■ 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.

If anyone could make us a top quality Khukuri knife from scratch, worthy even for a Gurkha soldier, it would be him

We Forged a Khukuri Knife from Scratch ⚔

HOW TO FIND THE BLACKSMITH'S WORKSHOP
■ If you want to order your own custom made Khukuri:
Taxi from Kathmandu to Mr. Purna (blacksmith) shop
Suryabinayak 6, Pandubazar, Bhaktapur.
Tel. 9851141984 or 9808350174

LEO SHRESTHA FOUNDATION LINKS:
■ https://leonepal.org
■   / leoshresthafoundation  
■ Video about the foundation's work:    • What YOU have helped build in Nepal  

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