Uncle Bill's bargains for the day. Take a look and save $75.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

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All three of these khukuris are from shop 2 and the quality is excellent. Full HI guarantee goes with each khukuri. However each has a slight problem as indicated below and are offered at substantial savings.

top -- 17 inch WWII. Blade 3/8 + inches thick, 1 7/8 wide. Weight 1 lb 6 oz. Handle has nice white streaking. Overall excellent quality and solid as a rock. Problem: left side has rust freckles. It is monsoon season in Nepal, raining everyday, and even though blades were oiled some moisture got into scabbard and rust developed on the journey here. Bad side shown. Small rust spots on karda and chakma. Solution: work with sandpaper or bench grinder to take out rust spots. Two or three hours work saves $75 over price of shop 1 khukuri and you end up with a beautiful, top quality khukuri.
SN 40 Price: $100

center -- 18 inch WWII. Blade 3/8 + inches thick, 2 inches wide. Weight 1 lb 11 oz. Again, overall excellent quality and very solid. Handle has gray grain, very pretty. Problem: minimal rust freckles on left side of blade (shown). Small rust spots on karda and chakma. Solution same as above and same savings as above.
SN 50 Price: $120

bottom -- 20.75 inch Sirupati. Blade 3/8 + inches thick, 1.5 inches wide. Weight 1lb 10 oz. Blade is excellent with no rust. High gloss finish. Problem: Crack in handle left side (shown but not really visible). Wood is beautiful red with knots. Solution: Try epoxy and hose clamp or wire wrap. Savings as above, $75 over shop 1 20 inch Sirupati.
SN 45 Price: $100

So, here's your chance to trade a little work at about $25 per hour and end up with a top quality khukuri. Those interested email me personally. Those with comments post here with appreciation.

Uncle Bill
 
Hi Bruce:

The dreaded electric pencil is gone. The blades are not stamped with may 3/16 inch letters in English. Same kami that used the dreaded pencil now stamps every khukuri with his initials!

Last one is gone. More villagers expected this week so stay tuned.

Uncle Bill
 
I have always been somewhat perplexed by the western “cult of personality” that induces us to revere particular athletes, movie stars, models, etc.. Generally I abstain from the rites of the cult, although I must admit I am entranced by superior craftsmanship, and am often interested in the maker.

I find it amusing that the kamis don’t have the slightest understanding of our obsession. “The customers want initials on the blades. OK guys – Put two letters on every blade!”


[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 20 July 1999).]
 
Howard, as you may know from experience the kamis are at the bottom of the social order in Nepal. That anybody has the slightest interest in them as human beings confounds them. In some villages the kamis must live on the outskirts of town because they are considered such "outcastes."

Uncle Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 20 July 1999).]
 
It is quite possible that the Kamis would not care for unwanted attention.I do not.

[This message has been edited by ghostsix (edited 21 July 1999).]
 
I don't think that's the case, ghost. The kamis have a very hard time understanding why anybody would care enough to want a name or initial on a khukuri.

Uncle Bill
 
It seems strange to me that they would not want to put their personal mark on these knives. I can't help wondering what they must think of us based on all of these strange requests.
 
Intriguing, is it not? Yet they obviously take great pride in their work. Each one styling himself the “best kami in Nepal.” Reluctant to let another kami work on “his” blade. The care and attention to detail shows in their work.

Nepal is a different place.

 
That caste system, although outlawed, is still very much alive in Nepal and India. It does strange things to people. For example, old Kancha Kami who made the knife that killed the bear, was a good neighbor to Kami Sherpa for his entire life -- 80+ years but he would never enter Kami's home when he came to visit -- always stood outside. Only time he would come in the house was for a wedding or funeral. Kancha considered himself to be too lowly to enter the house of his neighbor.

They can be the best kami in Nepal but they are still of the untouchable caste and cannot understand why we would be interested in them as an individual human being. It is a sad philosophy but one we will not change in our lifetime.

Uncle Bill
 
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