Kukri

Berkley · 1st September 2008, 04:16 PM

Bill, I would say that three pockets was the "usual" configuration when the karda and chakmak were really used by people in isolated rural settings, rather than the vestigial items they have become in the age of universally available disposable lighters. The central hole commonly carried a length of bamboo to be used as a blowpipe for firestarting with the flint and tinder carried in the outer pouch and the chakmak as a striker. The late Bill Martino observed that in modern times the central hole was as likely to carry a Chinese-made lead pencil. The 4-hole scabbard shown in this group has a piece of copper tubing to be used as a blowpipe, and a hand-carved bamboo dip pen. The multiple tool versions that John Powell dubbed "trousse" have a wide variety of implements, many as you note often cobbled together from various sources to suit the needs of the user: tweezers, small saws, hooks, awls, chisels, screwdrivers, etc.
I think Peter's kukri is certainly post-WWi based on the length of the bolster, blade shape, wide edge bevel and shallow scribed grooves along the spine. The blade shapes on the bi-knives are older designs, and the lack of a buttplate is characteristic of 19th century designs. The problem with dating kukris is that, in a traditional society, traditional designs persist right up to the present day.
Berk

Bill M · 1st September 2008, 06:20 PM

Holy Toledo, good stuff!

Thanks Berkley! This is good info, folks.

stekemest · 4th September 2008, 10:37 AM

Thank you all very much again for your help.

Peter

spiral · 4th September 2008, 02:19 PM

Hello Chaps,

Some great input from all you guys!

Id Agree its shape, features & style strikes me as probably ww2 or 50s era kukri {give or take 10 years.], probably made for native Civilians, although who actualy purchased it is anyones guess.

Nice find!

Spiral

1st September 2008, 04:16 PM	#1
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	Bill, I would say that three pockets was the "usual" configuration when the karda and chakmak were really used by people in isolated rural settings, rather than the vestigial items they have become in the age of universally available disposable lighters. The central hole commonly carried a length of bamboo to be used as a blowpipe for firestarting with the flint and tinder carried in the outer pouch and the chakmak as a striker. The late Bill Martino observed that in modern times the central hole was as likely to carry a Chinese-made lead pencil. The 4-hole scabbard shown in this group has a piece of copper tubing to be used as a blowpipe, and a hand-carved bamboo dip pen. The multiple tool versions that John Powell dubbed "trousse" have a wide variety of implements, many as you note often cobbled together from various sources to suit the needs of the user: tweezers, small saws, hooks, awls, chisels, screwdrivers, etc. I think Peter's kukri is certainly post-WWi based on the length of the bolster, blade shape, wide edge bevel and shallow scribed grooves along the spine. The blade shapes on the bi-knives are older designs, and the lack of a buttplate is characteristic of 19th century designs. The problem with dating kukris is that, in a traditional society, traditional designs persist right up to the present day. Berk Attached Images

1st September 2008, 06:20 PM	#2
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Holy Toledo, good stuff! Thanks Berkley! This is good info, folks.

4th September 2008, 10:37 AM	#3
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 183	Thank you all very much again for your help. Peter

4th September 2008, 02:19 PM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Hello Chaps, Some great input from all you guys! Id Agree its shape, features & style strikes me as probably ww2 or 50s era kukri {give or take 10 years.], probably made for native Civilians, although who actualy purchased it is anyones guess. Nice find! Spiral