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Ghurka Kukri 17.5" Overall Stainless
Micarta Handle & Brass Fittings, Genuine Leather Sheath
Solid, Sharp
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11/5/23 sold out. Added $1,000 to price so that won't delete the listing, purchase history and watchers until I can get them back in stock. Hopefully soon!
There are two versions of this kukri, identical design but this listing is for the is 17.5". Do an search for item #223445916307for the 15.5 " version.
Comments: The materials, workmanship and quality control of these items is very good. Solid construction for rugged use. Comes with a decent edge for a chopper, moderately sharp ~ 5/10 so might need a little honing. I expect you’ll like it though, especially at this price. There are a lot of kukris on the market. I’ve inspected and photographed every one of the ones I sell and I can recommend them. This is the economy version (others mostly have a more elaborate sheath and hardwood handles) so you save a little, but blade and fittings are excellent! Someminorflaws consistent with being handmade in Pakistan are possible. I only tell you this in case you're expecting to get a shiny factory manufactured knife. These are rugged. These are real. I inspect each one and usually clean up the brass a little. I’m a collector and a weekend warrior, active in mylocal HEMA group and Renaissance Fair where these are a favorite. See my Seller ratings and buy with confidence, plus I ship fast!
Rugged Micarta* Handle with Brass Bolster, Butt Cap & Spacers
Heavy Duty Leather Sheath
Massive 1 lb, 2 oz Kukri, Thick Spine - Solid
75.5" Overall, 12" Blade, Sharp!
The Gurka Kukri has endured for centuries because it’s equally effective as a fighting knife, around the camp or in the jungle! Only the American Bowie has influenced, inspired and informed as many modern day knife designs.
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History:
The Kukri is an ancient weapon that dates back to the Kiratis who came to power in Nepal about the 7th Century. In modern times all members of the Brigade of Gurkhas receive training in it’s use. It first gained fame in the Gurkha War for it’s effectiveness. It’s continued use through World Wars I & II enhanced it’s reputation among both Allied troops and enemy forces. It’s acclaim was demonstrated by one unit’s situation report. It reads “Enemy losses: ten killed. Ours nil. Ammunition expenditure nil.” During WWII the Kukri was adopted by many of the British, Commonwealth and US troops including Special Ops units like the Chindits and Merrill’s Marauders that conducted long range penetration and jungle warfare.
On September 2, 2010 a retired Army Gurkha soldier Bishnu Shrestha, alone and armed only with his kukri, defeated a score of bandits who attacked the passenger train he was on in India. He killed three of the bandits, wounded eight more and though wounded himself by a gunshot convinced the others to retreat.
When the Zombie Apocalypse comes the kukri will be the weapon of choice. In Resident Evil: Extinction the heroine Alice (Milla Jovovich) dispatches legions of the undead dual wielding the vicious blades and and demonstrating once again the advantage of a weapon that never runs out of ammo :)
Design:
The kukri is designed primarily for chopping. The shape varies a great deal - from being slightly to highly curved, with smooth or sharply angled spines. Traditionally it includes two smaller blades; one used for sharpening (the Chakmak) and one for tasks requiring more precise control (the Karda, meaning ‘small knife’)
There are substantial variations in blade dimensions depending on intended us as well as region of manufacture and smith that produced it. Generally the spines are very thick, up to .2 to .4 in (5 to 10 mm) at the handle tapering to less than .1 in (2 mm) at the point. A standard issue kukri is usually 16 to 18 in overall (40 to 45 cm) and weighs between 1 to 2 lbs (450 to 900 grams). They usually have a notch at the base of the blade, called a kauda, kaudi, or cho. Various theories have been offered for the original purpose including that it a symbol representing Shiva, a Hindu deity of dedicated to destruction of evil, among much else.
The handles are most often made of hardwood or water buffalo horn and often comes with a flared butt that allows better retention in drawing, cutting and chopping. Most have metal bolsters and butt plates generally made of brass or steel.
It typically comes in a wooden scabbard wrapped in leather with a metal chape and is most often carried vertically in back of the belt.
*Micartaisa toughthermosetplastic laminate, built using high pressureon layers of fiberglass mesh cloth that are impregnated with an epoxy resin binder.The resulting material is used extensively on knife and gun handles because of a few very specific advantages. First, amazing dimensional stability. It doesn’t shrink or swell when exposed to high or low temperatures. Second, it also has very high mechanical strength and is difficult to break. Third, it is relatively lightweight which allows for less carry weight on knives. And finally, when being manufactured, the Micarta can be layered in a variety of ways to create many different looks and colors.
