Go on...show us your Choora!!

[Stan S.]

Here is mine:

[CharlesS]

Yes, I think this would be considered the Afghan version of a karud, or straight blade pesh kabz. I am not even sure "choora" is an operable Afghan term.

There is a rather famous story about Stone being shown knives from that part of the world and he heard and used the term "choora" which was not the name of a knife, but simply meant "next", as in "next example please".

I cannot confirm the story, but interesting.

[Stan S.]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

There is a rather famous story about Stone being shown knives from that part of the world and he heard and used the term "choora" which was not the name of a knife, but simply meant "next", as in "next example please".

Actually, "choora" simply means a knife in Urdu or Punjabi (sorry, I don't remember which one). It is a pretty generic term and can be applied to a viriety of mid-sized cutting implements. There is also a "choori", which is a small(ish) knife and is a derivative of choora. A large knife (but smaller than a khyber or salawar yataghan, which is essentially a short sword) is called a "kard". I would venture a guess that any knife that is intended not only for fighting but also for various houeshold chores can be referred to as "choora".

[chregu]

Hello all together
my Choora.

greeting Chregu

[ariel]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Yes, I think this would be considered the Afghan version of a karud, or straight blade pesh kabz.

Where did I read that the etymology of the word Karud is uncertain, to the point that it might just be an erroneous word, mis-heard by the europeans?
I checked Stone and Egerton, but could not find it. Dang! Alzheimer playing more games....

[Berkley]

My semi-relic doesn't look very imposing in such distinguished company, although it still retains the classic elements of the type.

[Rick]

None of the examples shown look very household or utilitarian, except in the line of killing or wounding that is ...

[Andy Stevens]

Blimey!! There are a lot of fine example out there! Feel free to post Karuds or even the big brother Khyber knifes. Has anybody a modern resin hilted example? We've seen a couple on Ebay, a new take on an old idea, but still interesting. Keep em coming!!

[thinreadline]

Here is a rather basic workaday example . Bone hilt and 40 cm long . I feel that it was a knife like this that Kipling had in mind when he wrote the lines :

'When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains'

.. rather than the more elegant pieces we have shown here !

[ariel]

Originally Posted by Stan S.

Here is mine:

Stan,
Can you show close up pic of the chape? I am interested in it's decorative motives.
Thanks.