Kamis

J

Jackal_89

Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
122
Geez, the more I read this forum, the more hungry I am for info. I'm starting to spend more time here than on my schoolwork! So, if I don't get an internship this summer I'm blaming all of you! I'm kidding of course.

I see a lot of talk about different Kamis from some of you that really seem to know their work. So, how many HI khukuri's (Kukri?) do you all own??? How do you know if you got a "good" Kami? No disrespect meant to any of them! I came here and bit the bullet for the higher cost because of HI's reputation! It was their story about how HI got started that completely sold me. These blades have a lot of soul.
 
I own about 17, a low number indeed compared to some on this forum.
On the subject of Kami ability, read the forum, and check out the threads where people have put their khukris to specific use. See how they hold up, and the fit and finish. Aesthetics are one thing, but how well the blade actually performs is the main thing, at least it is to me.

You will get to respect a kami for his work in part from what you will read, but more importantly from his blade through actual hard use.

I'm a big Kumar fan, but I have equal respect for many others. I can't think of any one kami I would avoid.
 
All HI kami are "good" kami. They are all screened for work ethic, knowledge and performance before they are allowed to produce for sale. Everyone here will have a favorite, but all kami are expected to maintain a certain level of craftsmanship. There is no need to worry about getting a "good kami".

At one time I personally had nearly 100 khukuri. I am down to almost half that right now. That is a small collection compared to what some people have. I know of a few people who have collections of 400-500 pieces and a couple who are nearing 1000 pieces.
 
My coworkers harass me all the time when they see triangle boxes arrive at my desk.
One last week asked me just how many HI knives I had, off the top I told him just guessing maybe 20-25.

On this rainy wet weekend in my man cave I counted and came up with 43 but I might have missed a couple.

I consider myself a very lucky man to have found HI, lots of good friends here and I've been very lucky in everything Khukri related. Very unusual for me.

I'm probably 25% completed on the knives I want someday.
 
Karda nailed it as usual. Everyone has different taste, some prefer more traditional, others newer styles.

Many with more highly tuned eyes can look at a knife and know who made it just from the look.

Like everything else each Kami has a style usually unique to themselves to some extent. Like he said though they are all good or they wouldn't be working for HI. Each time a get a different Kami's piece it seems like I have a new favorite. I guess I love them all.
 
Good to know!

I apologize it my initial post made it sound like some were good and some were bad. It wasn't my intent to make such an implication. Though, it looks like I'll learn who I like/prefer as I start my own collection with my bank account screaming the whole way.
 
Jackal_89 said:
Good to know!

I apologize it my initial post made it sound like some were good and some were bad. It wasn't my intent to make such an implication. Though, it looks like I'll learn who I like/prefer as I start my own collection with my bank account screaming the whole way.
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I don't believe your post was taken that way, certainly not by me. I find differences in all the different Kamis works. I find the differences inviting and makes each and every Khukri unique and with it's own personality per se. This is what makes collecting these work so addictive. Do I favor some works over others? Of course. However, I don't own a single one that I don't appreciate, find beauty in or wish I hadn't purchased.
 
Bawanna. What would you do with 1000 empty triangle boxes anyway? One really big chandelier?

I just order the model knife I want and whatever Kami makes it im happy with that. I would say I have my favorites too but I really do like them all.
 
Five kukris, plus a Suga (my personal design of the Suga hasn't been made yet), two Mini Micro Bowies, and one Hasiya. Of those I have two by Lachhu, one by Purna, one Thamar, one Padam, two Dhan Bahadur (I think he did my Hasiya and my Reti), and two by Bhakta (the Bowies, which despite being the same model and kami are distinct individuals and not just copies of each other).

As far as the Kami go, each has strengths. Lachhu makes a well-finished product, tends to be fairly heavy. Padam has a good design in the Suga. Dhan Bahadur does good knives with a more utilitarian aesthetic, and they're pretty sharp. Thamar has a very classic feel, and I like the balance and feel of his Yek Chirra, which also has a good effective edge, good shape, nice and pointy, and a handle that fills my hands well. Purna does beautiful knives that are also effective. The Purna Chainpuri I have is my favorite kukri, being beautiful and fast. Bhakta does a very nice Bowie that feels good in the hand, and is versatile, with good aesthetics and utility.

These are just the kami whose work I have experienced personally.
 
This is all so interesting. My entire life I've had mass produced, factory made blades that I could never be really attached to. I love my CRKT knife for my EDC and my 18" Ontario has served me well for what I paid (but has the worst handle I have ever felt!). I personally see the small "imperfections" in hand made items to be beautiful. It let's you know someone took the time to make it, rather than running a CAD program. I looked at Cold Steel KLO's as well, but they had that same factory clone look that just puts me off. That being said, I'm sure the differences between what the Kamis produce aren't so much that you get a blade that you use and say, "Nah, this isn't working for me."

Again, I can't thank you guys enough for answering all these questions from this newbie. This is a very welcoming forum for someone complelty new to the Kukri (Khukuri?) world!
 
I guess I'm a dilettante compared to you guys! I got 4 khuks plus a Seax, Bowie, jks-1, kumar Karda, IBBB, and one other I can't think of at the moment.

All makers are great, but the one who impressed me the most artistically is Rajkumar. His blades are so fluidly shaped you'd think they were created by nature rather than by a person.

As far as users go I'd say my first KLVUK is the best designed. I can't remember who made it, I think it was the guy after Kershar Lal. It's one of those blades that seems to get sharper the more you use it!
 
Jackal_89 said:
That being said, I'm sure the differences between what the Kamis produce aren't so much that you get a blade that you use and say, "Nah, this isn't working for me."

Again, I can't thank you guys enough for answering all these questions from this newbie. This is a very welcoming forum for someone complelty new to the Kukri (Khukuri?) world!
Click to expand...

No offense taken on the kami comment.

Sometimes the differences in what separate kamis make can cause a user to say it isn't working for them. That's OK. They can send it back and someone else will probably find that it fits them perfectly. That is the true beauty of these handmade items. IMHO, each piece is nearly a custom in it's own right.

Newbie questions are no problem at all, that what this forum is here for. To support HI customers in every way possible and to give them a place to hang out with our "family" of likeminded friends. As long as a person isn't here to intentionally cause trouble/harm, almost any question is allowable. We like our friends to be as educated as possible on all khukuri aspects.
 
They didn't call Rajkumar the "Prince" for nothing.

I have several of his and I treasure them. Quite impressive Kami.
 
Rusty used to say it was like blondes, brunettes, redheads, and raven tressed lasses.

Which is best? Each brings something unique.

Hard, and perhaps best not to say.
 
I think I'm around 40-50 HI products, which include; customs, khuks, swords, knives, bowies, hasiya, etc...

I love them all, I enjoy all of the kamis, they each have their specialties. That is why you could have the same model and size, different kamis, and the knives could be so different, that's what makes the collecting so fun!
 
I'm seeing dollar signs for pretty much all of you telling me you've got 50+ Kukri! It makes me worry that I'll get bit by the same bug once I hold mine for the first time.

We'll just have to see if being an Industrial Designer makes me enough money after I graduate!
 
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