kukris,
It has occurred to me that my "full kit" of silver ornamented kukri and skinning knives in a scabbard might have been intended for the tourist traffic rather than serious use. As far as I remember, I bought it in some bazar around '43 for a (haggled down to) Rs20, which was good money at the time. I suppose that I'd been "done" (as you always were).
The idea was that it would help to cut our way through the jungle if we had to bale out and walk home. In 'op' attire, it rode on my R. hip (on the other side was the .38 S&W). Luckily the VV cockpit was enormous. Yes, I think a machete would have been a better idea, but anyway, as it happened, the need didn't arise.
Danny.
PS:
harrym, good to hear from you
(when one of our 90+ brigade goes quiet, you worry a bit). D.