Little tools

Howard Wallace

Howard Wallace

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Feb 23, 1999
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Bill,

I received my daughter Brita's special 20" Sirupati the other day. The craftsmanship is exceptional.

As I examined the traditional tool set housed in the sheath, I realized that when I give her the knife, I'm going to have to explain what these little guys are for. The karda, chakma, and awl I've got figured out. What are the traditional uses for the two chisel-shaped implements? One of them has a regular chisel face, and the other has a bend in the end of the blade. It seems that these tools must have received regular use, at least in the past, but I'm not quite sure what those uses would be.
 
Howard, I also was very pleased with the workmanship on Brita's Sirupati. I think it must have helped when I told the kamis you had visited Nepal in the past because it looks like they gave it their very best effort. Little wonder it took so long.

I am sorry I can't tell you the exact uses for all the little tools. My guess would be whatever they can do for you. I think the one you said had a bend in the end of the blade is actually supposed to be a buttonhook -- not much demand for buttonhooks these days so if you or Brita can find a practical use for this one then have at it. When Kami gets here in Sept. (I think) he will be posting some stuff here (poorly translated by me, I must add. If it gets completely out of hand I will enlist Yangdu as our official Nepali-English translator. She needs another job anyway!) and if you make a note and remember we will ask him.

Uncle Bill
 
Bill,

I had actually considered that the little angled tool might be a buttonhook, and then rejected the idea based on the pictures of western buttonhooks I have seen. This tool has less of a pronounced hook than the western examples. But you may be right. As I recall, many of the traditional Nepalese garments have buttons that are actually elaborate knots. This tool may work for drawing such a button through a loop. It's somewhat difficult to imagine without trying it.

Are many people still wearing traditional clothes in Nepal? Many years ago I brought back a heavy Nepalese dress to America, and gave it to my girlfriend. It had those knotted buttons on it. My girlfriend really liked it. I wouldn't mind getting dresses like that for my wife and daughter. Are you still considering other types of items besides knives for import?

I think we are going to have fun on this forum when Kami joins in. I'll start my list of questions.
 
Hi Howard:

Last time I was there in 1991 once outside the Kathmandu Valley everybody still wore the traditional clothes. Most of the Sherpas and Tibetans even in Kathmandu still wore the tradtional Anghi.

Kami has an answer for just about everything so I'm sure any question we have for him he will supply his version of an answer. I am not sure everybody would agree with him but it is his answer. For example, he claims the cho is "surya ra chandra", the sun and moon, symbols of Nepal which one can see everywhere in Nepal. I mentioned to him that many Hindu kamis did not agree with his interpretation. He replied, "that's because they don't know." So, there you have it from the boss.

I think after a little test marketing that we had best stick with what we know -- khukuris and a few knives of various types. However, if you want a dress let me know and I'll ask Kami to send one.

Uncle Bill
 
Bill,
Kami's answer is so perfect, it made me laugh. There's a man who knows what is what and if other people don't know the truth, too bad.
Wonderful.



------------------
JP
 
Kami often makes me chuckle with his answers. In his favor is I don't know anybody who can with any authority prove him wrong on most of what he says -- and believes!

Uncle Bill
 
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