The blade is made from the springs of decommissioned cars: it is sharpened at various angles and hardened in zones (the blade is softer at the butt than at the edge of the blade); the handle of the knife is carved from ivory. Each element of kukri has not only practical, but a symbolic meaning as well. For example, the fuller at the butt is called the “Shiva Sword”; it gives the knife the power of the god Shiva’s weapon. The rings on the handle ensure a good grip of a kukri by a wet hand and symbolize the levels of the universe. The blade with a variable sharpening angle gives maximum efficiency in chopping, cutting and stabbing strokes and symbolizes the Sun and the Moon, being the traditional symbols of Nepal. The recess on the blade near the handle is called cho, which usually means the Shiva’s trident, a symbol of the power of this god. Another form of cho is the “footprint of a cow”, a symbol of the goddess Kali. The practical aim of cho is to prevent formation of cracks and chips of the blade at the handle. The metal finial on the head of the handle symbolizes the all-seeing eye of God; in practical terms, it covers the tip of the blade shank. Wide wooden scabbard with floral ornaments have two compartments.
Kukri (khukri), khakma and karda.
Nepal ,
9-10.06.1958
МЗСБ КП 7594/1-4 П 840-843
kukri: 59.5 x 6.5 x 3.9 cm; scabbard: 49.5 x 9.3 x 4.9 cm; card: 17.2 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm; hakma: 12.4 x 2.2 x 1.3cm
metal, bone, wood, forging, carving, assembly
Kukri (khukri), a Nepali combat knife with a scabbard, karda is a Nepali knife for small jobs, khakma is the crutch for kukri (khukri) and karda. A gift from Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, the King of Nepal, in memory of a visit to Stalingrad on 09 - 10.06.1958.
See also
Medal “30 Years of Independence of Laos.”
Laos ,
01.03.1976
Medal “30 Years of Independence of Laos.”
A gift from the Lao PDR delegation invited to the 25th CPSU Congress
Plaque with a picture of fans on a stand
Japan ,
09.09.1955
Plaque with a picture of fans on a stand
Plaque with a picture of fans on a stand. A gift to the Stalingrad City Council from the Japanese parliamentary delegation visiting Stalingrad on 09.09.1955.
Badge with the emblem of the General Trade Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA)
Algeria ,
13.09.1964
Badge with the emblem of the General Trade Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA)
A gift from the delegation of the trade union of workers of education and culture of Algeria to the Museum of Defense of Tsaritsyn - Stalingrad. UGTA – Union générale des travailleurs Algériens (The General Union of Algerian Workers)