Nepalese kukri knife
The kukri (khukuri) is a traditional Nepali tool and weapon. These exotic armed with knives and simple Nepali peasants and the elite units of the British gorchov and even some professional hunters for zombies :) Followed by increasingly taking kukri adopted and domestic tourists. So if you are going to Nepal, be sure to buy this knife-axe - if not for personal use, as a souvenir for friends.
The history of kukri is shrouded in mystery. Someone thinks that the knives with a reverse curve came to Nepal with the Mongols, others see merit in this Alexander the great, the third considers kukri closest relative of the Turkish scimitar. But few people know that the true homeland of the best modern knives, kukri is Germany. The fact that in Nepal the ideal material for the manufacture of knives are... springs truck Mercedes. However, in the 19th century for the same purpose they used/used rails from India and nobody complained. Anyway, unlike the Japanese katana, Nepalese khukuri has a much more popular character. It's almost an axe, and the axe, unlike a sword or swords, we need not only the warrior in battle, but also of everyday peasant life. They cut bamboo, clearing trails in the jungle, cut up the meat. The thickness of the butt is about 10mm, weight appropriate.
Note the curly notch at the base of the blade. It's called "Cho" and is a long-standing stumbling block for connoisseurs of bladed weapons. They nasakirali a huge number of versions explaining the purpose of this element is fixed in the sheath, grasping the knife the enemy, Krovostok. But the most plausible (and pseudoscientific) sounds hypothesis that such a recess protects the blade from cracking caused by high voltage metal in hacking attacks on hard targets. And, they say that "Cho" depicts a Trident of Shiva, or the trace of a cow's hoof is a symbol of the goddess Kali. The motto of gorchov, by the way, sounds like "Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali" (victory in the great Kali, the Gurkha go). Militant Shiva was marked on the handle of a knife is its shank symbolizes the all-seeing eye of the divine. And the short grooves (grooves) on the blade symbolize arrows or a sword of the same Shiva. Here is the divine instrument :)
Springs do not stainless steel, and a gleaming polished kukri very quickly and easily rusts. To avoid this, in the sheath often add grease. The sheath for Nepalese kukri traditionally do hard. They are made of wood, covered with Buffalo skin, and the tip fetter metal. In such a sheath is provided for storing two tiny helper "knives". Of them this knife is only one - kardak (pictured on the left). Kardak designed for fine and accurate work, carving, kitchen Affairs. The second "knife"chakmak is a piece of junk without any sharpening. In fact chakmak is a file - you can adjust sharpening the kukri and cardaci. In addition chakmak used as steels, for striking sparks and breeding of fire.
Where to buy kukri?
Of course the real kukri make and sell in Nepal. This is not to say that they are the best (some American high-tech kukri can be lighter, stronger and more aesthetically pleasing), but the authenticity and legendary worth much. For the most complete satisfaction of the Indian Tomahawks have to buy directly in the tepee of the Iroquois, and Nepalese kukri in Nepal (and not online).
In Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu) kukri are sold on every corner - in the antique shops, the stalls of street vendors and of course in many specialized shops. It is in the past, I recommend to buy the legendary knives - purely because of the larger selection. The range of such stores usually not less than fifty different versions of khukri different size, shape and richness of incrustation. The average price average kukri (with a blade length of 30 to 40 cm) in the not too vypendrezhnaya version is $ 30 (approximately 3,000 Nepalese rupees).
How to remove kukri from Nepal?
The question of passage of the knife through customs arises from all potential buyers. Usually the first question to the seller is about the permit. And know that buyers hear in response? Do not worry! Just dip your knife in your Luggage (not in hand Luggage) and fly safely - Nepalese customs does not require any documents for export. And customs of Ukraine and Russia usually without problems "let" these popular Nepalese Souvenirs. Our tourists repeatedly he transported them so and no issues arose. Theoretically (and in practice almost never), upon arrival at Home you can pick especially vigilant customs officers. But even if that happens, they are often able to slip out through spells like "it's not melee weapons, and souvenir". As to demand any distinct documents (except check or receipt) from Nepalese traders useless, it is reassuring to know in advance, even at home, to look for the certificate on the knife-khukri domestic production (mol not a combat knife, and household). But this paranoia, I swear. Just do not buy too expensive knives that was not fatally hurt to lose them at customs in case of a fatal bad luck :)
Cyril Jasko, November 1, 2014
The kukri (khukuri) is a traditional Nepali tool and weapon. These exotic armed with knives and simple Nepali peasants and the elite units of the British gorchov and even some professional hunters for zombies :) Followed by increasingly taking kukri adopted and domestic tourists. So if you are going to Nepal, be sure to buy this knife-axe - if not for personal use, as a souvenir for friends.
The history of kukri is shrouded in mystery. Someone thinks that the knives with a reverse curve came to Nepal with the Mongols, others see merit in this Alexander the great, the third considers kukri closest relative of the Turkish scimitar. But few people know that the true homeland of the best modern knives, kukri is Germany. The fact that in Nepal the ideal material for the manufacture of knives are... springs truck Mercedes. However, in the 19th century for the same purpose they used/used rails from India and nobody complained. Anyway, unlike the Japanese katana, Nepalese khukuri has a much more popular character. It's almost an axe, and the axe, unlike a sword or swords, we need not only the warrior in battle, but also of everyday peasant life. They cut bamboo, clearing trails in the jungle, cut up the meat. The thickness of the butt is about 10mm, weight appropriate.
Note the curly notch at the base of the blade. It's called "Cho" and is a long-standing stumbling block for connoisseurs of bladed weapons. They nasakirali a huge number of versions explaining the purpose of this element is fixed in the sheath, grasping the knife the enemy, Krovostok. But the most plausible (and pseudoscientific) sounds hypothesis that such a recess protects the blade from cracking caused by high voltage metal in hacking attacks on hard targets. And, they say that "Cho" depicts a Trident of Shiva, or the trace of a cow's hoof is a symbol of the goddess Kali. The motto of gorchov, by the way, sounds like "Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali" (victory in the great Kali, the Gurkha go). Militant Shiva was marked on the handle of a knife is its shank symbolizes the all-seeing eye of the divine. And the short grooves (grooves) on the blade symbolize arrows or a sword of the same Shiva. Here is the divine instrument :)
Springs do not stainless steel, and a gleaming polished kukri very quickly and easily rusts. To avoid this, in the sheath often add grease. The sheath for Nepalese kukri traditionally do hard. They are made of wood, covered with Buffalo skin, and the tip fetter metal. In such a sheath is provided for storing two tiny helper "knives". Of them this knife is only one - kardak (pictured on the left). Kardak designed for fine and accurate work, carving, kitchen Affairs. The second "knife"chakmak is a piece of junk without any sharpening. In fact chakmak is a file - you can adjust sharpening the kukri and cardaci. In addition chakmak used as steels, for striking sparks and breeding of fire.
Where to buy kukri?
Of course the real kukri make and sell in Nepal. This is not to say that they are the best (some American high-tech kukri can be lighter, stronger and more aesthetically pleasing), but the authenticity and legendary worth much. For the most complete satisfaction of the Indian Tomahawks have to buy directly in the tepee of the Iroquois, and Nepalese kukri in Nepal (and not online).
In Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu) kukri are sold on every corner - in the antique shops, the stalls of street vendors and of course in many specialized shops. It is in the past, I recommend to buy the legendary knives - purely because of the larger selection. The range of such stores usually not less than fifty different versions of khukri different size, shape and richness of incrustation. The average price average kukri (with a blade length of 30 to 40 cm) in the not too vypendrezhnaya version is $ 30 (approximately 3,000 Nepalese rupees).
How to remove kukri from Nepal?
The question of passage of the knife through customs arises from all potential buyers. Usually the first question to the seller is about the permit. And know that buyers hear in response? Do not worry! Just dip your knife in your Luggage (not in hand Luggage) and fly safely - Nepalese customs does not require any documents for export. And customs of Ukraine and Russia usually without problems "let" these popular Nepalese Souvenirs. Our tourists repeatedly he transported them so and no issues arose. Theoretically (and in practice almost never), upon arrival at Home you can pick especially vigilant customs officers. But even if that happens, they are often able to slip out through spells like "it's not melee weapons, and souvenir". As to demand any distinct documents (except check or receipt) from Nepalese traders useless, it is reassuring to know in advance, even at home, to look for the certificate on the knife-khukri domestic production (mol not a combat knife, and household). But this paranoia, I swear. Just do not buy too expensive knives that was not fatally hurt to lose them at customs in case of a fatal bad luck :)
Cyril Jasko, November 1, 2014