Originally posted 2018-07-24 01:31:46.
Some days, I really wonder why I ever joined Twitter. It’s full of political fighting, dumb memes, and other general nonsense. However, in doing this blog I remember why Twitter can be so awesome – and that’s because you can connect with cool people all around the world. Such is the tale of myself connecting with Everest Blade, a company located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Everest Blade is a Kukri house and produces many variations of the traditional Nepalese knife known as a Kukri (also sometimes spelled Khukuri). The fine gentlemen at Everest were extremely kind to send me one of their blades to try out, and that is the Everest Blade Survival Kukri with a 12″ full tang blade.
Now, you may ask.. what the hell is a Kukri?
Good question…
The Kukri is the traditional tool and weapon of the Nepalese nation, which is characteristically distinctive in that it has a large, inwardly curved chopping blade. The origins of the kukri have been traced back to near prehistoric times with the farming sickle being the most likely ancestor of the blade. The kukri knife became more widely known in the western world during the Gurkha War (Anglo-Nepalese War) and is the iconic melee weapon of choice of the Gurkha, whom are Nepalese warriors that serve in the British, Nepalese, & Indian armies, as well as serving as UN Peace keepers.
My first personal introduction to the kukri knife was through an online game called Team Fortress Two – one of the characters, the sniper, carries a kukri as his melee weapon. Since he was always my favorite character I came to have a liking of the knife and always wanted to get one. The Everest Blade Survival Kukri is actually the third in my collection, but it’s by far my favorite. Unfortunately there are a lot of low quality “tourist” kukri knives available on the net so you kind of have to watch out for that. With Everest Blade however, the quality has been unmatched from the other knives I own.
The Everest Blade Survival Kukri weighs in just under 2 lbs, with a 12 inch full tang blade, & it beautiful rosewood handle that has a small lanyard hole (I plan on adding a loop of leather to the handle to provide better safety when chopping). The pommel on the Everest Blade Survival Kukri is also nice, with a reflective stainless steel that you can literally see your mirror image in.
The edge of the Everest Blade Survival Kukri comes very sharp, which is a welcome surprise after having received dull knives from other vendors in the past. As the design suggests, these knives are made for chopping things and are commonly used as utility tools in Nepal with a wide variety of uses – everything from splitting firewood, digging holes, self defense, chopping veggies, or butchering and skinning animals. The forward curvature of the Everest Blade Survival Kukri is such that the weight and angle of the blade does most of the work rather than a machete which requires more brute force and speed behind the cut. I was surprised how easily the kukri cuts into even very hard surfaces like oak with not much more than a light flick of my wrist. I was able to split a bunch of wood and chop a good way into a dead branch of a nearby Gambel Oak without breaking a sweat or any tiredness in my arm. Softer woods like pine have no chance against this thing. (neither did my old winter squash! XD)
Along with the main knife, the Everest Blade Survival Kukri also comes with a buffalo hide scabbard that fits the knife snugly, and makes for pretty easy drawing and re-sheathing. It comes accompanied by two smaller blades that are traditionally supplied when you buy a kukri- one is unsharpened, known as a chakmak. The chakmak is used much like a butcher’s steel to hone and sharpen the kukri. The other small knife is the karda, which is just used as a small utility knife. Both fit tightly into the leather scabbard behind the main blade.
What I love most about the Everest Blade Survival Kukri is the fact it’s a unique piece. Every one of these kukri knives is hand made in Nepal, so they will all inevitably have individual imperfections or quirks, but that’s what makes them special! They aren’t mass manufactured in some factory, and it’s evident in the craftsmanship of this blade. The Bishwakarmas (Kukri blacksmiths) of Everest Blade use only traditional methods and hand tools to create these masterpiece knives.
Everest Blade Survival Kukri specs:
Blade size: 12 inches, semi-polished blade
Handle size: 5.5 inches full tang dark rosewood handle
Overall Length: 18 inches from tip of the blade to pommel (Approx).
Weight: about 1.75 lbs (28 oz) with blade, sheath & utility knives.
Scabbard: Cotton Covered in Buffalo leather
Origin: Hand forged at Gurkha Kukri House factory in Dharan city, East Nepal.
Blade Hardness: spine: 22-25 RC, Belly: 45-46 RC, Edge: 58-60 RC, Steel
I hope this has been informative for you to read, and has given you some insight and interest into the world of the Ghurkas and the Kukri knife – I know my Everest Blade Survival Kukri will be a family treasure for future generations and I am proud to own one. Everest makes a lot of different kukris and other knives, so give them a shot and check out what they have to offer!
For more information on Everest Blades, check out their website here.
