Language: Nepali
Source: A 1931 dictionary
Description
Karda (कर्द) is the Nepali word for a small utility knife that was traditionally carried in the scabbard of a khukurī.1
The term comes from the Persian word kard (کرد), meaning "knife". A typical khukurī carries one, but some carry two of them in their scabbards.
Karda typically follow a similar construction as their parent khukurī, with wood, horn, bone, silver or ivory hilts and a metal bolster. The blades are usually more straight than khukurī.
Other items typically stored in the khukurī scabbard alongside the main knife are:
Khisā (खिसा); a small purse for carrying tinder, called jhulo (झुलो), literally meaning "fiber".
Cakmak (चक्मक्); a fire striker / sharpening steel.
A fine khukurī with two wood hilted karda.
Sold by Mandarin Mansion in 2020.
A pair of ivory hilted karda with silver bolsters, matching the construction of their parent khukurī.
Author's collection.
A fine mutiny era khukurī with two wood hilted karda.
Sold by Mandarin Mansion in 2020.
Silver hilted karda and cakmak in the scabbard of a kothimora khukurī.
Sold by Mandarin Mansion in 2020.
Further study
For a complete overview of khukurī terminology, see my article: A Nepalese khukurī glossary.
Notes
1. Sir Ralph Lilley Turner; A comparative and etymological dictionary of the Nepali language. London: K. Paul, Trench, Trubner, 1931.
