Questions About a Curious Kukri

sirupate · 24th March 2005, 05:41 PM

Nice collection Derek

be especially interested in the length and weight of the WWII kuk.
Cheers Simon

derek · 25th March 2005, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirupate

Nice collection Derek

be especially interested in the length and weight of the WWII kuk.
Cheers Simon

Hi Simon,

I don't have an accurate means to weigh it, but OAL is 17 1/2 inches, Blade is 13", and pob from base of blade is 3 3/4.

Here is another, very different, example that I would like to hear comments on. It has a mark on it that looks like eyelashes? If not for the cho, I would think it was a SEA work knife. It's about 13 1/2 OAL and well-used:

tom hyle · 25th March 2005, 06:12 AM

Interestingly, it resembles a giant version of the little knife that rides around with kukuris.

inveterate · 25th March 2005, 08:42 AM

Derek, Me thinks an early "Villager" most likely 1880s- 1920. Interesting Kukri
Is the Grip original to the Knife you think? Rod

sirupate · 25th March 2005, 09:56 AM

Reckon you could well be right there Vet, some sort of Sirupate/Langapate Villager?

Cheers Simon

spiral · 25th March 2005, 02:34 PM

Hi Derek,

Well you have the advantage of bieng able to handle the brass kothimara, whearas I am just looking at the picture.

Those symbols are certanly used by the Nepali army units. So it is possible.

The measurments you gave Simon , sound the same as I would expect for the ww1 mk 2 rather than the 1st kukri {probably ww2} in your photograph, which ,I guess looks shorter because of perspective?

Thats an intresting villager kukri knife you have there, these are the nearest thing Ive come across to that style. They seem a rare vairety.

These are all well made & carved but the top one is exceptionaly good carving when handled.

These all have an unusual rounded edge, rather flat spine , instead of the usual peaked variety.

Obviously thier handles are also distinctive as leaping dragons or possibly lions. {the top one has leads from its nostrils in the manner of some Chinese dragoons.{could be a chinthe perhaps?}

The top one is very old, while the 2 lower ones are certainly 20th century.

Thier lengths are 12,11 & 8 inches respectivly, so the largest is an inch & a half shorter than yours. The small one could pass as a large Karda although it obviously has a full bolster.

The fact that 3 of such similar design have turned up, with probaly an age span of over 100 years implys a definate style, probably made within a particular localised region.

Is the spine peaked on your one? it looks very similar blade concept.
only real differance is the grip.

Spiral

derek · 25th March 2005, 07:35 PM

Tom,

You have a knack for making visual associations. It does like a big chakmak or karda (don't remember which is what).

Regarding the spine of the blade -- it is completely flat. In fact, the blade is generally thinner than most Kukris I've seen.

By the way, those are fantastic hilts! They remind a little bit of the kastane's grip. Mine would definitely be the "working stiff's" version compared to those.

Thanks for sharing those. BTW, have you heard the term "Madras" applied to those before?

-d

25th March 2005, 02:34 PM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Hi Derek, Well you have the advantage of bieng able to handle the brass kothimara, whearas I am just looking at the picture. Those symbols are certanly used by the Nepali army units. So it is possible. The measurments you gave Simon , sound the same as I would expect for the ww1 mk 2 rather than the 1st kukri {probably ww2} in your photograph, which ,I guess looks shorter because of perspective? Thats an intresting villager kukri knife you have there, these are the nearest thing Ive come across to that style. They seem a rare vairety. These are all well made & carved but the top one is exceptionaly good carving when handled. These all have an unusual rounded edge, rather flat spine , instead of the usual peaked variety. Obviously thier handles are also distinctive as leaping dragons or possibly lions. {the top one has leads from its nostrils in the manner of some Chinese dragoons.{could be a chinthe perhaps?} The top one is very old, while the 2 lower ones are certainly 20th century. Thier lengths are 12,11 & 8 inches respectivly, so the largest is an inch & a half shorter than yours. The small one could pass as a large Karda although it obviously has a full bolster. The fact that 3 of such similar design have turned up, with probaly an age span of over 100 years implys a definate style, probably made within a particular localised region. Is the spine peaked on your one? it looks very similar blade concept. only real differance is the grip. Spiral Attached Images Last edited by spiral; 25th March 2005 at 07:16 PM.

24th March 2005, 05:41 PM	#1
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Nice collection Derek be especially interested in the length and weight of the WWII kuk. Cheers Simon

25th March 2005, 06:12 AM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Interestingly, it resembles a giant version of the little knife that rides around with kukuris.

25th March 2005, 08:42 AM	#4
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Derek, Me thinks an early "Villager" most likely 1880s- 1920. Interesting Kukri Is the Grip original to the Knife you think? Rod

25th March 2005, 09:56 AM	#5
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Reckon you could well be right there Vet, some sort of Sirupate/Langapate Villager? Cheers Simon

25th March 2005, 07:35 PM	#7
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Tom, You have a knack for making visual associations. It does like a big chakmak or karda (don't remember which is what). Regarding the spine of the blade -- it is completely flat. In fact, the blade is generally thinner than most Kukris I've seen. By the way, those are fantastic hilts! They remind a little bit of the kastane's grip. Mine would definitely be the "working stiff's" version compared to those. Thanks for sharing those. BTW, have you heard the term "Madras" applied to those before? -d