Does anyone know kukri of Khukuri House ?

[richard j]

if he's smart he will take ren's advise and go find another forum where his kind would be accepted. maybe go find out where cleft stump, quilp, and myplea are hanging out now,
he will fit right in with them.

 

[SlamFire]

Slamfire: passive-aggressive, irresponsible, and no sense of proportion. Add that to previously noted disrespect of the deceased, and we can't care about your assessments of moral superiority.

Sincerely,
The Cavalry.

Esav: You have always been one of the most balanced and respectful moderators on this forum. And when I saw your anger towards my first bad post, I fully realized that I had severely crossed over a boundary and really offended people that I respect. Well, the post can’t be deleted. It’s out there, people are waving the bloody shirt.

You have a good moral compass. I have seen it. And you should know the difference between discipline, correction, and abuse. There are a good number of people who provided correction, a little discipline. But Thomas Hinton clearly went into abuse.

Your avatar is the Menorah, a symbol of the physical body and spiritual radiance. Which makes me believe you are Jewish. And you should recognise the “Jew Baiting” technics that Thomas Hinton was using. Your history should be enough to recognise the precursor to pograms. Different reason, different person, same method, same outcome.

Maybe I bumbed your moral compass off a bit. Sorry. Would take it back if I could. But abuse, that is evil too.

And now, I am off my meds.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Yes, you're off your meds, and if you keep it up you're not going to be a member much longer. Comparing your opponents to Nazis is the last resort of the lunatic.

 

[SlamFire]

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.

Really? Can you post those threads?. I was there too you know. I remember the conflict that HI members poured into the GH forum.

Uncle Bill was the reason that total mayhem didn't break out between the H.I. and Ghurka House Forums.

Really? Mr. Martino orchestrated the attack on Ghurka House. Minor stuff when you read it five years later. But stated causes are seldom the actual reasons for the war. The evidence is still there, and it is in the archives.

https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133699

https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133689

I don’t know what stopped the attack. You are claiming that it was because Mr. Martino told his formites to be accepting and inclusive. When you promote a man as a model of humanity, that sounds so reasonable. There are other possible explanations. I for one cannot see how it would advantage the forum administrators to have one paying forum wipe out another.

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.

Really? This is so revealing. Are you still frustrated about not tearing Ghurka House a new one? And what did Craig Gottlieb do to you to desire this? Let me understand this, you were going to shut down Ghurka House, deprive a decent hard working man of a income, of a possible living, because of what?

You called me excrement. You are certainly not soft and pliable. No, you are much harder. The kind of hardness that breaks glass and shatters windows.

And I know, because I was on the forums then, that the factory Mr. Martino used prior to the 2000 frame was the same factory that Khukuri House sources their khukuris. As a forum follower you did not really know the source of these things, Mr. Martino created the impression of a snug little factory, something that sold direct to him, and thence to the forum. This gave the forum a feeling of being part of uniqueness, exclusivity. Direct from the family factory to the buyer.

But it was not so. The Khukuri House (KH) factory, called “Shop One” by Himalayan imports was not some a unique “in the family shop’. It was a factory that produced knives for anyone who had money. This is where Craig Gottlieb of Ghurka House upset the apple cart. All you had to do was send in a buyer, who would negotiate prices for the knives of the day, with the kami’s, and you had a bunch of khukuri’s to sell.

So here was the problem. Buyers of Ghurka House khukuri’s could hold up their GH khukuri, made at the same factory, by the same people, and wonder why they had paid two to three times the price for a HI khukuri,. The only difference between the knives was the forum stories, and the profits. It is obvious that the HI business model had to change.

And suddenly “Shop Two” pops up. HI could now claim uniqueness and exclusivity, and again justify charging a premium for their knives. With dedicated kami’s, Mr. Martino now created an even closer feeling of family, posting their biographies.

HI formites really think they have some personnel connection with these Kami’s. Their biographies are posted on the web, medical health and condition are tracked. Wonderful Soap Opera. This is quite unique, and shows how clever Mr. Martino was about generating interest in his product. He was an outstanding salesman.

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

Mr Martino evidentially acted better than many, probably most, folks have stated pay is better, there is paid sick leave, which is all good. But things in a third world country are so, so, cheap. If a khukuri, which requires, materials and three man days of labor, can be sold for $7.50 at source, then a dollar here, or $5.00 there, will provide a lot in a poor society. Maybe a month’s salary for a Doctor.

A good sales pitch, whether it is buying green, or “Farm Aid” concerts just helps materialistic consumerists rationalize their additions. So don’t try to sell me this idea that somehow by purchasing a $200.00 HI khukuri that people are radically improving things in Nepal unless I know how much is going back to the workers. Yes, Mr. Martino acted better than many, probably most, but noble sentiments aside, it is simply a good business plan. By adding a bit more, he could maintain a stable workforce, and demand a higher standard of product. Henry Ford did the same thing, but it did not make that anti Semite a model of humanity.

But it is not a perfect world. If you go to the HI site, and examine the photos, you don’t see safety glasses, you see people breathing in fumes from fires, and you see primitive working conditions. In the Gottlieb video, one craftsman, who used to be a kami, was making sheaths because he was blinded by steel fragments. What would an OSHA inspector say? Where are the human factors people? Where is the labor saving equipment? HI khukuris are being made in conditions that would be unacceptable in modern countries. Some day these craftsman are going to be coughing their lungs out, if they have not gone blind or have repetitive motion injuries.

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…

You may assume the mantle of Martino on the forum, you claim the frock, but compared to the real thing, you don't measure up. The major flaw in Mr. Martino business model was that success depended on the person of Bill Martino. Without Mr Martino’s drive and entrepreneurial excellence HI is sort of drifting. Outside competition is driving prices down, and you can get on the HI website and see the massive amount of work Mr. Martino did, but the information is dated. Things like “contact Bill Martino at…”. Does not look like someone is doing the necessary maintenance. Certainly not you.

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.

After creating the image that kami’s are models of hard working middle class values, HI has a problem that high quality khukuri’s are being produced, and sold, by someone other than HI. You have to denigrate those knife makers by making statements like “the quality kept getting worse”. Rubbish. I can say that the best of my Ghurka House khukuris are as good as any of my HI khukuri’s. I have purchased a number of off brand khukuri’s at greatly reduced prices, from electronic auction houses, or knife vendors. Some are really excellent examples of knives. Others the fit and finish are not so wonderful, but all, and I mean all, are totally functional and worth the money I paid for them.

Which one is the HI, which one is the KH, and which one is the GH?

This more than anything else was the source of hostility between HI and Gurkha House, and all other suppliers of khukuri’s. It is my opinion that this was inevitable. Though successful marketing and sales, Mr. Martino had built up a market, created so much demand, that it was inevitable that others would see his success, and decide to also make profit.

As for HI khukuri’s, they are certainly excellent knives. If people want an excellent khukuri, they ought to get one.

But I hope after doing that, that folks won’t get on a soap box and tell the world that the reason they purchased one is because they wanted to make the world a better place.

 

[SlamFire]

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...

Captn, no, I did not notice that you did not respond to any of my posts. Which I recently reviewed those five and now wonder what was your problem. But anyway, what a different view of the world we must share. I am a mote, and do not expect the world to be constantly thinking about me, or be in posed anxiety waiting for words to tumble off my keyboard. This is the first I have heard of you. Hopefully it will be the last. Sorry I offended you and got in all this mess. But as you are out there, watching, gauging, judging, the world has become a more frightening place.

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?

Aye, aye Captn. I shall sail clear of HI, that is a port that I shall not drop anchor again. For quite some time I have been trolling (ha!), looking to harpoon a weekly special, hoping to find a special that just fits a niche in my HI collection.

And darn if they are not landed before I get my line in the water! Keel haul those landlubbers! But now, I sure do not want to tie in at that dock, might be pirates waiting to hang me off my running rigging. I am certain that Yandu will be more than compensated in honest principle than with whatever future loss with my filthy lucre.

 

[SlamFire]

Mr. Slamfire:

You have insulted a man whose integrity was above reproach.
I did not know him personally, but I spoke with him on the phone several times and bought several knives from him.
He shipped to me before the payment was even sent.
I have never dealt with anyone more honorable.

Mr. Martino was a outstanding business man, had a successful business plan, and it worked. You can look and see the pieces of his plan. He wrote about it on his forum. Through tireless work, he put up that web site, and posted multiple times daily on the forum. If you wanted a khukuri, and went to his web site, you found that prices were not necessarily posted. You had to call him. And this is when you ran into this marvelous telephone personality who had a resonate voice and charming personality. And while it felt flattering to talk to the actual celebrity, all the time Mr. Martino was evaluating you through your responses to the prices of his knives. By sending “safe” people knives before payment, he also created a strong brand loyalty. You are one of these. It is a shame that he is not around, building his business, contributing to the forum. He was a trail blazer.

Bill Martino was good for khukuri’s and good for this forum. He was a master salesman, successful entrepreneur, contributor to our knowledge. The massive information he posted has really increased the awareness and knowledge of these knives, and by this, and importing quality knives, he was the ground zero for creating the market demand for these knives. These are all good things, and worthy of recognition and remembrance. It is no wonder that people are hyper vigilant and aggressive towards any slights towards him.

 

[SlamFire]

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.

Sounds like a great guy to have known.

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.

Living in a trailer is not evidence of poverty. A bank account statement and a business balance sheet would be better evidence. Lots of entrepreneurs identify their sense of self with their business and funnel their cash into the business. A surprising number of millionaires live a rather low profile life style. The kids get to spend the money when Dad dies. Also, quite a few business executives decide to drop out of the rat race and live a low stress lifestyle. Which incidentally, two weeks ago, I met a former district manager who is now driving a company shuttle. Regular schedule, regular life. Mr. Martino did have the funds to travel numerous times to Nepal and establish Shop Two. He must have had cash somewhere.

The lowered prices were mainly due to HI's construction of the current Birghorka factory, which cut some of the expenses of khukuri production.

Prices have dropped since the early heady days. You have suggested it is due to production efficiency. Hard to believe, especially with the difference in the value of currencies. If the buy price is $7.50 but the sell price is $150.00, the difference is transportation and profits. Competition is driving the profit margin down. This is sort of a self inflicted wound. Mr. Martino was a trail blazer, created this demand, , and others had decided to get in on the profits. And there is so much profit that “shop one” WWII’s, sirupati’s at $40.00, $50.00. Just go to ebay and do a search on Khukuri.

Slamfire, you're a real piece of...work.

With flaws. Lots of flaws.

 

[Mike L.]

Fellows, I started to post a point-by-point rebuttal of the above crapola, and then decided not to waste my time or the bandwith.

SlimeFire has shown himself to be a contemptible troll. I am urging all of you to join me in starving (ignoring) him.

Damn, all this time on BF and I never put some one on ignore before this.

--Mike L.

 

[Cougar Allen]

You were warned.

Yes, you're off your meds, and if you keep it up you're not going to be a member much longer. Comparing your opponents to Nazis is the last resort of the lunatic.

Wipeout

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

Wow.

Instead of going back and deleting the offensive post, you decide to spend a couple of hours posting pics and typing rant after rant thinking that somehow you'll "win" in this thread, or convert some people to your point of view (which involves mocking and insulting a deceased forumite).

You really are clueless.

I almost feel sorry for you.

 

[richard j]

he needs to go hang out with quilp and myplea:thumbup: they seem to have the same mentality

 

[Howard Wallace]

You were warned.

Wipeout

A sad story, but appropriate for the health of BF.

To set the record straight, the first 2 quotes in post 67 above are from me. The remainder are not. With only the first quote attributed to me and the rest left without attribution, an incorrect impression is left that all responses in that post are to material I wrote. This ommission of attributions may have been intended to continue stirring up confusion, or may be a result of internal confusion on the part of the poster.

In any case, I wish Mr. Slamfire good fortune in working out the remainder of his karma here on this planet. We all have our own challenges.

 

[Strobengh]

Back on topic:

I bought a 12" jungle model from KH. I'm not overly pleased with it.
The handle fell apart, and it doesn't hold an edge that well.

My 15" HI BAS, on the other hand, is my constant companion.
I absolutely love it.

 

[Tohatchi NM]

The huge difference between KH and HI is that shipping is included in the HI price. Depending on the item, shipping could make the KH item as much or more as the HI.

Second major difference is fit and finish. Most HI blades have a high polish, KH has more of a working finish.

HI has a much bigger presence on Bladeforums. Accounting for that, both companies seem to have similar levels of performance satisfaction and complaints. It is much easier to resolve warranty issues with HI, since you can quickly ship back and forth to Reno. Also, you can call/email Yangdu and she can pick out a blade that will fit your usage requirements or specifications. HI models are somewhat standard, but can vary in exact dimensions, thickness, weight, etc.

Khukri House seems to put out a decent product. I have no experience with them, because I have always received excellent service from HI, both in shipping new items and in resolving the single warranty issue I had. I reward companies that treat me well by sending my business their way.

Also, the quickest way to get a khuk in your hand is to wait for a deal of the day on the Himalayan Imports forum, or call Yangdu with your request.


Regarding the Slamfire subthread: Not sure this was deliberate trolling, but it went downhill super fast. Then again, I'm on the super-tolerant end of the Cantina bar. If you were picking a fight, there are plenty of people better than me at sniffing out trolls. It's a pretty sad way to end 7 years of BF membership - the fireworks could've been much better.

I carefully re-read the first post. Nothing seems off kilter - Bill sourcing early HI products from local shops is accurate. HI started off with Bill finding the best khuks he could, and selling them through Kodak photos and ads in the back of knife mags. The benevolence issue is somewhat legitimate - there are lots of charity programs out there that are less than they seem. Someone without good knowledge of HI would be right to question this, though they would hopefully dig deeper through research, not by poking the forum. Having known Bill, and having direct personal contact with two Nepalis at BirGorkha, I trust that his "charity" program is real. In actuality, this isn't much in the way of charity. Bill built a market niche that could support higher than normal prices for khukuris, so a small slice of the Nepali economy commands a very good wage for their labors. That's not charity - it's good business.

Bill wasn't perfect, and would be the first to admit that. However, he provides an excellent example of what a person should be.

 

[sams]

I did not to respond but wanted to say something these past days.

I felt hurt to read what has been said about my friend and his bussiness. There may be a bit of truth in some of the accusations but I think it was blown way out of porpotion, even exagerated.

It was not nice and insulting how it was stated. Not right, and certainly not fair. HI has not hurt anyone.

 

[Bill Marsh]

SlamFire, you have made the huge mistake of slandering one of the great icons. A man loved by many people. Now revered.

Your post is the worst and most untrue I have ever seen in connection with Bill Martino. While I did not personally meet him, we had some long and interesting phone conversations.

He was one of the best. He is still sorely missed. He never claimed to be a saint and I don't think that he ever would have accepted that title.

But he was a truly good man. His heart was in the right place.

Big mistake, Slamfire. Big Mistake. You would be well advised to stop responding as you only continue to stir ire.

You have stepped over an unforgivable line.

 

[markksr]

Big mistake, Slamfire. Big Mistake. You would be well advised to stop responding as you only continue to stir ire.

Um. He's already been banned.

 

[Bill Marsh]

Um. He's already been banned.

GOOD! !

 

[cybrok]

One last thing I would like to add. The energy deployed here by the people who knew Uncle Bill to protect his memory impressed me. Tells a lot about a man who already had my respect.