Dealing With Himilayan Imports

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StarsAndBars

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What's up guys? This is my first post to the forum. I'm looking for a kukri that will be a good chopper/all around useful blade. I've done a ridiculous amount of researching and read nothing but the best reviews about HI quality and customer service. For this reason I have decided to purchase a kukri from them. I had my sights set on a villager model that was listed on the HI website so I emailed Yangdu to ask about the dimensions of the blade I had picked out.

The next day I got an email from Yangdu telling me that she didn't have that particuar blade in stock, but that she had other villager models available. No biggie (as I am not too concerned with what the blade looks like) She said that she had an 18 inch Amar Sing model in villager finish, as well as a Villager without a sheath, and another Villager with a sheath. As I will likely have a sheath made anyway, I asked her for the dimensions of the blade without a sheath, and if I could purchase an Amar Sing model without a sheath. I asked if she could send a pic of each of these blades along with the dimensions of each blade, and whether or not they could be purchased without a sheath.

A few days went by with no reply so I sent a short email to Yangdu asking if she had received my emails requesting the information. An hour or so later I got an email from her with no message or details. The email had no pictures, but a photobucket IMG code which I had to post in a forum thread to view.
3-25-13001_zpsd82b2d99.jpg
This is the link although I am not sure if it will be displayed here. As I said, the email included no details about which blade was which, or answers to a single one of the questions I have asked. I have to say, the quality of the blades in this picture does not seem to justify the outstanding reviews I have read. Is it simply a matter of brand loyalty? Ok it appears that the link display properly here. As I said I don't particularly care what the knife looks like, but are those cracks in the wooden handles? I would be satisfied with just about any of those knives but it would be nice to have a few details about them such as length, weight, thickness. The email included none of these details.

Long story short I have sent 4 emails to Yangdu and am no closer to understanding which blades are available, or the dimensions of them. Is the normal? I am seriously considering ordering from KukriHouse out of desperation. I am willing to deal with a bit of miscommunication simply because of the masses of great reviews about HI.

I must say thus far, I have not had the best experience. Am I doing something wrong?
 
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Did you ask in the HI sub forum? Lots of good information there.
Based on the photo, I would just place my order and wait for the mailman. They are all beautiful blades.
 
Respectfully, Not sure what your motivation is, but I doubt you will get any takers if you are looking for HI haters.
I have spent quite a bit of time in the HI sub forum, and their reps are polite, helpful, and gracious almost to the point of being overbearing.
 
cncpro11 said:
Respectfully, Not sure what your motivation is, but I doubt you will get any takers if you are looking for HI haters.
I have spent quite a bit of time in the HI sub forum, and their reps are polite, helpful, and gracious almost to the point of being overbearing.
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Yep. Spot on
 
HI's knives are all handmade, so they'd have to measure/weigh each knife individually to give you exact specs. As for the cracked handle, those are blems which usually go for a much lower price than usual.
 
cncpro11 said:
Respectfully, Not sure what your motivation is, but I doubt you will get any takers if you are looking for HI haters.
I have spent quite a bit of time in the HI sub forum, and their reps are polite, helpful, and gracious almost to the point of being overbearing.
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^^^This^^^

I would suggest that if you are sincere about learning more about HI and their blades you spend some time in the Hi sub forum.

There you will find many people including company reps and long time users who will go out of there way to answer your questions and get you the information you are looking for.

My personal experience with Yangdu & HI has been nothing short of very satisfactory and my experience with their Kukri's nothing short of amazing.
 
I can't speak to your experience but during my first order from HI in Feb there was a shipping mixup. Yangdu was extremely responsive and apologetic though and really went the extra mile to set things right in one of the best displays of customer service I've seen in many years. I left that sale as a very happy first-time customer and owner of a beautiful khukuri. Since then I ordered my son one for his 11th birthday and it arrived quickly with near-perfect fit and finish and she even took the time to send along a birthday card for him. It's things like that which set this company apart from the rest of the pack, so it would be well worth sending another clear email or, better yet, post on the HI sub-forum here and any of the regulars will be only too happy to answer any questions you may have. They are a welcoming and pleasant community.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm not looking for haters, or to cause any trouble. I'm just trying to order a couple of kurkis from HI and just asking if it is normal to have such difficulty getting information about the length of these knives. I understand that weight may vary but I would at least like to know the length. Its hard to tell by the picture.
 
StarsAndBars said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm not looking for haters, or to cause any trouble. I'm just trying to order a couple of kurkis from HI and just asking if it is normal to have such difficulty getting information about the length of these knives. I understand that weight may vary but I would at least like to know the length. Its hard to tell by the picture.
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Fom my understanding, the community within the HI section is very friendly and knowledgeable. Yangu is also extremely busy with all kinds of things. I would advise requesting information from Karda or SteelyGunz (the moderators in that section). They also know an awful lot about the items.
 
StarsAndBars said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm not looking for haters, or to cause any trouble. I'm just trying to order a couple of kurkis from HI and just asking if it is normal to have such difficulty getting information about the length of these knives. I understand that weight may vary but I would at least like to know the length. Its hard to tell by the picture.
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Hello StarsAndBars,

In the DOTD sales threads, Auntie almost always includes a short description of the items for sale. In the sales thread you are referring to, there is a description of each items length, weight, spine thickness, furniture, handle material and price: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-and-Usual-Great-Buys?p=12008588#post12008588
I Apologise on aunties behalf for lack of response to you your inquiry. She has been abnormally busy with the Nepal side of the business lately.
I or any of our mods or members will be happy to answer any question you may have on the forum or you may contact me for more personal assistance.

As for the handle crack question:
Any blade with handle cracking is noted and sold at a discount as a blemished item. these items are fully functional, they just need a little cosmetic fill/repair. Some items will have naturally occurring grain marks etc. The Items in the aforementioned thread are villager finish khukuri with no handle cracks.
 
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Upon rereading the OP, I've no explanation why she sent you a pic to that for sale thread with no other content.....other than she does have the odd computer related troubles now and again. Perhaps she thought she put the description in and sent it. She is Old Skool and doing all the customer relations, emails , packing and shipping by herself. She usually does quite well with only the occasional snafu. She has been a bit overloaded lately, but it usually works itself out.
I would suggest posting you queries on the forum first and in this case, try sending her another email explaining your confusion.
 
I have been busy dealing with ongoing problems with shop and Kamis for a week. Email me the knife you would be interested in it and I will send picture and price details today.
Thank you for your patience
 
Karda, I tried to send you an email but am not sure it sent. I am considering either the 18 inch Ganga Ram or the 18 inch WW2. They seem to be identical provided they both have a wooden handle. Is the difference between these blades just a matter of who crafted them? Thanks
 
StarsAndBars said:
Karda, I tried to send you an email but am not sure it sent. I am considering either the 18 inch Ganga Ram or the 18 inch WW2. They seem to be identical provided they both have a wooden handle. Is the difference between these blades just a matter of who crafted them? Thanks
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I received your email, but will answer your question here.
At first glance, many khukuri may seem to be quite similar in appearance. Closer inspection will reveal that they are vastly different, not only in overall shape, but in feel. They also are often quite different in the tasks they are designed to do. The WWII model is more of a wartime fighting/utility/camp knife, while the GRS models design is that of a nepali butchers khukuri adapted and more heavily built to be used as a dedicated wood chopper. The GRS will be more heavily built and have a thicker spine and waist than a WWII of the same length.
Many models are geographical designs from the various areas of Nepal and while they also may seem identical, they are quite different also.
As with any handmade item, there will always be variation of the same item, even from the same kami.
My advice would be to hang around the forum, read and ask questions. Get a feel for the blades and company. There are many knowledgable and friendly people there. There is also a Link Library at the top of the forum that has 20 years of great information.
 
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