Harald Baldr

Harald & Kumar Forge Khukuri w/Blacksmith (2023)

BHAKTAPUR, NEPAL: The Kukri knife, which is actually more akin to a sword despite Nepalis usually preferring to call it by the former, is Nepal's national weapon. It's also one of the most difficult knives to make due to it distinctive curved shape said to mimic the mountains of Nepal's Himalayan mountain range. Finding a blacksmith who not only knows how to make one, but uses the best and strongest materials thus ensuring you'll end up with a top quality knife, was no easy task. Half a year ago I failed doing so. This time in Nepal I tried again. The first blacksmiths we visited were using old melted down bicycle wheels and melted down scrap metal to make their knives leading to a low quality product. By chance, with only 3 days left in Nepal, my friend stumbled upon Mr. Purna from Bhojpure's workshop, whose grandfather once made a knife for the King of Nepal and who taught him the tricks of the blacksmithing trade.