"I can't pound steel but I can carve and paint" Pix and make an offer.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
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I knew this was coming but didn't know what to expect. Bura said he could not pound steel right now but he could still do carving and painting so did this and sent it. He wants to be producing something even if it is not his usual top notch khukuris. Shows what sort of material Bura is made out of and receiving it gave me a very good feeling inside.

I'll start with the specs. The carving overall is 13 inches high, about 5 inches wide, 1.75 inches thick (max) and weighs about two pound. Not sure what kind of wood Bura used but it seems fairly heavy so don't think it is pine. I don't think it's saatisal either but I'm not going to start cutting on it to try to find out.

What Bura has done is take a solid piece of wood and carved a typical Nepali man in relief and painted him. He has, as you can see, signed the work at the bottom in very well done English letters.

I am amazed in one way and not so amazed in another at the quality of work by Bura. The carving is very sophisticated for a pounder of steel and the painting is excellent. The detail on the topi is astounding -- especially when you consider that Bura is first and foremost a metal worker. If anybody is interested I'll try to get some better closeups or perhaps try to scan the Nepali Man.

What I am going to do it put Bura's Nepali Man carving up for bid for 3 or 4 days and try to get the proceeds of this sale directly into Bura's hands.

So, make Bura an offer he can't refuse.

I'll start the bidding myself with one hundred bucks.

Comments welcome as always.
 

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A little better look at detail -- maybe.
 

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Bid $150.

That is amazing. We have to stop this before we transform our favorite knifemaker into a brilliant wood carver. I fear it's too late.

n2s
 
Little doubt that Bura is a man of many talents. And he's not about to give up. I often wonder what his life might have become if he'd had the benefits that we all enjoy here. One thing I'm certain of is he would have made a hell of a good engineer. Beside being talented he has a very keen mind.
 
Sure looks like it. I'm frankly quite amazed at the quality of both carving and painting. Doesn't seem to matter much, metal or wood, Bura gets the job done right.
 
Uncle I think I understand the email now! This is really neat. The amazing Bura is really something else! No wonder his work is "Royal Kami" material! Will have to consult on this one if you know what I mean. WOW!
 
I may be totally out of line and presumptuous to mention this (particularly since I'm not in a position to bid, but I'll take my chances.)

It seems that Bura feels compelled to produce something else since he can't work steel at this time. He has said he feels that he owes a large debt for the contributions made that paid for his treatment.

Is there not a danger that giving him all of the proceeds from this project could make him feel as though the debt he feels he owes has increased? Perhaps distributing the proceeds in the usual fashion including a bonus to Bura, or just putting the usual percentage into the BirGhorka emergency fund, will do more to help him at this time than the additional income. I don't know how dire his finacial situation has become, but a perception that he is earning money the same as before and putting something back, may go far towards hastening his recovery since mental attitude is so important.

Since I don't know Bura or Nepalis, I may be full of cr@p, and sticking my snoot where it don't belong, but this is what occurred to me....and I (perhaps wrongly) thought it was worth bringing up.

Note that I don't mean to imply anything derogatory about the wonderful carving he has produced.
 
Pala handles all those intricacies of dealing with the kamis and sometimes overrides what I think is a good idea. Pala knows what will upset the cart and what won't and acts accordingly. We have nothing to worry about. Pala is an expert in dealing with the shop folks.

This little Nepali man will fly tomorrow so any last bids better get in.
 
Guess I better post a reply as my wife (Ginger) has been very busy. I was going to let her do this but I guess I get to. The Nepali man or Idol as Uncle tells me that the customs guys called it is something else. It is hard to believe the talent of these guys especially Bura until you see their work. I have a few khuks and a katana by Bura and the craftmanship is top notch. The Nepali man is no different. The detail is better in person than the pix. It has a prominent place on the hutch in the living room where all can see. Ginger has quite an extensive doll collection from around the world and the Nepali man fits in quite well! Hope Bura gets to pound steel again soon as its a shame to lose a kami with his talent and skill!
 
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