How sharp do you like your heavy chopper edge?

[Karda]

Karda,
True, it may not be unique. But it wasn't in this thread yet and I thought it was a valid thing for people to consider.
I can't help but feel like that was an implication that I'm involved with these stolen designs? As much as I will respect your decision to hold this discussion elsewhere at a later date, I'm not sure I can let that slide by unanswered.
Karda, I'm 21. I'm from Australia. These designs which you're suggesting I've had a part in stealing have been produced by KHHI in Nepal for longer than I've been out of high school, alright? I'm in no way involved in this little dispute between you guys and the suggestion hurts me. I hate IP theft. I've been the victim of it multiple times and it's something that I in no way support. I'm totally open to having a fair and honest discussion about this, but I don't think it's right to go about stamping these allegations left right and centre and then leaving them dangling with no response. All it does is create doubt and speculation.
When you decide that it's time to talk about this issue then I'd love to. But in the meantime, why not close the issue and leave it to rest instead of ending with more accusations and incendiary comments?
What I'm saying comes from a position of love and respect. I love the people of nepal, I respect your knowledge on the subject and I have great respect for himalayan imports and the kamis that work there. I just don't want to be painted as a villain.
Namaste and take care,
Andrew

I haven't accused you, specifically. I apologize if you feel I did.
I only speculated that it does seem inappropriate for you to be here, considering that you are working with/for/whatever our direct competition and that we now have original HI designs showing up for sale on their website. These are not regional patterns of known khukuri styles. I know they have several designers submitting designs to them for manufacture. One or several of them have submitted original HI designs to them and they are presently shown on the KHHI website. These designs can be proven to be designs that originated here and can be shown as an item that has been sold off and on for many years before showing up at KHHI within the last year.

 

[fugglesby]

Thankyou for your apology.
Well as far as the me being connected to KHHI thing goes, I was here talking about edges. It wasn't an issue until you made it into one. I think the notion that KHHi and HI are direct competitors is a tricky one and honestly I don't think the companies are after the same market. If somebody wants the super traditional, ultra authentic premium khukuri then they're going to go for HI. That market is definitely a niche but HI has a hold of it with both hands. KHHI on the other hand has a focus on variety, value and western designs. If KHHI disappeared tomorrow the market wouldn't suddenly shift over to HI. The majority of the customers would move on to the next most reputable value option which would probably end up being EGKH or something. God forbid. They're not going to suddenly become premium buyers. This isn't to say that KHHI doesn't make great khukuris, but just that the branding is aimed at a price oriented mindset while HI has a premium branding model which revolves around history, legacy, tradition, craftsmanship etc.
Imagine if a Fiskars designer posted on a Gransfors Bruks forum and then was met with the same level of hostility as this. It'd be absolutely unheard of.
Anyway that's my piece. The notion that there are more recent design imitations is entirely new to me. As I stated I was under the impression that this was all ancient history about the origins of the american eagle, chukuri etc. Clearly this discussion is something which is needed to get a bit of clarity on either side and once again, I'm totally up for an honest exchange about it.
Thanks for taking the time and having the patience to actually listen to and respond to my posts.
I guess it's up to you to decide whether to close this thread or not. This thread train is so off the rails right now that i think it might not be possible to put it in the right direction. Or on the other hand, people might be gathering around just to watch the train crash now.
It's up to you, my friend.

 

[Karda]

If the fiskars designer posted on the granfors bruks forum with the same manner and ideas you've shown, I don't think it would go over well there either.
I've not been hostile in the least, I just question the activity of people who claim themselves as designers for one company and find themselves posting in the competitions known forum.
You see... I've already had dealings with another of you "designers" whom came to this site to do much the same as you have been doing, plugging KHHI designs and product on a registered user membership.... only he did take the time to disparage HI while he was doing it.

Pardon me for being suspicious and questioning motives, but this isn't my first ride in this rodeo.
HI has dealt with the various Nepal khukuri manufacturers, their shills, passive aggressiveness or whathaveyou for many years. From the blatant stealing of designs, to using our pictures, to stealing ad copy directly from our website.
As you should know, it was Uncle Bills vision, tenacity and money invested that makes it possible for world market sales of khukuri.
His vision for premium khukuri, his vision for sales to the western market and his marketing of such is why the khukuri is no longer just a trinket sold to tourists visiting Nepal.

At this point I don't see a recovery for this thread at all and am closing it.