Kukri
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| Kukri | |
|---|---|
 Kukri knife and sheath |
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| Type | Knife |
| Place of origin | Nepal |
The kukri (Devanāgarī: खुकुरी) (also sometimes spelled khukri or khukuri) is a curved Nepalese knife which can be used as a tool as well as a close combat mêlée weapon. It is also a part of the regimental weaponry and heraldry of The Royal Gurkha Rifles. It is known to many people as simply the "Gurkha Blade" or "Gurkha Knife". Also widely used in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state of India, where it is called Kaanta or Dafya (in Kumaoni).
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[edit] Design
The kukri is designed mainly for chopping but it can also be used to stab. The shape varies a great deal from being quite straight to highly curved with angled or smooth spines. There are also huge variations in terms of dimensions and blade thickness, depending on intended tasks and kami/regional variations. As a general guide the spines vary from 5-10mm by the handle, and can taper to 2mm by the point, and blade lengths can vary from 26–38 cm for general use.[1]
Another factor that affects a kukri's weight and balance is the construction of the blade, such as it being Hollow Forged, Tin chira (triple fuller), Dui chira (Double Fuller), Angkhola (single fuller)and basic non tapered spines with large bevel edge.
Kukris blades usually have a notch the ("Kauda","Kaudi","kaura" or "cho") at the base of the blade. Various reasons are given for this, both practical and ceremonial: that it makes blood and sap drop off the blade rather than running onto the handle; that it delineates the end of the blade whilst sharpening; that it is a symbol representing a Cow Foot, or Shiva (Brigade of Gurkhas).
Handles are generally made of hardwood or water buffalo horns, but Ivory, Bone and Metal handles are often used as well. The handle quite often has a flared butt that allows better retention in draw cuts and chopping. Most handles have metal bolsters and butt plates which are generally made of brass or steel.
The traditional handle attachment in Nepal is the partial tang, although these days the stick tang is more popular. The Full tang was mainly used on some military models, but has not caught on in Nepal itself.
The Kukri typically comes in either a decorated wooden scabbard or a leather wrapped scabbard. The Scabbard usually houses a Karda (knife), as well as Chakmak (steel/come flint strker). On many Village kukri and on some older military kukri, the scabbard also has a tinder pouch.
[edit] Manufacture
Modern Kukri blades are often forged from leaf springs collected from recycled truck suspensions. The tang of the blade usually extends all the way through to the end of the handle; the small portion of the tang that projects through the end of the handle is hammered flat to secure the blade. A kukri blade has a hard, tempered edge and a softer spine. This enables it to maintain a sharp edge, yet tolerate impacts. They are also balanced so that they will rest in a vertical position if supported on a fulcrum, e.g. a finger.
Traditional kukris usually have handles made from hardwood or water buffalo horn. These handles are often fastened with a kind of tree sap called laha (also known as "Himalayan epoxy"). With a wood or horn handle, the tang may be heated and burned into the handle to ensure a tight fit, since only the section of handle which touches the blade is burned away. In more modern kukri, handles of cast aluminum or brass are press-fitted to the tang - as the hot metal cools it shrinks and hardens, locking onto the blade. Some kukris (such as the ones made by contractors for the modern Indian Army) have a very wide tang with handle slabs fastened on by two or more rivets, commonly called a full tang (chiruwa) configuration.
Traditional profiling of the blade edge is performed by a two-man team; one man spins a grind wheel forwards and backwards by means of a rope wound several times around an axle, while the sharpener applies the blade. The wheel is made by hand from fine river sand bound by laha, the same adhesive used to the affix the handle to the blade. Routine sharpening is traditionally accomplished by passing a chakmak (smaller, harder, unsharpened blade) over the edge in a manner similar to that used by Western chefs to steel their knives.
Kukri sheaths are usually made of wood with a goatskin covering. The leatherwork is usually done by a sarki. Traditionally, the scabbard also holds two smaller tools called the karda and the chakmak. The karda is a small accessory blade used for many tasks. The chakmak is unsharpened and is used to burnish the blade. It can also be used to start a fire with flint. Attached to older style scabbards there is sometimes a pouch for carrying flint or dry tinder.
[edit] Parts of a Kukri
Kukri Blade
- Keeper (Hira Jornu): Spade/Diamond shaped metal/brass plate used to seal the butt cap.
- Butt Cap (Chapri): Thick metal/brass plate used to secure the handle to the tang.
- Tang (Paro): Rear piece of the blade that goes through the handle
- Bolster (Kanjo): Thick metal/brass round shaped plate between blade and handle made to support and reinforce the fixture.
- Spine (Beet): Thickest blunt edge of the blade.
- Fuller/Groove (Khol): Straight groove or deep line that runs along part of the upper spine.
- Peak (Juro): Highest point of the blade.
- Main body (Ang): Main surface or panel of the blade.
- Fuller (Chirra): Curvature/Hump in the blade made to absorb impact and to reduce unnecessary weight.
- Tip (Toppa): Starting point of the blade.
- Edge (Dhaar): Sharp edge of the blade.
- Belly (Bhundi): Widest part/area of the blade.
- Bevel (Patti): Slope from the main body until the sharp edge.
- Cho/Notch (Kaudi): A distinctive cut (numeric 3 like shape) in the edge functioned as a blood dropper and others.
- Ricasso (Ghari): Blunt area between notch and bolster.
- Rings (Harhari): Round circles in the handle.
- Rivet (Khil): Steel or metal bolt to fasten or secure tang to the handle.
- Tang Tail (Puchchar): Last point of the kukri blade.
Kukri Scabbard
- Frog (Faras): Belt holder especially made of thick leather (2mm to 4mm) encircling the scabbard close towards the throat.
- Upper Edge (Mathillo Bhaag): Spine of the scabbard where holding should be done when handling a kukri.
- Lace (Tuna): A leather cord used to sew or attach two ends of the frog. Especially used in army types (not available in this pic).
- Main Body (Sharir): The main body or surface of the scabbard. Generally made in semi oval shape.
- Chape (Khothi): Pointed metallic tip of the scabbard. Used to protect the naked tip of a scabbard.
- Loop (Golie): Round leather room/space where a belt goes through attached/fixed to the keeper with steel rivets.
- Throat (Mauri): Entrance towards the interior of the scabbard for the blade.
- Strap/Ridge (Bhunti): Thick raw leather encircling the scabbard made to create a hump to secure the frog from moving or wobbling (not available in this pic).
- Lower Edge (Tallo Bhag): Belly/curvature of the scabbard.
[edit] Types of Kukri
Kukris can be broadly classified into two types, Eastern and Western. The Eastern blades are usually regarded as the thinner kukri and are often referred to as Sirupate (Siru Leaf),whilst Western blades are considered to be of the broader type, occasionally called Budhuna (refers to a fish with a large head), another term is Baspate (Bamboo leaf) which refers to blades just outside of the normal Sirupate blade. However this is a huge generalization, and all styles of kukri appear to used in all areas of Nepal.
[edit] History
It is a matter of debate where the design came into Nepal from another or who promoted it first. It may be indigenous to the Indian region, but ancient Egypt, the Iberians, and the Greeks used similar designs.
One weapon of Iberian origin, the Falcata, shows some similarity with the kukri, and the Greeks used forms called the Machaira and kopis. Alexander the Great's men used weapons of this type and may have spread it into India when Alexander moved into the Punjab.
The Greek kings in Afghanistan and India in later centuries who had relation with Mediterranean culture (after the time of Julius Caesar and Roman merchants, who had a huge commercial presence in India) seem to have used tools similar to kukri, and possibly were promoters of it.
It is not documented if the Aryans had similar tool at that time.
Eurasian steppe people, the Turks used a type of forward-curving Turkish sword yataghan (mid-16th to late 19th centuries) which first appeared in centuries after the Battle of Manzikert and looked similar to kukri.
The oldest known kukri are in the National Museum (Kathmandu) in Nepal, and belonged to Drabya Shah circa 1559. The kukri came to be known to the Western World when the East India Company came into conflict with the growing Gorkha Empire, cumilating in the Anglo-Nepali War (1814-1816).
Gurkha troops are required to be issued the kukri, and in modern times in the Brigade of Gurkhas, they receive training in its use. The Kukri gained fame in the Anglo-Nepali war for its effectiveness, and its continued use right through to and including both World War I and World War II, enhanced its reputation among both allied troops and enemy forces. During the Second World War, the kukri was purchased and used by other British, Commonwealth, and U.S. troops training in India, including the Chindits and Merrill's Marauders. The reputation of the Gurkha with his kukri carried on through to the Falklands War, having a hugely demoralising effect on the Argentinian troops, when they knew the Gurkha and his kukri were coming.
[edit] Kukri makers
Traditionally Kami (caste) and Biswakarma (caste) are the masters of inherited kukri making art.
[edit] Usage
Despite the physical resemblance to a boomerang, the kukri is not designed to be thrown. The blade's distinctive forward drop is intended to act as a weight on the end of the blade and make the kukri fall on the enemy faster and with more power. As for attacking, the kukri is most effective as a chopping, slashing weapon - though stabbing attacks are also used.[2]
Despite usage in the military, the kukri is most commonly used as a woodcutting and general purpose tool, and is a very common agricultural and household implement in Nepal. A kukri designed for general purpose is commonly 16 to 18 inches (around 40–45 cm) in overall length and weighs one to two pounds (around 450-900 grams). Bigger examples are impractical for everyday use and are rarely found except in collections or as ceremonial instruments. Smaller ones are of more limited utility, but very easy to carry.
Although a popular urban legend states that a Gurkha "never sheathes his blade without first drawing blood", the kukri is most commonly employed as a multi-use utility tool, rather like a machete. It can be used for building, clearing, chopping firewood, digging, cutting meat and vegetables, skinning and also for opening tins.[3]
The kukri also has a religious significance in Hindu religion and is blessed during the Dasain sacrificial festival.
[edit] Pop culture
Jonathan Harker wielded a Kukri in Bram Stoker's Dracula.
In the third Resident Evil movie, Alice wields two Kukri blades. In Resident Evil 5, Sheva uses a Kukri.
Edgar, from the NBC TV drama Heroes, wields several Kukri blades as his weapon of choice.
The Sniper, from Team Fortress 2, wields a Kukri as his melee weapon, as do Ellia and Dr. Lindsey from Eternal Darkness.
In Uncharted 2, the character Tenzin carries a Kukri.
In The Dresden Files White Court Vampire Thomas Raith uses a Kukri in battle.
In Combat Arms, a 1st person shooting game, a Kukri is used as a melee weapon.
The Wretcher's Blade in Fable 2 is a very large version of a Kukri.
The Kukri is an exotic-type bladed weapon in Neverwinter Nights, and magical items of its type are often rare in the game.
In Mortal Kombat 4, Kai uses the "Ghurka Knife" or Kukri as his weapon of choice
In the free-to-play online shooter Operation 7, a Kukri can be bought and used as a melee weapon.
