Khukri (in some readings of kukri) - the traditional Nepali knife (or in some classifications of a short sword) is largely similar to the Japanese katana - not in appearance, of course, but, in fact. Khukri, as well as the katana has a unique design that provides its outstanding properties, as well as the katana, he has strongly associated the spiritual aspect and the whole system of ceremonies and rituals.
As well as katana, khukri remained in combat formation, even during World War II. Khukri is still in service with the regular troops, and to this day, not turning as swords, daggers, and partisan in the grand attribute of the form.
In the Nepalese legend in ancient times in the skies over Nepal's magical hawk appeared with two heads and unusual wings. The wings had a crescent-shaped and expanded to the middle, then narrowed to form the tip. According to the legend of a man who saw this unusual bird has created a weapon with a blade similar in shape to the wings of a magical hawk. Such is the legend of a khukri.
One of the major historical theories about the origin khukri binds its appearance with the invasion of Alexander the Macedonian region in India in 334 - 327 years BC. Macedonian army soldiers were armed with short swords with a curved blade. This form is characterized by the sword for the Greek kopis sword and a sword found more than 2,500 years ago. According to another version, the characteristic shape of a curved blade, sharpened on the inside, has been brought from Africa to Greece in the 6th century BC, and from there spread to the Balkans and the Middle East, influencing the shape of scimitar and a number of knives in the region.
Clickable 1920 px
Regardless of the origin khukri is one of the oldest types of knives, which has come down to the present day without major changes. Khukri is stored in the museums of Nepal and dated 15-16 centuries, do not differ from manufactured today. Older models simply do not have survived because they were used for low-grade metal.
The first association with the word khukri that comes to mind - Gurkhas (in some readings of hůrka) Nepalese commandos in the service of the British Army. It is because of Gurkha khukri became widely known in Europe and later in America. Khukri included weapons like ordinary soldiers and officers of the Gurkha troops, and is used as a weapon in close combat, as well as replacing a whole set of equipment (the machete blade demining, etc.).
Gurkhas in the service of Her Majesty the 19th century and participated in all wars and armed conflicts in which Britain was involved.
Attack of the Gurkhas during the fighting in Tunisia in 1943 During the first and second world wars Gurkha proved themselves fearless fighters, particularly famous for the conduct of close combat in night raids and the capture of the trenches, fortifications and bunkers. During the Second World War, Gurkha troops was secured victory for British forces in Burma and Tunisia.
Anchored for the Gurkha's reputation is currently serving them better than any weapon. Thus, during the Falklands conflict in 1982, only one word that came Gurkha troops, armed with khukri led to the fact that Argentine soldiers were not fighting with hundreds of surrender. Design and manufacture of traditional
There are many varieties of khukri - ang-Hall, chitlang, panaval, sirupati, etc. This is due to the fact that different families in Nepal had their smiths - kami that gave the traditional forms of knives and the secrets of their manufacture from generation to generation. However, the differences in various styles khukri much less than the total.
The unique design khukri they can chop, cut, chop and beat like a hammer (using the butt). Balancing the blades can throw it at a distance of several meters (in a fight throwing technique is not used).
Traditional khukri is shown in Fig. The main elements are curved blade (1), sharpened on the inner side, and the typical design of the handle (3). Sharpening the blade cross-section forms a Latin letter V and provides maximum khukri splitting effect at the meeting for the purpose.
On average, khukri has a length of about 40 cm in length of the blade about 30 cm Please note that on the basis of a curved knife, the handle length is greater than the difference in the length of the knife and the length of the blade. Blade khukri greatly expanded to the butt, and reaches a thickness of one centimeter or more. Khukri weight is usually around 750 grams, with the center of gravity is shifted forward from the handle approximately 8 cm This allows you to deliver a powerful chop, using mainly the inertia of the weapon, not muscular effort.
Each characteristic element khukri is not just practical but also symbolic. Thus, for example, a groove (or grooves) in the butt (2) is often mistakenly treated as designed to improve blood flow to the depreciation of properties and stiffness blade for cutting and for the ax blows. This groove is called the "Sword of Shiva" and is intended to give the force of arms khukri God of destruction Shiva. Rings on the handle (4) provide confident hold khukri even wet hand and represent the levels of the universe. Blade sharpening angle with a variable (5) provides maximum efficiency in the chopping blade, cutting and stabbing beats and symbolizes the sun and the moon - the traditional symbols of Nepal. The notch on the blade from the handle is called Cho (6) and come in various shapes, the most common form is shown in the diagram (figure), and represents the trident of Shiva - the main attribute of a symbol of strength and god of destruction. There are also forms of Cho, which are the symbols of the goddess Kali, or cho "in the form of a cow trail" (the cow is a sacred animal in Hinduism).
The practical meaning of Cho in the fact that the seizure prevents the formation of cracks that could lead to cleavage of the blade handle. For khukri without cho, production of a number of U.S. firms, the most common defect is pluck a blade at the hilt (in this area of ​​the blade decreases the maximum load for chop on a solid target). The metal cap on the head of the handle (7) represents the all-seeing eye of God, but in practical terms, covers the tip of the blade shank that passes through the entire handle, and allows the use khukri handle as a hammer.
Clickable 1920 px
Blade of the traditional khukri has not only sharpened with a variable angle, but the band quenching. I butt the blade is much softer than the blade edge. For khukri from Gurkha House is characterized by the values ​​in the 25-27 HRC at the butt, 46-48 HRC in the middle of the blade and 55-57 HRC at the edge of the blade. Khukri from Himalayan Imports have a greater hardness - 57-58 HRC at the butt, and about 60 HRC at the edge of the blade. Save the elasticity of the blade at such a high hardness helps traditional forging techniques passed down from generation to generation Nepalese Kami blacksmiths. The blade is forged by hand khukri stainless spring steel with special shoeing techniques (Fig. 4).
Figure 4.
In the knife used by Gurkha House German spring steel, or steel type 1095 and 5160. Khukri from Himalayan Imports are made from springs on the buses or heavy trucks, with the best raw materials are considered to spring from the car company Mercedes, followed in descending order of value springs Saab continue to spring from Japanese cars.
Handle khukri traditionally made of rosewood or water buffalo horn. Sometimes the handle is covered with symbols carved deities to give khukri more magical power (Fig. 5). Usually, the characters are portrayed God of destruction Shiva, or monkey god Hanuman.
Figure 5.
As expected, included are 2 auxiliary instrument: hakma infarction, and (he Cakmak). The first - a small knife for work (well, very small!), The second - a blunt piece of steel with a handle, which serves as Musatov, or fid's seat.
Retention arm to the blade a few, including through the use of wedges and Nepalese epoxy Laha, or using rivets.
Myths and misconceptions.
Myth. Khukri - it only weapon and use it as an economic tool is impossible. Reality. This applies only to a particular way khukri blessed. Without this, there are no restrictions on use. In Nepal, khukri butchers are often used for cutting up carcasses. It is also used as a machete khukri to fight with thickets of weeds. There is even a special kind of khukri - gandzhaola, which means hemp cutters (one of the major weeds of Nepal).
Myth. Gurkha khukri may by one stroke cut off the buffalo's head.
Reality. During a traditional ceremony in honor of the goddess Durga (an incarnation of Goddess Kali) is a ritual sacrifice, in which the most experienced in dealing with a fighter has to cut off khukri with one blow his head buffalo. If the strike is successful, then the whole year for the whole squad will be successful. It should be noted that, for a ritual sacrifice, a special khukri (Fig. 7) is much greater size and weight than those who are in service with Gurkhas.
Figure 7.
Myth. If Gurkha khukri took from its sheath, he must sprinkle his blood, if not an enemy, or at least his own.
Reality. This is true, but with one amendment - only if the Gurkha and his Death khukri ceremony carried out on the eve of battle. If khukri not been blessed with in accordance with the ritual, it can be used as a tool for economic, clean, sharpen, etc. not stained with blood.
Myth. This khukri can only be bought in Nepal.
Reality. Currently, many companies are trying to reproduce all or part of the design khukri in their models of knives for survival. However, on playback, the blade shape, no Western firm except ColdSteel not progressed. Khukri, produced using traditional methods, is now exported from Nepal, two major firms Gurkha House and the Himalayan Imports. Most products of these companies is available in the U.S. and to a lesser extent in Western Europe. In Nepal, the market is flooded with cheap crafts, designed for tourists and fit only to decorate the interiors. author: Dmitry Samoilov
Post time 8-6-2012 11:26 AM
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Post time 9-6-2012 07:53 AM
