Kothimora Kukri

kronckew · 23rd October 2021, 10:19 AM

The last two look like they are a decent fit, unlike the first post's.

Generic simplified comments for those who do not have or use the khukuri:

In the past, and even now, to a lesser extent, India had a rigid caste system, kind of a Union gone to extremes. Discrimination by caste is now illegal, but India, especially in rural areas, changes slowly.

The Lowest caste, the untouchables, included the Kamis (blacksmiths) and Sarkis (scabbard makers). The Kamis did not make the scabbards, and the sarkis did not make khukuri.

The kamis did work to patterns, but there was leeway, and no two hand-forged khukri were exactly the same, within limits. The sarki picks a wooden core of approx. the right length, width, and curvature to allow the insertion and removal of the khukuri without excessive effort.

The non-circular curve design of the khukri means you have a wider than usual throat area to accomodate the widest part of the blade as it turns as you remove it - remembering to NOT have any fingers along the blade edge side of the scabbard. They do occasionally cut thru the unglued seam between the scabbard core halves if the blade is not inserted/removed with the required motions. (the more 'circular' curved hanshee or salyani khuks have less trouble with is than the more 'modern (?) broken back ones.

There are 'quick draw versions of the scabbard where the top seam is open most of the way and the blade inserts into that side without the curving motion. These of course are not 'traditional, but 'custom' made for those who are not local.

see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWrb8w7E7iE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uo_bsCmk5c&t=52s

Another, just for its coolness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFArXZSKF_8

Top opening 'quick draw scabbard

Tea · 27th December 2021, 10:57 AM

So I found a few other similar Kukri's.
Is your opinion still that these are antiques?
What can be said about the leather scabbard with medallions?
I always thought these were a tourist thing (with usually one of the medallions representing the flag of Nepal.)

As for the fit in both cases the scabbard seems quite tall to me.

kronckew · 27th December 2021, 03:49 PM

The khukuri look antique, nice ones. Bone grips can be fragile, tho they look cool. The horn gripped one withr the REALLY ornate scabbard is a nice fighting weapon. The Bone handled one's decorations are a bit more mundane. They both likely started out with a plainer scabbard for actual use, scabbards were not for the life of the khukuri, and were easily replaced when damaged or worn out. or if you wanted more bling. The khukri blade maay have many hand grips and many scabbards over its life.

The scabbards are Kothimora display scabbards found on presentation weapons. The brass emblems on the plainer scabbard can be regimental badges and the really posh ones with gemstones and filagree metal are bling added by the presenter, with the chains used to display it proudly on a wall hook. They are NOT tourist junk.

You can buy cheap replicas in the tourist shops, caveat emptor. Be especially careful not to buy any with a lions head pommel.
These are in a tourist trap in nepal, gone a bit overboard on the brass. Coins, and nepal flags with the country name in english under them are a bad sign.

23rd October 2021, 10:19 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,154	The last two look like they are a decent fit, unlike the first post's. Generic simplified comments for those who do not have or use the khukuri: In the past, and even now, to a lesser extent, India had a rigid caste system, kind of a Union gone to extremes. Discrimination by caste is now illegal, but India, especially in rural areas, changes slowly. The Lowest caste, the untouchables, included the Kamis (blacksmiths) and Sarkis (scabbard makers). The Kamis did not make the scabbards, and the sarkis did not make khukuri. The kamis did work to patterns, but there was leeway, and no two hand-forged khukri were exactly the same, within limits. The sarki picks a wooden core of approx. the right length, width, and curvature to allow the insertion and removal of the khukuri without excessive effort. The non-circular curve design of the khukri means you have a wider than usual throat area to accomodate the widest part of the blade as it turns as you remove it - remembering to NOT have any fingers along the blade edge side of the scabbard. They do occasionally cut thru the unglued seam between the scabbard core halves if the blade is not inserted/removed with the required motions. (the more 'circular' curved hanshee or salyani khuks have less trouble with is than the more 'modern (?) broken back ones. There are 'quick draw versions of the scabbard where the top seam is open most of the way and the blade inserts into that side without the curving motion. These of course are not 'traditional, but 'custom' made for those who are not local. see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWrb8w7E7iE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uo_bsCmk5c&t=52s Another, just for its coolness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFArXZSKF_8 Top opening 'quick draw scabbard Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 23rd October 2021 at 11:07 AM.

27th December 2021, 10:57 AM	#2
Tea Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 15	So I found a few other similar Kukri's. Is your opinion still that these are antiques? What can be said about the leather scabbard with medallions? I always thought these were a tourist thing (with usually one of the medallions representing the flag of Nepal.) As for the fit in both cases the scabbard seems quite tall to me. Attached Images

27th December 2021, 03:49 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,154	The khukuri look antique, nice ones. Bone grips can be fragile, tho they look cool. The horn gripped one withr the REALLY ornate scabbard is a nice fighting weapon. The Bone handled one's decorations are a bit more mundane. They both likely started out with a plainer scabbard for actual use, scabbards were not for the life of the khukuri, and were easily replaced when damaged or worn out. or if you wanted more bling. The khukri blade maay have many hand grips and many scabbards over its life. The scabbards are Kothimora display scabbards found on presentation weapons. The brass emblems on the plainer scabbard can be regimental badges and the really posh ones with gemstones and filagree metal are bling added by the presenter, with the chains used to display it proudly on a wall hook. They are NOT tourist junk. You can buy cheap replicas in the tourist shops, caveat emptor. Be especially careful not to buy any with a lions head pommel. These are in a tourist trap in nepal, gone a bit overboard on the brass. Coins, and nepal flags with the country name in english under them are a bad sign. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 27th December 2021 at 04:15 PM.