Nepali Khukuri (Gurkha Knife)

The khukuri (kukri) is the national knife of Nepal and the blade the world knows from the Gurkhas. Its forward-curving, inward-bent edge carries the weight ahead of your hand, so it chops like a small axe while still slicing cleanly. This is a full-size traditional khukuri: polished high-carbon steel blade, steel bolster, turned hardwood handle, and a black leather scabbard (dap). The set is complete in the traditional way. Tucked behind the main blade in the scabbard are the two companion knives a proper khukuri always carries — the karda, a small utility knife for fine work, and the chakmak, a blunt burnisher used to touch up the edge and, in the hills, struck against flint to start a fire. Just above the handle sits the cho (kaudi), the small notch cut into the edge, read variously as the trident of Shiva, a stress-relief point that stops cracks running back into the handle, and a drip point that keeps liquid off the grip. In Nepal these blades are hand-forged by experienced blacksmiths, traditionally from high-carbon spring steel, and they live in everyday use — splitting firewood, butchering, kitchen prep, clearing brush. They carry ceremonial weight too: a khukuri is a gift of respect at weddings and during Dashain, and crossed khukuris have been the badge of the Gurkha regiments since the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16. The complete set — khukuri, karda, chakmak and scabbard — weighs about 1.5 kg. This is a genuine edged tool sold to adults for lawful use (collecting, display, kitchen and outdoor work); please handle it with care and keep it away from children. Buy an authentic Nepali khukuri (Gurkha knife) online and we will deliver it across Canada from our Vancouver store.