Gurkha House v. Himalayan Imports

Joined
Mar 8, 2000
Messages
3
Hey All,

I am interested in getting a 15" Khukuri. I notice that Gurkha House has one for $59 while Himalayan Imports' is about $175. Both are made in Nepal. Has anyone had experience with both, and if so is the Himalayan Imports' worth the extra 116 or so dollars?

Thanks in advance for your help.

:-)
 
There is a difference! Whether it is worth the extra $116 or so is up to you. Unless you get a blem(Bill won't ship one to you unless you ask for one: There is a discounted price) HI khukuris are museum grade and are virtually indestructable. The quality of GH is slightly less from an aesthetic angle, but are reputed to be first class blades. If cash is a concern get a villager model. They are the same heat treat and strength, but less detail is paid to fit and finish. You can get one of these for about $75 or so. With HI you can get a replacement blade if yours EVER fails or can trade it up for another model if it fancies you. Bill's motto of 'No unsatisfied customers' is sincere and absolutely true.
Don't discount GH though. Both outfits provide top quality knives and I don't think you'd regret having either!
Sutcliffe
 
In my opinion, you'll get what you pay for. Per Bill's wishes I'll withhold further comment.

Hmmmm....except just this one:

GH buys Khuks from a wholesaler in Nepal.

HI is owned by Bill Martino's Nepalese father-in-law, who I've had the pleasure of meeting and has since gone back to Nepal. HI owns the shop where their goods are made, they have direct control over which blacksmiths (kamis) do which jobs and with which materials and methods. They pay their kamis better, they have the only powertools in kami hands in the whole country, they've eliminated child labor by substituting commercial hairdryers and tubing on the forges instead of the traditional 10yr-old-kid-on-the-bellows.

That's a good start. In terms of both quality and karma, HI is the way to go.

Sorry Bill
smile.gif
. But it needs saying.

Jim
 
Our 15 inch sirupati and our British Army Service are $100. 15 inch AK is $125. We sell a silver mounted carved handle 15 inch AK for $175.

We own our own factory in Surya Benai, Nepal, and make our own knives and they are without a doubt the best khukuris being made in Nepal today. You can see pix of our staff right here on the forum. Last I heard GH gets their khukuris from the Khukuri House, a dealer in Thamel.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
I own several of both. Uncle Bill is an incredible guy. Craig is also very good people. I would not throw away any of them. HI does have a bigger selection. If you go to the HI website take a look at the FAQ, and some of the other points of intrest. I have not heard compliants about eihter. In the end you get what ya pay for. (He says as he tries to figure out how to finace his wish list that is sitting at 8 or 9 khukris at this time...
biggrin.gif
)

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"Clear a path for the Kukhri or it will clear one for itself"
 
Sometimes a female friend of mine becomes "one in the million". It doesn't necessarily mean she is superior than any other girls million times, but she is worth to me definitely... at least for a while.

One million is a too heavy deal on khukuris, but I think I expect more than "one in the three" quality in HI khukuris. It doesn't have to be three times better in functionality or in beauty. If you think you have to buy at least 4 or more GH khukuris to find one superior khukuri than HI even though HI is not four times as tough, its worth paying three times. Just my humble opinion.

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
I'll say only this.

I have visited more than 100 aruns in Nepal, have watched maybe three or four hundred kamis work, and have examined at least 10,000 khukuris. And, I have tried to make khukuris myself but could not, however, I can make a decent handle and have made numerous bolsters and buttcaps. I may not know a lot but I do know something about khukuris and those that are being made in BirGorkha today are the best I've ever seen.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
I will have to agree. The best bar none. GH is good, but HI is the best.

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"Clear a path for the Kukhri or it will clear one for itself"
 
Why does a Mercedes-Benz cost more than a Ford?

We pay our sarkis more for the scabbard and frog than dealers pay for khukuri, karda, chakma, scabbard and frog.

Quality is not free. It comes at a cost and we are willing to pay that cost.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
I think cliff stamp has proven that H I khukuris are the toughest made.I agree that it is the best and I reccomend them hands down.But, you must remember what forum this is. You may want to post in the GH forum for thier opinions also. Just A thought. Brian

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I'm living on the edge!
 
... "one in the million" ...
Mizutani San - Once in an interview at my office - a person was asked about the most beautiful lady in the world! He answered the question with a broad smile "Sir! I think my wife is the most beautiful lady in the world!"

NEPAL HO!
 
Mohd, how very nice guy!

I'm sure my wife has been one in the million, but if one million playmates swarmed at me, I would willingly make lo


----correspondence interrupted-----


t of pleasant conversation and say farewell to get back home ASAP.I love my wife!

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
I consider my own wife one of the best proofs that somewhere there is a benevolent god who treasures me as his child and has given me an incomprehensibly wonderful treasure to care for and appreciate.
 
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