Khukuri (kukri) is a gurkha knife, Khukuri (kukri) is used by almost every Nepalese. Every Nepali has at least one khukuri (kukri) in their house. They use khukuri (Kukri) for different purposes like; kitchenware, cutting wood, decorations and safety purpose. Khukuri (kukri) has awesome cutting power. This knife (khukuri) is very popular in Nepal as well as other country through out the world. But the above definition gives only a glimpse of the Khukuri (kukri). Khukuri (kukri) means a lot more than the above definition. Khukuri (kukri) is not just a knife. It has a strong relationship with the Gurkha Soldiers and Nepalese History.

Khukuri (kukri) is not just a knife of Nepal but is also symbol of the Gurkha soldier, with the help of which Gurkha soldiers paved a way to their fame and courage today they have. The excellent cutting power of Khukuri (kukri) was first experienced by the British in India who had to face it in the battles since 1814 while combating the Gorkha army in western Nepal. From that very moment Khukuri (kukri) established its fame and became legend. So the Khukuri (kukri) is also known by the name of Gurkha knife. In the Gurkha soldier's grip, this small piece of curved steel “Gurkha Knife” becomes an incredibly menacing weapon with which he has demonstrated rare feats of bravery while facing the enemy in many a battlefield. This excellent piece of “Gurkha Knife” also Nepali knife has fought many battles in the Nepalese History and has shown very good reputation. Because of that the Khukuri (kukri) is Nepal’s national knife. The blade of Gurkha soldiers “Gurkha Knife” has its own fame and popularity. All the Nepalese people are so proud of this “Gurkha Knife” that this gurkha knife, Khukuri (kukri) is liked by all the Nepalese people.

Khukuri (kukri) is a medium-length curved knife with comfortable weight each Gurkha soldier carries with him in his uniform and in battle. In his grip, this “Gurkha Knife” or the Khukuri (kukri) it is a formidable razor-sharp weapon and a cutting tool. When his rifle misfires, or when his bullets have run out, a Gurkha unsheathes his Khukuri (kukri) and makes his final "do-or-die" run on the enemy in a fury to finish the job. This scene created the romance and the legends. What this legendary knife the Khukuri (kukri) really did, and still does, is a super-clean slaughter: The enemy tumbles down in two clean pieces- and in surprise! because his is the kindest, quietest death because it is the quickest.

Khukuri (kukri) is the national knife of Nepal, originating in ancient times. More than being just a revered and effective weapon, however, the Khukuri (kukri) is also the peaceful all-purpose knife of the hill people of Nepal. It is a versatile working tool and therefore an indispensable possession of almost every household, especially of those belonging to the Gurung, Magar, Rai and Limbu ethnic groups of central and eastern Nepal. Moreover, apart from the fact that the Khukuri symbolizes bravery and valour and is a Nepalese cultural icon, it also represents an exquisite piece of Nepalese craftmanship and is indeed a unique memento for you to take back home from Nepal.

The blade of the Khukuri (kukri) is made up of steel and the handle is made up of wood, buffalo horn and metals. The Khukuri (kukri) is carried in a scabbard (Dab in Nepali) which is a wooden frame covered with leather and has a protective metal cap over the tip. Some scabbard is wrapped with cotton instead of leather. Some scabbards are even decorated with silver. The scabbard has two pockets to hold the two tiny knives tucked behind it. Karda: A small knife, its main purpose is to cut small things and also work as a skinning knife. Chakmak: A sharpener, the main purpose of this Chakmak is to sharp the Khukuri (kukri) and maintain the sharp edge of the Khukuri (kukri). It can be used as a flint maker also. The Notch (Kaura) in the blade near the hilt of most Khukuri (kukri) serve as a conduit for the blood on the blade to drip out thus prevents it from soiling the hilt, as well as a device for catching and neutralizing an enemy blade. It also represents the Hindu fertility symbol. The Khukuri (kukri) is not only the national knife but also has great religious importance and is worshipped by the Nepalese during the grand Hindu festival Dashain.

The oldest khukuri (kukri) known to exist is the one on display at the National Museum in Kathmandu which belonged to Drabya Shah, the King of Gorkha in 1627. It is, however, certain that the origins of the knife stretch further back. The machira, the cavalry sword of the ancient Macedonians which was carried by Alexander's soldiers when it invaded north-west India in the 4th century BC, closely resembled the khukuri (kukri). The origin of the khukuri (kukri) has also been linked to the development of a form of blade similar to the classic Greek sword or kopis. Others suggest that it originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who came to power in Nepal in the 13th century. Still others find similarities in the construction of some Khukuris (kukri) to techniques of sword making found in Japan. The weapon may, however have been developed in isolation Nepalese peasants. Whatever be the roots, Nepal, the Gurkhas and the Khukuri (kukri) are inseperable in reputation.

The fact that khukuri (kukri) is the national knife of Nepal. HimalayanMart try to expose the art and tradation of khukuri to the out side world. The making of a single khukuri (kukri) four men fully occupied for an entire day, sometimes even more. The raw materials for making khukuri (kukuri) -steel, brass, Rose wood, buffalo hide and horn - are first carefully selected. Only the best are utilized. Then only the actual process of making the Khukuri starts. Beating and shaping the steel to exact specifications -both measurements and weight -tempering, polishing and sharpening it, shaping the sheath and encasing it with leather, carving the handle and finally putting everything together are both time and energy consuming.

Everything is done by hand and the only machine used is a lathe for shining the khukuri. What makes HimalayanMart khukuri (kukri) so special !! The same thing which make the knife so revered; four men working a full day to craft each blade; high grade carbon steel; authenticity rather than decoration. These are the real things, not fancified souvenirs peddled by hawkers on the streets. They are honest, powerful and graceful blades, which have the pride of legendary Gurkhas for nearly 200 years and the pride of their owners since times immemorial.Considering the amount of time and effort invested in the making of each khukuri (kukuri), the prices of the khukuries are surprisingly reasonable - They are, therefore, absolute bargains.

We have wide varities and collection of khukuri (kukri) ranges start from small khukuri (kukri)replica called the "Paper knife" to Buff head Sacriifial ones. All khukuris are made of Hi-Carbon Steel using fine raw materials and are crafted by skilled craftsmen known as the "Bishwakarmas(born khukuri makers)". Accoding to khukuri style and nature we have categorized on differenet heading: Army Khukuri, Decorative Khukuri, Dragon Khukuri, Kothimora Khukuri, Miniature Khukuri, Special Khukuri, Village Khukuri, Sacrificial Khukuri etc.

We also have wholesale option if you want these khukuries in bulk (Khukuri online store). Please refer our "Wholesale Buyers" or “Order By Demand” section for detail or call us at 977-1-5547819 or Fax us at 977-1-5545657 or mail us at info@himalayanmart.com

FEW TIPS FOR MAINTAINING KHUKURI

• Apply machine/gun oil on the blade of a khukuri (kukri) at least once a month and every time after use. Make sure not to leave any fingerprint on the blade of a khukuri.
• Incase rust develops on the blade of a khukuri (kukri), rub it off with fine sandpaper, clean the dirt using some petrol, wipe it off with a clean cloth and apply oil.
• Use shoe polish for the leather case, brasso for the brass fittings and silvo for silver cases.
• Both sides of the blunt chakmak can sharpen the blade. However, a sharpening stone is recommended

• Care should e taken not to expose the khukuri (kukri) scabbard to the sun for a long period of time as heating may help it to shrink a bit and hence making the blade difficult to insert.
• Using the blade of a khukuri on metllic surface and stone etc. should also be avoid.