Introduction-new guy

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
10,188
Hi All,

First time here, first post. I'm a knifemaker out of Virginia, mostly make bowies. but find kukri's very interesting. I admit I'm a little confused. Is there an on-line store here? If so, can't find it.

I'm especially interested in a WW11 or earlier Kukri, are they still common or now difficult to get. To up the ante, I'd want the original scabbard too. I'm so new at this I'm not sure if I'm looking for something very rare or not. Figured you guys could educate me a bit, if you have time.

Thanks,

Dave
 
Welcome David!

The online store for Himalayan Imports can be found here:
http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/
And the Website here:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/
Info here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=601448
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269016
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198282
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/Construction.html
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273576

Authentic Original WWII khukuri are somewhat tough to find in decent condition. the only places i know of are: Atlanta Cutlery, who brought a bunch of old India Armory finds back to the states a good while back. They did have some scabbards and Last time i checked they still had a few left. And: That Infamous Auction Site, while they do get real ones for sale there from time to time...most of the ones you will see are misrepresented or are outright fakes. you are taking your chances going this route.
 
Thank You for your welcome, and the great info. I visited Atlanta Cutlery, and saw the WW11 Kukri's. They were so inexpensive I thought they were reproductions. Didn't see any with original scabbards. Now, going to see what's at the on-line store.
again, thanks

Dave
 
David Stifle said:
Thank You for your welcome, and the great info. I visited Atlanta Cutlery, and saw the WW11 Kukri's. They were so inexpensive I thought they were reproductions. Didn't see any with original scabbards. Now, going to see what's at the on-line store.
again, thanks

Dave
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You're welcome!
Apparently only the bhojpure and longleaf styles come with an old scabbard. They are the real thing, but by the reports i've seen are in somewhat rough shape, even if you have them hand picked.

The Himalayan Imports WWII model is a great all around blade. A bit more robust than the British Army Service, but still easily packable and will make a nice camp/farm tool. Not only do you get a great knife, but it comes with the best customer service in the industry and has a great warrantee.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6929044&postcount=1
 
Welcome, David. Karda is right.Himalayan Imports make the best khukris available with the best warranty in the knife industry.
 
Thanks for the warm welcome, and all the info. Ryan, to see my knives all you need to do is click on my name in this post and it will take you to my profile, my gallery is on the right on that page.

I'm still kicking myself, I was at a knife show last year and a guy had a really nice WW2 Kukri for sale. I thought his price, as I recall it was around $225., was too high. But it really wasn't a bad price, the knife was in good condition.

Another thing I want to do in the future is try my hand at making one. I suspect it will be a heck of a challenge:) Karda, I have absolutely no doubt about the wonderful quality of your kukri's. Just the fact that thet are made by the Kami's is enough for me. I am sure I will be buying one from you in the future, most likely the M43.

bc molin, thanks for the link. I'll take a look. It will be nice to learn more about one of the most well known and used knife.

Dave
 
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David Stifle said:
Karda, I have absolutely no doubt about the wonderful quality of your kukri's. Just the fact that thet are made by the Kami's is enough for me. I am sure I will be buying one from you in the future.
Dave
Click to expand...
Thanks for the compliment, dave, but i'm just a member and customer here, same as yourself. I wish i could work for H.I. ....Yangdu would probably be the best boss i ever had..LMAO!
Seriously though. If youre in the market for a khukuri,made in the traditional manner by real nepalese craftsmen,you've found the best place right here. You would be surprised at the fit and finish these kami's can achieve with rudimentary tools. The M-43 is one helluva tough chopper. You've made a great choice. You really can't go wrong with any of these H.I. khukuri.
If you have any questions of any type about khukuri's,there are plenty of people here who can answer most all of them.

Forging a khuk is about the same as any other knife, you just end up trying to properly bend it instead of trying to keep it straight.

I just checked out your knives dave. They are very nice pieces, you do some very nice work!
 
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Oh, sorry about that, Karda. Just shows how new I am. I know the craftsmen from Nepal use rudimentary tools, yet acheive great results. As a knifemaker, I would love to see a work in progress thread. Watching how they do things, the techniques and equipment they use, would be fascinating.

Thank you for the compliment on my knife's. I forge outside on a charcoal forge, and my air supply is a 100 year old hand cranked air blower. Possibly not much different than the Kami's.

Dave
 
David Stifle said:
Oh, sorry about that, Karda. Just shows how new I am. I know the craftsmen from Nepal use rudimentary tools, yet acheive great results. As a knifemaker, I would love to see a work in progress thread. Watching how they do things, the techniques and equipment they use, would be fascinating.

Thank you for the compliment on my knife's. I forge outside on a charcoal forge, and my air supply is a 100 year old hand cranked air blower. Possibly not much different than the Kami's.

Dave
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Sounds like you work much like a Kami to me. But can you hold a blade with your toes while you hand file and sand with your hands?...LOL
Here is an old page from the H.I. website that shows and describes the process...Enjoy!
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/kami.html
 
Thank you for that link, it was really good reading. No, guess I don't work too much like a kami after all. Don't crouch, it would kill my old joints. The only thing we seem to have in common is we both use charcoal, hammer, and forced air. I have a topnotch grinder, buffer, saws, and so on. The one thing that really struck me was how they quench. Pouring water on a blade, especially just one side, seems strange to me. I wonder why they don't do it like we do, and simply edge quench the blade straight down in water, oil, etc. ? very fascinating, thanks Karda.

Dave
 
David Stifle said:
The one thing that really struck me was how they quench. Pouring water on a blade, especially just one side, seems strange to me. I wonder why they don't do it like we do, and simply edge quench the blade straight down in water, oil, etc. ? very fascinating, thanks Karda.

Dave
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I can tell you why in one word.....TRADITION.
Kami's are very big on tradition.
The Kami's have hundreds of years of khukuri making knowledge behind them, passed down from their forefathers from time immemorial. They do it as they were taught and are very hesitant and resistant to change. It also comes from their religion, in that in order to impart the proper qualities into a khukuri they must do their knifemaking in the traditional manner.
It is what makes the khukuri complete and gives it it's "soul"
 
Hi Dave. I have several types of HI khukuris, a couple of HI Bowies and an HI Katana. They are all very nice, solid, well-made. I think you would really appreciate the history, the centuries of knowledge passed from father to son over and over...it really shows up in the finished blades.

I think the HI kamis would like and appreciate the frontier/primitive Bowie that I got from you also!

Good to see you here.
 
Hi John,

Didn't know you hang here. Cool place. I absolutely do appreciate the traditions and history of the Nepal people, and of the Kami's.

I bet your collection is nice, you seem to have varied tastes, and I think that's great. I could make a kukri, and probably will in the future (Be fun to make one out of damascus). But in the meantime, why not get one from a master? Thinking of the M43. Do you have one of these?

I would hope the Kami's would like the Frontier bowie. It was designed as a fighter, although it can also be used as a skinner and all around blade. I'm new here, but I haven't seen a thin, light swift fighter made by the Kami's, as their fighting blades are heavy slashers/choppers like the kukri. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Dave
 
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Dave, all of the knives that I have from the kamis are definitely on the thick side.

The quality of all of them is great. It is amazing what they can do. I hope you have seen the pictures of them working in the shop...quite a place.

Have you seen the Cherokee Rose model? It's not a khukuri, but a BIG fighting Bowie, definitely in the range of a short sword (about 2 feet long if i remember correctly), and I think you would like that one too.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the khukuris. Just hang out here and watch the daily specials or if you are impatient you can email Yangdu and tell her just what you want.
 
Welcome Dave! I heartily recomend the H.I. M-43. It is a great improvement over the WWII models. It is a truly amazing woods knife.
 
welcome Dave,
You cant go wrong with any blade from HI, and the customer service is outstanding. Yangdu is a joy to talk to , and she will make you feel like a valued customer weather its your 1st or 50th HI knife.
 
Hey there David,
Glad to meetchya.
The Khuks here are right on the money:)

BTW, I looked at your knife creations and they are very nice:thumbup:

Dangerous AND handsome.

:D
Mark
 
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