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http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=123499&a=1048671&p=16806415&Sequence=0
Well, here's the first of the secret projects -- the BirGorkha Everest Katana. It is 35 inches overall -- blade 25 and handle 10. I'd guess it is maybe 3/16 thick and would guess the weight at maybe one to 1.5 pounds. I didn't have scales or mics available at BirGorkha but it was faithfully reproduced from a pre 1864 katana supplied by Jim March. It will come with a wood wrapped in water buffalo leather sheath with loops for traditional carry.
You will notice the handle is far from traditional. Kumar and Bura collaborated on this handle and wanted to show all of you their version of how the handle should be. They agreed, however, to make any type handle you preferred if you did not like this one. I told them I did not think this handle would be well received but did not want to squelch the great innovations and creativity I saw displayed on a daily basis in BirGorkha so told them to go right ahead with their idea. If we modify the handle to our own tastes and needs Kumar and Bura will understand and do their best to give us what we want.
The man holding the sword in the top pix is Sgt. Karka, a 35 year veteran of Nepal Army service. He is a guy who gets things done. I believe here we would call him an expeditor. He is still on active duty but wants to retire to work full time at BirGorkha. He is so valuable to the Nepal Army they give him as much leave as he wants so he works about 1/3 to 1/2 time at BirGorkha and still receives full army pay.
The fellow in the bottom pix is Kumar, maker of long khukuris and swords. He is about 25 years old and has a dozen years experience. He is the major producer at BirGorkha. He works long hours and stays very busy. He has three helpers which he keeps busy and pays from his own wages. I suspect he is the highest paid kami in Nepal. He earns about five times as much as a degreed school teacher and I predict he will become one of the best kamis in Nepal. He asks the old master kamis many questions and will ask for them to demonstrate techniques. He listens and learns quickly. He is intelligent and creative and a very nice young man. I rate him as a full fledged journeyman and I hold him in high regard.
What looks like a blade that Kumar is holding is not. It is a profile cut from 1/32 glavanized sheet and will serve as a profile for future models. Every knife made at BirGorkha has a profile like this hanging on the wall with notes or codes written on the metal regarding thickness, fullering, etc., so that an identical blade can be reproduced from the profile.
There are two of these experimental models which should be getting to the US by April, I'd guess. Jim March gets number one. Broken Arrow is very familiar with sword testing so I have decided to send him number two for testing and evaluation. This is a new venture and the kamis may need some input on exactly how they should modify manufacturing techniques to achieve the desired end product. I'm depending on Jim and Broken Arrow to supply this information. I have high hopes that the first two may need only minor adjustment.
When I described how the Japanese sworkmakers use a mud wrap during the hardening process the kamis were not in the least surprised and answered, "sometimes we use that method ourselves."
High hopes.
We will see how this venture ends up but it ain't a secret anymore.
Ideas, input, comments? All welcome.
PS: See the bulletin board on the shop wall in the background? All customers who sent pix are up there.
------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 02-23-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 03-03-2000).]
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=123499&a=1048671&p=16806415&Sequence=0
Well, here's the first of the secret projects -- the BirGorkha Everest Katana. It is 35 inches overall -- blade 25 and handle 10. I'd guess it is maybe 3/16 thick and would guess the weight at maybe one to 1.5 pounds. I didn't have scales or mics available at BirGorkha but it was faithfully reproduced from a pre 1864 katana supplied by Jim March. It will come with a wood wrapped in water buffalo leather sheath with loops for traditional carry.
You will notice the handle is far from traditional. Kumar and Bura collaborated on this handle and wanted to show all of you their version of how the handle should be. They agreed, however, to make any type handle you preferred if you did not like this one. I told them I did not think this handle would be well received but did not want to squelch the great innovations and creativity I saw displayed on a daily basis in BirGorkha so told them to go right ahead with their idea. If we modify the handle to our own tastes and needs Kumar and Bura will understand and do their best to give us what we want.
The man holding the sword in the top pix is Sgt. Karka, a 35 year veteran of Nepal Army service. He is a guy who gets things done. I believe here we would call him an expeditor. He is still on active duty but wants to retire to work full time at BirGorkha. He is so valuable to the Nepal Army they give him as much leave as he wants so he works about 1/3 to 1/2 time at BirGorkha and still receives full army pay.
The fellow in the bottom pix is Kumar, maker of long khukuris and swords. He is about 25 years old and has a dozen years experience. He is the major producer at BirGorkha. He works long hours and stays very busy. He has three helpers which he keeps busy and pays from his own wages. I suspect he is the highest paid kami in Nepal. He earns about five times as much as a degreed school teacher and I predict he will become one of the best kamis in Nepal. He asks the old master kamis many questions and will ask for them to demonstrate techniques. He listens and learns quickly. He is intelligent and creative and a very nice young man. I rate him as a full fledged journeyman and I hold him in high regard.
What looks like a blade that Kumar is holding is not. It is a profile cut from 1/32 glavanized sheet and will serve as a profile for future models. Every knife made at BirGorkha has a profile like this hanging on the wall with notes or codes written on the metal regarding thickness, fullering, etc., so that an identical blade can be reproduced from the profile.
There are two of these experimental models which should be getting to the US by April, I'd guess. Jim March gets number one. Broken Arrow is very familiar with sword testing so I have decided to send him number two for testing and evaluation. This is a new venture and the kamis may need some input on exactly how they should modify manufacturing techniques to achieve the desired end product. I'm depending on Jim and Broken Arrow to supply this information. I have high hopes that the first two may need only minor adjustment.
When I described how the Japanese sworkmakers use a mud wrap during the hardening process the kamis were not in the least surprised and answered, "sometimes we use that method ourselves."
High hopes.
We will see how this venture ends up but it ain't a secret anymore.
Ideas, input, comments? All welcome.
PS: See the bulletin board on the shop wall in the background? All customers who sent pix are up there.
------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 02-23-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 03-03-2000).]
