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The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade (Read 5457 times)
Curious Aardvark
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The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Jun 16th, 2014 at 4:10pm
 
Just watched a short but interesting program about the gurkhas.

And according to one of the gurkha sergeants, the notches purpose is to divert blood from running down the blade and onto the handle.

Basically stops your grip getting slippy when you're in the midst of battle.

Clever Smiley
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Masiakasaurus
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #1 - Jun 16th, 2014 at 6:18pm
 
It's in the same vein as calling a knife's fuller a "blood groove." As propaganda it's wicked, but I doubt its practicality. The notch is a symbol of Shiva the Destroyer, a cow's hoof. It's part blessing, part warning. There are people who grind away that mark to remove any associations between the kukri and a religion other than their own. It seems that some people view the "blessing" as a curse if the Kukri's owner isn't Hindi.
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #2 - Jun 17th, 2014 at 6:46am
 
well I'm going by what a long serving gurkha nco said Smiley

If he doesn't know - no one does.
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #3 - Jun 17th, 2014 at 9:48am
 
There are so many rumors and legends about that... I heard one to the effect that the original ones had the little "spike" in the middle quite sharp, and it was to prick your finger.....
the old bit where the blade could not be drawn without drawing blood....
From the Wiki:
"Kukri blades usually have a notch (kauda, kaudi, kaura, or cho) at the base of the blade. Various reasons are given for this, both practical and ceremonial: that it makes blood and sap drop off the blade rather than running onto the handle;[5] that it delineates the end of the blade whilst sharpening; that it is a symbol representing a cows' foot, or Shiva. The notch may also represent the teats of a cow, a reminder that the kukri should not be used to kill a cow, an animal revered and worshipped by Hindus."
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Bill Skinner
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #4 - Jun 17th, 2014 at 10:53am
 
Or, it could be all of those.
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #5 - Jun 20th, 2014 at 2:12am
 
As Bill says, could be all of the above. There is also the possibility that it stops the hand sliding up the blade, rather than just off the handle. The angle in the blade, size, degree of curve and hilt furniture show a huge range in form so it seems finding a 'standard' kukri is near impossible. In antique kukris the end of the knife handle can be fluted to prevent the hand from sliding off the end anyway. And blood is sticky not slippery.
A bit of silliness:
http://youtu.be/LieUYkBOi9g
Also of interest and more pertinent to the original question:
http://youtu.be/jPSjdj82KLM
http://youtu.be/pXpthLnp_wM
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #6 - Jun 20th, 2014 at 11:05am
 
yes lots of rumours and legends, all spread by people other than the gurkha's themsleves.

BUT what the gurkha's say is it's to stop blood getting on the handle.

The whole must draw blood thing is nonsense, it could be a religious symbol as well - but primarily it's practical.


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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #7 - Jun 20th, 2014 at 2:04pm
 
I would be wary of absolutes. How many Gurkhas claimed this to be true in the programme you saw. Can one/two speak for the entire history of use of this knife? Could it be they believe their own hype? Also, Gurkhas are not the only ones to use a kukri, they have been used across a wide region. A fluted hilt will stop the hand sliding off the handle. If it was really such a problem, they would have come up with a practical solution like a small lanyard tied to the wrist as is found in parang knives.
Then again, maybe you are right. Who knows?
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #8 - Jun 20th, 2014 at 4:28pm
 
Mists of history and all... Are you familiar with the bunch of myths and legends that surround another famous ethnic blade, the Kris?
Thing was supposed to rattle in it's sheath to warn the owner of danger, and in some cases, leap out and defend the owner all on it's own!
In addition, the exact number of "waves" in the blade is highly significant, with purchasers going by their mystical or "lucky" numbers.
Finally, legends have it that one could stroke the blade, and have water or milk flow from same.
(Handy for feeding the cat, I suppose...)
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #9 - Jun 20th, 2014 at 9:04pm
 
In cutting with a Kukri a cut is usually made using a draw stroke rather than a stab. This type of cut would also help prevent the hand slipping onto the blade. It tis the type of cut most preferred by the Gurkhas as far as I know.
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #10 - Jun 21st, 2014 at 1:06pm
 
As often as not things like this had a practical purpose to begin with and then get the religious/mystical traditions added later.  Sometimes the cultures originating them lose the original understanding for why something was done a certain way and add on the alternate interpretations later. 

That being said it could very well be both practical and religious.

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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #11 - Jun 21st, 2014 at 2:38pm
 
I am a huge fan of the kukri blade design. As far as large knife blade styles go, I believe it to be the best. I also respect the warrior culture that the ghurkas have developed as well, it is admirable to say the least, and fascinating to study.

Anyway, back to big knives. I personally, prefer just a slight hilt to protect my hand or stop it from sliding onto the blade. That is one of the reasons I got the Ontario Kukri. Don't get me wrong, I'd definitely take a KHHI Kukri in a fight given the opportunity over a lot of blades, but a small hilt goes a long way in ensuring your nick name won't be "Stubs" for the remainder of your life.

"Blood grooves" or fullers actually aren't unique to the kukri, indeed, they can be found in many different styles of blades, especially bayonets from the 19th and early 20th century.

I would life to see a video to see how well it really works with pre-drained blood, water, or oil or something, just to see if it stands up to the test.
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #12 - Jun 21st, 2014 at 8:29pm
 
That notch is really just a bottle opener Grin
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #13 - Jun 22nd, 2014 at 10:35am
 
if you make a knife from a file, and do it right, your hand will NEVER slide onto the blade despite there being no guard or hilt of any sort.
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Re: The notches at the base of a Kurkri's blade
Reply #14 - Jun 23rd, 2014 at 5:30pm
 
I had a Gurkha Color Sgt tell me it symbolized the Goddess's yani.  I wasn't going to add that one.
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