Putting a Khukri to Good Use

[Dave Markowitz]

Lone Nepali Gorkha who subdued 40 train robbers

MANOJ ADHIKARI/SANTOSH POKHAREL
POKHARA, Jan 13: Gorkha soldiers have long been known the world over for their valor and these khukuri-wielding warriors winning the British many a battle have become folklore.

A retired Indian Gorkha soldier recently revisited those glory days when he thwarted 40 robbers, killing three of them and injuring eight others, with his khukuri during a train journey. He is in line to receive three gallantry awards from the Indian government.

...

“Fighting the enemy in battle is my duty as a soldier; taking on the dacoits in the train was my duty as a human being...."

“I am proud to be able to prove that a Gorkha soldier with a khukuri is really a handful. I would have been a meek spectator had I not carried that khukuri,” he said.

Full story.

 

[JShirley]

Ahayo Gurkhali!

You gotta respect any group whose battle cry is basically, "We're here!".

I'm a big fan of kukuris.

 

[Slamfire]

The guy fought bandits on a train for 20 minutes?!

We need more decent, honest, brave men, like Nayak Bishnu Shrestha.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

God Bless Him and I love those knives.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

 

[bikerdoc]

Litttle guys with big knives, and a smile.

Thats a scary picture Dave.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have Read these were the only troops the Japs were afraid of in WW2.

 

[Readyrod]

Now that's a cool story.

 

[Mitch from LA]

Great story, and an amazing knife when done right

 

[Tamren]

Wow! Thanks for that link!

 

[p35]

Of course, being in the aisle of a train is a great tactical position under those circumstances, since they would have had to come at him basically one at a time, and there's not much question who's tougher one on one. He also had the commitment factor working for him- he was ready to fight to the death, and the robbers weren't going to fight to the death to finish what they were doing.

None of which comments are meant to take anything away from a brave man and a credit to Nepal and the Gurkhas.

 

[Magno]

It's funny to me, because this same story was posted on the RPF a while back, and I replied to it with the exact same comment as JShirley. I was also the first poster too...very coincidental. That phrase apparently belongs in the first post of every thread like this

One of my favorite stories as of late. I can't wait until the folks in Kathmandu release a new knife commemorating this fella.

 

[lobo9er]

Who makes the best modern khukri? might have to look for one of those!

 

[Axel Larson]

Thanks for the link and the story. With the media always showing the bad, it is nice to hear about soemone standing up against criminals.

 

[2RCO]

Simply amazing! 40 vs. 1 and 1 wins. . . Tells you something about training and skills.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Tells you something about training and skills.

I would add that it was the marriage of those things and the reputation of the Gurkha, the weapon, and his own personal sand.
The guy had plenty of sand.

 

[mchgnmike]

I have a large Cold Steel Khukri that is impressive. I wanted to test it on the first hog I shot (250 boar) and it easily went through the front legs (each) with one chop. I hacked the head of in 3 whacks, the first blow went down from the top half way through the spine.

It is very impressive weapon that is scary sharp and if I were to have one made I would make sure it had a large bolster to prevent the hand from sliding over the blade.

The next Khukri I will purchase will be from Mimalayan Imports. I have held some and they are the real deal and very well made.
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/khuk1.html

 

[MonthOfAngle]

I have an Ang Kola and it is impressive. one wouldn't like to face something like that.

 

[PTK]

Praise the Goddess of war he was there. Here come the Gorkhas.

Anyway, I will add my recommendation in for Himalayan Imports' Khukuris, as well. I've been using mine HARD and there have been zero issues - clearing brush, playing around with old tires as targets, chopping wood, it really is a do-it-all blade. Not bad for the ~$60 I paid since it was a "second/blemish".

Who makes the best modern khukri? might have to look for one of those!

As I said, Himalayan Imports seems to be the best, by far. Here is a link to their store - I STRONGLY recommend them over all other khuks. Period.

 

[JShirley]

Unfortunately, HI's faced some problems due to economics and politics.

If you had to choose just one kukuri, a 17" (Baby)GRS would be a very good choice.

Other good first/only/all-around kuk choices would be:
15" AK
16.5" WWII
18-19" Chitlangi

I've used all of these. All good.

 

[PTK]

Oh, no! What kind of issues? I hope they've been able to export product and still have excellent customer service?

 

[JShirley]

They still have product, just not as much.

Nepal is often a wild place.

 

[lobo9er]

Himalayan Imports seems to be the best

Are these expensive wall hangers or are they built for heavy use, like camping type stuff.

 

[Magno]

Before you're so quick to jump the gun on Himalayan Imports, give this place a look.

Khukuri House is a company in Kathmandu that makes what I believe to be the best knives around. I think they are the suppliers for the current Gurkha regiments.

http://khukurihouseonline.com/

These are real knives meant to be used...you won't any stainless stuff here.

They do not overcharge. You will not spend much getting your dream knife from them.




They also offer free engraving on all their purchases.



People have been praising the Cold Steel models for as long as I can remember, but I've always had a bit of a problem with them. Cold Steel makes a fine product and I love all of their knives and swords, but the actual design of their Kukri is sort of lacking. It's mostly the spine thickness that bothers me. The Cold Steel kukri has a very thin spine (a real Kukri should easily be able to drive a nail with it's spine, at a good 1/4 inch thick), and actually experiences a bit of flex if I'm not mistaken, when an ideal Kukri should be stiff as a board. These features make it more akin to a machete in my eyes. They may have actually marketed it as a machete at one point.

I have only handled their old model knives, so I'm not sure if they've changed these features in their current lineup.

 

[PTK]

I am most suspicious of any khukuri at ~$40.