A question from the kamis about the Cobalt Special

[JAY H]

It's just all fun Cobalt. Talking about the things we like makes learning a blast. There are about 5+ billion people in the world, and only 1 billion or something like that, have food. I just can't imagine about all the stuff out there to find out about.

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[ghostsix]

I would not have a Buck smatchet for free. I tried to be nice about it.Our views are irreconcileable.

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[Paul Davidson]

Could you not just tell them that it is a traditional blade style in the West? People look at a khukuri here and say "Why would you want a knife like that?" and the answer is--"People have been using this design effectively for hundreds of years to just about everything!" The same answer would be true for straight blades. I don't know if the kamis would appreciate this logic or not. I think it is great that these artisans are motivated by design, tradition, and thought over money. An American would probably just see this as a batch of X number of blades that they would get paid for. This tells me that the khukuri is important to the kami, not the money (even though they have to feed their families just like everyone else in the world they have principles). You could tell them that you are going to give them to Cliff who is going to hack so hard with them that they will eventually end up with the traditional khukuri shape!

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Paul
Keep Em Sharp

 

[ghostsix]

After due consideration and, a frolic of my own,I think that we should not fool with the kamies.God might get us for this.

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[Bill Martino]

Some very interesting, thoughtful and thought provoking observations which I was delighted to read. Many thanks to all!

Here's some considerations. The kamis make many items besides khukuris. Nepal is largely an agrarian society and the work is done by hand, not machine. So, every tool required for subsistence farming is made by the kamis and there are quite a few. Their expertise is not limited to khukuris alone so I have the 90% confidence factor they will be able to successfully make this knife.

I think maybe Howard came the closest with his observations. The kamis wonder what we want this knife to do. I did not state a purpose, only told them to use springs, zone harden, harden end of tang, put the spine ala AK the length of the blade, and make the knife as tough as an AK. I believe that because this knife is essential a staight blade Ang Khola the kamis assumed we would be chopping with it and further rightly assumed a khukuri would chop better.

We spoke with Kami just this AM and told him this knife was a popular American design and was a general purpose blade used for many tasks. He understood and I believe so will the kamis.

Uncle Bill

 

[Cobalt]

Bill, what you said makes sense. In the chopping department, I dare any other edged tool to try and compete with the khukuri. Impossible. And if I had to use a knife in a knife fight, it would be my khukuri without a doubt. This is a knife were one blow can end the fight. Multiple strikes are not needed.

 

[Bill Martino]

Cobalt, the khukuri has more documented kills than any battle blade in the history of the world. I think this substantiates your choice. And, additionally, it makes a powerful tool.

Uncle Bill

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Khukuris are not limited in the stabbing department you just do it differently. Just as in chopping you take advantage of the blade curvature. An overhand swing will allow a an almost straight stab because of the angle of the blade. And there is not way you can hope to match that penetration ability with a straight blade.

A straight blade would (depending on the design) be probably more useful for lighter work because of the more neutral balance and it would be a bit easier to use slicing, prying, and hammering, as the curvature of the spine on the khukuris can hamper you somewhat here.

In any case I am impressed that the kamis actually questioned the knife. This shows that they are interested in other things besides just making money.

-Cliff

 

[Cobalt]

Cliff, your right, I don't think their interest was ever in making money, but producing the art that they do so well.

 

[Bill Martino]

Actually, the kamis are interested in making some cash. Most of them, like Nara, have a small plot of land, maybe a half acre or so, which they depend on for food. They can do a little barter with surplus food if they have any, but they need cash for things like batteries for their transistor radio, school supplies for the kids, etc. So, the cash they make is important.

However, a *master* kami takes pride in the work he does and wants to produce something of quality. In order to get the needed cash, most have had to make khukuris for tourists and export which is quick and dirty work with no time for pride. When we send them something like the Cobalt special it gives them a chance to show what they can do -- if they fully understand what I am asking which is sometimes a problem. It is a double win for them -- some cash and a chance to show their stuff. And, hopefully, a win for us, too.

Uncle Bill

 

[ghostsix]

You guys either forgot ,or never knew the value of a quarter.I charged a quarter for a #1 job of mowing and edging your lawn.This took me 2 to 2 1/2 hrs.I had one kind patron who asked me to do a little something extra and gave me .50 cents.I refused to accept this and refered it to my Dad.The quarter was the value of the service.That was the agreement.The decision was final.My neighbor was kindly disposed towards me.

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[Bill Martino]

Ghostsix, when I started school my Dad was working for the WPA at $30 per month. Our house rent was $3 per month. I remember what a quarter would buy.

Uncle Bill