Chakma and Karda question

mrostov

mrostov

Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
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When a Kami makes a khukuri, does he usually also make the chakma and karda for the knife himself or does he usually task that job off to an apprentice?
 
Depends. In a larger shop like BirGorkha, It would usually be farmed out to helpers/apprentices.

On the other hand, doing a special khuk might mean Bura would do them himself to be sure the quality of the tools matched the blade he'd made.

In the small villages, in the "one horse" shops the kami and customer would negotiate just what would be done. From rehandling an old khuk and retempering it, to making a new khuk, and if karda and chakma were needed, or a new scabbard, would go into the price. Often they'd be made without either tools or scabbard because of inability to pay the extra.

If I'm wrong, Bill or Yangdu please correct any errors.
 
Originally posted by mrostov
When a Kami makes a khukuri, does he usually also make the chakma and karda for the knife himself or does he usually task that job off to an apprentice?
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If you want some really decent ones go to Atlanta Cutlery and order some 100+ year old examples that are dirt cheap and the best you can buy.
I will admit that some doesn't look so good, or even appear that good, but for the price, $40.00 for 20 pieces, you can't beat the deal as you will get enough really good ones to make it worthwhile!!!!:D

And from what I understand the HI karda's and chakmak's are made by the
the apprentices.
That's all fine and good, but the kamis should do the hardening of them to make sure they're quality.
After all a khukuri is a large bent knife, two well hardened kardas, or a well hardened karda and chakmak and a scabbard to hold the whole rig, and sometimes a pouch to hold tinder and a piece of flint.
That's what makes a khukuri, nothing more, nothing less.:rolleyes: :grumpy: :D
 
Definitely second the AC karda recommendation. Got 20 of them, in the process of de-rusting them (Evapo-Rust) now. Got 4 nice cho-ed chakmas which are really interesting. One side had closely-spaced parallel grooves (like a file), while the other side has regularly spaced 'nubbins', sort of like a rasp. Lot of work seems to have gone into these. The kardas are very nice, too. A couple of very long, slim versions, some short fat ones, and one real beauty (hefty enough to be useful in my hand.

All of the handles are of a very hard, dark wood. Haven't taken any down far enough to tell if they're rosewood or saatisal. Best $40 I've spent. Well, except for the 12" villagers.
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
Definitely second the AC karda recommendation. Got 20 of them, in the process of de-rusting them (Evapo-Rust) now. Got 4 nice cho-ed chakmas which are really interesting. One side had closely-spaced parallel grooves (like a file), while the other side has regularly spaced 'nubbins', sort of like a rasp. Lot of work seems to have gone into these. The kardas are very nice, too. A couple of very long, slim versions, some short fat ones, and one real beauty (hefty enough to be useful in my hand.

All of the handles are of a very hard, dark wood. Haven't taken any down far enough to tell if they're rosewood or saatisal. Best $40 I've spent. Well, except for the 12" villagers.
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I was lucky and got mine just under the wire. They were still $1.00 buck apiece!!!! and 20 for $20.00 bucks is even a better deal!!!!
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
I do NOT wish to discuss it!
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I wouldn't either if I were you.;) But then you don't know how many fingernails I ate to the quick and how much weight I lost worrying whether or not that I had made it under the wire.:grumpy: :eek:
They probably rescinded the order to sell the kardas at $1.00 right after they shipped mine!!!! Whew!!!!;)
Aard, I would still consider it a steal at $5.00 apiece!!!!, but then I would have wanted them all as good as my good ones are.:rolleyes:
Actually John Powell is the only one that knows what they're probably worth, maybe even only a buck apiece without the khukuri it went with.:(
 
It was worth the money just to see the quality of the workmanship. There are some REAL nice knives in that bunch. I may buy another 20.

I also wish the current kamis would take a little more interest in the chakmas and kardas.
 
BTW;

you can order any number 10 and over for the same $2 price per each.

Just to be onery I guess, when I ordered, I asked for a dozen.

Thought I'd order another batch soon.

They may choose from another part of the bin this time.

See if a similar or different selection/handful arrives.
 
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