Making of Khukuri - A Photo Essay
9 Mar, 2023
Khukuri – The National Weapon of Nepal, holds a unique and important place in Nepalese culture and it’s people. It gained fame during the World War I & II, when Gurkha Soldier used it as their primary weapon to great affect. These blades are powerful and durable, which is why they are still widely used in Nepalese households. It hold symbolic values as well as practical purposes. They are mostly used as a tool for chopping wood, slaughtering and processing meat. Some households even keep Khukuris for security reasons.
The Khukuri is much more than a knife or a weapon because of the religious values it carries and the beliefs that have been incorporated in the Nepalese culture. The Khukuri is also worshipped on different occasions and festivals. It is thought to have spiritual power to ward off demons, evils, and nightmares.
Traditional Kukri knives range from 25 to 32 centimeters in length, although expensive custom blades can be twice that long. The normal-sized daggers weigh between 500 and 800 grams, which makes them hefty yet still maneuverable in battle.
Indra Sunar is making Khukuri in traditional way for more than 40 years, over an open flame in the backyard of his Kathmandu home. The meticulous, centuries-old process of making one of these blades was taught to Sunar by his uncle when he was a teenager.
High-carbon steel is used to make Khukuri traditionally. The small portion of the metal that protrudes through the end of the handle is hammered flat to secure the blade. The handles of Khukuris, which are typically made of buffalo horn, are frequently secured with laha (Himalayan epoxy).
Work produced during multiple visit to Indra Sunar’s workspace for Backstreet Academy Khukuri Making workshop.