MAINTENANCE

How to maintain your Kukri?

1 Apply machine/gun oil on the blade at least once a month or/and every time after
use. Make sure not to leave any fingerprint on the blade.
2 Incase rust develops on the blade, first clean the blade with some petrol/gasoline
then rub the rust off with fine sandpaper; wipe it off with a clean cloth and apply
oil. A wheel-shiner machine may be used to re-shine the rust infected area.
3 Use shoe polish for the leather case, furniture shiner for the wood, Brasso (brass
polish) for the brass fittings and Silvo (silver polish) for silver cases once in a
while to keep your khukuri fit and fine.
4 Scrub the carved (Dragon ) blade with a hard brush (tooth brush) soaked in petrol
and wipe it with a clean cloth before display.
5 Both sides of the blunt chakmak can sharpen the blade. However, a sharpening
stone is recommended for better and faster result.
6 While on display, make sure to often clean the dirt particles, insect waste etc on
the khukuri surface with a soft dry cloth and always keep away from water.
7 Before khukuri is put out of action for a long period of time; oil the blade properly,
wrapped it in a plastic or polythene bag and keep it out of the scabbard. Same for
the two small knives.
8 Always store/keep khukuri in a dry normal temp room.

Caution
1 Care should be taken not to expose the khukuri scabbard into the sun for a longer
period of time as heating may help it to shrink a bit, and hence making the blade
difficult to insert.
2 Using the blade on metallic surface and stone etc. should be avoided.
3 Keep away from water and fingerprint.
4 Khukuri is not a throwing knife so must never be thrown.
5 It is also not a hammering tool.
6 Over working on the bevel or sharp edge area while maintaining or repairing
should be avoided as heat generated from it can spoil/loosen the temper of the
blade.
7 Guidance and supervision is essential before use and must always be kept out of
reach of children.
8 Always maintain your khukuri in a timely manner so that its life can be prolonged.
9 Using khukuri in extreme conditions should also be avoided.
Sheath IMP note:
Since both the blade and sheath are freshly made in some kukris, in order to protect
the blade it is packed separately (not tucked in the sheath). In this process the
freshly made sheath can get slightly shrunk in transit making the blade difficult to

tuck in and out on receipt. In a case like this, please follow this instruction carefully
(Too Tight or Too Loose).

SCABBARD:Too Tight or Too Loose

The buffalo hide used for the khukuri scabbard is sensitive to some extent to the
outer weather and conditions. It can shrink a bit in hot temperature where as
expand a bit in cold temperature thus treatment is needed as necessary.

Too Tight; because of too hot surrounding temperature, leather can shrink giving
extra pressure to the inner wooden frame of the scabbard resulting into narrowing
the blades room and thus making drawing in and out difficult. In a case like this, oil
the blade sufficiently and then completely tuck in the blade forcefully if needed. Hit
the front edge of the scabbard close to the throat and the back edge several times
with one hand while the other holds the khukuri handle firmly. Then draw the blade
in and out a few times and repeat the hitting action. Lastly tuck in the khukuri
completely and firmly push the blade forward against the front edge of the scabbard
and then store in a cool dry place for few days.
Too Loose; very cold temperature can extend the leather, widen the blades room
and thus make it loose (this is very rare though). To avoid this, put the khukuri
scabbard (only) in the sun for few hours (2-4hrs) to dry. The sun will heat the leather
and thus contracts narrowing the khukuri room. Khukuri blade can also be
prevented from wobbling inside the scabbard by pushing the blade forward towards
the front edge of the scabbard. It is also recommended to glue a piece of leather
from inside on the upper surface of the wooden frame as a washer to tighten the
blade in the scabbard. In loose cases, always make sure to keep the blade and
scabbard separately when storing.
HANDLING
Holding- Normal Basic

A basic and very simple fist position where the thumb extends/stays straight
forward on top of index finger and closed-tight fist grip around the handle as
shown in the picture. This position is recommended for use during combat,
close encounter, exercise, and training.

Holding- Thumbs up Improvised

Here the thumb stays up slightly bent on the spine of the blade (kukri) with the fist
tightly closed around the handle. This position will give the much needed pressure
or force to throw or swing the blade against any surfaces. The thumb will maintain
the balance and also push the blade forward or downward making the work
effective and tireless. This position is specially recommended for cutting, hacking,
using or performing any kinds of domestic, outdoor and jungle work. This grip is also
very handy for slicing and peeling off an object. It is also advised that while using
any kukri movement above the waist level, it should be held in the Normal (Basic)
way, whereas, for movements below waist level the Thumps Up position is
recommended. These positions will ensure the user gets maximum potential or
impact possible from a kukri.

Carrying
The most common and the easiest way is to wear the kukri at waist level on one
side, edge or belly of the kukri facing straight or slightly downward opposite side of
the using hand.
While drawing (incase of right-handed user), left hand should first hold the back side
of scabbard firmly by placing the palm around it and then the right hand should
come into action; grip the handle firmly with closed fist around the handle and
gently draw out the kukri. In this whole movement, user must make sure that his

left hand that holds the scabbard is not overlapping the scabbards belly or front
edge ( as the sharp kukri blade might cut through from inside and injure the
crossing fingers). It is recommended to slightly turn/move the scabbard downward
while drawing out for easier pulling.
Different people carry kukri in different style or in whatever manner that benefits
them the most. Typical village kukris dont have belt loops since villagers or farmers
dont put on waist belts as they prefer to wear Patuka or Sash (a long cloth that
goes around their waist circling it twice or thrice). Villagers use it to hold or put on
their kukri. They keep their kukri inside the Patuka facing downward at about a 60*
parallel to land level on stomach portion as shown in the picture.
Soldiers on duty wear kukris on the right side of their belt. The kukri remains upright
facing its belly straight back. Similarly while on parade, the kukri is worn on the
middle/center of the backside. The idea is to get both waist sides free so that hands
can be swung and moved freely while performing. However the drawing task is
more difficult because of its placement. Practice and body movement to
accommodate the draw is crucial.

Drawing in and Out

Hold kukri firmly as shown in the picture with its edge/belly facing opposite to the
body. The hand holding the scabbard must be at the back encircling it but without
overlapping at the front portion of the scabbard. Do not encircle the front portion of
the scabbard with your fingers while drawing kukri in and out as this may cause
injury. Hold the upper edge of the scabbard with your palm and fingers as shown in
the picture and then draw the weapon out slowly.
While drawing out the kukri, make sure that the spine of the blade is always
touching the inner back surface of the scabbard. Same while inserting in and follow
the curve of the scabbard until the whole blade goes into the scabbard.
Sometimes scabbard may open up a little bit because of extensive use and become
loose. In case like this after tucking the kukri inside push the handle down against
the edge of the scabbard. The kukri will get locked and tightened between the inner
wooden walls of the scabbard. Similarly, in case when kukri is too tight to operate;
put heavy oil on the both surface of the blade then tuck it inside the scabbard and
put the kukri along with its scabbard in a cool/cold dry place for couple of days. The
leather will get stretched by doing this and will make more internal space for the
kukri.

Swinging the Blade

In order to get the desired result while swinging a kukri it should be slightly inclined
at about a 60 angle downward against the target. By doing this the edge will cut
through easier and with less effort. Stand about a feet or two (or as needed) away
from the object so that hands can be freely and forcefully swung. It is recommended
to find a spot on the target and swing the blade in a rhythm-tic movement always
aiming at the same spot. Hard balanced blows should be executed at the target
however use of excessive force to achieve goals quickly should be avoided. Rhythm,
aim and consistency are the keys to effective swinging.
Combat Encounter
Grip, aim and body position are very crucial. A kukri should be held as firmly as
possible in Normal (Basic) style illustrated earlier. Targeting a point on the enemy's
body is equally important too. Above all, proper body positioning and foot work will
ensure a lethal and effective blow that can easily neutralize the enemy. It is advised
to position oneself at a more elevated level than the target and throw a stroke as
hard/powerful as possible. Stand slightly sideward to the target with feet stretched
about 2 feet apart with the back foot resting on the sole prior to the stroke. Before
executing the stroke, keep the kukri-free hand stretched out towards the target, and
the striking hand bent where the elbow is parallel to shoulder level.

When releasing the stroke; the body should lean slightly towards the object;
maintain the sole position and move the free hand aside as the stroke comes in and
swing the kukri with full strength.
Make sure that the hitting arm is stretched out and the wrist flexible to meet the
targeted point/surface at about 45-75* angle during the intended blow. Move the
kukri free hand at the back as the stroke comes in so that proper body balance can
be maintained. This movement will give a perfect balance and clean lethal blow
with a fatal consequences.

Karda and Chakmak

Almost all kukris come with these two small knives on the back section (throat) of
the scabbard. The Karda (one edge sharpened) is a small utility knife used to
perform tasks that the big kukri blade cannot. The Chakmak (Both edge
dull/unsharpened) is the sharpener used to sharpen both the main blade, which is
the Kukri, and the small knife Karda. The steel used to make this knife is made
harder than the kukri blade so that it can easily sharpen. To sharpen the kukri, place
the blade firmly against a smooth leveled surface with the edge facing sideward
resting body weight on it as shown in the picture. Applying a little force, drag the
Chakmak from the tip of the kukri to the notch (notch works as a stopper and
prevents the Chakmak from going further up towards the handle) several times on
one side. Make sure you maintain a certain rhythm and always start from tip to

notch. Now flip the kukri to the other side and repeat the action. Repeat till you get
the desired sharpness or edge. The Chakmak sharpening process is quite laborious
and time consuming. Therefore, a sharpening stone or designated sharpening
hardware is recommended for faster and better results.

How to sharpen by a file:

Caution should be taken while sharpening a kukri blade.
Hold the kukri firmly against a fix object facing the edge towards you and slightly up
(angular). Take a flat smooth file and hold in an angular position (45-60*) to the
edge. File in a to and fro movement from the notch towards the tip for several
times. Flip the blade and repeat it on the other side until the edge gets sharpened.
Forcefully filing against the blade in a steep angle will give quick results. However
over doing it may ruin the blade and its temper.
Bent Tip:
Some kukris sheath are freshly made. In order to protect it from rusting the blade is
packed separately (not tucked in) and shipped. In a case like this the blade may
pierce a hole in the packing, get exposed and thus get bent in transport. If such
happens then please follow the following steps to correct it.

Take a smooth file. Hold the kukri in an angular position facing its edge towards the
body. Position the file parallel to the floor and start filling/scrubbing to and fro from
beyond the area of bent and gently towards it (following the curve) with some
reasonable force. Use more force if required at the stiff bent section. Slightly move
the kukris angle up and down as you are filling. Make sure to cover a distance of 11.5 inches up and down from the actual bent part when filling.

Flip the knife to the other side (opposite towards the body). Follow the same steps
as above.

Some of the basic but unknown facts of the khukuri

Facts
Because of the high tension created in the blade
within the carbons while tempering (extreme
temperature variation) the edge may twist a
little. This is natural.

Solution

Do Nothing

The tip of the blade is less hardened (tempered)

to facilitate the making process (to avoid
chipping off when fixing butt cap in a straight
down position) hence it could bend/twist
slightly when struck hard. This is normal and
done intentionally, and can be fixed easily.

The inner wooden frame of the sheath while

fitting leaves a narrow gap which is later
covered by leather. Thus in carefree handling
the sharp blade may cut open the leather and
get exposed. This happens.

In most cases, the leather sheath tends to shrink

a bit and may cause difficulty in drawing in and
out - The frog may also come loose because of
this. This is natural.

See Bent Tip (above)

Carefully glue together the open cut using

some dust (iron dust recommended). Then seal
the cut area by a thick leather patch and use
duct tape around the sheath to fix it.

See Too Tight or Too Loose - Slightly lower

the frog from its position then put glue all over
in its original position in the sheath and pull
back the frog. Let is dry. OR completely take
out the frog, stick two pieces of leather patches
to the inner rounded walls of the frog and let it
dry. Put back the frog to its original position
(forcefully if needed)

The kukri edge can bent (twist) occasionally if

stroke on very hard surfaces. This is actually
good sign as this mean the temper is well
balanced (not too hard). This is fixable.

Hold the kukri firmly against a fix object

facing the edge towards you and slightly up
(angular). Take a flat rough file and file the
bent portion until it levels to the original level
of the edge. Filing is recommended in a to and
fro movement and from before the area of bent
and beyond it. Repeat it on the other side as
well. By doing this the twisted steel will come
off and the new tempered steel will expose.

Sometime the wood used in the handle can

shrink a bit due to the natural surroundings and
may expose tang (in full flat tang version). This
is natural and fixable.

Take a rough flat file and file (use some force if

necessary) the exposed tang until it comes to
the level of the shrunken wood. Once leveled,
use a smooth emery cloth (sandpaper) to scrub

both the tang and wood to further level closely

and get the finishing.