Kukri needing repair. Advice?

DaveA · 3rd July 2015, 05:16 PM

Hello,

Here is a kukri in my collection. As you can see in the pictures, there is loss of the pommel/buttcap and in a rectangular patch along the top of the bone hilt. I suspect this was once one piece, possibly brass matching the design elsewhere on the hilt. Like the other brass decorations, the missing piece was an insert, not simply attached on top of the bone.

I'd like to repair this, but I lack the knowledge of what is needed and how to execute it. Any thoughts?

B/r

Dave A.

spiral · 3rd July 2015, 07:53 PM

These ones are often made in china nowadays, but yours is Nepali!

In the original manufacture a cut & filed thin brass disk would go on top of hilt & be held by a small nail driven through it. A quick heat with a gas torch will melt the gum & stick it a bit better. Another very thin bit of brass would be cut to the right shape & after a quick heating again held in place with the already present laha.

If you cut a piece of paper to the right size/shape first , you would have a template to mark & cut the brass. Thin brass sheet can even be cut with good quality scissors!

This was how it was done in the first place but if you drop it or try to use it to chop something will break again.

I am glad you obviously like it, but please don't use it, it was never made to be used, just sold & looked at to give one memories of a great holiday in Nepal, the blade is mild steel & the tang will be rather small & thin, if used it would be easy to hurt oneself with it if used other than as a letter opener.

spiral

DaveA · 11th July 2015, 06:57 AM

Thanks Spiral. I will give your repair technique a try.

Dave A

spiral · 11th July 2015, 11:40 AM

Cheers David!

3rd July 2015, 05:16 PM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 432	Kukri needing repair. Advice? Hello, Here is a kukri in my collection. As you can see in the pictures, there is loss of the pommel/buttcap and in a rectangular patch along the top of the bone hilt. I suspect this was once one piece, possibly brass matching the design elsewhere on the hilt. Like the other brass decorations, the missing piece was an insert, not simply attached on top of the bone. I'd like to repair this, but I lack the knowledge of what is needed and how to execute it. Any thoughts? B/r Dave A. Attached Images

11th July 2015, 06:57 AM	#3
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 432	Repair tip Thanks Spiral. I will give your repair technique a try. Dave A

3rd July 2015, 07:53 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	These ones are often made in china nowadays, but yours is Nepali! In the original manufacture a cut & filed thin brass disk would go on top of hilt & be held by a small nail driven through it. A quick heat with a gas torch will melt the gum & stick it a bit better. Another very thin bit of brass would be cut to the right shape & after a quick heating again held in place with the already present laha. If you cut a piece of paper to the right size/shape first , you would have a template to mark & cut the brass. Thin brass sheet can even be cut with good quality scissors! This was how it was done in the first place but if you drop it or try to use it to chop something will break again. I am glad you obviously like it, but please don't use it, it was never made to be used, just sold & looked at to give one memories of a great holiday in Nepal, the blade is mild steel & the tang will be rather small & thin, if used it would be easy to hurt oneself with it if used other than as a letter opener. spiral

11th July 2015, 11:40 AM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Cheers David!