Hey, Berk! Here's your khukuri. Pix and little story.

Berkley · Mar 22, 2002

That is absolutely gorgeous! Holding the old one up to the pic on the screen, it looks like Bura has come extremely close to nailing the original, except maybe for a quarter-inch of cho creep. And the rest of the rig is better looking than I had imagined. Whoopee! Many thanks, Uncle, and don't worry about a return

With the new Cherokee Rose, BirGorkha has definitely done itself proud today. Will try to get a good scan of the wood and post it when it arrives. Again, thanks to you and Pala and Bura for taking on such a PITA project during this difficult time, and doing such a wonderful job.
Berk

Bill Martino · Mar 22, 2002

My guess is Pala sent the village sarki on a leather search and the sarki knew where to find what was needed better than Pala. And, I suspect that Gelbu went on the horn search for the karda and chakma. Gelbu and I used to haunt some of the shops in Assan Bazaar that sold antique khukuris and I saw examples of old khukuris beat up and rusty but with good horn handles on karda and chakma that could be had at a good price. I told Pala to send Gelbu down and buy one of these oldies and just throw everything away (never happen, they'll recycle) but the horn and use it on your rig. I think this is exactly what happened. Again, my guess is you have 100 year old horn on new karda and chakma blades.

They came close to what you wanted and I attribute that to being able to discuss the project directly with Pala.

foxjaw · Mar 22, 2002

Oh Glory Be !! my half khuk resin copy was all right after all ! Ha I knew Bura could do it ! Now, What are we going to call it ? Surely it will become a standard Item ! OK Berk, whats it going to be named that all may order accordingly

Foxy

beoram · Mar 22, 2002

here are some comparison photos:

beoram · Mar 22, 2002

Uncle Bill - are the Berk-II, M43 & Cherokee Rose going to be 'standard production' items? I.e. are they going to be listed in the shop?

B.

Stephen Hamilton · Mar 23, 2002

You know, this has been a tough week. Tonight, logging on I see this new model, the Cherokee Rose and one other beauty, the wee Cherokee Rose that was made in America. I feel better. Can't explain why, but this was good medicine.

Stephen

ACStudios · Mar 23, 2002

Wal,

Aww, you're memory is fading

. My last visit was ONLY 11 years ago. .... I came out to look for a job. So, it'd only take me that long (well, maybe a bit longer if I go to the NW) to get them back

. I STILL think that'd be faster than Tsimi. ... unless he did the Next Day shipping. ...

Bill Martino · Mar 23, 2002

Continued interest will determine which models become regular line items.

John Powell · Mar 24, 2002

That looks just great and the old k&c are rarer than some of the old knives! What a great job....can't wait to hear Berk's report on it.

Next: a hanshee

beoram · Mar 25, 2002

Originally posted by John Powell
That looks just great and the old k&c are rarer than some of the old knives! What a great job....can't wait to hear Berk's report on it.

Next: a hanshee

That's what I'm waiting for!

(the hanshee, and Berk's report too, of course)

posted by Bill Martino
Continued interest will determine which models become regular line items.

I was wondering if it was worthwhile sometime to do up a 'New for 2002' page (and disperse the 'New [sic] for 2000' page items into the other pages) with M43, Cherokee Rose, Berk-II khukuree (and other? new things). Otherwise it's hard for non-forum members to find out about these items, no?

cheers, B.

Bill Martino · Mar 25, 2002

Good idea, Beo.