I have an idea

DannyinJapan

DannyinJapan

Joined
Oct 9, 2003
Messages
5,594
Could we just "import" the village of Birghorka to the USA ?
Find some old farm and let them set up a smithy and they could make khukuris in America. Not only that, but aspiring bladesmiths could pay big bucks to sit by the forge and watch them work their miracles in steel..
 
I'm pretty sure we've discussed this before and figured there's got to be some good land out in Nevada somewhere to set it all up......don't we all wish...
 
How many Birghorkans have visited the U.S.? Do they like it?

My guess is Nepal is their home, and not everyone would be able to leave. Besides, it's much easier for us to go there.
 
Unfortunately, the kamis would have a hard time rounding up scrap Mercedes truck springs, chandan, saatisal, laha, buffalo horn, etc. Their expenses for other supplies like brass, tools, room & board, electricity/gas for running a forge, would all be higher. That's why a lot of manufacturing jobs are moving overseas, lower costs. Then you have immigration red tape, US labor laws, minimum wage, workman's compensation, health insurance, etc. If Bura had a stroke in this country, he might get better care, but he might also run up a $40,000.00 hospital bill.

If the kamis were forced to use material available in this country, we might see kukris forged from 5160 bar stock, epoxy, walnut handles, all supplies bought here. If they start catering to American tastes, the new knife designs would eventually start to reflect American culture, more bowies and drop point hunters.

That might also mean less kukri sales and fewer jobs in Nepal.
 
I'm certain that there is a trickle of funds from the kamis to the rest of the village and eventually to other villages. Any outside source of money is a good thing. If they all came here, our attention would have to shift to those left behind. On top of that, they would want cable TV in the forging area...

.
 
If the Kamis want to come to the US, they will come.

We could always give them enough money so they wouldn't have to work anymore...



munk
 
Olpappy has it. If we brought the kamis here, it would take away from the exotic appeal of these great products... best of all to the kamis would be to make a little more money, and get to stay in their homeland. They're on the right track to do that...

Just can't see BirGhorka turning "American corporate"- thank Gd.


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