Is The Sword Of Shiva Traditionally Carved On Both Sides Of The Sword...?

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Messages
1,390
Are the Chitlangi's, for example graced with the Sword of Shiva on bothe sides of the sword? As a custom option, could a request be made and granted to leave this engraving out? Thank you... Dan :)
 
DrDan, DrDan, DrDan.....(sigh)


I DO love you...but you just gotta understand...all this 'custom' stuff involves instructions with the kamis, which in and of itself is a fine thing. The kamis revere Bill Martino. However...

Communications are difficult technically, and literally because... well...because the kamis pretty much "interprete" instructions in accordance to star charts, mood rings, portents, or indigestion from that day's meal.

Bill Martino's attention to detail is painstaking...but one gets the impression that "instruction" is a bit like pushing a string. It is not that there is resistance, just that the string has intrinsic properties which defy direct response to the stimulus.

I certainly cannot speak for HI, or for Bill...but you might notice that each of the special runs of blades had required that a model be made in order to minimize variance. Even the models are no guarantee.

I may be wrong. But be prepared.

I wish you well.:)

This message is personal opinion only, and not to be interpreted as official government policy. Check your local authorities for the rules as they apply to your circumstance.
 
I have a "secret project" that I'm finalizing the details on. Reading what you posted doesn't give me much confidence that such a khukuri is possible... :( I bet Pala really enjoys dealing with the foibles of his kamis. :D Thanks for the input, Kismet!

Dan :D
 
I gotta ask--why?

Me,I'm a lover of symmetry in knives. if ya bisect it along the middle of the spine, in my mind's eye, it should look the same on both sides (not withstanding surface work). As such, I own only one of those expensive yet horrid knives with the chisel grind (ie, ground only on one side, with the other side wall of the blade becoming the edge.

Anyhow, I personally wold throw a fit wht only one side done.

Now, if you are just looking for some extra space for chiselling or etching the steel for a design, that might me cool.

So ,what's the secret project? Not much of a secret if ye told us you have a secret...post pix.

Keith
 
Hi Ferrous! I was thinking about the possibility of having it deeply engraved with the Sword of Shiva on both sides by an engraver in the U.S. who engraves guns and knives. I'd have a super engraving, and it would look incredibly good. It seems that certain work is difficult to have the kamis and hawaris do... :(

On the other hand, I'd like the kamis paying particular attention to the engraving on my Chitlangi. I'd be willing to pay extra to have a hawari engraver spend an entire day (or more if needed) carving the Sword of Shiva, crosshatching the bolster, and even engraving the buttcap. Why? It would raise the aesthetics of the Chitlangi... Many forumites tweak the blade to perfection, and finish the wood to a much higher level than what is standard at BirGhorka for much the same reason.

Look at the piece of Nepali silver jewelry seen as my avatar. It's commonly sold in Nepal, and exported to the U.S. Wouldn't that look incredible as a buttcap engraving? It would be wonderful if a khukuri could be made in the BirGhorka shop, and then given to an engraver to perform this level of artistic work. I'd go for the option in a heartbeat, wouldn't you...? ;)

Dan :)
 
I understand. Thaat's why I buy the plain pieces then do stuff to it, like this:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=2166617

As the spirit in these blades is strong, I think it makes us khuk owners compelled to lavish the HI khuks with attention. Some get a TSisco Scabbard, some are woodchux, some are sharpeners and polishers of their (and other's) khuks, etchers, carvers, etc!

Once you hold one fer a while, the respect that you have for it for inherent safety reasons opens up to a whole new level of respect and admiration.

Keith
 
when you say sword of Shiva engraved do you mean having Shiva's trishul engraved on the blade, or a notch like the cho?

I'd go for either Shiva as Nataraja engraved or Shiva weilding the trishul.:D
 
Originally posted by hollowdweller
when you say sword of Shiva engraved do...
Click to expand...

I'm referring to what is commonly called the "Sword of Shiva" design that is found near the spine of the khukuri blade, and which runs horizontally for about 4" on the 18" Chitlangi. It is inlaid with brass in several places. If this design were deeply carved into the blade AFTER it was finish polished by a highly skilled engraver, preferably Nepali, it would be absolutely spectacular. My avatar as it now apprears would look really nice on the buttcap, and a perfectly crosshatched bolster would add to a super tweaked Chitlangi.

Ferrous, now you can relate to what I'm saying. Terry Sisco can make a really high quality scabbard in many different designs. Pendentive and others can tweak the blade to absolute perfection, and many of us can get the wood or horn handle pristine. I see the engraving as a "new frontier" if you will, being that most Chitlangis I've seen have the standard work done by the kami who made the blade. Being that they're really not intent on the highly refined aesthetics of the engraving they perform, I'd like to find someone either there (in Nepal) or in the U.S. or Italy who is... It would just make something like the beautiful Chitlangi even more so, IMHO. ;)

Dan :)
 
Nice. I'll hafta give engraving and chiselling steel a try sometime (after I'm good at etching and fileworking). Think of the relief you could get carving thse thick khuk blades!
 
Originally posted by Ferrous Wheel
I understand. Thaat's why I buy the plain pieces then do stuff to it, like this: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=2166617
Click to expand...


There you go, Ferrous. :D I have an idea in my head of a dream Chitlangi, and my HIKV is pressuring me to realise its creation. Take a look at a Japanese katana and look at the detail of the horimono carved into the blade after the blade is completed. The "Sword of Shiva"/Chitlangi blade engraving is a very straightfoward foward design, and would be a proverbial piece of cake for an engraver. The simplicity of its design makes it so attractive.
I imagine I could order a standard Chitlangi, and have an engraver greatly refine the engraving, but I'd prefer to have it done in Nepal if possible, or just leave the engraving out if I custom ordered the Chitlangi... There has to be a simple solution... ;)

Dan :)
 
Dan, who or what is a "hawari?" :confused:

Or do you have the name confused with "newari the traditionl Nepalese carvers?
Or is it just me who is confused?:confused:
 
Originally posted by Yvsa Dan, who or what is a "hawari?" :confused: Or do you have the name confused with "newari the traditionl Nepalese carvers? Or is it just me who is confused?:confused:
Click to expand...

:footinmou I assume that the Newaris carve not only wood, but engrave metal, and craft jewelry. They are highly talented, aren't they? If one could stop in BirGhorka take on special orders, that might fill a gap for some of us who would like various options, or just highly refined executions of the standard designs performed by the kamis on some of the khukuri models...

Dan :)
 
Originally posted by Drdan
Has anyone ever ordered a blade without the engraving so they could do it themselves?

It doesn't appear to be such a "tall order".

Dan
Click to expand...

Not exactly on purpose.;)

I once ordered two plain, as forged, blades. A Chainpuri and a Hanuman and neither of them has the Sword of Shiva on them, but I don't know if either comes with the Sword of Shiva or not.
But you wouldn't want an ,as forged blade, because they are really nasty and need lots of cleanup to be presentable as khukuris acceptable to the average person.
I wanted them because of the ,hammer dingy, finish and was very satisfied with what I got. I brought up the pic of the Chainpuri blade that I took incredible artistic license with not that long ago if you recall.
The Hanuman blade I broke the tang off of by hammering it cold to bend the really heavy tang. It's since been repaired, but is awaiting its turn in the workroom to be finished, gonna be one helluva khuk if I ever get it done!!!!:D :cool:
 
Trust us:

Bishwakarma = Murphy

Stop right there if you value your sanity!

If you still want to continue, first procure a full quart of 194 proof Everclear. On second thought, make that a half-gallon. You may need all of it when you open the box containing your special order.

I tried to warn you!
 
Just remembered the Salyan affair.

The Salyan khuk referred to is the one shown in UB's avatar. It's about 12" IIRC.
Someone had the idea to scale it up to 18 or 20 inches. Are you with me? Search the archives for Super Salyan.

The order eventually came in and I have one. It is as long as specified and a perfect scalar copy. It also has a 3/4 inch thick spine. Point seven-five-zero. I am not kidding.
 
Perhaps it's just best to get a standard HI khukuri, and take care of the upgrades once it's stateside... Unless of course I can find a gallon of Everclear here. :) Grappa would be a fitting substitute!
Super Salyan? I'll look it up; I'm sure the result of the order makes for some interesting reading! :rolleyes: Thanks.

Dan :)
 
I can see why Uncle Bill prefers not to take custom orders.:D

It is still difficult for me to comprehend why it would be a monumentous task to have BirGhorka produce a standard Chitlangi, without putting any of the typical designs on the blade and bolster. It must be interesting for a foreign (or local) businessman dealing with the bureaucracy in Nepal... :eek:

Dan :)
 
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