Help get Yangdu and the Kami community discovered

George Azar

George Azar

Joined
Apr 18, 2017
Messages
2,060
I'd like to start this new thread to get more money to the Kami community! That would be bad for us, the consumer and wonderful for the hard working people of Nepal!
Being familiar with hand forged blades since the very early 1980's I've come to appreciate the hard work and performance these type of knives achieve.
I've only been introduced to H.I. and since 2017! I'm so amazed I've not heard of the quality and capability these knifes can do.
Being familiar with the American Bladesmith Society, or as I'll refer to later, the ABS, and Bill Moran and many other premier knifemakers( I'm only including hand forged knives), they worked hard to preserve the hand forged knife i the US and other countries.
Without making this too long, their test included your knife being able to shave hair, cut through 2, 2x4's and cut into a 1" free hanging hemp rope and still be able to shave. Also put a blade in a vise grip and bend it 90 degrees without it breaking and still be functional.
I've wateched these blade achieve all these tasks except the bending.
If they can do that and Ms Yangdu and some Kamis were exposed to this community, their knives can command $500-1000+ dollars and bring wealth to their poverty strickened area! I hate to see such great talent not get rewarded for their quality of work! The American people are looking for this type of "undiscovered" work!
I know.....I've been their for many years and want to let others discover this talent as well!
If I can help in any way, I will be honored to do it!
George
 
Thank you very much for kind thoughts and supports to HI and Kamis, George
 
I'm gonna try my best to bring your Kami family into exposure to the ABS! Your people could bring a world of understanding to the knife community as a whole!!
 
Cool idea, the kami's work is definitely on or above par for this. Sure is gonna take a big pipe to bend a 30+ oz CAK!!!!
 
George Azar said:
I've only been introduced to H.I. and since 2017! I'm so amazed I've not heard of the quality and capability these knifes can do. Being familiar with the American Bladesmith Society, or as I'll refer to later, the ABS, and Bill Moran and many other premier knifemakers( I'm only including hand forged knives), they worked hard to preserve the hand forged knife i the US and other countries....

Without making this too long, their test included your knife being able to shave hair, cut through 2, 2x4's and cut into a 1" free hanging hemp rope and still be able to shave. Also put a blade in a vise grip and bend it 90 degrees without it breaking and still be functional. I've wateched these blade achieve all these tasks except the bending....
Click to expand...

Can you provide a link to a web site that lists the full set of requirements for ABS Master status?

The biggest barrier for Kumar and other kamis might be language and geography, or familiarity with certain tools and techniques that are not available to them in Nepal.

I also would love to see someone try the bend test with an HI heavy chopper. I suppose it's possible, theoretically. Archimedes said, give me a long enough lever and a place to stand, and I can move the earth.
 
davidf99 said:
Can you provide a link to a web site that lists the full set of requirements for ABS Master status?

The biggest barrier for Kumar and other kamis might be language and geography, or familiarity with certain tools and techniques that are not available to them in Nepal.

I also would love to see someone try the bend test with an HI heavy chopper. I suppose it's possible, theoretically. Archimedes said, give me a long enough lever and a place to stand, and I can move the earth.
Click to expand...
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/index.php?section=pages&id=178

This link should contain enough info concerning testing.
PDF info to pull up!
 
George Azar said:
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/index.php?section=pages&id=178

This link should contain enough info concerning testing.
PDF info to pull up!
Click to expand...
Another facility that was started to preserve Bladesmithing is located in Arkansas. A place historically where James Black forged the Bowie knife for James "Jim" Bowie. I'm putting a link up for that as well! If we can bombard these places with exposing the Kamis through Yangdu, then there might be chances. The Kamis deserve much more! Here's the link:
https://www.texarkanacollege.edu/continuing-education/school-of-bladesmithing/
 
I'd really like to keep this thread front and center please. Please help me write, call, email the "ABS", American Bladesmith Society to get Yangdu and the Kamis discovered.
Please! While I'm going to bed full, blessed and all my needs are met.....not my wants......there are the people of Nepal, possibly hungry, lacking clothing, poor shelters,....very oppressed. After Mr Tall posted what he did and I did research from Bill Martino's writings, it has messed me up to the point of being on a mission for renown!
Blessings
George
 
I just read through the pdf that spells out the testing requirements for the Master certification. Although there seems to be some provision for people in other countries, it is oriented toward applicants who are located in the U.S. and have the wherewithal to travel. Also, there is a major emphasis on the creation and use of damascus steel. I don't know if that's within the experience or skillset of the HI kamis. Too many hoops to jump through, I think, for kamis whose incomes are marginal and whose language and culture are so different from the U.S.

The general idea is still good. Maybe there is another way to get ABS recognition for these highly skilled and artistic craftsmen, other than Master certification. For example, does ABS have a category for Japanese blademakers, who are world renowned for the quality of their best work?
 
davidf99 said:
I just read through the pdf that spells out the testing requirements for the Master certification. Although there seems to be some provision for people in other countries, it is oriented toward applicants who are located in the U.S. and have the wherewithal to travel. Also, there is a major emphasis on the creation and use of damascus steel. I don't know if that's within the experience or skillset of the HI kamis. Too many hoops to jump through, I think, for kamis whose incomes are marginal and whose language and culture are so different from the U.S.

The general idea is still good. Maybe there is another way to get ABS recognition for these highly skilled and artistic craftsmen, other than Master certification. For example, does ABS have a category for Japanese blademakers, who are world renowned for the quality of their best work?
Click to expand...

You have a good point as I forgot about the Damascus steel. It's been 25+ yrs since I've been involved. However, I believe each group can draw from the other. The culture of Nepal and the generations of Kamis could teach ABS and ABS the Kamis!
It's a hopeful thought and dream.

I had the privilege of spending many years and buying his knives with a local ABS master smith. He has done amazing work including a Damascus steel katana that I kick myself when I think about it! It was a ladder pattern that at the mid 80's sold for $150 a blade inch. It was an approximate 25" blade. Stingray skin handle. He offered it for $1500! Oh well! Lots of regrets in my lifetime!

At least, I'm thinking they can achieve journeyman smith. Maybe.....the sky is the limit!
My main goal is to expose the ABS community to HI! I think that will create a following for sure!
 
I think if you drew up the specs of a couple of 'test knives'...and then we paid for them....then we could have the testing done on video.... and send them their J.S. ??
 
stwm said:
I think if you drew up the specs of a couple of 'test knives'...and then we paid for them....then we could have the testing done on video.... and send them their J.S. ??
Click to expand...
There would be several pieces (complete) knives looked at, then the test knife. When they pass, they would also be able to stamp JS on their knife.
 
I'm all for recognizing the kami's and certainly getting more exposure but also am a firm believer in not messing with mother nature.
The things we love about the HI Kukri's are the things they have done for 100's of years. Every kami working for HI is a journeyman weather ABS thinks so or not. I don't mean to sound negative.
Most of the kami's hardly know what the internet is or more importantly do they care. Good for them.
In the past we've had folks want them to put micarta or other modern man made handles and such.
To me that's just spitting on tradition and the history of kukri's and gurka's.

Yangdu is dedicated to taking care of the kami's and their families. I don't think there is any plan to make them wealthy. To ask them, they are probably thinking they are pretty well off by their standards. A totally different culture.
Personally and I know I still sound negative I wouldn't pay any more for a knife with an ABS or JS stamped on it. Quite the contrary, I'd probably pass it by. Bura would probably get a big chuckle out of it.

Anything for exposure and new HI fans, I'll do whatever it takes. But Yangdu is a fine business woman, it's been working for a long time, and I hope it continues for a lot longer.
 
Well said Mr. B. I didn't know how to articulate my feelings on the subject, but you did splendidly, and I am 200% in total agreement with you.
 
I certainly don't mean to take away or put down Georges efforts. His heart is exactly in the right place and I completely applaud his thinking and support.
I admire his newly acquired dedication and support to Yangdu and HI. We all recognize that since most of us share those same qualities.
If Yangdu needed in person help folks from all over the country and even the world would be on the way to help.
Passing the word, sharing our love for these knives, anything to keep the interest alive is a good thing.
 
Bawanna said:
I certainly don't mean to take away or put down Georges efforts. His heart is exactly in the right place and I completely applaud his thinking and support.
I admire his newly acquired dedication and support to Yangdu and HI. We all recognize that since most of us share those same qualities.
If Yangdu needed in person help folks from all over the country and even the world would be on the way to help.
Passing the word, sharing our love for these knives, anything to keep the interest alive is a good thing.
Click to expand...
I know I'm the new kid on the block and my intentions are not to disturb the the culture, replace materials, etc but only to help in any way I cam!
I'm listening to you, the HI family and that's how I learn. When I read Steve Talls write up, it messed me up.
I've also talked to Yangdu and she mentioned it not enough profit and she needed to increase the prices because of not enough for bills and profit. She voiced going to a knife show and a knife she sold around $65, they were selling similar for hundreds, even thousands more!
There is a monster market out there. I'm not looking for fame but a small slice that is deserving of the work they do.
ABS also promoted traditional materials.
All I'm asking guys, y'all teach me. I don't want any of their tradition changed, that's why I've bought over 30 knives in less than 3 months!
Godspeed to all!
George
 
I agree Yangdu could and should charge considerable more for these knives. By saying that I'm basically severing my own throat me living on the side of the tracks I live on.
We definitely need to increase traffic and potential buyers exposure.
Most of us have been here a long time, we've collected or accumulated a lot of knives. I still find knives the intrigue and make me want even more.

We just need more folks in the shark tank. I'll be the guy in the heavy steel cage.

Another factor at HI is Yangdu is such a kind person she'd rather give you a knife than sell it to you. She needs the money to support her people (and herself) but she's a very generous and giving person.
If more business's ran with the integrity and kindness of HI, the world would be a much nicer place for sure.
 
Bawanna said:
I agree Yangdu could and should charge considerable more for these knives. By saying that I'm basically severing my own throat me living on the side of the tracks I live on.
We definitely need to increase traffic and potential buyers exposure.
Most of us have been here a long time, we've collected or accumulated a lot of knives. I still find knives the intrigue and make me want even more.

We just need more folks in the shark tank. I'll be the guy in the heavy steel cage.
Click to expand...
I agree Bawanna!
 
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