BAS blem -- take a look. You might want it.

Bill Martino · May 29, 1999

We are unpacking and inspecting our two shipments that arrived this week. Here is the first blem we found. The arrow points to a small indentation on the left side of the blade where a kami polished out an imperfection. Otherwise the knife is perfect.

This cosmetic flaw puts this British Army Service into the blem category. The price for this blem is $100 -- a $50 savings -- and I'll pay shipping and handling. If anybody is interested in this bargain email me.

We will be inspecting more today so stay tuned. There may be a couple of more bargain khukuris available.

Did I tell you that I got in a special order 24 inch Sirupati? I'll post the specs later today. It's a very impressive knife.

<img src = "http://members.aol.com/yangduspag/pict61.jpg">

Uncle Bill

prn · Jun 1, 1999

It arrived today and I have just one thing to say:
<center><font size=6>WOW!</font></center>

If I didn't know what to look for, it would be hard to tell this was a blem. Yeah, you can tell if you're looking for a blemish, but overall, it's gorgeous. It's got a really nice heft and is well finished in all respects that I can see so far. I have no doubt that it will hold up to hard use just fine. I just haven't had any opportunity to use it yet.

I'll try to correct that soon. I can see why everybody raves about HI khukuris. Now I've joined that club.

------------------
Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu

Bill Martino · Jun 1, 1999

Thanks, Paul. I think the blem will perform just fine. I hope I remembered to send the HI guarantee along with it. Let me know if I forgot. As everybody knows and I am getting old and adsent minded plus I drink too much beer.

Uncle Bill

Yvsa · Jun 1, 1999

Welcome to the club Paul.
I have found that the more mine is fondled and polished that it just keeps on gettng more and more character,as if it didn't have enough already.

I got to do some more chopping with my AK. It was a "flat" or white cedar log,freshly cut,about 8" dia.I ws more or less playing around. Went through knots,sap and all in about 12 minutes.

I am interested in knowing how nuch "bite" the thinner blades may have in comparrison to the AKs. I will be anxiously awaiting your report.
Thanks.

------------------

>>>>---¥vsa---->®

prn · Jun 2, 1999

Oh yes, Uncle Bill. You did send the guarantee. And I know just exactly how much I am likely to "use" it.

------------------
Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu

Bill Martino · Jun 3, 1999

OK, Paul. Glad I didn't forget. And, Yvsa, thanks for report from the field. Had a cusomter and pal chop some frozen cedar with his AK when he got in a pinch -- did the job with no damage to blade.

Uncle Bill

Howard Wallace · Jun 2, 1999

Paul,

I got one of Bills BAS "blems" a while ago for my son. I had the same reaction you did. Im not sure I ever could tell what classified it as a blem. I took the knife to a local engraver to have my sons name and the date put on. That blade is always a conversation starter.

Its now one of my sons prized possessions. He was using it to do one of his chores just last evening.

Bill Martino · Jun 2, 1999

Hi Howard:

There was something (exactly what I can't remember) about the BAS I sent you that took it out of the 100% category. We are our own worst critics. If we see even a tiny flaw of some kind, could be a little ding on the brass buttcap, the knife becomes a blem.

Collectors taught us to be very critical. If I send a collector a knife that isn't perfect I get it back.

And, Howard, take a look at the picture I posted on the most recent shop 2 thread. Look familiar?

uncle Bill

CD Fleischer · Jun 9, 1999

I recently bought a WWII blem from Bill. There was a scratch on the blade that was barely noticeable. I think I put worse dings on my 15" AK this weekend cutting tree limbs!

If you plan on using your khukuri, I would never worry about getting a blem from Bill.
Besides, it gives the knife character...

------------------
Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"My redneck past is nipping at my heels..." -BF5

Bill Martino · Jun 9, 1999

Many thanks for report, Clay. Blems are up to any sort of performance demand you can put on them but there is some little cosmetic flaw that would cause a collector to send them back to me. When we ship a khukuri we try to make sure it is 100% in every way.

Thanks again for feedback.

Uncle Bill