How Would You Like The Initialing On The Khuks To Be?

M

munk

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I thought I'd ask. How do you want the initials and markings on the HI khuks to be? We have for a long time, if I'm reading posts correctly, wanted to see the script in the Nepalese language rather than in English.
Is this true? Weigh in, and let's tell Yangdu what we think.

JimmyJimminez has opined that the UB commemoration be in English, as Bill was English. Does that make sense? Maybe Yangdu could answer that one- after all, Bill's ashes went back to Nepal.

I've spoken to Yangdu and she is receptive to your opinion.
I never thought I'd see so many changes, but Life is going on, and we are walking forward.

I wonder if we could ask for a limited run of "RS" on some khuks.

thanks for your input,

munk
 
Munk,

May I ask some questions about Bill?

Where was Bill born?

Where did he attend most of his schooling?

What country(s) was he a citizen of?

Also, what country did he live most of his life in?

In what country did he gain his "Uncle Bill" handle?

It may help us to see the entire picture a bit better.

Thanks in advance :)

I had written up my own opinion pertaining to this matter on another thread, and have now posted it here as well (hope you all don't mind):

I definitely appreciate the overall idea of the Kami's putting in their markings (as in an artist signing his or her work). It's more of the lack of graceful looks that these markings have that I would say would be better off served if they were somewhat revamped (adding in that bit of graceful flair).

The HI company marking on their blades look as neat as all get out, imo

As for the U.B. markings, they look a little bit too crude for my tastes. Even so, the idea of it being placed on the blade is a sound one, and very well respected (honoring a/the major person behind the company, and a man loved by many while in life and after death).
The only thing is, imo, the crudeness factor comes into play again (as with the current kami marks).

As far as the markings being in their own language, keeping most of it as is makes about as much sense as anything else.

The HI company manufacturing and product are based in Nepal, so keeping the HI company marking in their own language sort of makes a lot of sense.

The Kami's are Neplalese, so their markings also make sense being in their own language.

As for the U.B. initials,....... Bill seemed to care very much about his fellow man, with a special place in his heart for the Nepalese people. Even so, he was an American, so his initials being left in the English language also make a lot of good sense.

Replacing the current U.B. initials with U.B. initials done in an elegant English script can be as beautiful as any other form, it will simply need a touch of grace
 
I would change nothing about the HI in script on the spine, or the "UB" stamped on the reverse side.

Nor would I change the individual kami marks. But I would totally eliminate the often sloppy "L.B." or "S.B." on the blades. That really detracts from them IMO. Kumar has gotten much neater with his initialling though, which looks better.

The kami marks of sun, moon, etc., should be enough. Failing that, mark them as they do the Villagers if they like, all in devangari script. The "U.B." is usually neatly done, but not always their initials.

Also, using a stamp rather than an engraving tool for the UB would look better overall.

Thanks for asking!

Norm
 
I like the marking system as it is right now. The English letter initials definitely can be executed more nicely though.
The crude lettering kinda reduces the overall esthetic appeal of the knives.
The kamis definitely can do it nicer: my most nicely labeled blade is a 17" WWII villager by Sher with all Nepali markings, including an UB in Nepali.
Is it possible the kamis use a cruder marking to underscore that their knives are handmade?

P.S.: I just read Norm's post above. The English initials are useful IMHO, since the kami marks can be changed, borrowed etc. The combination of English lettered initials + kami marks clerly identify the maker, and ensures the personal responsibility and pride for the work done.
 

UB in the manner Ms Yangdu wishes

everything else in the Nepali / Devangari characters

kami symbols good

all other characters near the grip
should be smaller to avoid looking messy
& to avoid creeping out the cho


and I agree with what Yvsa is going to say:
"Actually it would be nice if the kami's initials and mark's could be placed on the spine ...... as well."


<:eek:> THEY call me 'Dean' <>
dean-sp-sm.jpg

<:)> fYI-fWiW-iIRC-JMO-M2C-YMMV-TiA-YW-GL-HH-HBd
<:D> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D
 
JimmyJimenez said:
Munk,

May I ask some questions about Bill?

Where was Bill born?

Where did he attend most of his schooling?

What country(s) was he a citizen of?

Also, what country did he live most of his life in?

In what country did he gain his "Uncle Bill" handle?

It may help us to see the entire picture a bit better.

Thanks in advance :)
Click to expand...

Bill Martino was born in Cherokee Kansas if I'm not mistaken and was educated in the good ol US of A.
Bill lived most of his life right here in the States and was an accomplished engineer that worked in aviation and was also an accomplished author.
If I'm not mistaken Ghostsix gave Bill the name Uncle Bill.

I wouldn't mind seeing the kami's initials in Devangari script and was under the impression the new khukuris coming out now were in fact inscribed in this way. Am I wrong?
I also wouldn't mind seeing the initials UB done in another font but you have to remember where the khukuris are coming from.
I don't know if an elegant English Script would be possible or even an Old English Script for that matter.
Personally I would like to see Uncle Bill's initials stamped on the spine of the khukuris instead of on the right flat of the blade.
Neatly done and placed on the spine would make them less obtrusive and the location has precedence for script.
Actually it would be nice if the kami's initials and mark's could be placed on the spine near the bolster as well.
I liked the blades better before all the writing on them became the vogue.
 
The Kami marks make sense being done in a careful handwriting by the maker, but the U.B. marks are a different story. U.B. is not a mark or signature of the artist, but rather a marking in honor of Bill. This being the case, having some elegant english script punches made for this purpose would solve any issues that hand engraving the initials brings.

Again, I understand that most folks would not like to see an artist stamp his or her name on paintings. Most would demand that an artist hand sign each one.
On the other hand, the U.B. marking being a mark of honor, can be nicely done by stamping it in.

Imo... :)
 
It makes absolutely no difference to me whatsoever. However Yandu and the Kamis wish to mark the knives is fine by me. I'll take what I get and like it.:thumbup:

As long as the fit, finish, and heat treat are right, I couldn't care less.

Steve:)
 
I like the marks, but I will be happy with whatever you guys decide. I don't intend to use my knives as display only. I plan to chop the hell out of everything I can find.:D The marks make the knives unique and more collectable.:thumbup: I haven't found any other company that ties the knives to the individual Kamis. I don't see any lack of grace in any of the UB's on my knives.

I'd like the Kamis to concentrate on heat treating the edge of the blade from cho to tip! :)

I'll repeat...I want a blade who's edge is hardened from cho to tip.

I plan on using every part of the blade while in the woods. I've even heard you guys talking of using the curve of the blade as a drawknife. I don't know how that's possible if its only hardened on the first few inches. This is where I think the Kamis should concentrate.

Andy
 
Yangdu just told me it was Uncle Bill's wish that his letters be in English.
I've asked Mary Slate if it was OK to have RS put on some blades and she thought that was wonderful.

At this point I'm hearing keep the symbols, all writing in the native language, and UB and RS in English.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Talking to Mary this afternoon brought the losses to my mind.
What can I say?

munk
 
I don't care, but I think that the symbols and initial of the Kamis should be consistant. And I like the Jewish stars. ;)
 
I'd actually not mind if the kami marks and initials went totally away, leaving us with the nepali script HI company mark on one side and a neat U.B. on the other in the same place... But, if the kami initials and marks stay, having them do the initials in nepali script like they do on villagers is much more attractive. They do the U.B.s on the villagers that way too, but if U.B.'s wish was to have them in English, I (rightfully) don't see that as an option.
 
After everyone that looked at my JKM asking if Kumar was jewish, I'm a little hesitant showing my Amtrak kami kobra or trisul...
 
I like the devangari. I think that UB is fine, personally. I think we should consider the cost of making a stamp. Maybe if somebody here knows how to make them, they could donate them and save HI the expense?

Chris
 
I'd like to see UB in the script style like the master smith (MS) stamp. A quite, unassuming, elegant statment. I'd also like to see the kami marks (cresent moon, star etc) stamped with a well made stamp. Small the size of a pencil eraser. No kami initials.
The UB and kami symbol could be side by side just above the bolster. Keep the nepali script...location and size stay the same.

The Kami's probably don't care who made what...it's just a tool to them...and can't quite understand why we care. It's probably just an extra step for them. It might also be why some of the markings are rather...ummm..haphazard.:)

Some might say the hand markings are part of a handmade knife. But, you can clearly see that these are handmade ,with skill and care from across the room.
 
I am happy as long as I get a well made, good looking khukuri. That said, I love the appearance of the Devangari Script. It is beautiful, and I prefer the appearance of it on the khuks to that of the English. It seems more fitting to me somehow.
 
Svashtar said:
I would change nothing about the HI in script on the spine, or the "UB" stamped on the reverse side.

Nor would I change the individual kami marks. But I would totally eliminate the often sloppy "L.B." or "S.B." on the blades. That really detracts from them IMO. Kumar has gotten much neater with his initialling though, which looks better.

The kami marks of sun, moon, etc., should be enough. Failing that, mark them as they do the Villagers if they like, all in devangari script. The "U.B." is usually neatly done, but not always their initials.

Also, using a stamp rather than an engraving tool for the UB would look better overall.

Thanks for asking!

Norm
Click to expand...

Ditto :thumbup:

Sarge
 
It would be well worth the extra effort of having the kamis use stamps to place their initials S.B. or L.B., etc onto the blades instead of using the engraver. In some cases, such as Kumar, most of us already recognize the kami's symbols, however there are other kamis for whom symbols and devanagari script would still leave us english speakers in the dark.

Therefore I think the simplest solution and easiest to implement would be to have the kamis continue marking the blades the same way they are now, except using stamped letters instead of engraved. That would make the blades look a lot better and put them on par with the custom knives made in the West, at least as far as the maker's mark on the blade.
 
I would like it if HI would consider some requested inscription on the blades such as a name or a short phrase.
 
I would like to see the kami marks remain hand-done as they are. I wouldn't miss the kami initials at all if they disappeared, however.

As for the UB, I think the hand-done work lends more authority to the remembrance of Bill than a soulless stamp. I think the kami's are more likely to be reminded of him if they are scribing UB with an engraving tool rather than stamping it.

my $0.02
 
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