Hello All,
Im new here and I just received my new Gelbu Special today. WOW... this is a real piece of art and it far and away exceeded my expectations.
I did research, read reviews and decided on the GS. It was not all the reviews and pictures that lead me down the Himalayan Imports trail. I did not (unfortunately) know Bill Martino and I have only had a very brief phone conversation with Yangdu (I do not believe that I have earned the privilege to call them " Uncle Bill" and "Auntie" as others on BF), however, I believe that they know how a company should be run. I believe that if all businesses were run in this way the world would truly be a better place.
The accounts that I read about Bill lets me know that he "got it" (or he still "gets it" in the great beyond
). The tale about how Bill walked into the shop and began to forge a blade, just as the untouchable kamis were expected to do, let me know that he lead from the front and would not have a caste system in his business. The fact that Bill had businesses from India approach him and say that they could produce kukris for much less money, to which Bill replied that this would be like taking food out of his family's mouth, lets me know that he "gets it", loyalty is a two way street, it goes down the chain as well as up. The fact that Bill exhibited charity, kindness and fairness to a man who had done work for him. Bill asked how much he owed the man said $35.00, Bill said that was not enough and gave the man $100.00, the man wept because the money would provide money for his sick child's medication. All these let me know that Bill "gets it", I would gladly tip a Heineken (or several ) with Bill.
Bill and Yangdu Martino both "get it". They provide "charity" to the people of Nepal by giving Kamis and people associated with the manufacture of knives, a way to EARN their way out of poverty. I am not the typical "do gooder", in fact I believe that the American system is broken, it creates dependance, rather than opportunity as Bill and Yangdu have offered. Yangdu sold me a sheath for the KLVLK that I also purchased (yeah, jumping in with both feet). The proceeds go to the kamis for medical expenses.
I am looking forward to buying more HI knives once my wallet has recovered from these purchases. I'm happy to be here.
Jerry
Im new here and I just received my new Gelbu Special today. WOW... this is a real piece of art and it far and away exceeded my expectations.
I did research, read reviews and decided on the GS. It was not all the reviews and pictures that lead me down the Himalayan Imports trail. I did not (unfortunately) know Bill Martino and I have only had a very brief phone conversation with Yangdu (I do not believe that I have earned the privilege to call them " Uncle Bill" and "Auntie" as others on BF), however, I believe that they know how a company should be run. I believe that if all businesses were run in this way the world would truly be a better place.
The accounts that I read about Bill lets me know that he "got it" (or he still "gets it" in the great beyond
). The tale about how Bill walked into the shop and began to forge a blade, just as the untouchable kamis were expected to do, let me know that he lead from the front and would not have a caste system in his business. The fact that Bill had businesses from India approach him and say that they could produce kukris for much less money, to which Bill replied that this would be like taking food out of his family's mouth, lets me know that he "gets it", loyalty is a two way street, it goes down the chain as well as up. The fact that Bill exhibited charity, kindness and fairness to a man who had done work for him. Bill asked how much he owed the man said $35.00, Bill said that was not enough and gave the man $100.00, the man wept because the money would provide money for his sick child's medication. All these let me know that Bill "gets it", I would gladly tip a Heineken (or several ) with Bill.Bill and Yangdu Martino both "get it". They provide "charity" to the people of Nepal by giving Kamis and people associated with the manufacture of knives, a way to EARN their way out of poverty. I am not the typical "do gooder", in fact I believe that the American system is broken, it creates dependance, rather than opportunity as Bill and Yangdu have offered. Yangdu sold me a sheath for the KLVLK that I also purchased (yeah, jumping in with both feet). The proceeds go to the kamis for medical expenses.
I am looking forward to buying more HI knives once my wallet has recovered from these purchases. I'm happy to be here.
Jerry
.
