Hello All , I am new to the forum but not exactly new to bushcraft / survival skills etc as in the past I was a combat survival instructor in the British Army , along with this I have an interest in the many and varied knives and tools used within these situations and in particular the one I would like to explain about in this thread , the legendary Kukri knife which is extensively used in Nepal and certain other areas within the Indian Sub Continent in an agricultural mode and of course known famously as the chosen fighting knife of the hill soldiers from Nepal , The Gurkhas .
Reading the many other knife forums out there it is obvious that there is a great interest generated for the many people who would like to buy a genuine / traditional Nepalese Kukri , and it is worth noting that there are quite a number of internet companies selling these knives but not neccessarilly quality made ones , so the byword when looking online is " BEWARE " . With this in mind I will try to give any potential buyers of the Kukri knives the best relevant information as to the best companies to buy from .
I have had an interest in knives since a young age and used to make my own Scandi type knives and sheaths until quite recently , I also have a reasonable understanding as to what constitutes a good knife regarding materials , uses and the many different metals used in the actual blade making .
For anyone interested in kukris , there is masses of information on the various knife forums and I believe I am right in stating that there are three main kukri manufacturers who most people tend to stick to for different reasons . For definition of an original kukri , I think most people would agree it would have to be made by hand in Nepal using the old tried and tested methods in which very basic tools are used by the "Kamis" or "Bishwakarmas" (Traditional black smiths ) to hammer and forge the steel ( usually vehicle leaf springs of 5160 type steel / very strong ) into the classic kukri shaped blade . The three main companies now producing kukris are , Khukuri House Handicraft Industry (KHHI) , The original company which is totally based in Nepal , Tora Blades which is UK owned and Himalayan Imports which is based in the USA .There are many smaller companies in Nepal who are actually flaunting the weak copyright laws of that country to produce inferior quality kukris and selling them on copycat websites actually using other companies information and even photos to promote their own products . As I said , BEWARE !
HIMALAYAN IMPORTS : HI are an American company that imports its kukris in from Nepal . They have quite a strong fan base (mainly in the US ) . I have handled a number of their kukri knives and although I would agree that they are a strongly built knife , I like many other people would tend to agree that they are probably a little over built in that they can be quite heavy . Another thing I don't like about HI kukris is that the majority of their kukris are built with the same kind of straight handle which can be a little uncomfortable when chopping or using it over long periods . Pricewise , HI kukris are quite expensive and then there is postage to add to that , but apparently they have a good customer service .
TORA BLADES : These are a UK based company run on a part time basis by a husband and wife team and when you order your kukri it is sent to you direct from Nepal , the only problem being is that after reading many reviews on the forums , delivery can and has taken between four and six months and you have to pay up front ! Tora style their kukris on original historic models and make them in comparison the same size , weights and styles as the originals ( a lot lighter than HI ) , dating from the Indian Mutiny era (1857) right through to both World Wars , the Malayan Emergency up to the Falklands war and also a couple of villager models . I quite like their styles but Tora are not flexible enough when it comes to customising their kukris like some other companies , so you get what you get . It is not my intention to denigrate anyone , but the owner of Tora Blades has quite a reputation on the various knife forums for denigrating other companies products as "Tourist kukris " and that is not entirely true ! He is very knowledgable regarding the kukri and its history but is also very opinionated , which is probably why he has been banned from some of the forums . Tora Blades are also as far as I am concerned , over priced . Enough said .
KHUKURI HOUSE HANDICRAFT INDUSTRY ( KHHI ) : Not to be confused with many of the smaller kukri manufacturing companies with Khukuri House in their name ! KHHI is the original and largest kukri manufacturer in Nepal and does make quality traditional hand made kukris . KHHI was originally conceived in 1989 by two Ex Gurkha soldiers who had recently retired from the British Army , Mr Lalit Kumar Lama ( 22 years service) and Mr Til Bahadur Bishwakarma (19 years service) both serving with the 10 Gurkha Rifles . After retiring they were asked to source some kukris for the 1989 intake of Gurkhas , and it was then both men realised that the quality standards had dropped dramatically to such a degree that the centuries old skills of hand making the kukri was in danger of dying out all together ! They decided to do something about it and by 1991 they had opened their manufacturing outlet in Kathmandu , Nepal and the rest as they say , is history . These days the son of Mr Lama , Mr Saroj Tamang Lama has taken over the business as sole proprietor and Managing Director and with his business skills and his innovative ideas saroj has moved the company forward always improving his products . I will say now that I have recently bought two kukris from KHHI and Mr Lama even customised them for me using my own specifications by hollow grinding the blades and making a few small changes and I have to say , I can find no fault with the quality build and the fit and finish . Because I had bought two over a certain amount he even gave me a free (including free postage) British Standard Issue kukri on a Christmas special offer !!! You cannot get a better deal than that . Over a period of weeks , I changed the specifications several times but Saroj was very patient and understanding with me and he is an absolute pleasure to do business with ! A real Gentleman . Once made the delivery time was only five days from Nepal all insured postage , that is good going . I know that in the new year(2017) , KHHI have some new and exciting ideas for their products making them an even better quality knife , so watch and see ! One other deal KHHI do is that if you cannot afford to buy your kukri outright , they will let you order the one of your choice and just pay in instalments as and when you can and the price will not go up ! Like I say KHHI IS A REALLY GREAT AND GENUINE COMPANY TO DEAL WITH . And as far as I can see , they are the cheapest company around .
These are obviously my own opinions based on a great deal of background research , so please if you are thinking about buying a kukri for campcraft / bushcraft work consider these views above , it might just save you a great deal of hassle . Hope you have enjoyed this article.
Thaknks.
M
Reading the many other knife forums out there it is obvious that there is a great interest generated for the many people who would like to buy a genuine / traditional Nepalese Kukri , and it is worth noting that there are quite a number of internet companies selling these knives but not neccessarilly quality made ones , so the byword when looking online is " BEWARE " . With this in mind I will try to give any potential buyers of the Kukri knives the best relevant information as to the best companies to buy from .
I have had an interest in knives since a young age and used to make my own Scandi type knives and sheaths until quite recently , I also have a reasonable understanding as to what constitutes a good knife regarding materials , uses and the many different metals used in the actual blade making .
For anyone interested in kukris , there is masses of information on the various knife forums and I believe I am right in stating that there are three main kukri manufacturers who most people tend to stick to for different reasons . For definition of an original kukri , I think most people would agree it would have to be made by hand in Nepal using the old tried and tested methods in which very basic tools are used by the "Kamis" or "Bishwakarmas" (Traditional black smiths ) to hammer and forge the steel ( usually vehicle leaf springs of 5160 type steel / very strong ) into the classic kukri shaped blade . The three main companies now producing kukris are , Khukuri House Handicraft Industry (KHHI) , The original company which is totally based in Nepal , Tora Blades which is UK owned and Himalayan Imports which is based in the USA .There are many smaller companies in Nepal who are actually flaunting the weak copyright laws of that country to produce inferior quality kukris and selling them on copycat websites actually using other companies information and even photos to promote their own products . As I said , BEWARE !
HIMALAYAN IMPORTS : HI are an American company that imports its kukris in from Nepal . They have quite a strong fan base (mainly in the US ) . I have handled a number of their kukri knives and although I would agree that they are a strongly built knife , I like many other people would tend to agree that they are probably a little over built in that they can be quite heavy . Another thing I don't like about HI kukris is that the majority of their kukris are built with the same kind of straight handle which can be a little uncomfortable when chopping or using it over long periods . Pricewise , HI kukris are quite expensive and then there is postage to add to that , but apparently they have a good customer service .
TORA BLADES : These are a UK based company run on a part time basis by a husband and wife team and when you order your kukri it is sent to you direct from Nepal , the only problem being is that after reading many reviews on the forums , delivery can and has taken between four and six months and you have to pay up front ! Tora style their kukris on original historic models and make them in comparison the same size , weights and styles as the originals ( a lot lighter than HI ) , dating from the Indian Mutiny era (1857) right through to both World Wars , the Malayan Emergency up to the Falklands war and also a couple of villager models . I quite like their styles but Tora are not flexible enough when it comes to customising their kukris like some other companies , so you get what you get . It is not my intention to denigrate anyone , but the owner of Tora Blades has quite a reputation on the various knife forums for denigrating other companies products as "Tourist kukris " and that is not entirely true ! He is very knowledgable regarding the kukri and its history but is also very opinionated , which is probably why he has been banned from some of the forums . Tora Blades are also as far as I am concerned , over priced . Enough said .
KHUKURI HOUSE HANDICRAFT INDUSTRY ( KHHI ) : Not to be confused with many of the smaller kukri manufacturing companies with Khukuri House in their name ! KHHI is the original and largest kukri manufacturer in Nepal and does make quality traditional hand made kukris . KHHI was originally conceived in 1989 by two Ex Gurkha soldiers who had recently retired from the British Army , Mr Lalit Kumar Lama ( 22 years service) and Mr Til Bahadur Bishwakarma (19 years service) both serving with the 10 Gurkha Rifles . After retiring they were asked to source some kukris for the 1989 intake of Gurkhas , and it was then both men realised that the quality standards had dropped dramatically to such a degree that the centuries old skills of hand making the kukri was in danger of dying out all together ! They decided to do something about it and by 1991 they had opened their manufacturing outlet in Kathmandu , Nepal and the rest as they say , is history . These days the son of Mr Lama , Mr Saroj Tamang Lama has taken over the business as sole proprietor and Managing Director and with his business skills and his innovative ideas saroj has moved the company forward always improving his products . I will say now that I have recently bought two kukris from KHHI and Mr Lama even customised them for me using my own specifications by hollow grinding the blades and making a few small changes and I have to say , I can find no fault with the quality build and the fit and finish . Because I had bought two over a certain amount he even gave me a free (including free postage) British Standard Issue kukri on a Christmas special offer !!! You cannot get a better deal than that . Over a period of weeks , I changed the specifications several times but Saroj was very patient and understanding with me and he is an absolute pleasure to do business with ! A real Gentleman . Once made the delivery time was only five days from Nepal all insured postage , that is good going . I know that in the new year(2017) , KHHI have some new and exciting ideas for their products making them an even better quality knife , so watch and see ! One other deal KHHI do is that if you cannot afford to buy your kukri outright , they will let you order the one of your choice and just pay in instalments as and when you can and the price will not go up ! Like I say KHHI IS A REALLY GREAT AND GENUINE COMPANY TO DEAL WITH . And as far as I can see , they are the cheapest company around .
These are obviously my own opinions based on a great deal of background research , so please if you are thinking about buying a kukri for campcraft / bushcraft work consider these views above , it might just save you a great deal of hassle . Hope you have enjoyed this article.
Thaknks.
M
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