Origins of the kukri

Emanuel · 21st November 2007, 03:28 AM

Hello Viking,

Thank you for posting this article, it is informative and provides a good summary of the khukri's history. I have some reservations though regarding the link you drew between the khopesh and the kopis. Some evidence suggests that the two weapons were completely unrelated, the kopis having developed separately from the khopesh. The distinction of the "sappara" seems to be an erroneous one, the piece in question being just a khopesh found in the city of Sapara.
Here are two articles with further information on both: http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=9497
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2729

There are noticeable differences between the kopis, machaira and falcata. Here is a summary of these differences, originally posted here: http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtop...lcata&start=40 by Fernando Quesada Sanz, the author of "El Armamento Iberico".

Origin:.............Greek (kopis).............Italic (machaira).............Iberian (falcata)
Blade Length:...long..........................long ............................short
Blade Profile:....slender......................slender......... ................broad
Curvature:.......straight.....................very curved...................curved
Fullers:............thin, shallow..............thin, shallow..................simple, wide and deep, complex
Main edge:.......full length..................distal half......................full length
Dorsal edge:.....No............................No............ ..................Yes
Use:................Slashing, overarm.......Slashing, overarm............Cut&thrust, underarm
Pommel:..........Bird’s head.................Volute Bird’s head...........Volute Horse head, Bird head, geometric
Hilt:.................Many small rivets........Many small rivets.............Few rivets
Hilt Material:....Metal........................Organic......... ................Organic
Silver Inlay:......No...........................No............ ....................Yes

Do you have any information on any possible link between the khukri and the sossoun-pata, the Indian version of the yataghan?

Best regards,
Emanuel

spiral · 21st November 2007, 02:04 PM

Thankyou Kunwor!

I certanly enjoyed reading that! It must have taken a long time to consolidate & write....

There seem to be so many possible origins lost in the mists of time but I agree independant development in the Himalayas is possible. [Or India, Afghanistan, Rome or Greece.]

More information on the old documents from eastern Nepal would be interesting if possible?

Thanks again for your work.

Spiral

sabertasche · 21st November 2007, 04:00 PM

Viking certainly sets the standard high for new members posting on the forum! Well done!

Greg

kukriviking · 22nd November 2007, 01:27 AM

"More information on the old documents from eastern Nepal would be interesting if possible?"

the man with the records does not want to share

.....but il get a copy next visit to the hills

.....and let u all know whats up

....rolling my thumbs...

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21st November 2007, 03:28 AM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello Viking, Thank you for posting this article, it is informative and provides a good summary of the khukri's history. I have some reservations though regarding the link you drew between the khopesh and the kopis. Some evidence suggests that the two weapons were completely unrelated, the kopis having developed separately from the khopesh. The distinction of the "sappara" seems to be an erroneous one, the piece in question being just a khopesh found in the city of Sapara. Here are two articles with further information on both: http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=9497 http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2729 There are noticeable differences between the kopis, machaira and falcata. Here is a summary of these differences, originally posted here: http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtop...lcata&start=40 by Fernando Quesada Sanz, the author of "El Armamento Iberico". Origin:.............Greek (kopis).............Italic (machaira).............Iberian (falcata) Blade Length:...long..........................long ............................short Blade Profile:....slender......................slender......... ................broad Curvature:.......straight.....................very curved...................curved Fullers:............thin, shallow..............thin, shallow..................simple, wide and deep, complex Main edge:.......full length..................distal half......................full length Dorsal edge:.....No............................No............ ..................Yes Use:................Slashing, overarm.......Slashing, overarm............Cut&thrust, underarm Pommel:..........Bird’s head.................Volute Bird’s head...........Volute Horse head, Bird head, geometric Hilt:.................Many small rivets........Many small rivets.............Few rivets Hilt Material:....Metal........................Organic......... ................Organic Silver Inlay:......No...........................No............ ....................Yes Do you have any information on any possible link between the khukri and the sossoun-pata, the Indian version of the yataghan? Best regards, Emanuel

21st November 2007, 02:04 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thankyou Kunwor! I certanly enjoyed reading that! It must have taken a long time to consolidate & write.... There seem to be so many possible origins lost in the mists of time but I agree independant development in the Himalayas is possible. [Or India, Afghanistan, Rome or Greece.] More information on the old documents from eastern Nepal would be interesting if possible? Thanks again for your work. Spiral

21st November 2007, 04:00 PM	#3
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Viking certainly sets the standard high for new members posting on the forum! Well done! Greg

22nd November 2007, 01:27 AM	#4
kukriviking Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6	"More information on the old documents from eastern Nepal would be interesting if possible?" the man with the records does not want to share .....but il get a copy next visit to the hills .....and let u all know whats up ....rolling my thumbs...