Steel grip Kukri, info?

[Tim Simmons]

While we are on Kukri I thought it a good idea to compere this Indian one to another Nepalese? example. Although smaller and lighter to me it is far more a sophisticated artifact. It is beautifully hollow ground on both sides of the blade. It is in almost pristine condition never used and by patina looks as if it is older than the fancy Indian one.




Like carpets from Indo/Persia at this time the Chrome mordant {produced from 1887 onwards} in the dye has a tendency to rot the pile and fade especially where exposed to the light.

[spiral]

Yes thats a Nepali made hollow ground one, they often come with multiple small tools.

The design of the scabbard floral piece goes back a long way but your example with its original scabbard is post ww2.

probably late 1940s early 1950s. They always seem to be unused.

I am often disparging about most post ww2 kukris, but yours is indeed an example of good quality post ww2 work. I am a great fan of the practicleness of the hollow gounds sides combined with a convex edge. Some identical kukris came in quite elaborate silver presentation scabbards as well. The spine patterns on the blade usualy have brass inlayed in them?

Intrestingly it basicaly a precurser design of the Brit. army mk.5 kukri adopted around 1960.



Which sadley is usualy made without the finese of your piece. {lowest bidder wins on army contracts.}

I can see why you like that piece...

That said I would still rather trust my life to the steel handled Indian piece if I had to. But each to thier own.

Spiral

[BBJW]

This "new" one is not older than the previous one. Post 1930 IMHO.

bbjw

[Tim Simmons]

I am interested in your opinions and you could well be right. In my own humble opinion, I am at times unsure as to how broad an investigation has been undertaken outside of looking at the business end that tends to form many a collectors view.

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I am interested in your opinions and you could well be right. In my own humble opinion, I am at times unsure as to how broad an investigation has been undertaken outside of looking at the business end that tends to form many a collectors view.

fairly extensive realy.... For provinaced dated examples both old & new, Gurkha museam in Winchester is good & not to far from you, get permision to see ones not displayed as well. It will help your perspective about dating them a bit, it did for me 6 years ago. The the natioal Army museam, private collections, old photo & presntation piecs all help the dating with 20th century pieces.

The double straps on scabbards are a feature that started to occur as a feild development in ww1 to catch on belt frogs better than the traditional buttons & loop for originaly sash wear which were often torn off.

The rear scabbard stiching is just not the quality of older hand stiched cotten work its only one step above todays level.

The whole shape design materials all shout post ww2,

I expect the small knives just have the Blades stuck in a hole in the horn handles? no metal support?

I can understand your doubt, some kukris pose many questians, that one doesnt realy.


Spiral

[Tim Simmons]

The stitching is all in sinew. I am also intersted in the fabric and dye stuff. Thanks for your help.

[spiral]

sure that gets used as well, even on tourist pieces sometimes, they use evrything in Nepal, nothing wasted, sure its not gut though? thats commener.

As you say there dyes do fade, I have 1986 Nepali dyed purple velvet that has faded to light gray where it isnt under the silver.

Spiral