Warning, this article contains brief graphic descriptions of the use of the Kukri Knife in combat, along with as good as explanation of how and why this extraordinary knife works. Some may want to go no further, and delete this email.

The reader should know of the use of the Kukri in peace and perhaps war. Hoping you never have to use this extraordinary cutting tool in war, Paul.

Hunting knives / Kukri knives

http://www.ec21.net/co/a/arms/pgroup.html?grp=8

The Kukri is the weapon of the Gurkha. Gurkha's are best known for their work with the British government. Over the past century, the Gurkha's have fought for the Queen's Guard in England, and have developed an amazing reputation for themselves as some of the fiercest warriors in modern times. With each battle fought, the kukri was used proudly. ...

The unique 'L' shape of the kukri is a structural marvel. Because of this bend in the blade, the cleaving power of the kukri is magnified at least ten times.

This has been shown time and again in combat, as recently as in the Sino- Burmese- Indian theater of WW2 wherein the Gurkha units regularly engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the Japanese in the extraordinarily difficult conditions of the jungles in that part of the world.

Numerous episodes of complete decapitation were achieved under the split- second conditions of combat. Often, the Gurkhas would crawl in one end of an enemy trench and commence running, hacking heads and limbs as they went.

In the close quarters of the trench, the enemy found it hard to turn and bring their rifles to bear. The ability of the kukri to achieve its results with one swing made this kind of tactic possible. Fortunately, you don't have to do this to prove the power of the kukri.

Just taking a substantial piece of wood and striking it with different knife types will allow you to compare results. The devastating power of the kukri will be readily apparent. The reason for this is in its forward shaped blade.

The apex of your swing with a normal straight-blade knife ends at about the surface of the target it is striking. In the case of the kukri, because of its bent blade, it is already through the target before it hits its apex! ...

Each time you swing a weapon, you have an apex point and the deceleration of that swing. You must decelerate the weapon in order to keep it from striking you, or in some cases, changing direction.

The same is true with the kukri. With this unique bend, however, it allows you to crash through your target with amazing force before having to begin your deceleration.

Combined with the substantial weight of the weapon and the pulling power that can be applied to the motion, the results are extraordinary.

This sets the kukri apart from other weapons out there. It makes the 'kukri' a cut above the rest.

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As I first began to work with the Kukri, I began to write about it.

Have written so much about the Kukri, and my opinions and favorites have changed so much, this "master" index is needed. By no means complete, hope it leads to some clarity.

New Kukri 2006 May. htm Latest format changes

"Newest" overall Kukri intro page

my first web pages about the Kukri.

Kukris With Curses?

Important, Read this Warning !

Kukri Epoxy Handle Method link

The best shape to modify a Kukri Handle to

Knife Sharpening, retaining the "Slicing Edge."

There is an audio file I recorded about the Kukri Knife, under this link

Large picture of three Kukris re-worked, "final" form

1) "M 40" Web Link about converting a Kukri to a Field Knife

http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Ghurka/Kukri%20Modification.htm