Blade Cut-outs at a Khukri and a Zulfikar
 

Looking at some fotos in my archive I found pictures of a fine khukri and a very rare zulfikar with the same cut out at the edge of the blade. Does anybody have an explanation for this?
corrado26

nepali weapons, usually khukuri, have this cut out, called either a 'cho' or 'kaudi (alt. kauri)'. there has been discussion as to what it represents and/or it's purpose. the answer is 'nobody knows'. some say it's religious, a hindu sacred cow toe mark, to they do come in other shapes (see attached), some saw it's to give blood a place to run off (if so it doesn't work). some say it's a sight for throwing it like a boomerang (when they're being humourous). most say a khukuri is not a real one without it. why one would be on a 'zulfigar' muslim sosun pata sword, i have even less of an idea. maybe a low caste hindu kami's (blacksmith's) protest ;). many early khuks don't have them tho. a mystery wrapped up in a conundrum. puzzling ain't it? :) i have seen a photo of another zulfiqar recurved wootz sosun pata sword with a tulwar hilt and knuckle guard - it also had a kaudi. also see below.

Thanks a lot for your answer. If such a kaudi appears on hindu arms as well as on islamic swords I think that this cannot have a religious origin :shrug: .
corrado26

Not necessarily true; once the original meaning had been forgotten, refraining from use due to religious prohibition would no longer be an issue.