13″ Gurkha “Service No.1” service or British Standard Issue (BSI) kukri is identical to GI5 except for its well-polished blade and handle and its shape that is slightly modified, in fact, bettered. With GI5 soldiers had to literally polish the blade with whatever local resources were available and thus had to put a lot of time and effort to achieve the objective or the army’s high standard. But with the new British Service No.1 kukri, its already well-polished format (inbuilt), not only saved time and energy but also brought tidiness and uniformity to the kukri and uniform as a whole. A standard service issue kukri starting from the 1950’s onwards has always been a typical parade knife so the need for a shiny and smart kukri knife was a must for which soldiers did not have to worry with the Service No.1 kukri. However, the soldiers still had to work on the buffalo hide leather scabbard to make it shiny thus most were replaced by patent leather from local workshops.

The late 1980s witnessed huge production of Service No.1 kukri for military procurement. Even more production was seen in the local market to meet the ever-increasing demand for a standard service issue “high quality” British Gurkha knife. TB BK’s noble action to shine the khukuri and to better the shape won the hearts of selectors and even of the users. The khukuri then instantly stormed the military and public demand whose copy (proto) is still being used today and production still continues in thousands.

From the formation of the 1st Gurkha unit in 1814 to the Great Indian Mutiny in 1857 to the Great War in 1914-18 to the 2nd World War in 1944-45 to the Borneo Confrontation in 1962-66 to the Falklands War in 1982 Gurkhas have been issued with various types of service kukris amongst which Service No.1 is probably the most famous because its a modern day standard issue with very close ties with legendary British Gurkhas militarily and emotionally.

Besides Service No. 1’s military and historic significance and close association with the British Gurkhas, it is again a hardcore utility kukri knife that would not disappoint a hard user. Its perfect size and range, well-balanced weight, smart finishing, and effective features make it an ideal knife to use for just about anything that requires cutting. It is also THE knife for collection and for a gift due to its inseparable bond with the Gurkhas. The bond between the two is extraordinary, momentous, commendable, unique, exemplary, and encouraging.