‘A Khukuri is much more than just a knife..’

Gurkha Khukuri is much more than just a knife , It serves multi-purposes like working, hunting,
cutting, trekking, clearing, hacking, stabbing and fighting. Among those we have listed and
explained a few things that a khukuri can do. ‘Gurkha Khukuri’ is a pride and honor with
religious-cultural myths and beliefs used as ornaments and wealth for presentation, display and
collection, gift and decoration.

Cutting & chopping tool : The khukuri is effective as a chopping weapon because the curved
shape creates a “wedge” effect which causes the blade to cut effectively and deeper. Because
the blade bends towards the opponent, the user need not angle the wrist while executing a
chopping motion.Unlike a straight-edged sword, the center of mass combined with the angle of
the blade allow the khukuri to slice as it chops. The edge slides across the target’s surface while
the center of mass maintains momentum as the blade moves through the target’s cross-section.
This gives the khukuri a penetrative force unequal to its length. The design enables the user to
inflict deep wounds and to penetrate bone. While most famed from use in the military, the
khukuri is the most commonly used multipurpose tool in the fields and homes in Nepal. Its use
has varied from building, clearing, chopping firewood, digging, slaughtering animals for food,
cutting meat and vegetables, skinning animals, and opening cans. Its use as a general farm and
household tool disproves the often stated “taboo” that the weapon cannot be sheathed “until it
has drawn blood”.The kukhuri is versatile. It can function as a smaller knife by using the
narrower part of the blade, closest to the handle. The heavier and wider end of the blade,
towards the tip, functions as an axe or a small shovel.
Outdoor : For jungle use as a machete, during safaris, trekking, camping out in the woods,
hunting, fishing, cutting and clearing bushes, branches, forestry activities, also used as hammer,
digger etc, basically a survival tool.

Military : Military personnels use khukuri while on duty or guard, training, exercises, warfare,
combat, close counter fighting, army ritual ceremony, presentation . When an officer retires, he
is given a special “Kothimora” sliver Kukri to mark his loyal service and duty.
Religious and Cultural : The khukuri is use for beheading domestic animals during festivals
and ritual ceremonies. During marriage ceremonies, a bridegroom carries a khukuri on his
traditional marriage dress. In the absence of the king, his khukuri used to represent him during
royal ceremonies. Also in castes like Rai, Magar Gurung’s tradition, a khukuri is buried along
with the dead with a belief that by doing so it would destroy all his demons and sins. In remote
villages there is a practice of presenting khukuri to a grown lad to mark his manhood and
maturity.

Pride and Honor : The khukuri is national icon, national weapon and national souvernity in
Nepal. Nepalese Government departments and branches such as army, police, security,
forestry, scouts etc uses symbols/monograms containing image of legendary knife. Khukuri
represents Nepal internationally and worldwide. It is a unique national memento, souvenir and
a trademark for security forces at war and peace, a precious gift used at the highest official
level.

Myths and Beliefs : There is a famous legendary story of every time a Gurkha draws his
weapon out, if he was unable to find his enemy’s blood then he had to put his own. It was
believed that Khukuri was also used as boomerang which means it was thrown towards the
enemy, beheaded him and swung back to the user’s hand. In Nepal, there is a belief, by
keeping a khukuri under a pillow, prevents bad dreams and nightmares. In villages and rural
areas Nepalese carries khukuri to symbolize manhood for boys, to keep away satins, ghosts
and black magic, to safe guard and protect a family spiritually and religiously.
Ornaments and wealth: History shows kings, ministers, generals etc displaying big expensive
khukuris to demonstrate their power, money and pride. Special curio type replica khukris are
made today to adorn oneself with precious and valuable ornaments to show one’s status, wealth and size.