Khukuri is National Knife of Nepal. It is also
called a Gurkha Knife, Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is used by almost
every Nepalese. Every Nepali has at least one khukuri (Gurkha
knife) in their house. They use khukuri (Gurkha knife) for different
purposes like; kitchenware, cutting wood, decorations and safety
purpose. Khukuri (Gurkha knife) has awesome cutting power. This
knife (khukuri) is very popular in Nepal as well as other country
through out the world. But the above definition gives only a
glimpse of the Khukuri (Gurkha knife). Khukuri (Gurkha knife)
means a lot more than the above definition. Khukuri (Gurkha
knife) is not just a knife. It has a strong relationship with
the Gurkha Soldiers and Nepalese History. Khukuri (Gurkha knife)
is not just a knife of Nepal but is also symbol of the Gurkha
soldier, with the help of which Gurkha soldiers paved a way
to their fame and courage today they have.
The excellent cutting power of Khukuri (Gurkha
knife) was first experienced by the British in India who had
to face it in the battles since 1814 while combating the Gorkha
army in western Nepal. From that very moment Khukuri (Gurkha
knife) established its fame and became legend. So the Khukuri
(Gurkha knife) is also known by the name of Gurkha knife. In
the Gurkha soldier's grip, this small piece of curved steel
“Gurkha Knife” becomes an incredibly menacing weapon with which
he has demonstrated rare feats of bravery while facing the enemy
in many a battlefield. This excellent piece of “Gurkha Knife”
also Nepalese knife has fought many battles in the Nepalese
History and has shown very good reputation. Because of that
the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is Nepal’s national knife. The blade
of Gurkha soldiers “Gurkha Knife” has its own fame and popularity.
All the Nepalese people are so proud of this “Gurkha Knife”
that this gurkha knife, Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is liked by all
the Nepalese people.
Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is a medium-length curved
knife with comfortable weight each Gurkha soldier carries with
him in his uniform and in battle. In his grip, this “Gurkha
Knife” or the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) it is a formidable razor-sharp
weapon and a cutting tool. When his rifle misfires, or when
his bullets have run out, a Gurkha unsheathes his Khukuri (Gurkha
knife) and makes his final "do-or-die" run on the
enemy in a fury to finish the job. This scene created the romance
and the legends. What this legendary knife the Khukuri (Gurkha
knife) really did, and still does, is a super-clean slaughter:
The enemy tumbles down in two clean pieces- and in surprise!
because his is the kindest, quietest death because it is the
quickest.
Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is the national knife
of Nepal, originating in ancient times. More than being just
a revered and effective weapon, however, the Khukuri (Gurkha
knife) is also the peaceful all-purpose knife of the hill people
of Nepal. It is a versatile working tool and therefore an indispensable
possession of almost every household, especially of those belonging
to the Gurung, Magar, Rai and Limbu ethnic groups of central
and eastern Nepal. Moreover, apart from the fact that the Khukuri
symbolizes bravery and valour and is a Nepalese cultural icon,
it also represents an exquisite piece of Nepalese craftsmanship
and is indeed a unique memento for you to take back home from
Nepal.
The blade of the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is
made up of steel and the handle is made up of wood, buffalo
horn and metals. The Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is carried in a
scabbard (Dab in Nepali) which is a wooden frame covered with
leather and has a protective metal cap over the tip. Some scabbard
is wrapped with cotton instead of leather. Some scabbards are
even decorated with silver. The scabbard has two pockets to
hold the two tiny knives tucked behind it. Karda: A small knife,
its main purpose is to cut small things and also work as a skinning
knife. Chakmak: A sharpener, the main purpose of this Chakmak
is to sharp the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) and maintain the sharp
edge of the Khukuri (Gurkha knife). It can be used as a flint
maker also. The Notch (Kaura) in the blade near the hilt of
most Khukuri (Gurkha knife) serve as a conduit for the blood
on the blade to drip out thus prevents it from soiling the hilt,
as well as a device for catching and neutralizing an enemy blade.
It also represents the Hindu fertility symbol. The Khukuri (Gurkha
knife) is not only the national knife but also has great religious
importance and is worshipped by the Nepalese during the grand
Hindu festival Dashain.
The oldest khukuri (Gurkha knife) known to
exist is the one on display at the National Museum in Kathmandu
which belonged to Drabya Shah, the King of Gorkha in 1627. It
is, however, certain that the origins of the knife stretch further
back. The machira, the cavalry sword of the ancient Macedonians
which was carried by Alexander's soldiers when it invaded north-west
India in the 4th century BC, closely resembled the khukuri (Gurkha
knife). The origin of the khukuri (Gurkha knife) has also been
linked to the development of a form of blade similar to the
classic Greek sword or kopis. Others suggest that it originated
from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who came to power
in Nepal in the 13th century. Still others find similarities
in the construction of some Khukuris (Gurkha knife) to techniques
of sword making found in Japan. The weapon may, however have
been developed in isolation Nepalese peasants. Whatever be the
roots, Nepal, the Gurkhas and the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) are
inseparable in reputation.
The fact that khukuri (Gurkha knife) is the
national knife of Nepal. Khukuri Knife to expose the art and
tradition of khukuri to the out side world. The making of a
single khukuri (Gurkha knife) four men fully occupied for an
entire day, sometimes even more. The raw materials for making
khukuri (kukuri) -steel, brass, Rose wood, buffalo hide and
horn - are first carefully selected. Only the best are utilized.
Then only the actual process of making the Khukuri starts. Beating
and shaping the steel to exact specifications -both measurements
and weight -tempering, polishing and sharpening it, shaping
the sheath and encasing it with leather, carving the handle
and finally putting everything together are both time and energy
consuming.
Everything is done by hand and the only machine
used is a lathe for shining the khukuri. What makes khukuriKnife
khukuri (Gurkha knife) so special !! The same thing which make
the knife so revered; four men working a full day to craft each
blade; high grade carbon steel; authenticity rather than decoration.
These are the real things, not fancified souvenirs peddled by
hawkers on the streets. They are honest, powerful and graceful
blades, which have the pride of legendary Gurkhas for nearly
200 years and the pride of their owners since times immemorial
. Considering the amount of time and effort invested in the
making of each khukuri (kukuri), the prices of the khukuries
are surprisingly reasonable - They are, therefore, absolute
bargains.
The Khukuri is carried in a wooden (often leather
covered) stealth. There are two tiny knives tucked behind it.
Karda: A small knife tucked behind the scabbard, its main purpose
is to cut small things and also work as a skinning knife.
Chakmak: A sharpener tucked behind the scabbard.
It can be used as a flint maker also.
Notch: the notch near the handle on the blade
is a Hindu fertility symbol. It is also the footprint of a cow
(cow is a secret animal in Hindu religion). So the notch forbids
slaughtering sacred animal with it. The Gurkhas also kept promises
with it that they will never use this weapon on women and children.
Nevertheless, the knife being the lethal weapon, the notch on
it is for the blood to dip and not to soil the holder's hand,
so the user can maintain his grip for further demonstration.
We have wide varsities and collection of khukuri
(Gurkha knife) ranges start from small khukuri (Gurkha knife)replica
called the "Paper knife" to Buff head Sacrificial
ones. All khukuris are made of Hi-Carbon Steel using fine raw
materials and are crafted by skilled craftsmen known as the
"Bishwakarmas(born khukuri makers)".