Hey all...

Irezumi

Irezumi

Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Messages
1,357
Just curious about Himalayan Imports. In the heading under Himalayan Imports main forum it claims to be the manufacturer of the best Khukris, yet it seems to me that HI just import thems from Nepal. Is this incorrect? Also, I just got a bunch from Khukri House that are far cheaper yet they are very well made knives that take a razor edge. Are the HI khuks even better than these? Maybe someone can clear this up for me.

thanks
 
Irezumi said:
yet it seems to me that HI just import thems from Nepal.
Click to expand...

Yes, but they are made by the best kamis (bladesmiths).

HI khuks are more expensive, it's because employees are treated like they should. Go to the website and read a little about the history, there is a lot to learn.
 
Ive seen plenty of Khukri House knives, and they dont compare at all to HI blades. Check out an HI for yourself to see what I mean.
 
Welcome Irezumi:)

Cybrok is exactly right. HI is run here stateside by Yangdu Martino, the widow of the late, great Uncle Bill Martino. She is a native of Nepal and receives shipments from her father's blade shop which she sells out of her home in Reno, NV.
The prices are a little higher. However, given the high shipping cost of the "direct" manufactures, it generally turns out that the prices are nearly identical. HI is a business founded on ethics. It attracts some of the best kamis (bladesmiths) in the region because it pays well and provides medical coverage. The QC of HI is second to none. Blades are inspected (as well as blessed) before they are shipped to Reno. Once there, Yangdu's eagle eye looks them over for any damage that may have happened in transit. Anything that is not perfect, is sold as a blem (one-off) here on this forum at a deep discount.
Finally, HI has a no-nonsense lifetime warranty on their blades for the original buyer. If the blade or handle ever fails on you, and you weren't abusing it (basically short of chopping up tank armor) they will replace it.
What it boils down to is: a great blade made by the most skilled hands, a company that actually values and does not exploit their employees, and fantastic quality control with a very fair and honorable saleswoman.

Like Cybrok said, take a look at the FAQ. HI has a fascinating history:) Once again, welcome.
 
Unless something has changed since last I looked, and with rare exceptions (all noted in the descriptions of the specific items), the khukuri are manufactured in a single shop in Surya Benai -- AKA "Bir Gorkha," the Nepali end of this enterprise. The standards of manufacture to be followed by the employees of Bir Gorkha are set, for all intents and purposes, by Yangdu.

In other words, the products are not simply bought on the open market in Nepal.

Other companies in Nepal may have their products made in a single shop (They certainly tell us so.), but this leaves the issue of quality.

So HI, as an enterprise, is not simply an importer.
 
Irezumi,
You might be interested in reading some old posts by HI's own Bill Martino, explaining (among other interesting facts) why the company should have been called Himalayan Exports.:)
Berk
 
Thanks a lot guys...it is hard to decide when all you are looking at are internet pics. I have to admit the ones I received did not look as good as the ones in the internet pics and had a lot of marks on them. I was able to clean them up and have good skill at sharpening so it was not an issue. I will have to grab a HI khuk for myself. One other question if I may, many companies claim to supply the actual knives to the Ghurkas, surely not every company can be doing this. Does anyone know the actual khuk that the ghurkas by (not a repro)?

thanks again
 
Berk, you are a Godsend. Thank you, sir:)

Irezumi, be sure to check out the Deals of the Day. Every so often (maybe a couple times a week more or less), Yangdu will post up some blems where the blade just has a few rust spots or a slight crack in the handle. You can save up to half off and end up with a fantastic user blade that'll last you for life+
 
You know guys, this is what I love about this forum. Im most forums, Irezumi's initial post probably would have brought accusations of troll or spam. But here, he gets respect and useful information. Great guys and welcome Irezumi.
Terry
 
Irezumi said:
... One other question if I may, many companies claim to supply the actual knives to the Ghurkas, surely not every company can be doing this. Does anyone know the actual khuk that the ghurkas by (not a repro)?

thanks again
Click to expand...

i understand that the gurkhas are issued with 'low bidder' kukhris, that doesn't mean they use them other than at parades, for field use they will frequently use their own purchased or family kuk's. (mostly 'cause the issue ones are not very good in comparison)

i also gather that their is no one supplier to the gurkhas, they spread out the purchases over a number of manufacturers who all claim the 'gurkha supplier' badge.
 
"Himalayan Imports" is something of a misnomer. They are certainly do import their knives, but it is from a single, carefully-controlled factory in Nepal. They take their orders from Yangdu, here in the States, and their quality control is second to none. They treat their workers right, helping them with medical stuff and housing. They really take care of their own. Also, the customer service is truly second to none. If you have any question at all about whether your blade is improperly hardened, or something breaks that shouldn't, they won't even ask questions. They'll just put a brand-new one in the mail that day. They're incredible knives made by incredible people. And you can rest well knowing that you just provided a talented Nepali craftsman, who does his trade so well, and his entire family with the fruits of employment and healthcare. Hell, some members of this forum contribute regularly to the Medical education of the son of a Kami, who is already well on his way to returning to bring modern medicine to his people. In this way and in so many others, I think HI is really incredible. To be able to buy absolutely the best Khuks around, and at the same time know that you're truly helping some greatly skilled people to improve their lives in such a poor country is an amazing thing. This is business, done right. :)

Chris
 
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