Just ordered my first HI khukuri!

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Messages
1,390
I opted for an 18" Gelba Special thanks to information gleaned from posts and a couple of e-mails received. I asked Uncle Bill to try and get it as good as possible, and requested a cured spotted deer handle (made by Sher), brown leather scabbard, and a full razor edge if the kami (Bura) can execute it. Waiting for a reply so that the formalities can be taken care of. Members of the forum have been really helpful; thanks to all.

LOL
Dan
 
BTW, spotted deer horn may be hard to get anytime soon.

From:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1166344
"Finding good deer horn and being sure that it is not taken from some poached animal takes time."
"Years ago when I was new and wanted every khukuri handled with the beautiful spotted deer horn I was told that little deer got overhunted in Nepal and the government would give big problems to those trying to export horns or other parts. Also, I was told a permit was required for hunting it and I think a permit is still required today. One thing is for sure, the horn is very hard to find in Nepal today and has been since I got interested in it a dozen or so years ago.
Of course, even trees are endangered today in Nepal and certain types of wood are illegal to buy and sell. We have had problems with some of the wood we wanted to use for handles -- illegal in the Kathmandu Valley and also customs will not allow export.
Remember, Nepal is poor and overpopulated and almost every resource is sorely taxed."
---Bill Martino, June 2000
 
Dan
... and requested a cured spotted deer handle ...
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I guess Spotted Deer Horn is just too small to be made as a handle for 18" GS! Last time I have a 9" CBKC Model and a 12" Dhankuta with Spotted Deer Horn handles! Anyhow I am not that fond of Spotted Deer Horn as a handle. It's texture is a bit rough and it's colour is not uniformly white. I guess the black colour of laha (i.e. epoxy) sipped into it's porous texture and cause slight blackish colouring to certain part of it. Terry rehandled those 9" CBKC Model and 12" Dhankuta with some beautiful kind of dark hard wood for me. Furthermore, Spotted Deer Horn handle might cost you more.

BTW .. I enjoy reading some old threads on GS .. if you happen to be interested to collect some infos fr those old threads ... here there are:

(1) The Gelbu Special Number One -- take a look.
(2) A quick update on the Gelbu Special No. 1 -- supposedly a "magic" khukuri
(3) A Question for Pala
(4) I just got my new toy today: HI Gelbu Special!
(5) Gelbu Special
 
Thanks for the links related to the Gelbu Special; it's a very beautiful knife. I look foward to receiving mine!!! I had no idea about the scarcity of the spotted deer horn, or that it would be difficult to do a GS's handle with it. I'll ask for Uncle Bill's recommendations; I'm sure I'll be another satisfied customer. The HI's khukuris have an excellent reputation for quality, and that's what led me to HI's website. Thank you again for all these nice links and info. Dan
 
Originally posted by mohd
DanI guess Spotted Deer Horn is just too small to be made as a handle for 18" GS!


mohd, just when I make final decisions as to what kind of handle material I'd like on my chosen khukuri model (GS), you come along and burst my bubble! The rough texture just might be an asset for better gipping, and the color to me in kind of attractive. Anyway, you've got me scurrying around again trying to find out as much as I can about the various commonly used woods used by the craftsmen at HI... The spotted deer must be a fella!
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The spotted deer must be a fella! [/B][/QUOTE]


Oops, sorry! The spotted deer must be a little fella!
 
You actually think you got off lucky only buying one!!! Like fine wine and good cigars-you'll be back. Get a 15" Ang Khola or a 161/2" WWII. I've always thought of the GS as being too pretty to use.
Good luck on your new addiction!
 
Good luck on your new addiction! [/B][/QUOTE]

There was a strange feeling of déjà vu when I initially entered H.I.'s site. I believe that Pala is somehow orchestrating this directly from Nepal, and he purposely preys on casual surfers. Yes, I've already succumbed as you've implied, and believe me, one is not lucky when he/she becomes addicted to anything. In retrospect, it could have been worse; Phillipe Dufour wristwatches, colored diamonds, or Arabian horses!
 
Outside of this wonderful forum/company, knives like these are scarce and expensive and you almost never ever actually know the guy who makes them.
These are unique weapons and will not be found anywhere else.
I say get the heirlooms now while you can.
Honestly, this situation is unique and will not last forever.
These skills are not commonplace and the products are worth buying if only to be stored for a wedding gift to your future son-in-law or something like that.

Now, you gotta pay the gas bill, so let's say once a month.
OR Christmas time you could buy three in two weeks, but regular months (excluding birthdays or big camping trips) only buy one each month.

Now that's a rational, responsible plan.
 
See what I mean? It's happened to him too! Check out D in J's posts over the last two days... Only one for him too, right? Now out of the blue within a span of 48 hours he comes up with what he calls "a rational, responsible plan."
 
Originally posted by DannyinJapan
Outside of this wonderful forum/company, knives like these are scarce and expensive and you almost never ever actually know the guy who makes them.


That's of cogent importance! Would you rather have a pair of shoes purchased at a chain of retail stores, and give your good earned money to a salesperson who could care less, or a shoemaker who makes a far superior product, and you know who the individual is? Thanks for highlighting that aspect! Dan
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