Quick walk out to test a kukri

[KaiTheIronHound]

Picked up an Ex Gurkah Kukri House kukri. I've always wanted a kukri, so i decided to go out for a quick test. The way i tend to figure on weather to carry an item is to walk out with it and a ferro rod and see if i can make a fire with just these two tools. If the knife is worth carrying, then i'll make a fire, even though there has been quite a lot of rain lately. The following are the pictures of my walk out, taken by my lovely fiance, spread over several posts.
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I have found this method of carry is my preferred for big blades, as it keeps it outside of my clothing and within easy reach.
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Collecting resin from local Cedar
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I decided this piece of wood had enough dry timber for my test fire

[KaiTheIronHound]

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[KaiTheIronHound]

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[KaiTheIronHound]

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[KaiTheIronHound]

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All in all, i love this kukri. Its an agricultural model, so the fit and finish isnt perfect, but it works well. The sheath is ok, and the honing steel is useful, but the little knife is junk. The kukri splits well, chops well and is ok for finer work, though thats why we carry a smaller knife i reckon. The steel takes and holds a good edge, and really, when it comes down to it, you are supporting a community in Nepal when you buy one made by them.

All in all, very pleased!

[ian c]

I have a couple of Kukri's that were presented to me when I served with the Gurkas, I find the handle a little small for my hands but they are very good I also like the little file and knife that fit in the back of the sheath, the Gurkas use this tool very well from the jungle to anywhere they are serving.

[KaiTheIronHound]

I've found the knife with this one is unhardened steel, so its really of no use. I may end up chucking it in the forge and doing a proper heat treat on it, but i'm not sure how much use i would have with it. The little file/steel device works nicely for bringing the edge back true though. My hands arent huge, so i find the handle pretty nice. I know a lot of folk in the UK and AUS arent fans of a big knife, having preference for axes etc, and in winter i generally carry my old hulafors bruk axe for wood processing, but i still love the pure utility of large blades.

[midas]

Kai,quote,you are supporting a community in Nepal when you buy one made by them.

Very good! we owe the Gurkhas a huge Debt of grattitude,for their service to the UK.alas grattitude doesnt support or feed many of the proud old soldiers.
This year ,my son n I,donated the monies we would have spent on christmas cards n postage to The Gurkha Trust.
www.gwt.org.uk.
Previous years,we have supported various cancer charities.But of late feel they waste the money.you request.you donot want anything but a simple acknowledgement,they got the cheque,only to be bombarded with calanders.name n address stickers ,badges,daffodils n the like.n more begging letter.

[KaiTheIronHound]

Well, my charity money each year goes towards the childs play charity for the most part, followed by the NSW Rural Fire Service, of which i am a member, but i believe i shal also be purchasing more kukris aswell. They are a very efficient design, and you are getting a hand made blade for insane money really. I'm a bladesmith, and i'd have to charge way over what they do for a kukri just to make it worth my time and effort!

[FishyFolk]

Got a pair of those from a Major in the Nepalese batallion to UNIFIL back in 1996. That is, one was a gift to me , a very nice looking one with lots of bling, and pattered etchings in the blade etc.
I told him it was to nice to use, but I wanted a user. So I got a second, same as his men used for a few dollars. :-)

They must be in a box at my parents place, allong with some other memories from the army days :-)

[KaiTheIronHound]

Well mate, you should go dig out your user and play with it i reckon. I'd love to see some pictures of both aswell!

[trovilcl]

I actually just forged one of those recently. Good heavy blade. I hardened and heat treated mine though along with 6 normalizing rounds. Its about 5/16" thick with a slight convex edge. I made the handle portion longer to incorporate finer carving. I dont however think im going to include the karda and chakmak though. Im sending it to the owner of Bushcraftonfire here soon after i finish it. Hey btw was that the raw panawal?
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[Rasputin]

But of late feel they waste the money.you request.you donot want anything but a simple acknowledgement,they got the cheque,only to be bombarded with calanders.name n address stickers ,badges,daffodils n the like.n more begging letter. Didn't see this at the time Midas, my lappy was in the shop, but I know exactly what your saying. The same thing has happened to me many times now and Ime still getting costly junk mail on a regular basis, what a waste of donations.

[ian c]

I was at my parents at the weekend and their neighbour is a ex Gurkha and i was speaking with him about when I was serving with them and that I had been given a kukri, he told me that they sell them in their PRI shop and that all the money that is made selling them goes back to Nepal to help them and ex soldiers so I might have to make a trip to shorncliff camp and buy one so that I can keep the 2 I was given safe.