Pipey, Please take care with that "all" brush. We're not "all" any particular thing on this forum. Not "all" posters had a problem with this gent and not "all" yearn for khukuris named for themselves (I like old military and old village models [Thank you, Rod.]). As for me, I reserve judgment. Some self-proclaimed experts actually are experts. I ran into a DI at Camp Pendleton in 1960 who announced he was a "pretty good shot." Turned out he was the No. 1 sniper in the Corps. Mr. Hengle may turn out to be a real wealth of knowledge on matters khukuri, but I'd like hear from someone who's seen him "shoot," so to speak.
Thank you Mr. Linton, I very much agree with you and said with much more "courtesy" then I would have. edited to add. I think that you did the right thing Rusty and I think that you will get alot of support from others.
For my $.02 worth, this guy is a troll and a blowhard. He comes in here badmouthing HI's kami's like Bura, Sher, etc and doesn't even know what kind of work they do. He is looking for a market. It is all about money, period. He is trying to grab a piece of HI's market that was built on years of great product and service. So he's a gurka expert? Right, and I'm an ex-astronaut/ranger/seal/green beret/ninja mall warrior. Goodbye and good riddance, I say. Semp
I gotta say that I throw my hat in with Rusty on this one. While Sirupati had some interesting insights and posts, I questioned his appropriateness in coming to another company's forum and touting his competing line of product. I just felt that in some way he was in the wrong place talking/advertising to the extent that he was. I think that the comparing of his line and Uncle Bill's line here on the HI forum was somewhat gauche. It should have been left to email exchanges between interested parties. But I think that it was more of a social gaffe that picked up momentum rather than a malicious business tactic. Personally, I would like to hear from him some more on this forum. If his background is what he says it is he has some interesting things to pass along. Rusty, good on you for watching Uncle Bill's house while he is away. You followed your gut and used tact. I don't see how anyone has room to complain. And Sirupati was classy about bowing out too. I hope he has continued success with his endeavours.
I feel like I opened a rotten can of worms here, it was me after all me who was enquiring about a competitor. Simon seemed very nice when I spoke to him and he was a family man by all accounts.. I had driven about 400 miles on business and was in his neck of the woods so I asked if I could see his khuks so I could make a direct comparison to HI's, he couldn't entertain me cos he was taking his kids to the pictures. I would normally say live and let die but there are a few things he said which allows me to understand why some of my HI forum brothers re-acted in the way they did. First rule of sales - don't preach on how crap the competitors are (we all know the kami's work and have never seen it's equal) but try get across what your product has to offer (not on the opositions shop door front though). I think you did right Rust till Uncle gets back .. get him away from here !! pity this one went like this .
What is done is done , I can understand where you were coming from Rusty, Sure I think its an over reaction but you were doing what you thought you should. I think it strange that what seemed to upset some of you, in the comparisons to HI that Sirupate made , is that He merly pointed out what many of you have complained about for weeks,Some Overthick kukris! Personaly I think all weights of kukri have a place, I am waiting on my Foxys Folly that weights 3ld, because I like its lines, small handle & most of all where else will I get a kukri that weight 3ld! Its not a fighter, but it looks good to me. All though I am only 5ft9in tall & weight 11 stone If I demolish something I realy like 4ld hammer on a cut down 20 in. handle for the one handed swings,_{ I worked in an Iron foundry when I was a kid, knocking out castings & busting sprues all day long & love a good hammer!} So I figure the Foxy will be fine!} I see Bill put up light kukris as well to but I think Sirupate only pointed out what he had read here, people complaning about thick kukris. Personaly I have had enough with this thread now, So unless I cant help myself I wont repley to it again! As realy my reaction at the time was just to defend someone I saw bieng attacked, when I did not percieve him as a dangerous rival to HI. A competitor yes but I belive competitors are good it keeps evryone on thier toes, & that can only keep the quality of kukris were we want it!{Imho} Spiral
Has he seen HI's khuk's !! Would be interesting to know - I cannot comment on his khuks cos I haven't seen em. !!
I bid on one of the blades he has on ebay. If I win it I'll put it to the oak log test and report back.
You might email him first before bidding on something offered on ebay. He indicated that some of those might not be up to the usual spec standard. I emailed him about his current offerings on ebay and he let me know which ones were up to spec. I don't think that this means that there is anything majorly wrong but just not up to the thicknes, hardness, etc. that one off of his website would be. I'm not trying to cause more controversy, but he said that he would make sure anyone here would get proper stock.
