Who makes the best Kukri in Nepal?

Behind every Kukri blade are the unsung heroes, the community of people who have been doing this work for centuries. The Kaami and the Bishwokarma communities in Nepal are the expert metalcraft workers, who forge these legendary blades and all other tools used in the everyday life of the Nepalese.

Kami and Bishwokarma Make Kukri

Nepal is a multicultural and multiethnic country, and many races or castes of people coexist here. The Bishwokarma and Kami community is one of them. Historically, they are the expert metalcraft worker and they share a centuries-old heritage of making weapons and tools of all kinds. They use traditional tools and hours of manual labor to make tools like Kukris and more.

Making Kukri is not just a profession for them; it is a sacred art and part of who they are. Their ancestral knowledge of forging steel into a Kukri blade is passed down from one generation to another. It is not written in any textbook, but learnt through extensive manual labor that goes into this craftwork.

The Saarki Community for Leatherworks

Another community of Nepal, called the Saarki, is responsible for all the leatherworks. The Kukri sheaths are made by them following the traditional method of preparing leather from wild buffalo.

What makes a quality and authentic Kukri?

We have already answered who makes the best Kukri and the lineage of craftsmanship communities from Nepal. Now, let’s explore the specifications of the most authentic and handmade Kukris in detail. Generally, most of the Kukris are made to the following specs:

Blade size: 10/12/15 inches

Handle length: 5/7 inches

Blade steel: 5160

Handle material: Rosewood/Horn

Sheath: Water Buffalo Leather

Thickness of spine: Around 8-11 mm

Edge grinding: Semi Convex

Edge hardness: 55/57 HRC

Blade grinding: Hollow

Blade finishing: Polished

Handle finishing: Polished

With or without: Karda (small knife) and Chakmak (sharpener)

Note: While most of the Kukris from our shop have these qualities, for specifications of each one, please visit their respective product pages.

The Legend of Kukri Strength

There is a legend that the Kukri has never broken in any battle and ever. There is a truth to some extent, as the Kukri is a big piece of blade, weighing anywhere from 600 grams to a few kilograms. The steel used is heat-treated and beaten repeatedly to strengthen the blade. The blade thickness is anywhere from 8-11 mm.

The Role of Yuna Handicrafts

Yuna Handicrafts sells handcrafted goods of supreme quality and ethically crafted. All of the items at Yuna Handicrafts are created by Nepalese craftsmen who are skilled and committed. We also provide a work environment where craftspeople can succeed and positively impact their lives. We are conserving Nepal’s indigenous people’s creative history via our efforts. In addition, the firm seeks to promote the works of artisans in Nepal.

Conclusion

The Kami and Bishwokarma community in Nepal makes the best Kukri. Most of the Kukri you get from the Nepali vendors are made by this community of people. At Yuna Handicrafts, we collaborate with the local community for our authentic handmade Kukris. If you are looking for a Nepalese-made made authentic Nepalese-made Kukri blade, we have an extensive collection.