Khukuri or Kukri:
Some of the famous knives of the world such as the Bowie Knife, the Stiletto, the Scimitar, the Roman Sword, the Machete and so on have all, at one time or the other, played great historical roles as formidable weapons with men have demonstrated raw power and courage during times of battle. The Khukuri (kukri), however, outdoes them all! The great romance and the extraordinary accounts of bravery that this knife evokes are legendary and historic.
With Khukuri's (kukri) origin going back to ancient times, the Khukuri (kukri) is not only the national knife of Nepal but is also symbolic of the Gurkha soldier, a prized possession with which he has indelibly carved an identity for himself. The awesome cutting edge of the Khukuris(kukris) was first experienced by the British in India who had to face Khukuri (kukri) in the well-documented battles since 1814 while combating the Gorkhali Army in western Nepal. Thus was born the legend and the romance. In the Gurkha soldier's grip, this seemingly small piece of curved steel called Khukuri or kukri sometimes, becomes an incredibly menacing weapon with which he has demonstrated rare feats of bravery while facing the enemy in many a battlefield.
Khukuri (kukri) is a medium-length curved knife each Gurkha soldier carries with him in uniform and in battle. In his grip, Khukuri (kukri) is a formidable razor-sharp weapon and a cutting tool. In fact, Khukuri (kukri) is an extension of his arm. When his rifle misfires, or when his bullets have run out, a Gurkha unsheathes his Khukuri (kukri) and makes his final "do-or-die" run on the enemy in a fury to finish the business. This scene created the romance and the legends. What he really did, and still does with his Khukuri (kukri), 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 (kukri) is the national knife of Nepal, originating in ancient times. More than being just a revered and effective weapon, however, the Khukuri (kukri) is also the peaceful all-purpose knife of the hill people of Nepal. Khukuri (kukri) 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 (kukri) symbolizes bravery and valor and is a Nepalese cultural icon, Khukuri (kukri) also represents an exquisite piece of Nepalese craftsmanship and is indeed a unique memento for you to take back home from Nepal.
The Khukuri (kukri) is carried in scabbard, dab in Nepali, usually made of wood covered in leather with a protective metal cap over the tip. Most handles are made of wood. The "dab" may sometimes be adorned with cloth-work or engraving and hilt made of bone ivory, horn or metal. All Khukuris (kukris) have two pockets at the back of the scabbard, which hold blunt steel called "chakmak" for sharpening the blade or for striking sparks from flint and a little knife known as "karda" used for skinning small game or as a penknife. The notch (kaura) in the blade near the hilt of most Khukuris (kukris) serves 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 (kukri) 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 (kukri) 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 that was carried by Alexander's soldiers when it invaded northwest India in the 4th century BC, closely resembled the Khukuri (kukri). The origin of the Khukuri(kukri) has also been linked to the development of a form of blade similar to the classic Greek sword or kopis. Others suggest that Khukuri (kukri) 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 (kukris) to techniques of sword making found in Japan. The weapon, Khukuri (kukri) may, however have been developed in isolation Nepalese peasants. Whatever be the roots, Nepal, the Gurkhas and the Khukuri (kukri) are inseparable in reputation.
