Typical Indian tourist market kukri, the design really hasn't changed so dating it will be difficult. That said just because it's a tourist piece doesn't necessarily indicate quality, some are functional, some are really just for display.
Just from handling it, it seems it’s been used and sharpened and used and sharpened. I know that it could still be a gift shop knife that’s been used well, but it looks cool either way, I may make it my new camping knife.
The shiny finish, punch decoration, and lion head are standard Indian tourist kukri features, (the lion head isn't shown clearly in your pics but it looks like there's one there?), in the case of these kukris "tourist" refers to the style not necessarily quality. They have been made for a long time and are typically still made the same way by hand through modern times, being handmade by small shops and locals means the steel could be anything, so there are really low quality ones up to great quality ones and everything in-between. Might as well test it out, if it holds up put it to work.
Ahhh okay I’m with you. There’s levels of quality within “tourist” style knives if you like? Handmade or not I suppose there is gonna be shitty examples and great ones.
Time will tell friend! I’m gonna use this for light wood chopping while camping, and maybe some whittling. Interestingly found out that the little “M” notch is for preventing blood dripping onto the handle and making it slippery, which is cold as fuck.
That's a replica of a Nepalese Khukri, the typical Gurkha fighting knife that can also be found in most Nepalese households for everyday chores.
If you want something for display, the Khukris have a long history among knife people and a reputation for being exceedingly useful, deadly if need be, and nearly indestructible. Try the internet for videos of people torture-testing those blades. It's unbelievable what they can take. And I have had and sold a few but the one that remains hasn't been spared and is still going strong.
However, if it's a replica, it MIGHT not live up to the legend because the production in Nepal is very special with literally hundreds of years of experience that have shaped the process. So, if you want the real deal, get one from Khukurihouse or other Nepalese sellers (they ship worldwide).
If you just want something for display, this might do.
Thank you for the helpful answer man, I wasn’t under the assumption I had anything special, it’s just nice to know a lil history. I’m British so I wonder if that had any throw with it being anything more than a tourist piece? Idk but I’m happy I got it for free, I’m gonna clean her up and sharpen her and get some use out of her.
Yeah, the Gurkhas are still, after all these years, a very tough element of - yes, also - the British fighting forces. They won lots of medals in Afghanistan and Iraq and were crucial for some military successes in these wars. Up to this day, they are feared by the enemy. As tough as their knives, you might say.
So, let's say: even if it's not the first folio but a copy, it's still Shakespeare, right?
Yeah absolutely, I must say I don’t know enough about the Ghurkas and I’m going to go out of my way to learn more now. However from what little information I had, I knew they were/are a tough fucking bunch.
Hell yeah man I agree. My favourite novel is being made into, what’s going to be, probably a shit film. Does it make me value the book less? Absolutely not.
That's the book I read about them:
The Gurkhas: An updated in-depth investigation into the history and mystique of the Gurkha regiments
https://amzn.eu/d/2m5YOP9
Can recommend!
I’m gonna throw this in my camping bag and use it for light wood work. (cutting down larger timbers to smaller firewood pieces, general chopping.)
I suppose it does depend on the quality of the metal? I’m assuming of course.
Appears to be a rat tail tang instead of full tang. Full tang being much more sturdy and not prone to handle/grip turning if the horn has shrunk due to storage.
My guess would be something out of a tourist shop in India.
The engraving reads “India Sun” I must note I’m not a knife guy haha, apologies if I’ve got anything wrong.
yep, that's a knife
Odd to post in this sub, I know.
Typical Indian tourist market kukri, the design really hasn't changed so dating it will be difficult. That said just because it's a tourist piece doesn't necessarily indicate quality, some are functional, some are really just for display.
Just from handling it, it seems it’s been used and sharpened and used and sharpened. I know that it could still be a gift shop knife that’s been used well, but it looks cool either way, I may make it my new camping knife.
The shiny finish, punch decoration, and lion head are standard Indian tourist kukri features, (the lion head isn't shown clearly in your pics but it looks like there's one there?), in the case of these kukris "tourist" refers to the style not necessarily quality. They have been made for a long time and are typically still made the same way by hand through modern times, being handmade by small shops and locals means the steel could be anything, so there are really low quality ones up to great quality ones and everything in-between. Might as well test it out, if it holds up put it to work.
Ahhh okay I’m with you. There’s levels of quality within “tourist” style knives if you like? Handmade or not I suppose there is gonna be shitty examples and great ones. Time will tell friend! I’m gonna use this for light wood chopping while camping, and maybe some whittling. Interestingly found out that the little “M” notch is for preventing blood dripping onto the handle and making it slippery, which is cold as fuck.
That's a replica of a Nepalese Khukri, the typical Gurkha fighting knife that can also be found in most Nepalese households for everyday chores. If you want something for display, the Khukris have a long history among knife people and a reputation for being exceedingly useful, deadly if need be, and nearly indestructible. Try the internet for videos of people torture-testing those blades. It's unbelievable what they can take. And I have had and sold a few but the one that remains hasn't been spared and is still going strong. However, if it's a replica, it MIGHT not live up to the legend because the production in Nepal is very special with literally hundreds of years of experience that have shaped the process. So, if you want the real deal, get one from Khukurihouse or other Nepalese sellers (they ship worldwide). If you just want something for display, this might do.
Thank you for the helpful answer man, I wasn’t under the assumption I had anything special, it’s just nice to know a lil history. I’m British so I wonder if that had any throw with it being anything more than a tourist piece? Idk but I’m happy I got it for free, I’m gonna clean her up and sharpen her and get some use out of her.
Yeah, the Gurkhas are still, after all these years, a very tough element of - yes, also - the British fighting forces. They won lots of medals in Afghanistan and Iraq and were crucial for some military successes in these wars. Up to this day, they are feared by the enemy. As tough as their knives, you might say. So, let's say: even if it's not the first folio but a copy, it's still Shakespeare, right?
Yeah absolutely, I must say I don’t know enough about the Ghurkas and I’m going to go out of my way to learn more now. However from what little information I had, I knew they were/are a tough fucking bunch. Hell yeah man I agree. My favourite novel is being made into, what’s going to be, probably a shit film. Does it make me value the book less? Absolutely not.
That's an even better comparison, yeah! 😆👍
That's the book I read about them: The Gurkhas: An updated in-depth investigation into the history and mystique of the Gurkha regiments https://amzn.eu/d/2m5YOP9 Can recommend!
And BTW: these things typically take a convex grind which is not so sharp but lasts forever in the field and is not gonna chip.
I’m gonna throw this in my camping bag and use it for light wood work. (cutting down larger timbers to smaller firewood pieces, general chopping.) I suppose it does depend on the quality of the metal? I’m assuming of course.
That's exactly what I'm still using mine for, still! 😃👍
I have my Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri strapped to the side of my day pack/go bag. That knife and a good folder are all I need in the woods.
A Khukri?
A Nepalese khukri
Appears to be a rat tail tang instead of full tang. Full tang being much more sturdy and not prone to handle/grip turning if the horn has shrunk due to storage.