Bonecutters comparison and Kamis making them

snowwolf

snowwolf

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Just got a nice triangle box today (bottom two from Purna Shankher)

Here they are (from Top to bottom)
1) Rajkumar[edit: Thanks guys for mark identification] Bonecutter, 2) Keshar Lal's 3) Purna's Bonecutter 4) Purna's GRB
OI000172-vi.jpg


Rajkumar mark
OI000173_edit-vi.jpg



Light wood handle by Keshar Lal mark
OI000174_BoneCutterbyKesharLal-vi.jpg



First things I noticed is Purna's are more pointy and not as large as the ones I already had. Looking at past pictures of Sgt's Bonecutter, Purna's are closer to Sgt design.

I have done lot of work and field testing with Keshar Lal's Bonecutter... There have a heavier nose. Purna's BC feels more agile.

[EDIT] known HI(*) kamis making the Bonecutters (Thanks Steve) Dates are based on findings on this forum, feel free guys to suggest corrections:

  1. Bura / Royal kami (~2007) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...WII-and-more-great-buys?p=4345801#post4345801
  2. Sgt. Khadka (~2008) The year of the HI BoneCutter - Many many posts
  3. Keshar Lal (~2008 - Bonecutter with crescent moon but not named, 2013 Named) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...necutter-and-Bashpati?p=11763945#post11763945
  4. Murali (~2009) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...necutter-and-great-buys?p=6778837#post6778837
  5. Get (shanga) (~2009) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...y-Bird-Special-for-6-28?p=6978348#post6978348
  6. Lok (2010) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-10-Rose-and-Great-Buys?p=7779384#post7779384
  7. Santosh (2010) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ial-and-Incredible-Buys?p=8465313#post8465313
  8. young Sher (~2010) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/881947-Sher-the-Tiger?p=9998600#post9998600
  9. Bhakta (~2011) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...2-11-Pix-and-Bonecutter?p=9269799#post9269799
  10. Rajkumar (The Prince) (~2013) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...utter-and-Kumar-Karda?p=12525753#post12525753
  11. Purna Shankher (~2015)

Interesting post from Yangdu (08-04-2010, 02:42 PM) found during my research http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/762613-Old-Bonecutter-Picture?p=8499337#post8499337
Yangdu said:
Baldite and hollowdeller could you post the old Boncutter picture on the blade forum. I would like to forward the Bonecutter picture to shop and Kamis.
Thank you
Click to expand...
As in no more Bonecutter "blueprint"?

General Bonecutter related
Bladite's Bonecutter files http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...e-Bonecutter-Files?highlight=bonecutter+files
Shortwinger's Bonecutter cult revisited http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...onecutter-Cult-revised!?p=9844196#post9844196

(*)GK had their own Bonecutter design in early 2000's. There are many references to their products in the Himalayan Imports Forum.
 
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Rajkumar, indeed.

Yangdu said:
18 inch 41 ounce Bonecutter by Rajkumar. Satisal wood handle. All fittings are white metal. Awesome choppers !
One more additional to your collection at $185. *SOLD*







...
Click to expand...


Yangdu said:
...
Beautifully done 18 inch 34 ounce Bonecutter by Rajkumar. Satisal wood handle with white metal bolster and buttcap. During shipment transit between Nepal and US somewhere along the way customs took the scabbard, Karda and chakma.
Field sharp rig. I am offering this knife at $100 even. *SOLD*







...
Click to expand...
 
Cool collection sno! The Keshar Lal is traditional handled! First ive seen:thumbup: Very nice Rajkumar.
 
Thank you guys - Raj Kumar for sure.

And not only that, but I think my sample is the SAME one as the first on top of Steve's post.

The Karda and the Chak-mak are freakin identical! It's even more obvious in real than in my picture (couldn't capture same the reflection)
OI000176_edit-vi.jpg


So in the end, there was few HI Kamis who made the Bonecutters.
Sgt. Khadka
Rajkumar
Keshar Lal
Purna Shankher

Anyone else?
 
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ndoghouse said:
Cool collection sno! The Keshar Lal is traditional handled! First ive seen:thumbup: Very nice Rajkumar.
Click to expand...
I like them so much, I got two of those. One 30oz and the other is 36oz. One is my go to heavy chopper and the other one is a safe queen virgin poser.
 
The story behind Bhakta making Bonecutters, from 2011:

Yangdu said:
This popular and useful knives was made by Sgt. Khadka and his helper Kami.
But, as often happens, helpers get other ideas and leave our shop to follow
the possibility of making more money.

About three months ago, Sgt. Khadka's helper Kami left the shop to join the
Mao group. He said he can make more money posting pamphlets and
pictures for the Mao Party.

Therefore, Sgt. Khadka came to my father's shop and told the Kamis they
could make the Super CAK and Bonecutter. He would supervise the design and quality. Our
Bhakta Kami made a few Super CAK for our HI customers.

Sgt. Khadka's helper Kami may not be returning to make the Bonecutter
and Super CAK unless the Mao Communists run out of money. Time will tell if he returns
when he needs a job. For now, let's try the new Kami-made Super CAK. I will post the sales thread for Bhaka's Super CAK shortly.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Steve! Cool recap!

So - known kamis making the Bonecutters

  1. Sgt. Khadka
  2. Purna Shankher
  3. Bhakta
  4. Rajkumar
  5. Keshar Lal
  6. Murali
  7. young Sher
  8. Santosh
  9. Get (shanga)

Nice crowd.
 
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I have a Mural BC and it is easily my favorite traditional kukri. It is as close to perfect in weight, length, balance and feel as I believe are possible. It is truly a piece of art.
 
I did not think there was ever any doubt several kamis had made them for HI....just that originally it was the Sgt's baby and only later were any other kamis allowed....but a longer list than i thought.....my question is would any of the current list or last one known be also the same helper who decided to be a poster boy for the Chairman?...i rather doubt it......all Dear Yangdu mentioned as to Purna Shankher was that he had previous experience in being supervised by the Sgt., and that could be back from when he first let the shop take over production as mentioned above, while Murali's name predates the Sgt losing his helper..probably a question of which i should remain ignorant of the answer or the kami....

I only see Bhakta Kami listed as a Super CAK maker in quoted thread and no mention of Bonecutter, unless i missed something?....ok....i did....separate sale link of his Bonecutter....this should be an excellent collector point on down the road....every early Bonecutter maker.....should not be a much longer list, if any longer at all....
 
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shortwinger said:
I have a Mural BC and it is easily my favorite traditional kukri. It is as close to perfect in weight, length, balance and feel as I believe are possible. It is truly a piece of art.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Mind sharing a picture of it and its specs?
 
Some interesting background (2009) about the Bonecutters by Murali:

munk said:
Yangdu write recently and asked if I'd tell the HI forum about the Murali Bonecutters coming soon for sale. He's back with HI, 'again' for he's returned previously, and I'm not up to speed regarding the HI lineup. HI tried to improve production recently but met with disapointment when the new recruits took the money and ran. Their products are very servicable and deeply discounted this week as they are not quite up to HI overall standards of consistancy and beauty, they nonetheless offer the buyer a great deal for a work tool as they are hardy and strong. Every vehicle in my home in Montana has a khuk, and at the prices HI just posted, even the BigWheel in the drive could have one. The Runaway Kamis Blowout sale.

Murali is here and working with Bura. When he arrived, he thought he could challenge the good Sgt Khadka and make his own rendition of the Bonecutter. He made a batch. This is not going to happen in the future, as Sgt Khadka supports his son with this specialty, and Yangdu wants this to be his special area. His work is well loved by wood hawkers and collectors. But so is Murali's, once and still considered a Star in the lineup. I remember the old timers talking about Murali when you couldn't get a Murali blade, and had to look for Kesar. If you value Murali, or just want a good khuk, you might look at the one-time issue Bonecutters coming soon. Yangdu said they are not as fine as the Sgt's, which he's been doing regularly and with some practise, but they are decent blades and will not be as deeply discounted as this week's blow-out blades by departed Kamis. They WILL be at an attractive price.

I know there are a lot of fans of the 'bonecutter' style and hope this pleases them.


munk
Click to expand...

Yangdu said:
BONECUTTERS BY MURALI KAMI

HERE THEY ARE

5-15-09%20001.jpg


16 inch 23 ounce Bonecutter by Murali Kami. White metal fittings. Satisal wood handle. Great buy at $100 even. *SOLD*

5-15-09%20003.jpg


5-15-09%20004.jpg


14 inch 18 ounce Bonecutter by Murali. Satial wood handle. White metal fittings. Sweet deal at $85 YBB. *SOLD*

5-15-09%20006.jpg


5-15-09%20007.jpg

12 inch 12 ounce Bonecutter by Murali. Satisal wood handle. White metal fittings. 12/12 Knife at $75 YBB. *SOLD*

Murali Kmai's mark leaf (Pan ko Pat)
5-15-09%20008.jpg


Email to get any or all
Have a great weekend!
Click to expand...
 
Three more kamis for the list: young Sher, Santosh, Get

Yangdu said:
...

17.5 inch 40 ounce Bonecutter by young Sher. Horn handle. All fittings are white metal. For good home at $95 YBB. *SOLD*
10-20-09%20006.jpg
...
Click to expand...

Yangdu said:
...
20.5 inch 46 ounce Villager fit and finish Bonecutter by Santosh Kami. Satial wood handle. All fittings are white metal. Excellent investment at $145 YBB. *SOLD*...
Click to expand...


Yangdu said:
...
18 inch 33 ounce Bonecutter by Get (changa) Kami. Satisal wood handle. White metal boster and buttcap. Scabbard, Karda and Chakma are missing.
Sharp blade ready to rock and roll on the field.
Great value at $85. YBB. *SOLD*
6-28-09%20004.jpg
...
Click to expand...
 
4AM - I couldn't sleep no more, too much in pain from a small medical intervention I got yesterday. Nothing to worry about, just very painful.
So I started to make some researches to pass times and updated the first POST with some chronological order for the HI Kamis making Bonecutters.
 
mmm, data :>

someone should cross links all the older bonecutter files and posts.

maybe this evening ;)
 
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