Large Kukri Knife with Leather Scabbard and Hardwood and Brass Hilt (Damaged)

The Nepali kukri (khukuri) knife is best known for its use by the Royal Gurka Rifles, but this domestic one is more of a utility knife, used for primarily for cutting crops and clearing bush. It is also used in cooking, digging, woodworking, and for ceremonial purposes. 
 
This was probably bought in the late 1960s when our parents spent 18 months in Nepal. We believe the hilt is hardwood, with brass detailing. The sheath is a form of animal hide with stitching up one side, a metal tip, a strap, and a pocket which we do believe has paper for fire starting in the outside pocket, and at least one tool in the two pockets for karda and chakmak  (we can feel something but the pocket is so tight we did not want to cause damage trying to get it or the paper out). 
 
The blade itself has a traditional notch at the base of the blade.
 
We have not attempted to polish it. You will see it does need a cleaning. The hilt has tape on it, for reasons we are unsure about. We leave it to a buyer to discover why it is taped and what is in the pockets on the scabbard.
 
L 15.5” sheathed (we unsheathed it only for photos and for superstitious reasons, would rather not unsheathe it again unless required)
1lb 1 oz
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.