In this video we discuss our experience with Purna Darnal of The Great Gurkha Khukuri Shop and his excellent Khukuris which he hand forges in Nepal. GGK Website www.greatgurkhakhukuri.com/
Honored craftsmanship! A tradesman of his work and word! All the more respect to him and his artisans in his shop! From a US military veteran who appreciates a traditional tool made and used properly! Blessings to him and his team of skilled professionals!
I found this gentleman through Facebook, and I didn't know of his reputation. I just admired the pictures of his work, and he seemed like a genuinely good dude, so I commissioned an idea that I had for a knife. So far he has been very responsive, very easy to work with, and he has a very pleasant personality. I gave him the money, and we're currently in the process of finalizing the design. Then I found this video, so now I'm even more excited, and it looks like I won't be disappointed with my investment ☺️
I love my "proper" Nepalese kukris. I have been using them prominently in the mix of cutting tools for camping, yard work, trail maintenence, gardening, and now "Bushcraft" since about 1988. I should say "misusing" since I originally had minimal info on correct grips, techniques, and use. The first useful enlightenment came when Blackie Thomas (when he was using Black Oracle as his uTube chanel) did a series on the kukri as a bushcraft tool. I found many videos of kukris in the hands of Nepalese people, but to be honest, they are SO familiar with using them, they are just too fast to glean much other than respect for both the tool and user. Once you can break the habit of death gripping them hammer style, and learn the pinch and pinch-snap grip, they really shine, plus are MUCH less fatiguing. If you have the time, it would be fantastic to get some tutorial videos on uses and techniques. Maybe a collaboration with Purna? That would certainly one-up just about every uTube video which either shows a Nepalese trying to demonstrate what has become second nature (which is surprisingly difficult to do) or a non-Nepalese, who lacks the skill level but can demonstrate and instruct at a basic level. Regardless, I'm really pleased to find a fellow Ontarian offering Canadian-centric content of such excellent quality. Cheers!
Purna makes an awesome tool. I've cleared brush, carved hardwood, split firewood, cleaned fish, butchered ducks and more in the last year and a half, and only needed to strop the edge.
I have 110 year old khukri of my veteran grandpa, which given by his father ... it's still working & does all kinds of chopping & bushcraft jobs amazingly! I ❤love when it rings like a bell !!
@11:06 in video, Purna Darnal Bhai is Amazing craftsman in KHUKRI making.... you've chosen the right one...his khukries are what he makes from his heart....
Few years ago I received a small black dress Kukhri hand-carried from our local office as a gift after helping with some issues. At first view thinking a toy/decoration. Turns out it was a real issue dress pattern, and absolutely razor sharp. I carry a very good scar for my lack of insight. Later yet I understood the significance of the gift. From one of the finest and most proud, honourable people you will ever find and I am still humbled and honoured to have received it. Wonderful video and much appreciated. Kind regards and greetings from the Alps. C.
Purna is a great blade Smith very skilled. His custom knifes are excellent I have many khukuris made by Purna two custom Bowie knifes a Nepalese copos very well made all have very good heat-treated Al raser sharp Sheaths very well made if a good khukuri purna is the man to make it
He is a master. And a very nice & helpful man. I have a kukri I bought in an antique shop, from a home clearance. I knew it was a real one, ( I'm a butcher & knife collector) I contacted him on Facebook, & asked if I sent him pictures of mine, could he tell me anything about it. And he researched the dates on the coins decorating the sheet. And was able too tell the it was around 25 to 30 years old. And looking closely & I had told him iv already used it in the slaughter house & how sharp it was & held a very good edge. That it's 100% a real and usability heat treated knife. And when I've got some spare cash, I will be getting a full tang version from him. I think that I would trust my survival to one of his kukri's no problem.
My Panawal Kukri from GGK just arrived today. My decision was largely because of this vid. Thanks to your vid i finally have an authentic and reliable Kukri from Nepal. 🤙
I bought an 8 inch Panawal from GGK and it is an amazing tool. I think they took your idea of the larger Karda handle for full grip for his blades so thanks for that. I am thinking about getting a Service or Balance longer kukri now as well. I like the smaller 8 inch blade, but the stock is extremely thick, which makes for a good chopper/splitter, but I think I want a more light/long machete style blade as well.
Very nice! I can’t believe the price on yours. Not a “sheath,” but a scabbard. Sheaths are just leather. Wood scabbards can split so you need to keep your fingers away from the inside curve of the outside of the scabbard, holding only the spine of the scabbard to draw the blade. Wood is typically rosewood or Nepali oak, called satisal. Panawal (or Chiruwa) indicates the pinned full tang handle. The only downside to a panawal design is it will transmit more vibration to your hand when you chop than will a traditional hidden tang with only a keeper on the pommel, but of course it is stronger. Most are covered with black Buffalo hide. Most Kardas are smaller and somewhat ornamental, not sharpened that well, and often not heat treated, so you’re lucky you got one that is actually sharp and can actually be used. The Chakmak blades are basically a burnisher, used for smoothing out nicks and dents, not for sharpening. These Kamis are artists. Khukuries are typically measured in OAL from tip to buttcap. If it’s a 10.5” blade it’s probably about a 16” OAL. At just over 1 oz per inch yours is fairly light, but I’m sure well balanced. I hope to get one of Purna’s blades to add to my collection. Thanks for a thorough and well done review! 👍
I appreciate your support for a traditional Kukri from Nepal by going straight to the source. That’s cool. My tools go from the garage to the pickup truck bed/toolbox and back again. Sometimes they stay out quite a long time in wet/frozen weather. I had to spring for a Condor Kukri with a kydex sheath (takes a great deal of abuse). Thanks for the informative video and the pictures, it was a super learning experience. Peace Be The Journey!
I'm getting a knife from these guys as well. By coincidence before I seen this video. I hope my experience is good too. Shout out from the other side of canada in BC. Have a great summer
Awesome. Excellent video and kukri knife. I have one made in India. Full tang 5160 steel modified leather cow sheet to use in the jungle. Original ones doesn't last longer in high humidity environment. Now it works very well tested in Venezuelan Jungle's. Gracias por el video.
I have a Khukuri from Khukuri House Thamel with a 12 inch blade. Yes its a tad heavy, but that makes chopping much easier. I just use my arm to aim the knife. Very nice sized blade.
Bought one, love it. I used your "OshawaBushcraft " name when I purchased. They sent a 10.5 inch Kukri with the longer Karda and Chakmak and a whole drilled in the handle. Very pleased.
Just to add to my last comment , it is worth bearing in mind that with certain khukuris they need to be well balanced in the manufacturing process so when I order a khukuri I nearly always insist on a hollow grind in the blade and this helps to reduce the weight and give a nice balance when using the khukuri in a practical situation . My Darnell does a beautifull job of doing this also .
I mostnprobably will try this cie. For people looking for other shops, Himalayan Imports and Tora Blades are also good. For fellow Canadians, avoid horn handles in the cold...
I have a Gurkha Khukuri made in Nepal I bought around 10 years ago. I keep it in my truck. It is so sharp it cut right through the sheath as I was putting it back in. I'll try to make a better sheath.
Great video. Was thinking of getting a khukri and have been looking around for one. I am definitely going to look at the website to see if i find one i like👍.
That's great craftsmanship I always wanted one but didn't want a store bought imitation what you got is the real thing only difference I'd ask for a 12in blade I got a 12in Ontario got a sheath made for with a pocket sewn on for a 6in flat file for sharpening the 1095 carbon steel blade keeps a good edge
I have been using actual Nepalese made khukuri for a few years now and I have to say that I prefer the Mark 5 style peened tang over the full flat. My experience is North Central Alberta. The khukuri blade is the only one I consider almost the equal of a good hatchet, actually it's better in a few uses.
I’ve had my reservations on the khukuri but a few years ago I gave them a shot and If I didn’t all ready have the TOPS Bushcrafter Kukuri , I’m temped on getting another one 🤪the problem with collecting knives you want to use them all but can’t take them all out with you.
8:30 you got a free gift for your group. Still, that's more "good business for an event" than a gift. 😁 Very nice: video of forging, mentioning costs changing over time (!), details of...possibly unexpected issues. It's like owning an older, simpler roadster: not without a downside, can you deal with that?
Definitely khukriman can kill to the sword person in battle if he gets chance in a moment with the devine power. Really it is amazing weapon and need in present time to fight like talibanism thought. Thanks
I ordered a kukuri from the Great Gurkha kukuri house. The model described as a "fighting knife". I got it last week. I trained in edged weapons for years. This kukuri is impressive. I ordered a kukuri from Kalish? I know I spelled it wrong. I should have it in January/ February.
@@bruceleroy8063 Ft Williams Mk1. I got the 15" blade, acid washed performance edge and a black micarta handle. It's a beast! It turned out exactly what I wanted. Ordered another one. The Falo, 13" blade, standard edge with a leather handle. Probably be a couple months till I see it.
I have a few Khukuris from Nepal from different producers. Never was interested in "fancy" and decorated examples, but the regular battle proven Gurkha knives. I have Khukuris in three differnt weights. ~ 500 gramm, ~ 600 gramm and ~ 800 gramm. Handles are made from black horn or wood. I´m very happy with all my examples. If there is one little question with the 5160 steel, it is NOT that you have to keep it oiled, but the hardening process of the steel.. Maybe one of you know something about it. In the videos you mostly see nothing of the hardening. Oil or water? Different on the spine and the cutting edge?
I have one that I got from my godfather. He got it from a cousin who fought in a war, I believe Vietnam. I don't know the history of the knife. I wonder how I can find out about this particular knife. It's definitely handmade and probably not a mass produced piece. Such an awesome knife.
I would very much like to add my own comments and indeed praises for Mr Purna Darnell Blacksmith and owner of Great Gurkha Khukuris . First of all I own a small number of khukuris as well as many other styles and types of knives . I consider myself reasoably knowledgable regarding knives in general as Ive owned and used them in bushcraft / survival environments since I was eight years of age and I am 63 now . In the past I have also made my own Scandi style knives so have a good idea of what constitutes a good quality knife and blade . I recently had two semi customised Khukuris made by Mr Darnell to my own specifications and I have to say without any doubt his build quality , fit and finish , balance and overall skills in making a great khukuri is unsurpassed in my opinion . If you are after not just a heavy overbuilt genuine Nepalese Khukuri then try GGK and talk via facebook with Purna and I guarantee you will not be dissapointed . One thing to bare in mind is sometimes a little is lost in the English translation with Mr Darnell , so make everything plain and simple when telling him what you require .
It’s called the Choi & It’s a religious symbol as the religion in Nepal is Hinduism, as to what is symbolises it changes on who you talk to. Some say it a cows hoof, another something relating to the moon & finally something to do with the goddess shiva. However, when a Gurkha Soldier is on deployment they,ll often state it used to prick their finger to draw blood. As a once drawn a Kukri cannot be re-scabbard with out tasting blood. It’s a way to intimidate the enemy. That tactic proved successful in the Falklands and Afghan, as when the enemy found out they were up against a platoon of Gurkhas they simply ran away...
That notch is to avoid the blood dripping down the blade to come in contact of the grip, as if it does one would get a slippery grip that would prové fatal during combat. There is nothing religious it is for practical purpose
Respect for these knives !!! My dad gave me one when I was a teenager !!! It got stolen when I left for the army !!!! It would be awesome to get another one !!! How do I get information to contact him !!!!
Hi Robert. You can order with the web form on the GGK website. If you want to talk to Purna you can find him in the Oshawa Bushcraft Facebook group, on WhatsApp number @ +9779840073624, or by email: purnaj21@gmail.com
Well the email listed on GGK website does NOT exist and bounces back "Address not found". It even has a misspelling but the correct spelling address also does not work. How did you contact Purna?
Quá tuyệt vời bạn ơi, tôi cũng có cùng đam mê, và tự thiết kế những con dao để cung cấp cho khách hàng của tôi, nhưng thi thoảng tôi vẫn xem kênh youtube của bạn từ đó đã học hỏi thêm được nhiều điều, rất tuyệt vời, xin chúc công việc của bạn sẽ ngày càng phát triển. Nếu có thể hãy giao lưu và giúp đỡ nhau để thành công hơn nữa b nhé
I had a WW2 nepali kukri passed on to me from my father whom he received from his gurkha soldier friend. I used it for many years as a garden tool and occasionally on campung trips. Once I managed to acquire a KLO (kukri like object) which in my opinion is a total crap.
A Kukri from Nepal that is BSI (British Standard Issue) or BAS (British Army Standard) (aka Mk V) is around $70 munitions grade to $120 parade grade. The Condor kukri he mentions (a kukri shaped object) is $200-300. So if he paid $200+ I question the sanity of the order given the smith is clearly in India and not Nepal.