13.5″ World War II Gurkha Issue 3 (GI3) Khukuri | Kukri

This is 13.5″ World War II Gurkha Issue 3 (GI3) khukuri (also pronunced as khukri or kukri by most people with non-Nepalese accent). This is the heavy duty working replica version of the kukri carried by Gurkhas in hand-to-hand combat in the Jungle of Burma during the 2nd World War. It is a historic Kukri. This khukuri originated in Nepal but later was imitated and used by the Indian Gurkha army.

This World War era khukuri which was later imitated by Indian Gurkha army in Dehradun, a city in north-western India, is also known as Dehradune Khukuri. The 13.5 inch World War II Gurkha Issue 3 (GI3) Khukuri was so popular among Indian Gurkha army personnel that Nepal could not meet the increasing demand. Hence India started producing them in Dehradun itself. This is how it got its other name i.e Dehradune Khukuri.

The blade of this 13.5 inch World War II Gurkha Issue 3 (GI3) Khukuri is heavier and more curved then the current kukris issued to Gurkhas. This World War era khukuri (kukri) has one of the most beautifully shaped blade due to the more curved design of the front part of the blade. This khukuri is slightly larger than the ones currently issued to Gurkhas. The larger & heavier blade of this khukuri makes it a perfect tool for use in the farm or in the jungle for heavy cutting, chopping or clearing bushes & foliage.

The notch (kaura or kaudi) in the blade near the hilt of most khukuris as in this one serves as conduit for the blood on the blade to drip out, thus preventing it from soiling the hilt. This notch also acts as a hook for catching and neutralizing an enemy blade during hand-to-hand combat.