Handmade Hand-Forged Carbon Steel Kukri Knife with Hand-Engraved Blade, Jerusalem Cross, Wenge Wood Handle & Leather Sheath

Hand Forged Kukri Knife with Hand-Engraved Details

This handmade kukri knife is a hand-forged carbon steel blade made for collectors, outdoor users, and anyone who loves the classic curved shape of the kukri. The blade is forged by hand from carbon steel and polished bright, with the traditional inward-curving profile that widens toward the belly and ends in a sharp, pointed tip. Carbon steel is a tough, popular choice for chopping blades, and the forward-weighted shape helps deliver strong, powerful chopping strokes, while the point also makes the knife useful for finer work.

What sets this hand forged kukri knife apart is the engraving. The blade is decorated by hand with detailed scrollwork along the spine, cut line by line into the steel, and the engraving carries on across the bolster at the base of the blade. On the flat of the blade, close to the handle, a Jerusalem cross is engraved by hand as a centerpiece. Because all the engraving is done by hand, no two knives look exactly alike.

The handle is made from wenge wood, a dark, dense hardwood known for its deep brown color and fine grain, and it is shaped to fit the hand and fixed securely to the blade. The knife comes with a handmade leather sheath in a deep reddish-brown finish. The sheath is tooled with a leaf-like pattern, stitched along the edges, and fitted with a belt loop and snap buttons, so the kukri can be carried, stored, and displayed safely.

• Hand-forged carbon steel kukri blade with a polished finish
• Hand-engraved scrollwork along the blade and bolster
• Hand-engraved Jerusalem cross on the blade
• Wenge wood handle
• Handmade leather sheath, tooled and stitched, with belt loop and snap buttons

Jerusalem Cross Design and Kukri Heritage

The Jerusalem Cross and Its History

The Jerusalem cross is a Christian symbol made of one large cross surrounded by four smaller crosses. It is generally dated to the years around the First Crusade (1096 to 1099), though its exact origin is not certain. The symbol came to be linked with Godfrey of Bouillon, a leader of that Crusade, and in the second half of the 13th century it was widely used as the banner of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, whose Christian rule ended in 1291. Pilgrims continued to use the symbol after that, and today it is the main emblem of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The five crosses are read in different ways: some say they stand for the five wounds of Christ, and others say the large cross stands for Christ and the four smaller ones for the four Evangelists. On this kukri, the cross is engraved as a decorative emblem in the tradition of historic Crusader designs.

A Short History of the Kukri

The kukri is a curved knife from Nepal and is closely linked with the Gurkha soldiers. Britain first came into contact with the Gurkhas in Nepal in 1814, and their skill with the kukri was part of the reason they were later recruited into the British Army. A traditional kukri blade is often around 16 to 18 inches long and is curved, with a hard edge. The kukri has long been used as an all-round tool, for chopping and carving wood, cutting food, digging, hunting, and also for ceremonies. This knife is inspired by that classic design and is made as a collector and outdoor piece.

Care for the Blade, Handle, and Leather Sheath

Carbon steel holds a sharp edge well and is easy to sharpen, but it can rust if it is left wet. To care for the knife, wipe the blade dry after every use and apply a light coat of oil to protect the steel and the engraving. Keep the wood handle and the leather sheath away from water and extreme heat, and store the knife in its sheath in a dry place.