Khukuri manufacturing video.....

J

JimmyJimenez

Joined
Sep 30, 2005
Messages
580
I was up early this morning, while the kids and wife were still in bed, and found myself pretty bored. I went on the internet for a little bit, but soon got off.

Still being bored as all get out, and while watching some snow coming down outside my window, I got the itch to watch my khukuri manufacturing video again.

I had received this video some months ago from a gentleman named John McCurdy. It's a copy of a video filmed by the now defunct "Gurkha House" company (which never actually manufactured khukuris, only had them made in Nepal for them). I don't believe they were around for all that long, but one positive lasting thing may be this video.
It was filmed at "one of" or "the" main supplier for them in Nepal.
The video was sent to me in "VCD" format, and will play in most DVD players and modern computers. The length of this video is about one hour, and though my brother said this to me.... "It's like watching paint dry", I personally
find it to be an absolutely riveting film. It may be crudely done, definitely not filmed my Twentieth Century Fox, but the information it shares is phenomenol!

It shows Bishwakarmas (Kamis) and their assistants doing the work of manufacturing khukuri knives.

The beginning of the video shows how they weigh and cut down their automobile leaf springs.

It then goes on to show the men at work doing the following steps (not necessarily in the following order):

*Forging the blade
*Filing the blade to closer final shape
*Putting the "sword of shiva" onto a blade, and inletting brass into portions of that design
*Heat treating the blade (tea kettle and all)
*Installing the blade to it's handle
*Grinding and sharpening of the blade

In some other sections of the video it shows the work being done on the following steps (again, not necessarily in the following order):

*Making the grinding wheel (that natural epoxy of theirs, Laha, sure gets used for all sorts of different things)
*Making and shaping the handles
*Making brass bolsters, pommel caps, and scabbard chapes (all really neat in itself)
*Making the scabbards

And so much more.

I have read that many members here have also received copies of this video in the past. For those of you that have not, if you can locate somebody that will give you, lend you, or make you a copy, I highly recommend this as a must see khukuri video :)

It does not matter if you like olden day khukuris, modern day khukuris, HI, KH, Tora, NKH, KP, or whatever, this makes for one educational and exciting film if you enjoy khukuris.

Yes, my brother (a Syracuse NY P.D. Criminal Detective) made it very clear to me that the video was like watching "paint dry". Truth is, this sort of stuff simply does not excite him,............ just not his cup of tea.
But, my guess is that in this group here, 99% of the folks would truly appreciate watching this film :)

Maybe some members here know where there is a good supply of these videos. If not, maybe contacting John McCurdy to see if he would sell you a copy at a very fair price (seems like a nice enough guy that would probably do so): mccurdy12@juno.com


This morning must have been my ninth time watching it, and I still get a kick out of it, (it surely did away with my boredom) :)
 
I found a pretty cool looking cho-less khuk on ebay by Mr. Mccurdy. Just wasn't the right time dollar wise for me to get another. Looked beautiful to me. He sends the video out with the khuks he sells. I e-mailed him a couple of times and got quick and friendly responses. Just didn't buy. Not any fault of his, just wanted to stress I couldn't review his products.

Dan has some HI video I think.
 
Yeah, that's the fella :)

He does seem like an A-OK Joe, and I'm almost positive that he would be more than willing to part with some of these VCD copies for a minimal fee (probably not much more than to cover his shipping and CD-R costs).

In any case, I'm telling you guys, this video really gives a great inside look at this last of "old school arts" :)

I had seen photos and read descriptions and such of traditional khukuri manufacturing before on the internet, but it was this video that gave me an appreciation for the khukuri that no other medium of information had given me :)

To read and see pictures is cool, but to actually see a video of the process, PRICELESS! ;)

I have not seen Dan's video, but would love to hear what it contains :)

PS.
It's no joke when you hear that the kamis usually work on the floor/ground and that they use all their digits during their khukuri manufacturing!......... LOL! :) Toes and all are put to very good use ;)
 
hi guys i may be the guy who purchased the kuk from mr McCurdy from ebay, he is a very nice guy who deals with a very nice lineup of kuks, he also sent me the video that you guys are talking about, he also sent me a brochure form these guys "not sure if its the same Co as Gurkha House": http://thekhukurihouse.com/ I am not sure about the quality of the blades but they look pretty good "so far most I have gotten my knives from HI" I may do a comparison test amongst the two. Here is a pic of a knife thats exactly like the one i purchased for Mr. Mccurdy: http://www.talkblade.info/viewtopic...tart=360&sid=46c84b94d0884f7eff4e3a2a965e651b. I'll let you know how well this knife does on Hawaiian Foliage:D .thanks
 
The whole thing with me (my focus) is the video, (and the merits of that video) :)

Tell us, rctk1, what did "you" think of the video?

Thanks in advance :)
 
I was impressed and touched at the same time. These guys are using handmade materials from the homemade belt sander to sand the handles to the manual powered grinder to polsih and sharpen the blades. I just wished that these folks who work so hard to make these quality knives had a better living and working condition:( .
 
I'm really glad you guys like the VCD. The Nepalese Kamis who make kukris are finding work in other countries where they can earn a lot more. I think these kukris that we're able to buy now will become difficult in the next ten years to acquire as our "World Economy" develops. For a Nepalese kukri to sell in this country for as little as $50 that requires four days of SKILLED labor to produce is something destined to change. When I watch the VCD of the kukris being made, like rctk1 commented, I can't help but think of the incredibly low wage that these guys must make. It is a little sad that such great skill is so poorly compensated. I bet they don't earn the equivalent of $.25 an hour! These kukris may not quite be Samurai swords but they're pretty amazing weapons. The Best! John McCurdy
 
sounds like a good video to see sometime. i know a blacksmith or two that would also love to see it - one is actually in school taking classes in smithing as well.

bladite
 
Mr. McCurdy,
Thank you for chiming in. Please feel free to pull up a bar stool and toss a few back anytime. Is there a way to purchase the video? I'm sure a lot of us would appreciate its historical importance.:)
 
Hi John i am glad that you are now a member of this prestigious group!:) if my computers burner was working i would be willing to ship out copies to anyone as long as they are willing to cover the shipping.:cool: as soon as i get a new burner installed i'll ket you all know.
 
I suspect there are copyright ownership issues here. Be careful. One cannot go copying other people's property willy-nilly. I know it's the Internet. But there are still laws about this stuff.
 
If it is the old Ghurka House tape, it is copyrighted material, so burning a copy of it would be illegal. I'm sure Bill wouldn't have approved of illegal copies, since there were issues with GH taking copyrighted photos from the HI around that same time. At least that is my thought.

Dunno if the copyright defaulted to Khukuri House/Lalit Lama after GH went away, but the video as it was filmed at their shop, and Lalit is in the tape quite a bit. Strangely they don't have copies listed on their website. Nepal Khukuri House seems to have a video availalbe, but the pix do not look the same as my tape.

Regardless, the original (GH) tape is well worth watching. It made the rounds of the neo-tribal forums and was well thought of. I watch it from time to time when the wife isn't home. I find it fascinating, but the hammering drives her nuts!

Pat
 
I believe that the film I'm speaking about, probably the same you are all speaking about, was done for/by Craig Gottleib for his now defunct company ("Gurkha House").

Being that it was done up to promote his company offerings, KH would probably have to alter it a bit to remove the "GH" promotion sections out of it, then add their own "KH" promotion to it. Even though it was filmed at a Khukuri House manufacturing facility, KH may even need to get Craig's permission to alter it in that manner (?).
I guess if KH wants to use such a promotion tool for themselves, it would probably be best if they just re-shot the film altogether.

It's too bad that one can't just legally buy this video somewhere, especially since it's so informative. Also, the fact that it was filmed to promote a now defunct business, makes for a very benign video, not promoting any currently operating business. Even though it was filmed at a "KH" facility, in no portion of the video is the KH company mentioned or promoted.
Actually, there is "VERY" little promotion whatsoever on this video, including for the deceased "Gurkha House" firm. It's truly more of an educational film than anything else :)

Yvsa, I did not know that HI's former shop (Shop #1) was actually Khukuri House's manufacturing operations under contract of Himalayan Imports (making the knives under HI specs). I guess that does not seem to be all that uncommon though, since Tora currently contracts the "Nepalese Khukuri House" firm to manufacture their knives (to Tora's specifications).
On another forum (KF) there are many older posts that were put up by the late "Bill Martino" of HI, and he had mentioned a gentleman at Shop #1 by the name of "Til" that had many years under his belt as being a former Gurkha Armoror. This was probably Lalit's "KH" partner ("Til") which was a Gurkha armoror for many years before retiring and teaming up with Lalit to head up the KH manufacturing facility.
"Lalit", himself an ex-Gurkha, is mainly in charge of sales, while "Til" is in charge of the manufacturing facility. All pretty interesting stuff.

*Note... I know that HI's current shop (Shop #2/Birgorkha) replaced HI's former supply method. I also believe that Birgorkha is owned and operated by Yangdu's father (so HI marked knives are no longer contracted out for manufacture, but done by their very own employees).


Since we are discussing khukuri manufacturing videos, has there ever been an HI khukuri manufacturing video?

If not, I'm sure it's obvious that a desire would be there to see and own such a thing :)

If Yangdu was to set up such a thing, it could be sold at a minimal fee. Not only would it promote HI products, but would also be a great addition to any khukuri enthusiast wanting this in their library. HI enthusiasts would especially love to have and cherish such a video, having kamis like Bura and Sher doing some of their work. These guys are human, and as such will not be on this earth forever. Having video (moving pictures) of these guys would be another great way of continuing their legacy :)

We would also have the added benefit of not needing to worry about it's legal distribution. Yangdu could sell them at a fair price, and folks buying them would not have to worry that they somehow contributed to any copyright infringments ;)

Would HI consider offering such a thing ?
 
An HI video has been talked about from time to time, as I recall it.
We should keep our fingers crossed!

Pat
 
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