The 25" Sirupati, made by the kami with no name was sitting in a nice, big Himalayan Imports box on the front porch today.
I must say, I expected it some time late in the week. I just had enough time to open the box, and take a look. The scabbard had the blade in somewhat of a deathgrip, and I had less than an hour to get to class so I didn't have a chance to play with it. However, in the sheathed it did feel lighter than my Malla unsheathed. Also, the handle was nice and small. It was almost as if it were custom made for my hand, which are themselves, small.
Now, that I've had a chance to play with it and actually unsheath the blade, I must say it's beautiful. It does feel heavier unsheathed though, which I wasn't thinking about, but with the frog and chakma and karda I had to hold onto the sheath rather than the handle, thus holding it closer to the point of balance.
It's great fun to swing around. The inlay and scrollwork on the Sword of Shiva is great, even better looking than I thought. Actually, I couldn't even make out any scroll work on the Sword of Shiva from the picture, so that was a double suprise.
I haven't even cleaned the oil off of the karda and chakma yet, although I did inspect them, especially given the fact that I couldn't draw the khukuri at first. They seem to be nice, I guess I'll have more on them later.
A few downsides, and none of them are the fault of the blade or anyone really. The scabbard work doesn't seem to be as beautiful as the stuff on my Malla. The scabbard's a bit tight, but I think that's normal given the climate changes it's gone through. Also, there's the vast wealth of information that everyone here has compiled about tight fitting scabbards that I can find in the archives, so that's no big deal. And the biggest thing, I think this one can be blamed on a careless postal employee, the very tip of the chape on the chape on the scabbard is bent. Oh well, I can fix that with some cloth wrapped needle nose plyers and a candle. Actually, should I heat the brass, would I risk melting the laha?
All in all, I am very happy with this sirupati.
I was thinking that I'll put it through tests this coming weekend, any suggestions? My current plans were to take her to soda bottles, I think I'll try various sizes, rolled up wet newspaper, and some cheap melons. I don't think I'll be hacking down any trees with a 25" Sirupati that weighs less than 2 lbs. Sorry guys, I don't care if she can take it, that's just like what they said in "Mission to Mars."
All in all, the Kami with no name did an excellent job, and if this is indicitive of his level of skill Himalayan Imports should be gaining a valuable new member to their staff.
Bob
I must say, I expected it some time late in the week. I just had enough time to open the box, and take a look. The scabbard had the blade in somewhat of a deathgrip, and I had less than an hour to get to class so I didn't have a chance to play with it. However, in the sheathed it did feel lighter than my Malla unsheathed. Also, the handle was nice and small. It was almost as if it were custom made for my hand, which are themselves, small.
Now, that I've had a chance to play with it and actually unsheath the blade, I must say it's beautiful. It does feel heavier unsheathed though, which I wasn't thinking about, but with the frog and chakma and karda I had to hold onto the sheath rather than the handle, thus holding it closer to the point of balance.
It's great fun to swing around. The inlay and scrollwork on the Sword of Shiva is great, even better looking than I thought. Actually, I couldn't even make out any scroll work on the Sword of Shiva from the picture, so that was a double suprise.
I haven't even cleaned the oil off of the karda and chakma yet, although I did inspect them, especially given the fact that I couldn't draw the khukuri at first. They seem to be nice, I guess I'll have more on them later.
A few downsides, and none of them are the fault of the blade or anyone really. The scabbard work doesn't seem to be as beautiful as the stuff on my Malla. The scabbard's a bit tight, but I think that's normal given the climate changes it's gone through. Also, there's the vast wealth of information that everyone here has compiled about tight fitting scabbards that I can find in the archives, so that's no big deal. And the biggest thing, I think this one can be blamed on a careless postal employee, the very tip of the chape on the chape on the scabbard is bent. Oh well, I can fix that with some cloth wrapped needle nose plyers and a candle. Actually, should I heat the brass, would I risk melting the laha?
All in all, I am very happy with this sirupati.
I was thinking that I'll put it through tests this coming weekend, any suggestions? My current plans were to take her to soda bottles, I think I'll try various sizes, rolled up wet newspaper, and some cheap melons. I don't think I'll be hacking down any trees with a 25" Sirupati that weighs less than 2 lbs. Sorry guys, I don't care if she can take it, that's just like what they said in "Mission to Mars."

All in all, the Kami with no name did an excellent job, and if this is indicitive of his level of skill Himalayan Imports should be gaining a valuable new member to their staff.
Bob