Heading to Nepal

TLR

TLR

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Oct 5, 1998
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So in a few weeks I will be heading to Kathmandu. Still not sure how many days I will be there but probably no more than three or four. I will have a little time for sightseeing. Anything to not miss?

I would love more than anything to buy an HI Kuhkri while there but I don't see how that could happen. Without denigrating HI which I hold in high esteem does anyone know of any authentic Kamis in Kathmandu. I would love to watch them work.

Thanks

Travis.
 
I'm not sure I understand your question. All HI Kami's are authentic real deals in the Kathmandu area.

If you order a knife from Yangdu in Reno it was born and made in Nepal.
 
There have been questions in the past about visiting the HI shop in Nepal, and the answer was a pretty firm "No" due to the political situation there, among other factors. An exception was made for HI moderator and long-time friend Howard Wallace, who made a video there a few years ago.

To find a local kami, you could ask at the various khukuri shops if you can visit where they are made, and you might get lucky.

I suggest checking out the black river rocks available at many souvenir places. They will be split and have an ammonite fossil inside (usually the positive imprint on one side, and the negative on the other side).
 
Bawanna, TLR is going to Kathmandu but I think he is correct, he can't buy an HI blade while he is there can he? I don't think they let people go to the forge nor buy blades there. So that is why he is looking for a non-tourist place he could buy a quality khuk.

edit: Hehe, While I fell asleep typing Mr. Tall answered :D Glad I wasn't too incorrect.
 
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Thank you all.

Bawanna - I have a couple HI made blades. One Kuhkri and one of the very first JKM knives. The authenticity of HI implements and Kamis are unquestioned. As Steve Tall noted, I did not believe there was a way to either visit the HI shop nor purchase one of their wares in country. As a knife maker I am very interested in the opportunity to watch a Kami at work. The use of the word "authentic" is used as my understanding is the kuhkri shops in Kathmandu are little more than tourist stops.

I hope that provides some clarity. Thank you all so far for your suggestions and insights.

christcl - what is thangkas?
 
What is the 'political situation'?
I've heard about this in the past as well when they were talking about getting a generator, no?
 
stwm said:
What is the 'political situation'?
I've heard about this in the past as well when they were talking about getting a generator, no?
Click to expand...

Some background from a post by Karda:



Regarding Himalayan Imports Shop Visits
Dear friends,
I know some of you have heard this before, but it bears repeating at this time.
It has come to my attention that quite a few of you, since seeing Howard Wallaces "A Virtual Tour of H.I. in Nepal" video, Have expressed an interest in visiting the shop in nepal for a tour yourselves. Some have even emailed Auntie Yangdu to try to set up such a visit. Please do not ask this of her. She feels guilty for not being able to grant your request and answering these emails takes time away from being able to answer orders, fill them and the pack and ship them. You may be surprised that Auntie does all this by herself most days with little to no help.

As much as Auntie and Pala would like to have you as their guest, Sadly, The request has, and has to, be denied.

The reasoning behind this decision is quite simple.
Nepal is a land of extremes. In everything.
It is for your safety and the safety of the employees of H.I., that visits are not allowed. The political climate in Nepal being such as it is, it can be a dangerous place to visit, especially for westerners. It has happened in the past that even native people have been badly beaten and robbed by maoist gangs that roam the area and target the seemingly well off or people whom they deem as overtly capitalist. In some cases people have even been killed. The gangs are always watching and waiting. We do not wish to advertise our business to them and vistors would bring on unwanted and unneeded attention. It would be like hanging a "free lunch" sign outside the door to a diner. Everyone would need to be paid off to avoid harm to our employees and business in general and could possibly cause enough strain to force Auntie to close the doors.

I would like you to understand why Howard Wallace was granted this wish, while we must deny this request to others. He is a special case. He has been personal friends With Pala, Uncle and Auntie for many years. His Visit was actually to stop by to see Pala at his home while in nepal on his way back from visiting his Wifes family. Only by chance was he granted the opportunity.

In addition, as howard stated in his thread, The shops are not set up to entertain visitors. They are fully working shops with the customary amenities of that part of the world, meaning rudimentary. Those of you who've visited that part of the world will understand. Every minute spent visiting will unfortunately take away what little precious time there is for making our favorite pointy objects. And that in turn could hurt the business. This last year with the kami situation and other problems arising, such as the rise in coal prices, the cost of shipping from nepal rising and other factors, have necessitated that Auntie operate on a shoestring budget. We may feel we have it hard here in the states, i can guarantee you it has been much more so in nepal with things as they are. With the U.N. pulling out of nepal and the maoist majority, things are most likely to get worse before they get better, at least for the forseeable future.
Thru patience, perseverance and possibly a little cunning, with the help of you loyal customers we can keep the doors open and walk the Dharma path together as we have these many years, and in doing so keep Uncle Bills dream alive.

Regarding visiting the stateside part of H.I.?
I would like you to understand that Auntie operates this from her home.
There is no warehouse or shop here, but her living quarters and a place for some inventory. If you request a visit with her, she must be comfortable recieveing you as a guest in her home and have the time in her busy schedule to permit it. As always, it would be at her discretion.

I and Auntie hope this explains the whys and wherefores of these matters and i hope you all understand.
As customers you are greatly valued.... But your friendship is more valuable than gold.

Last edited by Karda; 01-06-2011 at 05:01 PM.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/806521-Regarding-Himalayan-Imports-Shop-Visits
 
More background, from a 2015 newspaper article:


Extortion terror
Tuesday, January 6th, 2015
Nepali Times
.................................................. .................................................. ..............

Karobar, 6 January

At a time when the deadline for the new constitution nears and the political transition is in a sensitive phase, CPN-M Maoists of the Netra Bikram Chand (Biplab) faction have started extorting business all over the country. Traders and businessmen have started turning their mobile phones off and not coming to their offices and shops in order to avoid the extortion demands. “They are sowing terror in the entire business community,” said Pashupati Murarka of the FNCCI. Parties inside the Constituent Assembly, including members of the 31-member group led by the UCPN(M) are also involved in extortion, and using the excuse of organizing mass meetings to raise money. The targets are businessmen, shopkeepers, schools, contractors, civil servants, VDC secretaries and ordinary people. The CPN-M’s Padam Rai said: “We are not hermits, of course we need to raise money for our political organization, and that is why we have asked people to donate money to us.” Police Chief of the mid-western region Keshar Bahadur Shahi said there had been a flurry of complaints from businesses complaining about extortion in recent days. “Some have lodged complaints in writing, while others are more careful because of the fear of repercussions,” Shahi said.

from http://www.nepalitimes.com/blogs/thebrief/2015/01/06/extortion-terror/
 
“We are not hermits, of course we need to raise money for our political organization, and that is why we have asked people to donate money to us.” I seem to remember a few other political organizations that "solicited" donations in order to keep your self and your family and property from being "accidentally" damaged. Sucks that HI has to be careful or risk that sort of thing.
 
I really appreciate the detailed explanation, Steve. Now I certainly do understand! How unfortunate...
These maoist gangs sound like a blight on these poor hardworking people. It is a wonder that they manage to do all that they do already!

I for one cannot wait to see what comes from Pala's visit to Nepal - awaiting good things!


As safe and as beautiful as the world is....it wouldn't make sense in my mind to not travel armed.
 
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I would crap cobblestones if 20 Kami armed with Khukuri rushed outside the shop! I bet BG is really safe!
 
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