Jim, I think you're a good guy. I think you're entitled to your opinion obviously. I also think you are comparing Sebenzas to HI khukuris. I have a bunch of them; way more than 14. I have had some duds for sure. I agree that the scabbards can be rough, and could be thinner, but I also don't know of anyone who has really extensively carried one of these in the standard scabbard. Most folks will get an aftermarket sheath made if they are going to carry it a lot.
I also think there could be improvements in the chape; other manufacturers seem to have that down a bit better, smaller and more solid. And overall scabbard fit at times could be better. As far as the knives, the blades on mine have been uniformly excellent. The handles have been fine overall. Again, every once in a while one could have been done better, but I sincerely don't see this all the time. I am an anal SOB, and crooked handle rings or sloppy work irritates me no end. But I usually don't find that. It's already sold, but look at the antler BDC I sold on the Exchange. That is a beautiful little knife. I just sold an 18" 27 oz. Villager AK, for $85, which is almost exactly what I paid Uncle Bill. It is one hell of a workhorse. It has an excellent tough blade and a horn handle and will last forever. That's not worth $85? I can't even get a 2" neck knife from some US makers for that! The ones that I have etched show tempering at least along the sweet spot and tip, where most of the work is going to be done.
I do have a huge investment in HI knives Jim, but I'm not a complete dumbass, OK? I have custom knives easily worth $800-$1000 each, but I still buy HI. Do you suppose that after the first 50 knives if I thought they were all crap that I would continue to buy them? Give me some credit, OK? I think I would have hesitated pouring good $ after bad.
I sincerely wish you the best. I _know_ from seeing your purchases on the Exchange that you have a flawless taste in knives, but comparing Kumar's hand work on a tiny anvil in the dirt to Chris Reeve is unfair. If you want to unload your 14 knives to finance more high-end stuff, then by all means do so, but you are hurting your own selling position by running them down; but obviously you know that. Why would I be interested in buying any of those knives now if you have a run of bad ones? Is it your contention that our judgement and taste is so bad, that we will snap up what you consider junk? (Hell, maybe you're right! That 24.5" 45 oz. Neem GS was a fun looking knife. I'll give you $100 for the POS, OK?
In any case, if you had some that did not fit your hand or were poorly done I think you should have taken advantage of the no BS HI warranty and asked HI to make it right for you. I know for a fact that Yangdu would not have balked at making it right with you.
You live very close by to me, and you are more than welcome to stop by any time and examine my knives. I would be happy to meet you and show you some of the best of HI. The bottom line IMO is that if HI is junk, then all khukuri knives coming out of Nepal are as well.
At least that's what I think!
Regards to you and best of luck.
Norm