Antique Nepalese Gurkha Bhojpure Kukri Knife

[browningautorifle]

I thought that a rod passes through the handle and the end of the rod is then peened/riveted over?

That's how mine is done. The tang runs right through.

[Flying10uk]

Years ago I saw a documentary programme about Nepal and or the Gurkhas and they showed the local craftsman/blacksmith forging the blade of the Kukri knife. I remember that it stated they used a leaf spring from a vehicle as the raw material for making the blade out of. I don't know if any other steels are used but I would guess that they would use anything that could be heat treated i.e. hardened and tempered.

[browningautorifle]

You should all read this, it answers many of the questions and confirms or denies much of what we've been saying here...read on!

Khukuri House - Gurkha Knives Official Khukuri/Kukri supplier to Gurkhas

[Aragorn243]

That explains why the handle doesn't have the tang going all the way through. One thing it doesn't explain unless I missed it is what the small notch is for. I doubt it's for opening bottles but that is what it looks like.

[henry r]

the story I was told is that it is a drip point to stop the blood running down onto your hand after you behead your enemy.

[browningautorifle]

I missed it is what the small notch is for.

As Henry points out and I found in print in probably another site selling these...exactly as he says. The attack position with this knife is up high over the head. It's meant for a chop not thrust. After chopping the enemy for some time you'd have blood present. This channels it off the blade so it doesn't make the handle slippery. That ended the rumor it was for piercing the finger to draw blood when you draw the knife... They do have an attack position for the thrust, but the knife won't be as effective that way...

[Flying10uk]

If after clicking onto Jim's link in post 13 you then down-load the information brochure, there is a link at the bottom of the page that comes up, there is additional information about the notch. Apparently, it is also a Hindu fertility symbol being connected to a Cow and, possibly, also intended to break an opponent's blade.






Mistake corrected 11/10/16 which was caused by miss-reading document.

[browningautorifle]

, also intended to break an opponent's blade.

Don't know how you get that from "Catching and neutralizing an opponent's blade", but that's exactly how these wild stories start. Do yourself a favor and read up on knife fighting and what these terms mean...

it is also a Hindu fertility symbol being connected to a Crow

Read closer...not a Crow...

[Flying10uk]

What does it mean then?

[browningautorifle]

What does it mean then?

Read from the exact document you just quoted...