Kothimoda progress report.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
Yesterday was spent running around getting leather and silver for the kothimoda. We could not get the cobra skin I wanted but found some top quality buffalo calf hide with natural grain so got that. Bought ten ounces of pure silver and took it to the nephew of Bura who is a gold and silver smith with a shop in Purano Banasore. He is an excellent craftsman and offered the job with a satisfaction guarantee (sounds like HI!) -- not happy with the work don't pay. He has done kothimodas before and I don't think we will be disappointed.

Bura is making the kothimoda khukuri and has it about 75% complete -- bone handle that Bura cured himself. He told me it would stand up to severe cold but not severe heat -- warning!

I think this kothimoda is going to be a REAL one and something we can be proud to offer. With a little luck I'll be bringing this one back with me.

Stay tuned!

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Uncle Bill, while you're over there running around lookin' for stuff, how about looking for a forward-curving, 21" utility khuk like the one Harry just got and is bragging about?
 
Uncle Bill,
I hope you'll be able to come back with the names and photos of all the master craftsmen who are responsible for the kothimoda (and perhaps even a shot or two of its fabrication).
Wishing you a safe and productive journey,
Berk
 
I am embarrassed to mention that the "utility forward curving khukuri" is in reality a Ganga Ram Special I had forgotten I had ordered....Sheesh.

Harry

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Ayo Ghorapani!
 
:
Nice, ain't it Harry?
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I believe the Ganga Ram Specials are the Epitome of H.I.'s khukuri's!!

Mine goes 3 1/4 Lbs and I think that puts it in the same weight range of the 20" AK. With the thinner profile blade I believe that it will probably outchop an AK. It would be interesting to see how they compare!


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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

"Know your own bone, gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it again."

'Thoreau'

Khukuri FAQ
 
Yup, ¥vsa, it is one very nice khukuri.

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I hope that Ganga Ram is able to teach his secrets to the younger kamis so that the making of this khukuri style won't die out with him.

I would also add, I hope that those kamis that know how to properly age or season handle material, whether it is wood or bone or horn or whatever are able to pass this knowledge down to the younger kamis so that they'd be able to do things right.

Harry

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Ayo Ghorapani!
 
Hopefully I will be able to get the Ganga Ram made by the old master! I can certainly wait the time because it would be well worth it. Fingers crossed!!! --- By the way, what a beautiful H.I. collection I have. Someting I admire and will hand down to son and family.

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To quote Uncle Bill quoting the kamis -

"'A blade is forever. A handle...'"

- Still, it would be nice to keep the original handle a while.

It didn't used to be a problem from shop1. Or even shop2/Birghorka if I remember, til Pala came over.

I'm NOT putting Gelbu down. Sounds like he has accomplished a great deal beyond anything Pala anticipated. But if Gelbu did the purchasing of the horn/wood for handles and then had to delegate it... HE ( Gelbu ) may need a break. Remember what Uncle Bill said about his love/hate relationship with the kamis and even the furor Bill coming by the shop without notice caused - and was directed at Gelbu? LOL

And Harry, I do believe I have a picture of the Super Salyan that'll but it in the proper perspective. just have to post the pix. VEG

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Himalayan Imports Website

Howard's H.I. Khukuri FAQ

Common Forum Abbreviations
 
Bura has the blades for five kothimodas roughed out and is finishing one. The blades are thick -- probably 3/8 -- and I asked Bura why he did not make them thinner -- 1/4 inch -- as I had asked. He replied with the standard answer -- "thick blades are strong, thin blades are not."

I countered. "These knives will never be used. They will be put on the wall for show."

Bura said, "How can you be sure the knife will never be used? A situation might arise in which the knife must be used. We would not want it to fail. Remember, this is BirGorkha!"

I relented, "You are the Royal Kami and the foreman of BirGorkha. Make them as you see fit."

"Listen, Big Brother," Bura said with a sly little smile and eyes that twinkled like the stars do here at night, "When people see our kothimoda they will see that it is different from all others and they will know this is a BirGorkha kothimoda -- and it will be the best kothimoda the world has ever seen."

I sincerely hope that Bura is correct!


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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
As one who has a kothimoda order, I would agree with Bura on the functionality of the kothimodas he is making. To reiterate, there is no predicting when one may need a good khukuri. It will be interesting to see what other surprises Bura works into the design of these BirGorkha Kothimodas. I can hardly wait!

Harry

[This message has been edited by Kozak (edited 02-14-2000).]
 
Hi Uncle Bill,

Bura is making the kothimoda khukuri and has it about 75% complete -- bone handle that Bura cured himself. He told me it would stand up to severe cold but not severe heat -- warning!
Click to expand...

Question : what would be considered severe heat? I can't imagine much over 90F where it would be stored, and certainly not for more than a few hours at a time. I'm imagining the worst - a power outage in Miami for several summer weeks (due to hurricane), and no A/C. I remember Andrew...

Just curious - I was going to get a generator anyway, and kothimoda-cooling is as good a reason as any.
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Nick
 
Bura was referring to desert conditions. I don't think 90 degrees will make the bone crack but I'll not swear to it. I've had bone handles that held up to anything I subjected them to and I've had some that cracked for what I felt was no reason at all.

We'll wait and see, I guess, and hope for the best.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Bura warned me that if the bone went into a desert where it was hot and dry it would crack. I don't think 90 degrees will do it but I do not have a lot of faith in bone. Bura said he cured the bone himself so I'm putting my trust in him. We'll wait and see and hope for the best.

Blessings from Anamnagar and Suryabenai.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
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