History of Himalayan Imports

W

Will Kwan

Joined
Nov 23, 1998
Messages
1,594
I'm curious what the important dates (year is close enough) are for the history of Himalayan Imports such as, when it started, contracted its own shop, BirGurkha, etc.

Will
 
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This is the part to be chapter one of Uncle Bill's book we all expect.

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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
Well, everytime I say
"We should have X"
"We should do Y"
"We sould find out Z"

my boss says "Good idea. Go do it."

Will, it sounds like you just volunteered for a lot of extra-credit homework
wink.gif
.

But we'll take pity on you. You can start here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum26/HTML/000020.html

We expect regular updates and eventually an addendum to Howard's khukri FAQ.

Tom

(And I'm going to work on my typing. Honest!)

[This message has been edited by TomF (edited 05-02-2000).]
 
You're asking a guy with a memory like mine for a history!!!!!!!!

I think we sold out first khukuri in 1988. In 1991 or 1992 -- I think -- we made a deal with shop 1 to manufacture to our specs and entered a sort of limited partnership. A year ago or perhaps a bit longer circumstances promped us to open our own little factory, BirGorhka, and that's how it will be from here on out.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
I was hoping to get some dates to put with the major events.

Bill I did not know you had been selling khukuri's for so long.

Will
 
I think we will have 12 years in this fall, Will. RayC has been a customer and pal for about 11 or 12 years to the best of my memory. I have several customers who have been buying HI khukuris for more than ten years and are still buying.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Will
I bought a 15"Gorkha and 16"AK(Bill that was NEPAL 510)in 1989.I think it was the end of 1990 when Bill told me of his plan to move back to Nepal and stay.He talked about opening a bar where a tourist could get a hot dog and beer.The Sherpa was already missing Opra.So I went out to see them we had never, met only talked.Then ,they lived in Alps ,CA.Bill told me what he wanted done and I said OK.I stayed the weekend we got to know each other better, they gave me a prayer wheel and I when back to Ft Lauderdale.The ads were changed to my address and phone number.
It was hard to contact Bill and I had to send the money to a bank in China.There was some one with a fax so I was able to fax orders.That was when I started going to the gun and knife shows.The Communist won the elections.Bill will have to tell you what was happening in Nepal at that time.The end result was they came back.
Was that about right Bill?
Can you fill in any dates?I think you left end of 91 you were back by 92.?????

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Ray

[This message has been edited by RayC (edited 05-04-2000).]

[This message has been edited by RayC (edited 05-04-2000).]

[This message has been edited by RayC (edited 05-05-2000).]
 
Ray, you have a much better memory than me. The only thing I think you missed is the date. We went the last of '90 and returned mid 91' due to political strife which is still continuing to this day.

I'm sure if I'd have stayed I'd be dead now one way or the other. When in Nepal I talked too much and got involved in political issues which made me very unpopular with the Maoists -- and others for that matter.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Bill
Then I must of received the Ks early in 89 and went to Alps,CA. in mid 90 then you came back and stayed in Slydel,LA in early or mid 91(?)the Sherpa got the low-land sickness and you moved to Reno.
Thats right; we were on the phone 2AM est and you told me that the Father would not let you out because the street activity would have been hazardous to your health.------------------
Ray

[This message has been edited by RayC (edited 05-05-2000).]
 
What is the low land sickness?

So around 89 the first H.I. khukuri was sold. This was when you guys bought khukuri's from village kami's.


Will
 
Will
Low land or flat land.The Sherpa needs to see mountains and when she walks she needs to walk up and down,it must be in the blood.So when they lived in Slydel all the gound is the same;all flat and she got sick of it.Thats it.

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Ray
 
Ray, you are right again.

In those early years before the net the only way we could get a khukuri sold was to advertise in knife mags. Some months my advertisements would cost more than $600 -- and they would sell maybe 8 or 10 knives!

Now I pay AOL $21.95 per month and that is my only advertisement cost -- no more mag ads. And, guess what. Prices have gone down.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
I've noticed that mags no longer have yours ads in them. The lower prices are just fine with me!
biggrin.gif


Bob
 
Bob, we don't need or want the mag ads anymore. We are barely keeping up with demand as it is. The net works about 10 or 20 times better than the mag ads did and is much less expensive.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Yes, ulcers, heart bypass surgery, and leg infections nearly leading to amputation when you aren't dodging Maoists are much cheaper, Uncle Bill.

With the web, you offer something for sale. It sells. The buyer gets it and reports back on it. That sells the next few knives. You *don't* have to work yourself to death.

Now it's up to you if you want to work yourself to death, or party yourself to death, or martyr yourself to death or even eat or screw yourself to death. If worrying yourself to death is your choice, fine. But do it because you choose to, not because you misguidedly think you have to.
 
ME: "So you're saying yada, yada, and yada"

WIFE: "That's it exactly. You understand the situation perfectly!"

ME: "Alright then, we understand where each of us is coming from. Now, what are YOU going to do about YOUR problem?"

WIFE: ...( staring daggers )

OK, Uncle Bill, Social Worker mode off. ( My preaching mode is much more the "catch more flies with honey than vinegar" style. Social Worker mode is the "got one hand on the court order and the other locked onto your scrotum" aka get them by the bleep and their hearts and minds will follow technique. )
 
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