In Bulgarian the word "chakmak" (which came from Turkish) means the steel bit that you use together with piece of flint to start a fire. Could it be that the kukri's chakmak had the same purpose ?
Forty minutes of the most well-matched, comedicly-minded, innuendo-blaring couples discussing not just one, but TWENTY KUKRIS? Good lord man, this needs to become a series!
A husband and wife talk about there collection of butter knives for half hour...sounds boring unless the married couple is the Eastons and their knives are kukris
+scholagladiatoria In Sanskrit derivative languages "chakmak" would mean shine/glitter/sparkle. And flint stones are called "chakmak pathhar" where pathhar is stone. Hence the name of the chakmak tool, as a friction fire starter.
Matt from a viewer that enjoys almost any topic or video you upload please do not be shy of longer videos than your usual 10-12 minutes, I for one get a very great audio monologue if anything else.
Pretty good Matt and Lucy.You could use a bit of work on your terminology and various names of styles of khukuri.When the tang runs through the handle and is peened,it is called a Parawol tang.Full flat tang is called Panawal tang.There are more terms I could share but want to keep it short.Cheers for the video...
Also the straighter thinner blades with a less pronounced belly, as in the metal handled pair you show, are called sirupate (siru-leaf) khukuris or sometimes Eastern (type) khukuris.
Matt, I just had an idea about the "cho", or blade notch, but I don't have a kukri of my own to try it out. I'm not saying this is WHY they exist, but might be a good way to repurpose the notch. Try tying leather cord around the blade, resting in the cho, with a looped, lanyard section extending from the back edge of the blade and around your wrist. I'm wondering if a lanyard closer to the balancing point of the blade (as opposed to coming from the end of the grip) might make it easier/faster to re-grip the weapon correctly after dropping it and allowing the lanyard to "catch" it. I hope that makes sense. I imagine it would orient itself, when hanging, with the handle closer to the hand.
Eric Dean hu. That actually sounds like a feasible possibility. We already know that other cultures had similar lanyard like attachments to make sure blades aren’t lost, so it’s not to much of a stretch.
I used to have 135 Khukuri's and now I'm down to 80 odd. It takes ages to take them all out and check them which I do about twice a year. I check for rust, cracks in horn handles and dryness of scabbards. They range from modern Tora's to very old Gak's, WWI's & WWII's. Dave.
As regards to the Kukri with the blackened blade, perhaps the 69 inscription is a reference to a particular regiment. On a hunch, I started googling "69th Gurkhas", and have found some references to a 69th Gurkha Field Squadron, which according to Wikipedia was part of the Queen's Gurkha Engineers as of 2006 and seems to have been in existence since at least 1948.
I thought the different areas of Nepal produced Kukris with different shapes such as Sirupati or Ang Khola. Not just the age or era. Very nice video. I am always amazed at the volume and variety of your collection. Kukris have always been favorites of mine. I particularly like the bone handled one that Lucy is fond of and the 1943 military model.
(Apologies for the nekropost). Siru is a tall (~6-8 ft) grass with very narrow leaves (paat). Baas paatey is like a bamboo leaf: shorter and broad. There are other names (like Bhojpure = from/of Bhojpur, a place in eastern Nepal) are named after places of orign.
"Hold my wine" "Give it a good wiggle" "Hmmm" Perhaps one of my favourite conversation between the Eastons lol Edit.. I take that back, 30:35 I'm dying hahaha
Oh... I figured that the baby knives could be inserted into the w and tied/embedded some how to act as a knife shield. The blunt one in particular as it is blunt.
I was told by a friend of mine that the notch was due to the blade being differentially hardened, and the fact the this tool is made for heavy axe-like chopping. Most differentially hardened blades aren’t made for this kind of work, and thus don’t need a notch. Think of the notch like a “hinge” that transfers the the energy of a heavy chop into the softer metal of the belly. Because of this the edge won’t crack or chip. Worst case scenario the blade bends at the “hinge”. I could have been told completely wrong, but it really makes sense to me. Good video!! Love my kukris too!
I know this video is a few years old but..... Now that I have that out of way I have to say that this video did nothing to dissuade me from wanting a Kukuri. If anything it has me wanting one even more. Now I just have to find a decent one in a price that I can afford. That is always the challenge with my wants and desires is trying to find what I want and desire that fits at least close to my budget. I don't mind if it takes a while to save up for anything. I just have to stay focused.
Regarding the black kukri: I purchased a new kukri and it had exactly the same sheath. It was called jungle kukri, if you want to google images. Thee blade itself looks different though. In particular it's less waisted.
This video convinced me to subscribe...after watching a few videos I am very well pleased with my decision. Thank you for the consistent, quality, content! Cheers
I love my 1940's era military Kukri. The woman I acquired it from said that it was gifted to her father by a Gurkha who served with him in North Africa. I've no way of validating it's provenance, but it's very well made and a pride of my collection. I once saw the most beautiful, ivory handled Kukri, but was unable to purchase it for any price, after repeated attempts. I frequently long for the Kukri-that-got-away.
my platoon sergeant had a longer straighter Khukri from his caste as a Limbu, he called it a traditional SIRUPATE KHUKRI and made the statement that most of his village carried that style over the shorter thicker (heavier) Gurung style British Army style Khukri (my preference).
I think the last Kukri with the 4 missing pieces is probably a Medic's toolkit, what's left look like a probe for puncture wounds, with those fine teeth the saw looks like a bone saw, the hook is 1 of maybe 2 retractor's in the kit and I would expect the missing pieces to include a shallower hook/needle for stitching, a clamp for arteries, and something like spoons to retract barbed arrows or bullets, also another waxed package to keep stitching silk in
The kukri introduced at 27:40 looks like an early Mk 5 (circa 1950-1970), which is the direct ancestor of the current British Service Issue, except I've never seen one painted black. I've read that the first Mk 5's were issued with a black raw "forge finish" and recruits had to polish the blades themselves. I would give fair odds that the "69" on the blade is the date of manufacture as it's consistent with this style of blade and scabbard, but documentation of the early Mk 5 issue is pretty sparse so it's still a guess. Thanks for this enjoyable video - yours is clearly a match made in blade heaven.
let me tell you Matt you're a very blessed man. You have an amazing wife and a LOT of weapons, and you can never have too many kukris. there's just something magical about the kukri that grabs onto my mind when I see it, I don't know what it is but it's there. cheers from Illinois
The shape of khukuri is mostly defined by the region from which it has been made. Sirupate khukuri is based on the design of a leaf of a grass known as siru and pate means leaf like, so they are slim long khukuris.
I saw that you'd done a 40 minute video on Kukris and thought "Do I really want to watch that?" Glad I did. Really interesting and entertaining. Thanks Matt and Lucy. Great job.
Its a implement for hitting people and occasionally stabbing. It is basically their knife of choice. I do believe they use it for the same things, cause why wouldn't they. Then just as now it was and is a honor to get your kukri when you pass the tests and become a gorkha.
Nice selection of older blades right there... any that you sell are blades that cannot be replaced... the last one you show with the tools and the tinder left me with warm, fuzzy feelings. My own collection isnt as comprehensive but it does grow... Very nice.. gotta wonder what you DIDN'T show! I have used kukris for carry and camping, woodcrafting and really like them... took a learning curve after using bowies most of my life up until then. If it came to "One rifle and one knife and out the door" am not sure which I would take.. tho I have an idea and would probably be a khuk...
Excellent stuff cheers,..got one of these in the shed..dads aunts,husband ,was with the Gurkas during ww2..it's got two small knifes on the front,one edged one not,dark black handle capped in brass,.in a brown ish really dryed out leather sheath with a brass bit at the point,I put oil on the blades 15 years ago..I'm going to bring it in tomorrow,.give it a bit of TLC ..👍🇬🇧
I found a kukri-esque knife around my house and I have no idea what it is. It has the general shape and proportions of a kukri, maybe a little smaller, but it's definitely more of a modern tool sort of deal. It has cut out holes towards the back of the blade, wooden handle scales, and the overall shape is a little simpler than real kukris. Also it has no notch, for whatever that's worth. It's really good for chopping up bits of wood in the back yard haha.
You're largely responsible for my interest in kukris. I've bought a couple of modern ones that I think come from reputable dealers. I'm mostly looking for something utilitarian with a nice appearance.
The traditional handle construction makes me wonder whether the indentation near the hilt could have been for attaching a lanyard since it would be easier to make and wouldn't stress the wood of the handle
Great vid. Definitely a fun and educational watch. You should do videos as a couple more often. The banter and cross commentary adds a lot to the entertainment value. You to have great chemistry together on camera
Probably already commented on, but as soon as I saw the black blade, it looked like a service issue 70’s pattern, similar to what we would pick up for jungles in the 80’s...so a 10-12” blade... Great war issue tend to be 13” deep belly with a curved handle... good collection though, shame it’s not mine... MOD blades tend to have the broad arrow/ crows foot stamp too..
I bought a kukri on a flea market for 6 pounds or 60 norwegian kroner ... lol I thought it was just scrap, but when I look closer to it, it looks like an old model and not a tourist model. Unfortunately, there was only one small knife that came with it.
I can't say it speaks for the age of the weapon, but that matte black paint instantly made me think of the black paint used on Enfield bolt action rifles in place of chemical bluing. Did the Royal Ordinance Factories ever produce Kukri?
Wow! Amazing collection. An old Gorkha soldier once told us that in ancient times, pigs were fed iron filings and then their poop was then washed and melted to get the steel used to make the Kukris. Not sure how true that story is. Now mostly made from leaf springs.
I have a question and I hope you're still online. My father brought back a Kukri from the WWII that I've inherited. It was old when he got it around 1943 in Nepal and the only thing he ever told me about it was that mountain headhunters used it. Don't know about that but I did notice in your collection you had a very old one that was painted black. This one isn't painted but is like a gun metal black coloration. The tang goes all the way through the wooden handle and is a peened button on the end. No markings on it and the blade is about 31.75cm. I could send you a picture of it and perhaps you could tell me something about its date, use and origin. If you have time. Sincerely Dave
I'm watching this video 5 yrs after the fact but I have one question from watching the two of you. Did you ever manage to sell any of those knives or are the sitting a display case.
Back in the 1970s I took one of the first one to school in Cornwall. My buddy had a German pioneer bayonet I think and we “competed” during lunch break. Another buddy brought in an Italian officer’s pistol liberated by his dad during WW2.
tactical blades and even guns are blued or parkerized(mat blued finish) is to keep them from reflecting light, making them more stealthy when hiding with them drawn.
excellent the crocher hook is a button hook the soldiers at one time wore spats on their dress uniform boots,the button hook would have been put throgh the eye on the boot curled around the button and drawn through the hole to fasten the spats
Matt, if you could design your ideal kukri, what aspects of these various kukris would you combine or eliminate? i.e. tang preference, grip, weight, length, angle, blade grind and cross section. Also, would you recommend a kukri with a bowie style handle and guard, or even with a d-guard for hand protection?
Since I nit my 40s I've enjoyed camping again. I've managed to buy a quality folder in my budget and I've thought a quality kukri in my budget could be a good fixed blade and the shape and weight could double as a small hatchet? I would appreciate advice pls.
That black Kukri looks a lot like mine. Whats the handle material? Mine is a sort of green-ish horn (apparently buffalo). It isn't painted black but it has the number 16 stamped on the blade so maybe they all had numbers stamped on them at the time. The handle shape is almost exactly the same, with the rib being almost identical. The scabbard also looks almost the same (although mine is a bit more worn) even down to it being hard to get in and out of the scabbard. The man I bought it from also said it was from arround ww1 to ww2.
I hope you are still around I have had the one at the end you say is your oldest knife, for over 30yrs. that I got at a yard sale in Ft. Myers next to Thomas Edisons home, how can I tell how old mine is? Thanks
I have a Khukri that has the number 776 on it and says "Army". On the wooden handle it's written "BG" Either the person who owned it has scribbled his Initials on the handle. or it's some marking. But markings are hardly ever done on the handles. But interestingly it is not your typical scaled handle. it's a traditional handle with a full stick tang I think. I found it in my family home's attic, and my grandpa did serve in the British Indian army and the Indian army after that. Maybe it's his, but BG is not my grandfather's initials. Maybe he got it from someone. Too bad I'll never know the story behind it.
nice some of those kukri had a blood groove and a blood notch and also secondary blood grooves running up the blade and on top of that blood guards on the grip so the blood cant run into your sleeve
I've just had another weird though about the cho. The origin may be something like a symbol of progression (adulthood, virginity, what have you); the closed one for pre-, then you file the closed portion off to indicate post-. Obviously that isn't how they are now, but well, musing on origins etc....
Thanks a lot. I was waiting for this one for a long time. What would you say is the average spine thickness on the historical ones? As far as i know the Khukuris without a belly are called Siruptes.
Kukri pile (0:15) and "I think there might some in the bedroom" (0:33) All the jokes about him reaching down out of the video frame for some random weapon to help illustrate a point implying that his house covered in weapons... confirmed.
No such thing as too many Kukris. I offer a rehoming service for stray and pre-loved kukris, which are always welcome in my collection . They all receive the highest standards of loving care. Even the very first two I ever had , a couple of Lion head , plated, dot-engraved complete with the 'INDIA' inclusion , dating back to the sixties and my pre-teen years . So if you ever feel unable to cope with the responsibility of so many, please contact me and I will help you out, no matter the difficulty it creates for me . my regards... me ... Closed chos can be indicative of the region they originate from. Closed chos are often referred to as being sourced from Chainpure or Chitlange regions. However , some regional labels are also appended to blade shapes and patterns merely as a means of labelling them and serving differentiation in retail. The long 'sirupate' style one would be a beautiful piece for use in Martial Arts Kata. And... from what I have read over the years you are totally correct about the multi-tool item and the waxed leather 'pouch' .
Since kukris were (and are still) used primarily as tools, my guess would be that the final kukri belonged to an artisan of some kind for use in their trade.
When I try this with my wife she just looks at me like I'm crazy. You are living the dream my man.
Make an Iron Throne out of kukris and then shoot all future videos sitting on it.
And ruin one hundred perfect kukris?
This would be a cool idea, nice
The Gurkha Throne!
In Bulgarian the word "chakmak" (which came from Turkish) means the steel bit that you use together with piece of flint to start a fire. Could it be that the kukri's chakmak had the same purpose ?
Could be!!
That is exactly what popped into my head when Matt discussed the "tinder pouch".
I have heard from natives, taht it is used as a flintstone on the back of the kukri-blade.
thats pretty much what ive always assumed it was for. i have modern knives with a spot on the blade for doing that.
Matthias K i think I remember that there are very similar word in several West Asian/Turco languages for a striker steel.
Forty minutes of the most well-matched, comedicly-minded, innuendo-blaring couples discussing not just one, but TWENTY KUKRIS?
Good lord man, this needs to become a series!
A husband and wife talk about there collection of butter knives for half hour...sounds boring unless the married couple is the Eastons and their knives are kukris
@Caliban777 what a lucky guy!!!
I am firmly convinced that the notch in the blade is due to the Nepalese love of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Nonsense! It’s designed for emergency circumcisions in the field. Never know when some ole Johnny Turk-type might need a trim for Christ, aye what?!
😂😂😂😂😂
+scholagladiatoria
In Sanskrit derivative languages "chakmak" would mean shine/glitter/sparkle. And flint stones are called "chakmak pathhar" where pathhar is stone. Hence the name of the chakmak tool, as a friction fire starter.
sparkle stone is a cool name has a nice ring to it.
"I like long and meaty" Lucy Easton 2017.
Speaks well for Matt
Matt from a viewer that enjoys almost any topic or video you upload please do not be shy of longer videos than your usual 10-12 minutes, I for one get a very great audio monologue if anything else.
Please listen to this person. Hell if it's expensive, put it up on Patreon and I'll pay for it along with your supporters
Agreed: I like to have something sane to listen to while I drive.
Pretty good Matt and Lucy.You could use a bit of work on your terminology and various names of styles of khukuri.When the tang runs through the handle and is peened,it is called a Parawol tang.Full flat tang is called Panawal tang.There are more terms I could share but want to keep it short.Cheers for the video...
Thanks! Yes I need to learn more of the proper names.
Also the straighter thinner blades with a less pronounced belly, as in the metal handled pair you show, are called sirupate (siru-leaf) khukuris or sometimes Eastern (type) khukuris.
Matt, I just had an idea about the "cho", or blade notch, but I don't have a kukri of my own to try it out. I'm not saying this is WHY they exist, but might be a good way to repurpose the notch. Try tying leather cord around the blade, resting in the cho, with a looped, lanyard section extending from the back edge of the blade and around your wrist. I'm wondering if a lanyard closer to the balancing point of the blade (as opposed to coming from the end of the grip) might make it easier/faster to re-grip the weapon correctly after dropping it and allowing the lanyard to "catch" it. I hope that makes sense. I imagine it would orient itself, when hanging, with the handle closer to the hand.
Eric Dean hu. That actually sounds like a feasible possibility. We already know that other cultures had similar lanyard like attachments to make sure blades aren’t lost, so it’s not to much of a stretch.
I used to have 135 Khukuri's and now I'm down to 80 odd. It takes ages to take them all out and check them which I do about twice a year. I check for rust, cracks in horn handles and dryness of scabbards. They range from modern Tora's to very old Gak's, WWI's & WWII's.
Dave.
I love kukris. from traditional original borderline art pieces to even some modern renditions of them. thanks for the video Matt
As regards to the Kukri with the blackened blade, perhaps the 69 inscription is a reference to a particular regiment. On a hunch, I started googling "69th Gurkhas", and have found some references to a 69th Gurkha Field Squadron, which according to Wikipedia was part of the Queen's Gurkha Engineers as of 2006 and seems to have been in existence since at least 1948.
I thought the different areas of Nepal produced Kukris with different shapes such as Sirupati or Ang Khola. Not just the age or era. Very nice video. I am always amazed at the volume and variety of your collection. Kukris have always been favorites of mine. I particularly like the bone handled one that Lucy is fond of and the 1943 military model.
(Apologies for the nekropost). Siru is a tall (~6-8 ft) grass with very narrow leaves (paat). Baas paatey is like a bamboo leaf: shorter and broad. There are other names (like Bhojpure = from/of Bhojpur, a place in eastern Nepal) are named after places of orign.
you two are an amazing duo!
"Hold my wine"
"Give it a good wiggle"
"Hmmm"
Perhaps one of my favourite conversation between the Eastons lol
Edit.. I take that back, 30:35 I'm dying hahaha
Jazza Beardedbjorn indeed
oh the innuendos :P
Man tells his wife how much he loves girth, 2017
Oh... I figured that the baby knives could be inserted into the w and tied/embedded some how to act as a knife shield. The blunt one in particular as it is blunt.
Quite a collection! The long slender blade is what is usually known as a “Suripate”.
God, you two are great to listening to! The discussion is almost as fascinating as the collection. What fun. Thanks so much!
"Hold my wine." Famous last words?
nah just the classy version of hold my beer
I was told by a friend of mine that the notch was due to the blade being differentially hardened, and the fact the this tool is made for heavy axe-like chopping. Most differentially hardened blades aren’t made for this kind of work, and thus don’t need a notch. Think of the notch like a “hinge” that transfers the the energy of a heavy chop into the softer metal of the belly. Because of this the edge won’t crack or chip. Worst case scenario the blade bends at the “hinge”. I could have been told completely wrong, but it really makes sense to me. Good video!! Love my kukris too!
I know this video is a few years old but.....
Now that I have that out of way I have to say that this video did nothing to dissuade me from wanting a Kukuri. If anything it has me wanting one even more. Now I just have to find a decent one in a price that I can afford. That is always the challenge with my wants and desires is trying to find what I want and desire that fits at least close to my budget. I don't mind if it takes a while to save up for anything. I just have to stay focused.
Regarding the black kukri: I purchased a new kukri and it had exactly the same sheath. It was called jungle kukri, if you want to google images.
Thee blade itself looks different though. In particular it's less waisted.
Miss Lucy.
This video convinced me to subscribe...after watching a few videos I am very well pleased with my decision. Thank you for the consistent, quality, content! Cheers
10,000 Kukris and all I need is a khopesh....
I love my 1940's era military Kukri. The woman I acquired it from said that it was gifted to her father by a Gurkha who served with him in North Africa. I've no way of validating it's provenance, but it's very well made and a pride of my collection. I once saw the most beautiful, ivory handled Kukri, but was unable to purchase it for any price, after repeated attempts. I frequently long for the Kukri-that-got-away.
my platoon sergeant had a longer straighter Khukri from his caste as a Limbu, he called it a traditional SIRUPATE KHUKRI and made the statement that most of his village carried that style over the shorter thicker (heavier) Gurung style British Army style Khukri (my preference).
I truly enjoyed this video i have a few kukris. One is old not sure how old but ohas a nice patina and heavily worn wooden handle on one side.
I think the last Kukri with the 4 missing pieces is probably a Medic's toolkit, what's left look like a probe for puncture wounds, with those fine teeth the saw looks like a bone saw, the hook is 1 of maybe 2 retractor's in the kit and I would expect the missing pieces to include a shallower hook/needle for stitching, a clamp for arteries, and something like spoons to retract barbed arrows or bullets, also another waxed package to keep stitching silk in
forgot the fire lighting kit so he can sterilise his instruments
The kukri introduced at 27:40 looks like an early Mk 5 (circa 1950-1970), which is the direct ancestor of the current British Service Issue, except I've never seen one painted black. I've read that the first Mk 5's were issued with a black raw "forge finish" and recruits had to polish the blades themselves. I would give fair odds that the "69" on the blade is the date of manufacture as it's consistent with this style of blade and scabbard, but documentation of the early Mk 5 issue is pretty sparse so it's still a guess. Thanks for this enjoyable video - yours is clearly a match made in blade heaven.
let me tell you Matt you're a very blessed man. You have an amazing wife and a LOT of weapons, and you can never have too many kukris. there's just something magical about the kukri that grabs onto my mind when I see it, I don't know what it is but it's there. cheers from Illinois
Interesting and fairly thorough kuk presentation! You got a nice collection there!
We're reaching levels of innuendo that shouldn't even be possible
The shape of khukuri is mostly defined by the region from which it has been made. Sirupate khukuri is based on the design of a leaf of a grass known as siru and pate means leaf like, so they are slim long khukuris.
I saw that you'd done a 40 minute video on Kukris and thought "Do I really want to watch that?" Glad I did. Really interesting and entertaining. Thanks Matt and Lucy. Great job.
Matt do modern day Gurkhas use the Kukri in the same way as the 19th century ones ?
Its a implement for hitting people and occasionally stabbing. It is basically their knife of choice. I do believe they use it for the same things, cause why wouldn't they. Then just as now it was and is a honor to get your kukri when you pass the tests and become a gorkha.
I think the one with the blade painted black if it were for covert use perhaps the shiny brass tip on the scabbard should be painted out too?
Nice selection of older blades right there... any that you sell are blades that cannot be replaced... the last one you show with the tools and the tinder left me with warm, fuzzy feelings. My own collection isnt as comprehensive but it does grow... Very nice.. gotta wonder what you DIDN'T show!
I have used kukris for carry and camping, woodcrafting and really like them... took a learning curve after using bowies most of my life up until then. If it came to "One rifle and one knife and out the door" am not sure which I would take.. tho I have an idea and would probably be a khuk...
Excellent stuff cheers,..got one of these in the shed..dads aunts,husband ,was with the Gurkas during ww2..it's got two small knifes on the front,one edged one not,dark black handle capped in brass,.in a brown ish really dryed out leather sheath with a brass bit at the point,I put oil on the blades 15 years ago..I'm going to bring it in tomorrow,.give it a bit of TLC ..👍🇬🇧
I found a kukri-esque knife around my house and I have no idea what it is. It has the general shape and proportions of a kukri, maybe a little smaller, but it's definitely more of a modern tool sort of deal. It has cut out holes towards the back of the blade, wooden handle scales, and the overall shape is a little simpler than real kukris. Also it has no notch, for whatever that's worth. It's really good for chopping up bits of wood in the back yard haha.
You're largely responsible for my interest in kukris. I've bought a couple of modern ones that I think come from reputable dealers. I'm mostly looking for something utilitarian with a nice appearance.
The traditional handle construction makes me wonder whether the indentation near the hilt could have been for attaching a lanyard since it would be easier to make and wouldn't stress the wood of the handle
The crochet hook looks like a button hook to me. Were small, numerous buttons part of uniforms or boots from that era?
it reminded me of a bird hook for gutting small birds.
"We had a 4 year old... but we love Kukris!" Life is full of hard choices
Great vid. Definitely a fun and educational watch. You should do videos as a couple more often. The banter and cross commentary adds a lot to the entertainment value. You to have great chemistry together on camera
Probably already commented on, but as soon as I saw the black blade, it looked like a service issue 70’s pattern, similar to what we would pick up for jungles in the 80’s...so a 10-12” blade...
Great war issue tend to be 13” deep belly with a curved handle... good collection though, shame it’s not mine...
MOD blades tend to have the broad arrow/ crows foot stamp too..
COOL ! I really enjoy the videos that you both are in . I have a feeling you are going to be keeping most of those blades .
I bought a kukri on a flea market for 6 pounds or 60 norwegian kroner ... lol
I thought it was just scrap, but when I look closer to it, it looks like an old model and not a tourist model.
Unfortunately, there was only one small knife that came with it.
Mate, love it, lusy,s a diamond. Thank you for all your work.
"I think this is all the kukris"
Great video. The kukri may be the best field knife ever. Carried by the happy warriors. It is a cheery effective thing.
Fantastic stuff, would love to hear more about kukri!
Captain Context is winning big with this video. 40 minutes? I must have died and gone to neckbeard heaven.
I can't say it speaks for the age of the weapon, but that matte black paint instantly made me think of the black paint used on Enfield bolt action rifles in place of chemical bluing. Did the Royal Ordinance Factories ever produce Kukri?
Wow! Amazing collection. An old Gorkha soldier once told us that in ancient times, pigs were fed iron filings and then their poop was then washed and melted to get the steel used to make the Kukris. Not sure how true that story is. Now mostly made from leaf springs.
That may have been a pun about pig iron.
This was very interesting, thanks for posting it. I have been collecting since before the internet, John Powell and Bill Martino were good friends.
I have a question and I hope you're still online. My father brought back a Kukri from the WWII that I've inherited. It was old when he got it around 1943 in Nepal and the only thing he ever told me about it was that mountain headhunters used it. Don't know about that but I did notice in your collection you had a very old one that was painted black. This one isn't painted but is like a gun metal black coloration. The tang goes all the way through the wooden handle and is a peened button on the end. No markings on it and the blade is about 31.75cm. I could send you a picture of it and perhaps you could tell me something about its date, use and origin. If you have time. Sincerely Dave
I'm watching this video 5 yrs after the fact but I have one question from watching the two of you. Did you ever manage to sell any of those knives or are the sitting a display case.
Lucy and Matt are so cute, this video is just a treasure.
Please do more videos like this! I really enjoyed watching! maybe one on your personal collection of sabres...?
Back in the 1970s I took one of the first one to school in Cornwall. My buddy had a German pioneer bayonet I think and we “competed” during lunch break. Another buddy brought in an Italian officer’s pistol liberated by his dad during WW2.
tactical blades and even guns are blued or parkerized(mat blued finish) is to keep them from reflecting light, making them more stealthy when hiding with them drawn.
excellent the crocher hook is a button hook the soldiers at one time wore spats on their dress uniform boots,the button hook would have been put throgh the eye on the boot curled around the button and drawn through the hole to fasten the spats
I love kukris I just started collecting them.
Matt, if you could design your ideal kukri, what aspects of these various kukris would you combine or eliminate? i.e. tang preference, grip, weight, length, angle, blade grind and cross section. Also, would you recommend a kukri with a bowie style handle and guard, or even with a d-guard for hand protection?
Awww, those baby kukries at the beginning are really cute!
"Hold my wine" XD
That was the best part!
Lucy, you looked really nice today!
Since I nit my 40s I've enjoyed camping again. I've managed to buy a quality folder in my budget and I've thought a quality kukri in my budget could be a good fixed blade and the shape and weight could double as a small hatchet? I would appreciate advice pls.
Matt & Lucy's khukri lessons, much better than bake off
That black Kukri looks a lot like mine. Whats the handle material? Mine is a sort of green-ish horn (apparently buffalo). It isn't painted black but it has the number 16 stamped on the blade so maybe they all had numbers stamped on them at the time. The handle shape is almost exactly the same, with the rib being almost identical.
The scabbard also looks almost the same (although mine is a bit more worn) even down to it being hard to get in and out of the scabbard. The man I bought it from also said it was from arround ww1 to ww2.
super interesting, thank you! Hard to find all this information elsewhere!
I love you people almost as much as I love kukris. This video has been fantastic.
What are some good reputable sights for purchasing a antique kukri?
I recently bought a kukri with a closed ring, from an indian artisan and I use the ring for the tip of my index finger for edge allinement
We have a kukri at home engraved with dragons and a scabbard decorated with coins or something, quite fancy.
I hope you are still around I have had the one at the end you say is your oldest knife, for over 30yrs. that I got at a yard sale in Ft. Myers next to Thomas Edisons home, how can I tell how old mine is? Thanks
if you had to dual wield a pair of kukris which two would you choose?
I have a Khukri that has the number 776 on it and says "Army".
On the wooden handle it's written "BG"
Either the person who owned it has scribbled his Initials on the handle. or it's some marking. But markings are hardly ever done on the handles.
But interestingly it is not your typical scaled handle. it's a traditional handle with a full stick tang I think.
I found it in my family home's attic, and my grandpa did serve in the British Indian army and the Indian army after that. Maybe it's his, but BG is not my grandfather's initials. Maybe he got it from someone.
Too bad I'll never know the story behind it.
It could be British Gurkha.
As a wife and companion -Lucy, you are a Jewel beyond price. Also, your child is going to have such fun at school with show and tell
nice some of those kukri had a blood groove and a blood notch and also secondary blood grooves running up the blade and on top of that blood guards on the grip so the blood cant run into your sleeve
Never too many! You could do an interesting pattern on the wall, like the swords etc in many castles. I have yet to see a circle of just Kukris!
The Kukri is hands down my favorite knife
I've just had another weird though about the cho. The origin may be something like a symbol of progression (adulthood, virginity, what have you); the closed one for pre-, then you file the closed portion off to indicate post-. Obviously that isn't how they are now, but well, musing on origins etc....
The painted kukri's scabbard still has a shiny piece of metal on it, so maybe it's not for staying hidden. Well, assuming it's the original scabbard.
Looks like I'm late to the party. Nice khukuris love them. Thanks for sharing and the great info. 👍
I heard sum one say on another UA-cam channel they make sum out off old lorry springs that have taken a lot of battering and makes them very strong
Thanks a lot. I was waiting for this one for a long time.
What would you say is the average spine thickness on the historical ones?
As far as i know the Khukuris without a belly are called Siruptes.
Sirupates are long, thin and straighter. Rough translation would be "grass-leaf(ed)".
Kukri pile (0:15) and "I think there might some in the bedroom" (0:33)
All the jokes about him reaching down out of the video frame for some random weapon to help illustrate a point implying that his house covered in weapons... confirmed.
No such thing as too many Kukris. I offer a rehoming service for stray and pre-loved kukris, which are always welcome in my collection . They all receive the highest standards of loving care. Even the very first two I ever had , a couple of Lion head , plated, dot-engraved complete with the 'INDIA' inclusion , dating back to the sixties and my pre-teen years . So if you ever feel unable to cope with the responsibility of so many, please contact me and I will help you out, no matter the difficulty it creates for me . my regards...
me ...
Closed chos can be indicative of the region they originate from. Closed chos are often referred to as being sourced from Chainpure or Chitlange regions. However , some regional labels are also appended to blade shapes and patterns merely as a means of labelling them and serving differentiation in retail.
The long 'sirupate' style one would be a beautiful piece for use in Martial Arts Kata.
And... from what I have read over the years you are totally correct about the multi-tool item and the waxed leather 'pouch' .
Is it legal to purchase and own Kukris now following the recent UK knife laws being updated?
You two are fantastic on camera together. Also, those innuendos during the Laurel and Hardy part were top.
"So you like it long and meaty?"
Have you got any for sale?
The two Kukri that are very similar have different notches though, better keep both!
Since kukris were (and are still) used primarily as tools, my guess would be that the final kukri belonged to an artisan of some kind for use in their trade.
Absolutely loved your video. Can I ask where you would recommend to purchase a Kukri M43 or original military kukri ?
How rare are kukris that are long enough to be proper swords? Like a falcata or kopis but Nepalese.
I am also a lover of Kukri, i have today 21 and it will be more that for sure.
hi matt is there any account of someone lose his sword when give point to somebody