WW2 Article of the 9th Gurkhas

fearn · 17th September 2013, 10:34 PM

Don't forget, the notch also doubles as a screwdriver and bottle cap opener...

Sighting notch. I love it!

F

sirupate · 18th September 2013, 11:14 AM

Even the then War Office got confused on the making of the Mk4

“Jack Wilkinson Latham (MD at Wilkinson’s from 1935-1952) had a tussle with the War office (Now MOD) over a contract Wilkinson’s had for Kukri in 1951 marked WSC and 1951, of which 1,400 were manufactured. This was placed with Wilkinson’s as the War office was alarmed of what was perceived as to frequent replacement of Kukris.
It was noted that the inspection tolerance on the Notch (Kaura) were very, very tight. When this was queried with the Chief Inspector of Small Arms, Wilkinson Latham was told that the notch is a SIGHT and subject to the same inspection tolerances as a Rifle sight, Wilkinson Latham explained at length about the notch as being a traditional symbol and gave the CISA a short discourse on the history of the Kukri. At last, the CISA relented and the same manufacturing tolerances as the rest of the blade were applied.”

kronckew · 18th September 2013, 04:10 PM

which of course brings to mind the other myth.

the other forces were always asking the gurkhas to show them their khukuris and wanting to handle them, so one bright nepali came up with the idea that telling them that they could not draw the blade unless it drank blood would put them off asking, which notion became gospel worldwide forever after.

i still hear that constantly when showing off mine. most people of course do not believe the truth and swear that all gurkhas have to cut themselves before sheathing the blade if they haven't killed something, and that i should too.

contrary to 'what everybody knows', the nepalis who use these in their daily lives are not foolish and do not cut themselves a few times every day when out cutting wood, etc...

they are also not going to throw a perfectly good weapon away unless they are really desperate and have no other choice, and are quite happy to hit the enemy from quite a few hundred meters away with a modern firearm, or artillery,rockets, close air support, etc. rather than a khukuri charge. tho they do always seem to get into situations where they use them to great effect. the ghurkha on the train recently comes to mind.

LINKY for those who are not familiar with his story

sirupate · 18th September 2013, 06:14 PM

That is one of the better myths

It might have had its origins from when a Nepalese draws out his kukri in a revenge killing back in the good old days, then the kukri couldn't be returned with honour being satisfied.

18th September 2013, 04:10 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	which of course brings to mind the other myth. the other forces were always asking the gurkhas to show them their khukuris and wanting to handle them, so one bright nepali came up with the idea that telling them that they could not draw the blade unless it drank blood would put them off asking, which notion became gospel worldwide forever after. i still hear that constantly when showing off mine. most people of course do not believe the truth and swear that all gurkhas have to cut themselves before sheathing the blade if they haven't killed something, and that i should too. contrary to 'what everybody knows', the nepalis who use these in their daily lives are not foolish and do not cut themselves a few times every day when out cutting wood, etc... they are also not going to throw a perfectly good weapon away unless they are really desperate and have no other choice, and are quite happy to hit the enemy from quite a few hundred meters away with a modern firearm, or artillery,rockets, close air support, etc. rather than a khukuri charge. tho they do always seem to get into situations where they use them to great effect. the ghurkha on the train recently comes to mind. LINKY for those who are not familiar with his story Last edited by kronckew; 18th September 2013 at 04:21 PM.

17th September 2013, 10:34 PM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Don't forget, the notch also doubles as a screwdriver and bottle cap opener... Sighting notch. I love it! F

18th September 2013, 11:14 AM	#2
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Even the then War Office got confused on the making of the Mk4 “Jack Wilkinson Latham (MD at Wilkinson’s from 1935-1952) had a tussle with the War office (Now MOD) over a contract Wilkinson’s had for Kukri in 1951 marked WSC and 1951, of which 1,400 were manufactured. This was placed with Wilkinson’s as the War office was alarmed of what was perceived as to frequent replacement of Kukris. It was noted that the inspection tolerance on the Notch (Kaura) were very, very tight. When this was queried with the Chief Inspector of Small Arms, Wilkinson Latham was told that the notch is a SIGHT and subject to the same inspection tolerances as a Rifle sight, Wilkinson Latham explained at length about the notch as being a traditional symbol and gave the CISA a short discourse on the history of the Kukri. At last, the CISA relented and the same manufacturing tolerances as the rest of the blade were applied.”

18th September 2013, 06:14 PM	#4
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	That is one of the better myths It might have had its origins from when a Nepalese draws out his kukri in a revenge killing back in the good old days, then the kukri couldn't be returned with honour being satisfied.