[SGII] Ghurka Pipers - military trivia for the day

> Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 14:26:21 -0000

Throughout their history, the Gurkhas have developed an impressive close
combat reputation. There are all kinds of anecdotal stories, from various wars
they've been involved in, of the Gurkhas seemingly enjoying being "up close
and personal".

The Kukri is used for a variety of purposes, though. It is also a general
purpose edged tool, used for cutting wood, chopping meat, even carving. Since
it's used in "everyday life" by the Nepalese, most boys get one as a young
boy, and they're expert in its use by the time they get to the age when they
can volunteer for military service.

The British Army only issues "ceremonial" use Kukris for wearing with parade
dress. The field versions are supplied by the Gurkhas themselves. Many use
weapons that are "family heirlooms" with a long history.

I own two Kukris, and they're fearsome weapons (well, at least to look
at -
I certainly haven't actually *used* one...)

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

> On Tue, 26 Jun 2001 adrian.johnson@sympatico.ca wrote:

> >Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 14:26:21 -0000

I think a terror effect is therefore deserved, piper or no.

I'm also a bit wary about making 'magical instruments' GW-style out of
bagpipes etc.

Cheers,

> At 3:39 PM -0400 6/26/01, adrian.johnson@sympatico.ca wrote:

Not that I've studied knife fighting that much (more than your average civie
though I guess) but looking at the subject some time back I came to a few
revalations with regards to purpose made fighting weapons.

The extra mass and shape makes the very effective for a solid chopping motion.
The way that the edge is shaped certainly makes them
good at a slice/chop action on that down swing.

When you compare a short sword and a kukri to the traditional bayonet, the
kukri and sword seem to have more close in utility due to the additional
chopping power. Its not unlike a moderate sized machete with a much thicker
blade.