Does anyone know kukri of Khukuri House ?

[Cpl Punishment]

In response to sharp-k's question:

I've never tried a Kukri House product.
I have, however, bought several Himalayan Imports products, and I will continue to do so. The first reason is that they make a great product. Second is the customer service. The first HI product i bought was a custom order. I had never bought anything from them, Yangdu didn't know me from Adam, yet even before I had committed to buying it, she had sent it in to the factory to be made. I missed a deal on a sword from them recently, but she said she had another in stock like it and made me a good deal on that one. Tjheir stuff works, works well, and the customer service is second to none. That makes the price worth it (try getting custom, hand-made blades that are actually usable at anything like the prices they charge from any other country), and keeps me coming back.

 

[Yvsa]

I've been here on BFC since May of 1999 and have spent the majority of that time in the H.I.Forum and then later the H.I.Cantina sub-forum as well. I managed to get one of the "Shop 1's", a 15" AK before Uncle Bill finally told them to pound sand. The rest are from either the first old "H.I.Shop 2" or later from the "BirGhorka Shop." They have done nothing except accelerate in quality and are still the finest and cheapest work khukuris coming out of Nepal and their guarantee is second to none!!!!:thumbup:
Snipped for brevity....

Bill Martino used to purchase Khukuri’s from the same “factory” as Khukuri House and Ghurka House.

This is the only true thing you have said. Uncle Bill did buy from Khukuri House and paid a good premium for good quality khukuris. Khukuri House's quality kept getting worse and it got harder and harder to get enough khukuris good enough for the H.I. stamp on the blade.
Finally H.I. decided to start their own shop so Shop 2 was built and kamis were hired and after a time when things were getting straightened around the "Shop 2" khukuris were considerably better than the old "Shop 1" models!
And since "Shop 2" became "BirGhorka" the quality and variety of khukuris has grown to what it is today.:thumbup:

Ghurka House then got in on the business and that must have driven Bill nuts.

Uncle Bill was never anything but gracious to Ghurka House in spite of Ghurka House using H.I. pics and such for a while, it's all in the archives but I was there when it was all unfolding.
Uncle Bill was the reason that total mayhem didn't break out between the H.I. and Ghurka House Forums. All of us H.I. members were ready to tear Ghurka House a new one and Uncle Bill always kept us settled down, well mostly, there were a few times when arguments broke out.
Uncle Bill told us there was room for both H.I. and Ghurka House in that there were two separate qualities of khukuris being sold.
And if I recall correctly there was some kind of flap about the special run of WW III khukuris with Micarta slabs that didn't work out as expected just before Ghurka House split.

Later HI khukuris are excellent as a class, but I really don’t know if it is a separate group of people making them. But it is likely.

Himalayan Imports has long had their own building and their own kamis. A few of the kamis left Khukuri House to go to work for H.I. and I have the very first H.I.Chitlangi made by Jag and Prem as I would never buy anything from Ghurka House and Rusty was the same way much to the chagrin of Mr.Gottlieb.

Bill maintained that he was “extra benevolent” to his knife makers, but he never revealed how much of each sale was going back to Nepal.

Uncle Bill and I were very close for a long while and he relayed things on to me that the general public will never know but let it suffice to say that Uncle Bill and now Yangdu support their help in ways no other factory in Nepal has ever treated their help!!!! Himalayan Imports still has the best pay plan and H.I. takes care of wounded and/or sick workers whereas such a thing is unheard of in Nepal.
And along with keeping a very comprehensive rate of pay, medical, and retirement benefits the price on many H.I.Khukuris has came down from what it was when I first came here. And to top that off Yangdu still posts some great DOTD and YBB sales almost on a daily basis.:thumbup:

And there isn't any manufacturer ever that has done so or will ever do so! That is just plain stupid!:grumpy:

You Mr. SlamFire are out of line and in my opinion full of excrement! :thumbdn: :grumpy: :barf:

 

[kamkazmoto]

Yvsa said it all and a heck of a lot more politely than I would have. I have only the highest opinion of HI and their products.

 

[Thomas Linton]

"By their deeds you will know them."

 

[munk]

I think Slamfire has picked the right name for himself. It fits wonderfully.



munk

 

[Berkley]

SlamFire (by definition a potentially harmful accidental discharge):

Bill maintained that he was “extra benevolent” to his knife makers, but he never revealed how much of each sale was going back to Nepal.

Please note that the attached photo was not taken in Reno.
It is easy to fall into cynicism and suspicion; much of what we experience in the world today encourages such thinking. Bill would not have thought it appropriate to respond to your post with anger or rancor. He was a talented writer, but would have been content to let his legacy speak for him.

 

[Guyon]

Slamfire, you want to know Bill Martino? Get started reading. He posted here at BF exactly 34,096 times before he passed. From the small portion of past posts I've read, I wish I'd known him, even virtually. Please don't attempt to disgrace his memory without knowing all the facts.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

SlamFire (by definition a potentially harmful accidental discharge):
Please note that the attached photo was not taken in Reno.

That's in Nepal? That's a friggin mansion in Nepal.
I'm not sure people realize how bad living conditions are in 3rd world countries man.
I'm really, really happy to see that they are getting paid that well. Hell, seeing how they're taken care of alone is worth buying more of their products!
No wonder they work so hard making great stuff.

 

[ArchAngel]

Sharp-K,
I own khuks from all three makers you mention.
KH is not too bad a khuk. A little rougher finish on the few I own, but they chop OK. Balance is not as good feeling as on HI's and Tora.
Fit and finish does not compare at all to HI and Tora, but if you want a beater it will likely treat you all right.
Now if you want a great khuk, you go to either HI or Tora. Both make awesome khuks, period.
Dealing with Yangdu at HI is a pleasure as it was with her husband Bill. The warranty is second to none and because they are in the states it is quick and costs virtually nothing if you have a problem. If you do have a problem it is cared for rapidly and to your total satisfaction, Period!
Simon at Tora is great also and stands behind his product equally as well as HI, but the costs dealing with a firm in the UK can boost the cost quite a bit.
On the comments made by slamfire (sad):grumpy:. It is always a shame to see what slop some small men will write while hidden behind their keyboards.
Fortunately, some men before me that knew Uncle Bill better that I, have set the record straight.
Thanks Guys! You all said it better than I could have, and with more class and restraint than the boy deserves.:thumbup:

 

[Fiddleback]

You Mr. SlamFire are out of line and in my opinion full of excrement! :thumbdn: :grumpy: :barf:

I'm glad I got here this late and was able to calm down while reading you guys responses before posting myself.

That post was dumb.

 

[roughedges]

His (Slamfire's that is) silence speaks volumes to me. He came here and made the comments he did knowing that it would hurt and upset many, not caring that what he said is obviously untrue to anyone who has spent even a small amount of time around BF and the HI forums. Just to stir the pot and hide.

That is the very definition of a troll and the fact that he didn't recieve a hard core infraction for it is a testament to both the leniency that the moderators here are capable of as well as to the legacy of tolerance that Bill Martino left us all, at least those who would actually listen, with.

I don't know Slamfire at all, and only had the opportunity to exchange one email with Mr. Martino before he passed, but I am confident that a person such as Slamfire could not sully Bill Martino's reputation or legacy no matter how hard he tries or how low he sinks.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

First of all, a big thank you to all the folks that knew Bill Martino, his compassion, his dharma, and, most importantly, the truth. Thank you for setting the record straight. One little ignorant gadfly is not going to tarnish the good work, high quality, and great reputation that Himalayan Imports has carved out for itself.

Now, to turn my attention to said ignorant gadfly. Slamfire, I haven't the time or patience to type up something "cute" to your slanderous dribble. Quite honestly, you have thrown out quite enough rope to hang yourself with fellow forumites providing the tree from which you now proverbially swing. How is the air up there?

I have read your oh so clever little backhanded posts that you so brazenly tacked on to some of the threads in the HI forum. If you haven't noticed, I didn't respond to any of it. The simple reason being that I was watching you, gaging you, judging your actions to determine if you were ignorant, thick-headed, or a troll. I have come to the conclusion that you are, in fact, an ignorant thick-headed troll, and let me leave you with this...

IF you survive out the day without walking the plank, if you EVER bring that kind of garbage into the HI discussion forum or the HI Cantina, you will be gone. I don't need to defend Bill Martino. The track record of good will that he left does that. However, I am the current HI doorman, and I take the out right lies that you are spewing VERY serious, and quite honestly, VERY personally. Straighten up, or jog on...We clear, bub?

 

[Howard Wallace]

...

Bill maintained that he was “extra benevolent” to his knife makers, but he never revealed how much of each sale was going back to Nepal. Without an accounting of his books, I always considered his benevolence is an unsubstantiated claim, designed to make his American customers feel extra good about spending extra money.

I was fortunate to have been able to have spent a bit of time with Bill in the trailer in which he lived, before he passed away. His computer and knife inventory were in a little tin shack outside the trailer.

He didn't have to live like that. He used to work at a well paying job with the same large manufacturing corporation I now work for. He quit to adopt the lifestyle he lived. Bill had the intelligence and ability to make a lot of money for himself if that was what he wanted.

Bill was one of the most genuine and honest men I have ever known. The things you have heard and don't believe are but the tip of the iceberg. Bill was modest and much of what he did with his life will never be known on the internet.

 

[cybrok]

Nah. All the photographs are faked, all the kami's marks are faked, all the kami's individual styles are faked, all the messages from Nepal are faked -- the only question is, where do HI khukuris really come from? I have my suspicions...

Nepal doesn't even exist. All khuks are made in Texas by illegal immigrants.



More seriously, I wish I knew Uncle Bill. He still is the top poster in this forum even in his tomb. Before I got my first HI khuk I've read a lot on their website. Uncle Bill is one of the reasons I decided to get an HI khuk.

I could say a lot of bad things about your grandfather slamfire, but I have a life and better things to do. I suggest you calm down and read a little before exposing your stupidity on these forums.

Uncle Bill is respected here. Can't say the same about you.



And sharp-k, sorry this happened to your thread. I don't tell you not to buy a khukuri house blade, but at least take a look in the HI section. You have nothing to lose.

 

[ferguson]

KH khukuris are fine. If you like them, try one.

HI khukuris are good.

Bill Martino was a good man. Not a saint, but he was truthful.

Yangdu Martino is a good woman, and runs HI in a manner that would have made Bill proud.

steve ferguson

 

[Kismet]

Funny thing is, Slamfire, Bill would not have responded in any way to you. He would have allowed you to have your opinion and wished you well on your path.

Your inaccuracies aside, you might study his behavior as a possible role model.

Be well and safe.




Kis

 

[Ren the devils trailboss]

The pirates alerted me to this post...

Mr. Slamfie. My mother taught me never to speak ill of those who have passed away.

also there is a list in the pirates cove...those in the know, KNOW what list this is...you have been added to that list because of your remarks about a departed friend and brother.

You sir are a troll..

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Slamfire, you have no class. It would be hard for me to think less of you than I do right now.

 

[sodak]

Hey Slamfire,

I've bought 5 khukuris from Bill when he was alive, and he was a wonderful gentleman, a very upfront and honest businessman, and a very good man to deal with. I never had a problem sending him money sight unseen and asking him to keep an eye out on a particular knife for me.

He was a good man, who doesn't deserve to be slandered. You, on the other hand, are a horses's ass for smearing the name of Bill. He might not be able to defend himself, but rest assured, the cantina will come out in his defense.

 

[SlamFire]

His (Slamfire's that is) silence speaks volumes to me. He came here and made the comments he did knowing that it would hurt and upset many, not caring that what he said is obviously untrue to anyone who has spent even a small amount of time around BF and the HI forums. Just to stir the pot and hide.

Hey Guys: Been busy today. I have a life to live you know.

Wow, did that post cause an explosion of emotion. A lot of you are still hurting it seems.

I bought one Khukuri from Bill, paid $175.00 for the thing. Must have been a Shop One khukuri. It was my first HI khukuri. Talked with him on the phone. Interesting guy. Great salesman. Read quite a number of the posts back then. Again great salesman. It was interesting to see how he made his forum members think that they had some personnel connection with the khukuri makers. This still goes on today. But Bill was the best, the rest are simply an echo.

Too many "Live Aid" concerts, and too many Police Benevolent Associations have made me very skeptical about claims of benevolence. Probably very cynical. When the books are audited, that is when the claims are revealed.

I never threw stones at the HI khukuris, they are as I said they are. And since competition has entered the market, the prices have come down.

And if paying more for these makes you feel better, go buy a bunch.

I got mine, now you get yours.