A Real Forging Experience at Everest Forge, Kathmandu
Yesterday I spent a whole day at Everest Forge's workshop in Kathmandu, learning how to make a kukri (the traditional Gorkha dagger) from scratch.
We started from a piece of steel taken from an old truck leaf spring. It was cut, heated in the forge, and then hammered on the anvil to shape the blade.
Doing it yourself makes you realize how physical the process is: timing, technique and strength matter much more than you’d expect.Step by step, the rough piece of metal began to look like a kukri. After that came grinding and polishing, refining the edge and smoothing the surface.
I also helped to shape the handle, made from very sturdy sal wood. It’s shaped to fit the hand and attached in a very straightforward, functional way.
At the end, we made a few chakmak, traditional fire strikers used with a hard stone (like flint) to create sparks: in Nepal it was used until not very long ago, while in Europe it hasn't been in use for two centuries. Same idea: simple tools, made with basic materials, but effective.
The blacksmiths were very open and patient throughout the whole process. They showed each step slowly, corrected my mistakes, and let me try things myself rather than just demonstrating. There was no rush, just a steady rhythm of work and small adjustments.
Even without sharing much language, it was easy to understand each other through gestures and practice. By the end, it felt less like watching a craft and more like being included in it.
What stayed with me is how direct the whole process is. Scrap metal, fire, hammer, and time—that’s it. And at the end, you’re holding something you helped make from start to finish.
It's definitely not a touristic experience, also quite physically demanding, but something very unique to do in Kathmandu.
Experience Traditional Kukri Forging
At Everest Forge, we continue to preserve traditional Nepalese blacksmithing methods that have been passed down through generations. Every kukri is made using time-tested techniques, starting from raw steel and shaped entirely by hand.
If you're interested in owning a hand forged kukri or even creating your own, explore our collection or get in touch for a custom forging experience.
Written by Stefano F Bernoni, Travel Guide from Italy
Learn to Forge Your Own Kukri in Nepal
Step into the workshop of Everest Forge and experience real blacksmithing. Work with fire, hammer, and steel to create your own kukri from scratch under the guidance of skilled Nepalese craftsmen.
This is not a tourist activity — it’s a hands-on forging experience where you become part of the craft.
Explore the Learn to Forge Program
