- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 1,760
Otto Reiger. Contragulations, Reiger. You're the winner. Here's Otto's winning design:
The judges were:
Lalitkumar Lama - owner of Khukuri House, retired 22-year gurkha veteran, and our partner.
Tilbur Bishwakarma or TB for short - 40 year khukuri maker, retired gurkha, and production manager in Dharan.
Master bishwakarma Number Two (I don't have his name with me right now) - 30 year bladesmith
And a few others who will be included in the list when I get my notes in front of me (Marya and I voted, but we don't deserve equal billing with the above individuals).
The design competition was actually the highlight of the day - everybody was looking forward to it. During our lunch break from the filming, we sat in TBs living room and passed around all of the designs. I'll tell you, there were lots of smiles and excited comments (all in Nepali) that were exchanged during the inspection of the entries. After about 15 minutes, Lalit labeled the designs (A, B, C . . . ) and we all voted on little slips of paper so nobody else would be swayed by another person's vote.
The funny thing is that almost everybody's design got at least one vote, but Otto's stood out and received the lion's share of votes (he got Lalit's vote, TBs vote, and the other senior bishwakarma's vote!!!!).
When asked by me why they all chose, independently, your design, they each said the same thing: it reminded them of the older khukuris (100 plus years), but was new enough that they'd enjoy making it.
Otto: If we can, you'll have your prize when I return, as the bishwakarmas are right this very minute working on it. In fact, TB is doing the design and forging himself! It should arrive by bus to kathmandu with Lalit's daily shipment of khukuris. My only worry is that it may show up with brass fittings, but we can get that taken care of in an afternoon (removing them won't be difficult at all). Question Otto: do you want anything engraved on the blade near the handle? I forgot to ask TB to name the design, but we'll get a name that the bishwakarmas like.
THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED - you all submitted excellent designs that we will keep on hand for future consideration. When I get to the "cheaper" internet cafe, I'll add to this post and fill you all in on more details (who else voted, who came in 2nd and third, etc . . . ).
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
The judges were:
Lalitkumar Lama - owner of Khukuri House, retired 22-year gurkha veteran, and our partner.
Tilbur Bishwakarma or TB for short - 40 year khukuri maker, retired gurkha, and production manager in Dharan.
Master bishwakarma Number Two (I don't have his name with me right now) - 30 year bladesmith
And a few others who will be included in the list when I get my notes in front of me (Marya and I voted, but we don't deserve equal billing with the above individuals).
The design competition was actually the highlight of the day - everybody was looking forward to it. During our lunch break from the filming, we sat in TBs living room and passed around all of the designs. I'll tell you, there were lots of smiles and excited comments (all in Nepali) that were exchanged during the inspection of the entries. After about 15 minutes, Lalit labeled the designs (A, B, C . . . ) and we all voted on little slips of paper so nobody else would be swayed by another person's vote.
The funny thing is that almost everybody's design got at least one vote, but Otto's stood out and received the lion's share of votes (he got Lalit's vote, TBs vote, and the other senior bishwakarma's vote!!!!).
When asked by me why they all chose, independently, your design, they each said the same thing: it reminded them of the older khukuris (100 plus years), but was new enough that they'd enjoy making it.
Otto: If we can, you'll have your prize when I return, as the bishwakarmas are right this very minute working on it. In fact, TB is doing the design and forging himself! It should arrive by bus to kathmandu with Lalit's daily shipment of khukuris. My only worry is that it may show up with brass fittings, but we can get that taken care of in an afternoon (removing them won't be difficult at all). Question Otto: do you want anything engraved on the blade near the handle? I forgot to ask TB to name the design, but we'll get a name that the bishwakarmas like.
THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED - you all submitted excellent designs that we will keep on hand for future consideration. When I get to the "cheaper" internet cafe, I'll add to this post and fill you all in on more details (who else voted, who came in 2nd and third, etc . . . ).
------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
