18 inch Banspatis arrived. Pix. Have on extra.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

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Engraving shows haati (elephant), cuckoo (that's what most Nepalis call an owl -- this one is a Sri Lankan version that has big ears), yak, bagh (tiger), scroll and kushi surya (happy sun). Handles on both big blade, karda and chakma are engraved with the tashi dili motif.
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Got in the 18 inch Banspatis today. Took longer for UPS to get them from Sacramento to Reno that it took from Kathmandu to the US. Ah, UPS. Anyway, I have one extra and here it is. Looks just like the 27 inch big brother except scaled down to 18 inches.

Length -- 18 inches
Blade thickness -- 1/2 inch
Blade width -- 2 inches
Weight 2 lbs. Not a light weight

Fit and finish -- excellent
hardness -- excellent
engraving quality -- excellent
scabbard and frog -- excellent
karda and chakma -- 7 inches and excellent

Price is $195

As usual, call or email if interested.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Hi Bill,

Wow! The Banspatis look great. Looks like my own collection of knives will have to go to make room for more Khukuris.

Regards,
Damian T

 
Just discovered this AM that I have another extra. One fellow who had this on order has left the country for several months and can't take delivery. He said to go ahead and sell his and he would reorder when he got back to the US.

So, there is an extra if anybody is interested.

Call or email.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
This is interesting. It seems that pieces with "extreme decorations" sell well, as do "pure practicals" at a more modest price, but pieces in an "in between grey area" sometimes go slowly.

VERY interesting.

One factor with these are that people have been looking at those ultra-large high-decor pieces but holding off for reasons of price, bulk or *something*. But they were "primed" for the intro of something similar but smaller at a more modest price.

Bill, I'll bet you a 12" Banspati with this level of engraving and quality at a price near $150ish will sell like hotcakes. Not my personal cuppa but I'm interested in what other people think.

Jim
 
I'd be willing to bet that you get more takers for the 15."

And, Jim, I'm sure you're right about both the purely practical khuks and the highly-decorated khuks out-selling the in-between types. I'm primarily interested in the practical, utilitarian types, but thought I should have at least one khukuri in my collection that demonstrates the full range of the kamis' art. So, while I'm happy to have this Banspati, I'm not in the market for another highly-decorated piece. In fact, if a 15" Banspati had been available I may very well have opted for it instead of this 18" because this type khuk is really a work of art intended just for show (in my opinion) so size, in this instance, is not all that important to me.

[This message has been edited by Steven F (edited 23 November 1999).]
 
If we go back on the international karate circuit, you just might see a few Banspati's or other H.I. khukuris on TV or in a movie. I know quite a few weapons and martial arts champions.
 
Jay, HI khukuris were used in a MA training film made in Los Angeles. A doctor used two 20 inch Sirupatis for the video. I think we have been in a couple of others, too.

Are you taking the Banspatis if you hit the circuit again?

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
There are a couple of drive too's, like Boston -- Long Island -- Rhode Island, and some good local regionals. That way I don't have to worry about losing the Khuks in the air.
 
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