Kami Kumar Bishwakarma shows us what a karda should be.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

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Mar 5, 1999
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<img src = "http://members.aol.com/yangduspag/pict37.jpg">

Here is an offering by kami Kumar Bishwakarma, one of our up and coming young kamis who is learning a lot from the old masters. It is 15.5 inches overall and weighs 1.5 pounds. Blade is 7/16 inches thick, about 2.25 wide and excellently hardened.

Of interest here is the karda -- 7 inches overall with 4 inch blade. Very nicely done and excellently hardened. This karda will become our standard for all khukuris in the 15 to 18 inch range. It is one of the best I have seen.

The downside is the wood scabbard but for those so inclined this could be covered with leather by Terry Cisco for a very reasonable price.

The price for the karda is $150. Everything else comes free with the karda. Interested parties call or email.

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 01 October 1999).]
 
Yes indeedee, now thats what we have been waiting to see! Avery skilled Kami for so young. I think we will be seeing a lot of good things from him. Please let him know what we think of his work. Do you think the karta will ever become available by it's self?
 
This may be off topic. I just received the 14oz, 1/4" thick Kumar fighter this morning. I have not sliced or chopped anything with it yet so I don't know the hardness of the blade. But, based on my first impression, I can certainly vouch for Kumar's good work. The Kumar fighter is like a slimmed down sirupati with a 2-eyes-of-the-dove cho. After I picked it up from the post office this morning, I brought it in to work. On several occasions during the day, I couldn't help but closed the office door and took it out to admire it. Its nice!

Julian

[This message has been edited by Julian (edited 01 October 1999).]
 
Bill,

The karda is beautiful. Very exciting for owners of future HI's.
smile.gif
I am looking forward to this. Just when you think things can get no better...
smile.gif


sing

AKTI #A000356
 
Kumar is maybe 26 or 27 years of age. Very young for one putting out such unique and good work. He is learning a tremendous amount from visiting village kamis like Ganga Ram and, of course, from Bura who is with us everyday. He watches, asks questions, and then does. I am really impressed by his work and inventiveness.

This gives me great hope that the old skills will not be lost. I am very happy to see this turn of events.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
It's so hard to resist when they just keep getting better and better.

I wonder if in the future it would be possible to have the karda made of file instead of truck springs. Files are much higher carbon and would be ideal for small knives.

If things keep on improving, HI could just sell sheathed kardas. There's a huge market for 4" knives. Drop points, skinners, etc... I know I'd buy them.

Come to think of it. These kardas look a lot like Scandinavic knives that go for hundreds of dollars. See pictures.

<img src = "http://www.kp-art.fi/img/perusmal/suomi2.gif">

<img src = "http://www.kp-art.fi/img/perusmal/nikkari2.gif">

<img src = "http://www.kp-art.fi/img/perusmal/nylkyri2.gif">

<img src = "http://www.kp-art.fi/img/erikoist/primitii.gif">



[This message has been edited by tallwingedgoat (edited 01 October 1999).]
 
Bill,

Why don't you care for the sheath? It looks very nice to me. In terms of looks I think I like it better than leather. The metal bands would minimize the chances of accidentally cutting through the sheath.

Is there a practical drawback to this kind of sheath?
 
It is interesting that this topic came up as just the other day I was asking Jeff if HI made smaller knife-sized khukris.

I would like something like a forward curving sirapati, but only about 8 inches long and not very thick.

What do you think Uncle Bill?

I apologize for the misspellings, I am not familier with the terms yet and can't remember how to spell them. Guess I should make my self a vocabulary list.
wink.gif


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Howard, I like the leather such as that I saw on the Ganga Ram scabbards -- thick, fitted very well, high quality. It is what I have been trying for and I think it is just about here. This is a personal preference only but to me the bare wood scabbards look like part of the job has been left undone. It is only me. I can't think of any practical drawback.

And, Ula, if we are to fit the karda and chakma into the back of the scabbard they must be very nearly straight due to dimensional limitations. Good to see you back.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 

I think she means a small khukuri, not a khukuri-shaped karda. Yes, there are small khukuris once in a while but I haven't seen one.


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Namaste,
Jeff Paulsen

"Oh, a magic khukuri. Why didn't you say so?"
 
Julian, let us know more when you have more of a feel for the kumar fighter. Soon as I read your post, I ran and pulled out my 17.5" Chainpuri weighing 14 ozs. My oh my does that thing love to play.
 
:
I don't know if Uncle ordered any extra,but if I remember right the
CBCK that was special ordered is about 9" oal.
It wasn't a Sirupati though.



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&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;---¥vsa----&gt;®
Cornbread ain't s'possed ta be sweet!....Dagnabit gurl,whut did they teach you way up north in ....;) hehehe.


 
Ula.
  • Kagas Katne is a 6 incher.
  • CBKC (Chespeake Bay Knife Club) Khukuri is a 9 incher.
Both the above models are special order & having the standard HI thickness (for blade strength purpose). You can always ask Pakcik Bill - email him - who knows he might has some extra in his previous orders!

Julian.
Congratulation! I love Kumar's! You got it 1st! Insyaa-Allaah ... I am waiting for the next edition.

Pakcik Bill.
What should we called it?
  • Kumar's Karda or
  • Improvised Karda or
  • Upgraded Karda or
  • HI Karda or
  • HI Shop #2 Karda or
  • 3rd Millenium Karda or
  • Bolstered Karda.
Just a naming standard which is meant for easy reference so that we can easily differentiate it in terminology without confusion with the Traditional Karda.

[This message has been edited by mohd (edited 02 October 1999).]
 
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