RP Mk1 - The Great War Kukri (Batch 32 ETS Mar/Apr 23)

This is the first of the Indian Army Pattern variants, the Mk1. (The Gurkha Museum in Winchester calls this kukri the 'Great War Kukri). The handle has steel fittings, and the nut in the butt is done per the original Mk1 models, in a wooden handle. The style of kukri may well have had origins from the 8th Gurkha Rifles, who screwed a nut ontop of the handle, the sunken nut was probably taken from the 1903 style bayonet. Of all the Mk issued kukri, the Mk1 best reflects a traditionally shaped every day user kukri in Nepal. Its approximate issued dates were from 1903-1917, interestingly the title 8th Gurkhas was first used in 1903 as well. This type of kukri was used in places like the North West Frontier, Tibet (Younghusband Expedition, where an 8th Gurkha sentry fought off 12 attackers killing three with his kukri), in France in and Gallipoli in WW1.

The Tora Mk1 kukri (based on the Rawalpindi Arsenal type) generally has a 35cm long blade, with a belly of 6.5cm and a rough weight guideline of 625-700g. (The main photo shows a weight of 592g, but this was exceptionally light and weight will be roughly as per our guideline). It has a stick tang wooden handle (which has a rounded butt not flared) and comes with a military scabbard and military frogs. The 2022 version of this kukri has a much improved tapering to the blade.

Please note the MK1 does not come with the Chakmak & Karda utility knives.

Click here for video description, update with new tapering coming soon and here to see a customer using his RP Mk1.

Tora kukri are traditional handmade kukri, made in Nepal, and not the usual export and tourist kukri found on many other websites. Tora strives to make kukri to the traditional specifications as per the original models.

For an easy way to sharpen your kukri please watch this video.

We strongly recommend that the wooden parts on all kukri are treated with the appropriate oil and wood treatment prior to use.

Please note that because all of our kukri are hand-made, variances in size, weight, wood colour, chakmak & karda style etc may well occur. You must be 18 yrs and over to purchase any knife or sword.

Please note that the kukri are now sent directly from Nepal.

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