The kami, dealers etc, I asked in Nepal were certain, it was religious symbolism, They turn the blade edge upwards to study it. The likes of Rawlson was told the same thing.
British newspapers in WW1 refered to Gurkha throwing there kukri like boomerang, some tabloids said they even tied bits of string to them to pull them back afterwoulds! {Do you belive what newspapers say?}
Historicaly some Gurkhas on occasion draw there own blood to feed the Gods, if that was there wish & belief. It certanly wasnt common but as Kronkew says , was a good way of detering people asking to handle there kukri.
One day a year all Gurka weapons are still blessed by blood sacrifice, {Although due to various laws on English based bases they normaly sacrifice a marrow or some such!, when abroad they use animals though.Same as in Indian & Nepali army.}
Interestingly as late as 1951 the War Departmemt said to Wilkinson Sword that the cho or Kaudi had to be machiened to microscopic tolerances, When asked why they said, for use as a sight for throwing... or words to that effect!
Do you trust the war Departent types any more than a tabloid journalist?
Interesting photo.... took than one many years ago....
Spiral