Kukri

spiral · 1st February 2008, 10:30 PM

inveterate · 1st February 2008, 11:14 PM

Tim, I have more than a dozen, Steel handled Kukri, White metal as a grip is somewhat rare amongst Kukri (I have seen one) strangely enough it is somewhat more common as a bolster material. Cheers Rod

Battara · 2nd February 2008, 12:01 AM

The steel used I would think was thin soft sheet steel or at least annealed steel. Very haed on steel tools used. The act of working the steel automatically hardens tbe steel. No need for heat hardening.

Amazing work!

Andreas Volk · 2nd February 2008, 05:49 PM

Hello Tatyana!
Sorry to be late on this amazing piece with m congratulations. I think I remember that ebay listing as well (and before christmas I'm always tight on budget

).
I'd like to second spirals opinion that this of indian make - not nepelase - something I actually believe of most of the "armoury" kukris I came accross.

While the crescent moon is a national symbol of Nepal I doubt that this mark whenever it appears points to the Armoury of the Maharaja of Nepal.

So I still search for some pointers why it apperas on so many steel handled and the decorated horn handled pieces.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

.... I couldnt date it accuratley, most steel handles seem late 19th to around 1925 in manufacture. The decoration of blade is older in style & quality, but skillful kami could copy older styles. But yes it could possibly be as early as 1850/60 i think.

Thanks a lot spiral; I'd also say that most of the (few) steel handled ones I handled are "arround 1900 or early 20th cent.) - but looking at the overall shape of this particular blade (slightly slimmer than those massive armouries, slight less shoulder and the curve inside the handle) I personally would think a post 1900 heritage very unlikely - otherwise this kami would have made a vry amazing "copy job".
If I recall correctly Inveterate owns an steel handled lamebendh with provenance that points to the Sepoy riots of 1857/58.
So my guess on this piece (and it is no more) would be 1860s to 1890s.

As I'm travelling at the moment I don't have my copy of Elgood's "Hindu Arms and Ritual" at hand - when back home I'll check what he has to say concerning the red paint.

Again - my congratulations on uncovering some kukri treasure. Thanks for sharing it with us !!

best regards

Andreas

ariel · 2nd February 2008, 06:59 PM

Tatyana,
You seem to amass rather nice ( understatement of the year!) pieces in your collection and did it quietly.
Can you show us more?
I think we are in for a great surprise and a lot of "o-o-ohs"

Anybody here seconds the motion?

Battara · 2nd February 2008, 08:17 PM

I'll third it......oh wait.......yeah I'll second it!

Tatyana Dianova · 2nd February 2008, 08:33 PM

Well, Ariel, this time it seems to be a flattery and not just a compliment

I really do not have many pieces, and most of them were already introduced on this Forum. Other items in my collection (well, I do not consider it a real collection - for me it is a simple room decoration) seem to be more common and not so interesting to other forum members. But each of them has a story to tell - I can feel it when taking them in my hands and seeing their scars and this is exactly what I love about them and their beauty too, of course. But a rarity or a collector's value is not so important to me.
And please do not ask me to surprise you every time, otherwise it will not be possible for me to show more common pieces and to ask my questions about them

Tatyana Dianova · 2nd February 2008, 08:42 PM

I want to thank you all again for the kind words!
Rod, can you please show the whole kukris, whose handles you have shown? Especially interesting to me is a kukri with a long handle.

1st February 2008, 10:30 PM	#1
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712

1st February 2008, 11:14 PM	#2
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Tim, I have more than a dozen, Steel handled Kukri, White metal as a grip is somewhat rare amongst Kukri (I have seen one) strangely enough it is somewhat more common as a bolster material. Cheers Rod

2nd February 2008, 12:01 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	The steel used I would think was thin soft sheet steel or at least annealed steel. Very haed on steel tools used. The act of working the steel automatically hardens tbe steel. No need for heat hardening. Amazing work!

2nd February 2008, 06:59 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Tatyana, You seem to amass rather nice ( understatement of the year!) pieces in your collection and did it quietly. Can you show us more? I think we are in for a great surprise and a lot of "o-o-ohs" Anybody here seconds the motion?

2nd February 2008, 08:17 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I'll third it......oh wait.......yeah I'll second it!

2nd February 2008, 08:33 PM	#7
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 734	Well, Ariel, this time it seems to be a flattery and not just a compliment I really do not have many pieces, and most of them were already introduced on this Forum. Other items in my collection (well, I do not consider it a real collection - for me it is a simple room decoration) seem to be more common and not so interesting to other forum members. But each of them has a story to tell - I can feel it when taking them in my hands and seeing their scars and this is exactly what I love about them and their beauty too, of course. But a rarity or a collector's value is not so important to me. And please do not ask me to surprise you every time, otherwise it will not be possible for me to show more common pieces and to ask my questions about them

2nd February 2008, 08:42 PM	#8
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 734	I want to thank you all again for the kind words! Rod, can you please show the whole kukris, whose handles you have shown? Especially interesting to me is a kukri with a long handle.