordinary khukri in an effort to substantially bump up the price. I have in my collection a khukri with a tourist level blade (clumsy in profile and complete with the typical punched dot decoration). Its only redeeming feature is a rather simple but nicely done zinc and brass hilt. The khukri came with a kothimori style sheath. I only bought it because it was embarrassingly cheap and the blade had “BAHRAIN” inscribed on it. I believe that this khukri is a souvenir piece that was sold to a US soldier by an enterprising member of the Gurkha contingent in Bahrain. The sheath notwithstanding, it is not a kothimori by any stretch of the imagination.

Sincerely,
RobT

ps. By the way what is the length of your blade

22nd February 2024, 10:52 PM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,078	Kukri from Birmingham (UK) antique arms fair. The piece I am possibly the most pleased with from Brum. It's been a while since I last bought a Kukri, and this is a cracker, well forged and finished and in good condition, with just a little surface rust and some degradation of the leather. The grip is brown-green horn (with a small crack) rather than black, and with a steel butt-cap held by two screws as well as a tang peen. My guess is tween the World Wars and private purchase by an officer. I just gave it a little scrub with oil and wire wool for now to keep it safe and a little dressing on the leather.... Found in the cheap box mixed in with the all-sorts! Attached Images

23rd February 2024, 11:36 PM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 483	More On The Fuller Hi David, Very nice khukri indeed. I assume that the ferrule is steel also? That type of fuller is called ang khola. From what I have read, it originated in northern India (a lot of khukri blades, even Nepalese GI ones, were forged in India). What is the length of your blade as measured in a straight line from the ferrule to the tip? Sincerely, RobT

25th February 2024, 07:30 AM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,175	This blade shape is my favourite. They do not have the odd 'knuckle' discontinuity more modern khuks have from around just after WW2. The M43 was the last before they did that. Definitely an ang khola khukuri. Ang Khola means 'back valley' for it's one fuller near the spine. I've seen them with up to 5 fullers (chirra). here's mine with a stag grip and a rough leather cover over the more std. black leather & wood scabbard. She's a beast, so I call her 'Godzilla'. Attached Images

27th February 2024, 03:11 AM	#9
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 483	As Good As It Gets David R, You must be a pretty big guy or at least have big hands because the khukri looks smaller than it is in relation to your hand. Still, it is small enough that I wouldn't rule out a private purchase by a WWII airman. For me, a steel ferrule is more desirable than brass because of its strength. Altogether, a great find (especially since you got it in a bargain bin). Sincerely, RobT

16th October 2024, 02:14 PM	#10
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 156	This kukri is my most recent purchase, inspired by David's kukri I started looking for a kukri with a blade of this quality. Kukri's plenty on the net but mostly for those who travel and want a memento. This is the first one with a very good forged blade I have found for a reasonable price. The others I have are ok but have a standard simple blade. This one also has the nice rounded back versus the broken back of the more recent ones. The scabbard is in poor condition with remnants of a blue fabric. Could it be a kothimora kukri? Oal 46cm, blade length 35.5cm. No idea of age. Comments welcome. Regards Marc Attached Images

23rd February 2024, 03:56 AM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,228	She is a beauty; with all of the luck that you have been having lately finding blades, I think that you need to buy a lottery ticket.

23rd February 2024, 08:08 AM	#3
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 98	More around WW1 with a butt cap with the 2 screws like that.

23rd February 2024, 02:40 PM	#4
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 542	Well Done David a lovely example. My understanding of Kukuri is limited but I believe having the fullers on the blade (known as chirra) is desirable. Great to see the horn handle not cracked and from the sounds of it a good price also, which is always preferable. Keep well, Ken

25th February 2024, 02:26 AM	#6
AHite Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 48	Very nice Kukri! I've not seen one with the fuller in the blade, but am now in the hunt. I own three decent ones and have passed on a number of tourist grade kukris that seem to be fairly common here in the States.

23rd October 2024, 02:10 AM	#11
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 228	Not a Kothimora. Likely post WW1.-- bbjw

23rd October 2024, 08:22 PM	#13
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Kothimora seem to be blinged out with silver (sometimes with gold too), given to a commander upon retirement or as a gift from the unit. Here is my example Attached Images

23rd October 2024, 11:41 PM	#14
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 483	Blade Size Requested BBJW, I’m not saying that your age estimate is incorrect but I don’t see anything about this khukri that couldn’t be pre WW!. The blade profile is excellent and the cho and sword of Siva are well cut. From what I can see of the peaked spine, it is well done also and the ferrule is steel. I don’t know when the Ang Khola fullering was developed but if it started between the wars, then that would serve to give an earliest date to the piece. Another clue would be the size of the blade (as measured in a straight line from the center of the blade at the ferrule to the tip). Older blades tended to be larger. Marc M, That isn’t a kothimari hilt and ferrule on your khukri. The hilt on David R’s would be would be more in line with a kothimari although it would very likely have some decorative carving on it. Likewise, the ferrule and butt cap would likely be more decorated and the but cap would be pinned, not screwed. Sincerely, RobT

Yesterday, 12:13 AM	#17
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 483	Still Would Like To Know Length Marc M. I too have seen for sale rather pedestrian hilts (and blades for that matter) paired with kothimori sheaths but consider this, it is relatively simple to make a blingy sheath. It is quite another matter to make an elegant hilt with ornate furniture and even more difficult to make an elegant blade. I suspect that many online sellers have had kothimori sheaths made up for ordinary khukri in an effort to substantially bump up the price. I have in my collection a khukri with a tourist level blade (clumsy in profile and complete with the typical punched dot decoration). Its only redeeming feature is a rather simple but nicely done zinc and brass hilt. The khukri came with a kothimori style sheath. I only bought it because it was embarrassingly cheap and the blade had “BAHRAIN” inscribed on it. I believe that this khukri is a souvenir piece that was sold to a US soldier by an enterprising member of the Gurkha contingent in Bahrain. The sheath notwithstanding, it is not a kothimori by any stretch of the imagination. Sincerely, RobT ps. By the way what is the length of your blade