A few more pix of BirGorkha staffers.

[Bill Martino]

Pic no. 7

NAME:- PADAM BISWAKARMA

AGE:- 15

MARTIAL STATUS:- SINGLE

POST:- HELPER

ADDRESS:- UDAYAPUR , THAKSILA

RAMPUR - 2

NEPAL

Pic no. 3

NAME:- SHANKER KUMAR BISHWAKARMA

AGE:- 20

MARTIAL STATUS:- MARRIED

POST:- KHUKURIE MAKER

SIGN:- TRISHUL

ADDRESS:- BHOJPUR BOKHIN

NEPAL

note: Mystery of new kami solved.

Pic no. 2

NAME:- SURAJ "KUMAR" BISHWAKARMA

AGE:- 29

MARTIAL STATUS:- MARRIED

POST:- KHUKURI MAKER

SIGN:- STAR

ADDRESS:- SUNSARI

BHARAULI

NEPAL

Pic no. 5

NAME:- BHIM BISHWAKARMA

AGE:- 36

MARTIAL STATUS:- MARRIED

SIGN:- HALFMOON

POST:- "PARTNER" OF LAL BAHADUR

ADDRESS:- BHOJPUR

DAWA

NEPAL

Another note: Look at Bura's helpers -- 40 year old and 36 year old master kamis themselves. Figure roughly 30 years experience each but remember Bura has 50 years experience -- and it shows. I like that look of grim determination on Bhim's face.

 

[Sylvrfalcn]

Holy Guacamole

You're telling me the mysterious "Mark of the Trisul" kami, the very man who made my fabulous 18" Ang Khola, is only twenty years old! That's incredible! What a delight to see such skill in such young hands. That khukuri has been well tested, and has proven itself to me to have been made by a man who has mastered his craft. Please pass on my regards and a hearty well done to this young lion next time you communicate with Bir Ghorka Uncle.

Sarge

 

[stephensee]

It's really a good idea to post these faces Bill, thank you!

 

[Bill Martino]

Some seem to be naturals, Sarge. Kumar was and is. He was making top notch khukuris in his early 20s.

We have to keep in mind that a 20 year old is likely to have 15 years of shop experience under his belt. Kids start out in the shop as toddlers gathering charcoal, pumping the bellows, doing the light stuff. As soon as they are old enough to swing a hammer they start swinging. By age 10 or 12 they can make a passable khukuri.