Favorite HI Kami(s)

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monkeybutt

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Jan 2, 2008
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I did a quick search and didn't see anything related pop up so...

Who is your favorite kami and why? And what did he make for you?

Just thought that this would be interesting and maybe informative.

But first cheers to ALL the kamis for your skill and sweat. It seems amazing that in this mass produced day and age that these folks continue to create culturally unique handcrafted items that readily exceed the performance and esthetics of whatever copies modern manufacture (factories) have attempted. Too cool.:thumbup:
 
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I've got a few. Actually to think now....they all have their specialties.

Master Bura for his amazing water quenched hardness at RC60 or higher.
I have the Bura Basdol (an amazing gift from Auntie) that's super light yet super strong.

Sher for his overbuilt khuk. My 12.25" Salyan with 1/2" spine.

Sgt Khadka for his large pommel, rivetted design paired with killer edge and feel.
Samsher's coming.

Murali for his slender, Kumar-esque feel in 18" ASTK. His version is a lot more slimmer than that of Dil.

Dil for making blades with thick spine into a sweet edge. The Gelbu is a good weapon.

Pretty sure we will have many Old Kami's coming. My wishful thinking is to have the 1st Ganga Made Ganga Ram.

To conclude everyone in HI is amazing- Lok, Santosh, Young Tiger & etc. I can already see Tirtha and Rajkumar going high up everybody's list.
 
Sgt Khadka - for creating the magnificent Super CAK.

Sher the Tiger - powerful overbuilt blades, but I especially like his comfortable and elegant handles.

Bura - what can I say? The old master really knows how to make a fine khukri.
 
Sgt Khadka - The very fine and very "first" Bonecutter

Kesar - a very sweet Kobra, right there with Kumar

Sanu - my favorite HI kukri, a traditional aadha paro handle YCS
 
monkeybutt said:
But first cheers to ALL the kamis for your skill and sweat. It seems amazing that in this mass produced day and age that these folks continue to create culturally unique handcrafted items that readily exceed the performance and esthetics of whatever copies modern manufacture (factories) have attempted. Too cool.:thumbup:
Click to expand...
+1 Bravo..
 
Here's a spreadsheet I've made up.

08/25/10 15” 25 oz. Ganga Ram/Bonecutter satisal Murali $65.00
08/26/10 11.5” 13 oz. Ang Khola horn young Sher $28.00
08/26/10 16.75” 31 oz. Villager Farm Knife horn Tirtha $165.00
08/30/10 18” 24 oz. Sirupati satisal Santosh $85.00
08/30/10 15” 20 oz. Ganjawal satisal Dharan $95.00
08/31/10 18” 23 oz. Malla horn Santosh $75.00
08/31/10 11” 13 oz. Chiruwa Ang Khola satisal Murali $35.00

While I haven't put them to good use yet; so far the ones I like the best are the Villager Farm Knife by Tirtha, the Sirupati by Santosh, the Ganjawal by Dharan, and the Malla by Santosh. The AK and CAK aren't a good size for me so they will be gifts for my teenage nephews. The lighter blades in the 15" - 18" range is my preference. The Ganga Ram/Bonecutter is heavier than I prefer; but would be great for heavy chopping. The Villager Farm Knife is in a class of it's own distinct from the khuks, I really like it.

I haven't had a chance to check out the last three I purchased yet.

09/02/10 18” 25 oz. Chainpuri satisal Santosh $65.00
09/02/10 12” 9 oz. Dhankute/Chainpuri horn young Sher $35.00
09/06/10 16” 19 oz. Chitlangi satisal Dil $75.00

I'm quite sure I will like the Chainpuri by Santosh and I'm looking forward to the Chitlangi by Dil. I may give away the Dhankute/Chainpuri if it doesn't fit my hand.

The spreadsheet didn't maintain it's format when I copied it here but I hope it wasn't too hard to read.
 
My favorite kami was Sanu. The only one who made a better khukuri was Bura. I prefer Sanu's knives more though because I liked their lines better.
 
being sort of a fan of over-built, I always liked The Tiger, Sher myself and have a majority of his stuff as an "Old" kami in my collection.

Among the latest group I would have to say Santosh, Tirtha and Rajkumar are my favorites.

Santosh makes a fabulously well balanced blade when it comes to the knives.

Tirtha makes my favorite of the Khukuri shaped blades, not sure how to say why but they just feel right in my hand.

Rajkumar makes the most beautiful looking pieces I have ever seen come out of HI ever and I look forward to owning more of his work.
 
I would like to give a shout-out to Get (changa) kami, maker of my M-43, for making a very nice edge: sharpens to paper-cutting easily, and remarkably tough!
 
My Murali bonecutter is a very nicely balanced kukri. Easy to sharpen and holds and edge well. What I love the most about it is that it has a traditionally sized handle and blade, it fits me perfectly.

Bill
Virginia
 
All I have so far is my Villager Farm Knife by Kami Tirtha. I love this thing like a child and am still blown away by how light it feels for such an obviously heavy blade.

I'm not sure if my love for Tirtha's work will change after acquiring more pieces, but so far he's my favorite of all the people who have made me knives...
 
Most of my favorites are Buras. Hard to beat the Master.

My favorite R-10 is a Vim.

My Kerambit and AKB are by Dil.

Of my collection, those are my favorites.
 
Most of my fav blades are by Bura. I dunno... they just feel right in my hand. Almost like he had me in mind as he hammered. Curious...
 
Bura for most of mine. And Durba for the most beautiful BAS, gorgeous work.
 
I see someone missing here and must give him the props.

If i must (in fact in the progress) get a Kami to make me a Berk's Special, it would be Bura but now Kami Vim isn't very far from it.

Dui Chirras that Vim churned out had been eye-popping.:eek::thumbup:
 
JayGoliath said:
I see someone missing here and must give him the props.

If i must (in fact in the progress) get a Kami to make me a Berk's Special, it would be Bura but now Kami Vim isn't very far from it.

Dui Chirras that Vim churned out had been eye-popping.:eek::thumbup:
Click to expand...

+1:thumbup:
 
Cpl Punishment mentions Vim Jay... guess he has been mentioned already and not missing after all. :p

Vim is on my list too, no doubt but I was sorta wanting to give some of the new guys some due since they really have been making some amazing stuff. Tirtha and Santosh makes some amazing stuff IMO and I have several of Young Sher's swords now and I really think he has and is learning from Bura well. Young Sher hasn't been out in the DOTD's of late so I hope nothing is wrong with him. His Tarwar is easily as nice as Bura's now that I sanded the finger grooves (all but the top one) off of Bura's...
 
warty said:
Vim is on my list too, no doubt but I was sorta wanting to give some of the new guys some due since they really have been making some amazing stuff. Tirtha and Santosh makes some amazing stuff IMO and I have several of Young Sher's swords now and I really think he has and is learning from Bura well. Young Sher hasn't been out in the DOTD's of late so I hope nothing is wrong with him. His Tarwar is easily as nice as Bura's now that I sanded the finger grooves (all but the top one) off of Bura's...
Click to expand...

I've got three Young Sher DOTDs since 8/25. I've been looking forward to getting a Vim and Bura. I also like my new Dil.
 
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