Best & Genuine 100% Hand-forged Gurkha Kukri — Knife
Gurkha Kukri knife or Khukuri is a traditional machete used as both a tool and a weapon. The distinctively recurved knife is widely popular in Nepal and some parts of India. A Kukri is often referred to as “Gurkha Knife” or “Gurkha Blade”.
No Nepalese Soldier “Gurkhas” steps into a battle without a Kukri. Therefore, it is a highly valuable and respected possession of most people in Nepal. Kukri is also used by the Royal Gurkha Rifles of the British Army, the Assam Rifles, the Kumaon Regiment, the Garhwal Rifles of Gorkha regiments of the Indian Army, and all the other Gurkha regiments that exist in the world.
All the Gurkha troops are provided with 2 Kukris, each one for ceremonial and exercising purposes. Kukri initially became popular during the Gurkha War. However, its use was continued throughout World War I and World War II, further heightening its reputation.
Rituals such as wedding ceremonies in Nepal that are incomplete without a Kukri. So, not only in the military, they are equally important as a multipurpose utility tool. The uses of Kukri vary from slaughtering animals for food, cutting vegetables and meat to chopping firewood, digging, and building.
Kukris are forged from spring steel with a hard and tempered edge but a softer spine. This is because they are primarily designed for chopping. The handles are often made from buffalo horns or hardwood which is fastened with a Laha (a kind of tree sap).
Modern Kukri also comes with casted aluminium or brass handles. They come in a wooden scabbard decorated with crafts and actual coins. Some are wrapped in leather as well. Kukri knife comes with a notch at the base of the blade. Some people believe that the notch prevents the handle from being slippery while others address it as a symbol of a cow’s foot.
Gurkha Kukri is one of the favorite knives in the world and is a national knife of Nepal. It is a multi-purpose tool used for chopping, slashing, and various other purposes. Owning one of them is easier, but taking care of them is a tough task to do. Maintaining them is a bit tricky as it is made of an inwardly curved special blade, which is the main characteristic of Kukris and sets them apart from other knives. So, how to maintain a Kukri? That is where this article comes into play. But before that, you need to know about Kukri knives, their origin, uses, and what they are capable of doing. Before moving on to the maintenance tips, let me tell you what a Kukri is.
What is a Kukri Knife?
The Kukri, also known as Khukuri or the Gurkha knife, is the Nepalese people’s national weapon. It contains symbols of national pride, military courage, and individual grit. It is known as one of the most eminent battling blades on the planet. Kukri is a multi-purpose knife. It has different utilizations, such as clearing, hacking, butchering, skinning animals, survival, and much more. Likewise, you can utilize it as a small knife by utilizing the blade’s narrower part, close to the handle-the heavier and more extensive end towards the tip capacities as an axe or a digging tool.
The cutting edge of the Kukri is comprised of steel. Henceforth, it is consistently important to maintain it by keeping the edge Lubricated at all times. If the blade isn’t appropriately greased up, it can be affected by rust. It is important to clean the blade after using it every single time. Despite diligent care, rust may develop on the blades. In that case, you should rub it off gently using sandpaper. You will find a sharpening tool called Chakmak inside a sheath, which comes as an accessory, which you can use to sharpen your knife. Today, Kukris are utilized by the Nepalese Army, the British Army, the Indian Army, and all the Gurkha regiments. Those in the military usually utilize it since it is a multi-purpose tool and is also easy to maintain. Today Kukri is used during wedding functions in Nepal. In other parts of the world, it is used as a chopping tool.
Origin of Kukri Knife
The friendly relationship between Nepalese people and the Kukri dates back to several hundred years. The most established remaining parts of Nepalese culture and civilization are found along ancient Nepali Kukri. Many researchers and archeologists have found much historical connection of Gurkha war knife with Nepali culture. In ancient times, Nepali workers use to carry such knives along with them. Many sculptures and stone paintings show workers with Gurkha knives. Such paintings date back to a thousand years and beyond. Back then, Kukri was not just a combat weapon for Nepalese people.
Various household works like burrowing earth, cutting parts, and many other jobs were carried out with Kukri’s help. Nepal’s vast majority is situated in the hilly region, and discovering the right way and clearing the way for moving in wildernesses wasn’t simple. They had to make their path by clearing a few bushes or little plants. A veritable Gurkha Kukri was a powerful thing to use for them in such cases. With its streamlined form and sharp edge, branches could be cleared in a single blow.
How are Kukris made?
Nepalese blacksmiths’ expert hands make a bona fide Handmade Kukri by hammering hot steel again and again to give it its desired shape. There are lots of machine-made Kukri blades that are cheap and low quality. Handmade Kukri, on the other hand, is more reliable, carefully assembled, and weighted towards the tip of the cutting edge to give equilibrium and strength. This gives the Kukri more prominent chopping power while decreasing the general exertion expected to use the blade.
What Can a Kukri Do?
Perhaps the greatest advantage of a Kukri knife is its flexibility. It’s exceptionally bent cutting edge shape guarantees that it will have the option to assist you with playing out a scope of assignments, making it the ideal tool for camping and hunting trip. To start with, you can utilize it like a machete, permitting you to cut through trees and cut wood. You can likewise utilize the blade to help you open jars.
In any case, when you use a Kukri, you should be cautious. The cutting edge is exceptionally sharp and, on the off chance that you lose control, you will end up cutting yourself. Contingent upon the measure of power you apply, the edge can go without much of a stretch slice through the skin and conceivably even the bone. Therefore, you should make a point to keep it sheathed and get it far from your children. That will maintain a strategic distance from possible injuries.
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Originally published at https://yunahandicrafts.com.