20 inch Sirupati by Mama. Special deal. Save $50.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
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Here is a 20 inch Sirupati made by "Mama" (Uncle nickname -- real name Khadka Lal) who is no longer with BirGorkha. His eyes were failing and he had a tough time seeing what he was doing -- sometimes he made a good khukuri and sometimes because he could not see well he didn't. This was unacceptable performance so rather than lay him off we offered him a job as maintenance man, janitor, gofer, etc. but he didn't want it. I don't know if it was his pride that kept him from accepting our offer or if he thought maybe it was time to hang up the hammer and let his kids take care of him.


Anyway, this is one of his last efforts and he got a good do on it and remembered to get it marked by Bura's nephew with his sign, a fish, and very artistically done it is. This is a good 20 inch sirupati -- fit and finish very nice, hardness more than adequate, karda amd chakma are good, sarkis were quite sober and did a good job on scabbard and frog.

So, what's wrong with this knife? Two things. Grainlines in handle that may or may not develop and the scrollwork on left side of blade has no brass inlay. Right side, yes, left side, no. It was never inlaid and for what reason I don't know. Maybe mama left that much of the job incomplete when he left BirGorkha or maybe he forgot. I just don't know.

But the price of this good looking, strong, and very useable Sirupati is $75 delivered to your door. $50 off regular for the flaws that I have mentioned.

Call or email if interested.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
OK, Hooligan. It's yours. I like the knife and that little fish on it is a real work of art. I think you'll be happy with this one but just in case you can always trade for something else.

Welcome to the club!

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
It's sad that mama's eyes were failing. I always hate to see somebody have to move on because thier body won't coperate with them. I hope that his children realilize that he is a grand repository of knowledge and take care of him. I am sure that it is thier turn by now.

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Life is short, art endures.
 
It is sad and since there is no human resources of any kind available that's why we offered him the position that we did. It was sort of a make work position and did not pay as much as a kami could earn but it was certainly better than begging on the filthy streets of Kathmandu. I liked Mama a lot and he was a good man and in his youth had been a fine kami. I wish him the best and I'll look him up my next journey to Nepal and offer him the same job again if he wants it.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Dear Bill,
I don't mean to be presumptuous, but maybe the old boy (meant respectfully)
just needs a pair of glasses. If that's the case (and they're available),
I'll spring for them. Let me know how much.
Without my spectacles, I would have had to retire at 40.
A simple gift, one blind guy to another.
Doc
 
Doc4570 - no wonder you don't post too much on this forum: too much common sense.

Uncle Bill, some time back we were talking about magnifying glasses that fit over the head for those who wanted to use. Did any ever get sent over?

What is the optometry situation over there Bill? Maybe have one come into shop and check people over regular? Just cause you can't read don't mean you don't need to see clear.



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"They asked would I fight for my country, I answered the FBI, yea!
"I will point a gun for my country but, I won't guarantee you which way!"
Woody Guthrie


Himalayan Imports Website
 
Strangely, Mama would not wear glasses and I don't think he would have worn them even if they worked for him. I don't know the reasoning for this -- machismo or superstition or what.

He could make a good knife but he couldn't seem to see if the blade was straight or not and this was his main problem. When I was in Nepal I told him to get a younger kami to check the blades for him but this didn't work out, I guess.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Pride is a tough thing , even when someone
has the right to be prideful .

[This message has been edited by Edd Harbin (edited 06-21-2000).]
 
Prolonged exposure of the eyes to infrared radiation has been shown to cause cataracts. This was first observed in glassblowers. It may be that the reason he won't wear glasses is because they don't help.
 
I discussed this problem about Mama with a couple of old experienced welders and they said about the same thing you did Howard. The years of looking at red hot steel took its toll.

I learned my lesson when I was a kid and burned the hell out of my eyes while using a gas welder with no glasses.

I've noticed that many of the old kamis have eye problems and end up half blind or worse.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
American National Standard Z87.1 - 1989, Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face protection lists the acceptable transmittance numbers for shaded eyewear.

The lightest shade listed is shade 1.5.
The transmittance numbers for this shade are

visible 55-67%
IR 25%
far UV 0.1%

If shade 1.5 safety glasses are stamped Z87.1 they will meet these specs. Such glasses would block 3/4 of the IR as well as flying shards of metal.

The kami's may not like the shaded glasses because the colors of the metal may look different through tinted lenses. However, they could probably learn the new colors without much difficulty.
 
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