this picture is the shop of the old kami. It is near the village of Udaipur down in SE Nepal. The village cannot be reached by road and travellers must ford a stream of fair size to reach it. Gelbu sent a pix of himself wading waist deep across the stream.
The old kami is 80. The "young" one is 70.
Gelbu, Kami's [Sherpa] youngest son, heard about these old kamis on his journey and made quite an effort to go see them and I think it was worth it. When he arrived Gelbu told them who he was, what he was doing, told of Kami Sherpa, me and my Gorkha brother and of Himalayan Imports.
The old kami who is named Ganga Ram Bishwakarma said, "I've heard of you fellows. That American jwai (son-in-law) is the one who does business with that Gorkha boy down near Dharan." He is referring to Til Bai who is in his 60's as a Gorkha "boy."
The old kami goes on. "Well, you tell that American jwai if he thinks that Gorkha boy can make a good khukuri then he has a lot to learn about khukuris. You tell him I am going to make him a "magical khukuri" (I swear -- this is what Gelbu told me he actually said) the likes of which he and few others have ever seen.
We used to make all our khukuris like this when I was young. My grandfather made them, my father made them, and perhaps I am the only kami in Nepal left alive that can make one. But I will make this jwai such a khukuri. Tell him he will never have to sharpen this khukuri. The more he uses it the sharper it gets. And, he will never be able to break it. This khukuri will outlive him and that Gorkha boy and every other man who is alive in this world today. You come back here on your way home and I will have this khukuri ready for you. When our jwai gets this khukuri have him tell you what he thinks about it and then you come back here and tell me. And, that will be my price for this khukuri -- only that you return here and tell me what the American jwai thinks about this "magical khukuri."
Now, boys, this khukuri should be here in a week or so and it is one I really want to see and test a little. Even if it doesn't get sharper with use it is a khukuri that will go into my collection along with this story and a picture of old Ganga Ram. Of course, I will share pictures, review, and thoughts regarding this khukuri. If this one gets lost I am going to cry.
Now you see why I hold these old kamis so near and dear to my heart. What wonderful people they are! I love them.
BILL MARTINO
. It may see a little outdoor use now and again but given the attitude to knives in the UK it will be very rare. It will mainly be for zombies, the end of the world, attack by vampires. Etc. 
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