2019 BSI Service Kukri (Current Issue)

Own the famous current issue Gurkha Knife of the legandary British Gurkhas .. << 2018/2019 official issue >>

What is BSI ?
It means British Standard Issue. The ones that is obtained through official open tender, well inspected and approved by army officers from BGN (British Gurkhas Nepal) for its usage. No sort of any stamping or engraving is done these days unlike the old ones.

These are the current service issue of British Gurkhas for the year 2018-19. Service No.1 is a parade and duty knife where as Service No.2 is a fight and field knife (training, combat) provided to each new recruit by the British Army. In mid 2018 BGN (British Gurkhas Nepal) announced an open tender of 545 pcs of kukris for the new intakes. The annual tender was for 2 kukri knives and a cap badge for 265 new recruits. “BSI 2019 (Current Issue)” is the exact reproduced version of the original, in fact betterly and more strongly made by KHHI Nepal for public procurement. Both the kukris are pretty much the same as the last year’s having almost same dimensions. 

After the official system of issuing 2 kukris for one soldier started from early 2000, all the models have been very identical except for little minor detail in shape, size and weight. This is probably due to the knife being 100% handmade. The history of these knives can be briefly studied in this LINK.

Kukri Making >> All service kukris are made from High Carbon (HC) 5160 steel supplied by scrape shops. The makers (Kamis) bring the right size steel needed to make the kukri and then the making process begins. It normally takes about 2-3 days to make a single kukri (blade+handle). Forging and hammering is a team work of at least 3 kamis in which the basic shape is forged out in a forge furnace. Then the main maker single handedly completes the knife from tip to toe in raw format (phase). After this the machinery process of finishing the kukri takes place which is done by another expert kami designated for the job. He is called a “Finisher” whose job is the give finishing (polishing) to the raw kukri prepared by the main kami, from raw to refine. To see the traditional way of making please click THE MAKING.


Usage / Know both kukris >>

BSI 2019 (Service #1; Full Polished with Shiny Patent Leather Sheath) is objected for duty, parade and ceremonial events only. It is a dressed knife that a Gurkha carries in his belt when he is on duty, on guard, in parade drill and in special army events. It is always worn in the center back of the waist. The kukri and sheath both have to be highly maintained for cleanliness and shininess. It is regularly inspected by senior officers in an army event called “Khukuri JaanchPass” where soldier draw out the blade and submits the blade to the inspector.

BSI 2019 (Service #2; Unpolished with Dull Leather Sheath) has its blade identical to no.1 except it is fully unpolished objected for rough and tough usage. It is what we call as the "Fight and Field Knife". A Gurkha carries the kukri for training, exercise, in jungle and even in war. The knife is mostly worn in the right side of the waist. Sometimes soldiers camouflage the sheath by an army green coarse fabric. This to conceal the kukri into nature and also to protect the khukuri from rough carriage. BSI service #2 kukri can also be replaced by other models preferred by the carrier but on his own. 


FREE items >>
1. Gurkha Regimental Poster: 35.5 x 25.5 cm displaying all regimental cap badges of Gurkhas (post 1947)
2. Nepali national cap: The prestigious nepal cap (topi). This is the bhaadgaule version
3. Famous Cross Kukri Cap/Hat Badge
4. Iconic Gurkha Badge that is wearable (Gurkha hat over Kukri blade)
5. Locally made and very famous "Sancho" herbal healing oil for cold, cough, rheumatism, stuffy nose, fatigue, bodyache, muscular ache, headache, neuralgia, sprain, itching, cut and bruises

NOTE

Price is for ONLY 1 kukri. Please mention which one in YOUR MESSAGE field in CHECKOUT page if you have bought only 1 piece. To buy both make quantity 2. 5 x FREE items with each kukri (see the list above).