Khukuri 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 Nepali 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. khukuriKnife try 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
(kukri) -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)".