Many Years

[Gehazi]

hello! well, I'm not sure why i felt compelled to do this other than the fact I have totally fallen back in love with H.I. and the things they make. Me and my brother were loyal customers in 2001-2002 and we lucked out to get some of the truly great production runs , like the Yvsa special. Most of my knives carry Bura's mark , something I am extremely happy about.
That being said I look forward to seeing the work of your newer kami and have already started my purchases again! I just want to say what a great company this is , and how glad I am that I can purchase such fine works of art, and know I am paying such decent and hard-working people.
So, from a loyal customer who has been gone too long, but will soon flood you with his money, I just want to say how glad I am to be here on this forum and to do business with the people involved with himilayan imports. I hope your business only grows and everyone involved profits immensely.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Welcome back HI has had a truly great run of new and exciting products over the last 10 years or so. Lots of really cool one of a kind knives that you can't find anywhere but by hanging out here with us

It's always great to have an old-hand back in the mix We're happy to see you around again

 

[sweetcostarica]

Me and my brother were loyal customers in 2001-2002 and we lucked out to get some of the truly great production runs , like the Yvsa special. Most of my knives carry Bura's mark , something I am extremely happy about.
That being said I look forward to seeing the work of your newer kami and have already started my purchases again!...

Hi Gehazi, welcome. I'm sweetcostarica & I'm a new-ish member here who loves the traditional Kukris for their craftsmanship and modest weights since I'm a hiker and camper. But I do like classic Himalayan Imports (HI) designs like the Yvsa Special & others HI designs because of their pedigree to those original Nepali designs, their toughness and outstanding finish.

Note: The Yvsa Cherokee Special - is a chopper with a slightly oversize handle. On average I have seen them about 18" in length and more or less 2lbs in weight.

Below is a blast from the past:
From the year 2000 and written by Yvsa himself: about "The Yvsa Special"
"I absolutely love the old full curving WW II model I got from John Powell. It has a certain magic to it that is different from the standard style khukuri design of today. I can't say it's better, just a different "feel" with its curved handle that "locks" the hand into it so well.

The khukuri still performs its function well as we all know. It is still up in the air as far as I am concerned as I haven't had time, nor am I willing to beat up an honorable old knife to discover the differences, if any, between the old and new design. The Yvsa Special will be a different story!!!

I can now understand why the handles have became straighter over the years since I have worked with the Chainpuri blade only. The only way I know of making the curved handle fit, is to burn it in after its been drilled with two angles. That means the handle has to be fitted while the tang is still hot from the forge, or it has to be heated again to properly fit the handle. That's what I did to get the curved handle the Chainpuri is going to have fitted properly.
I am glad I had the experience to do that without harming the blade.
It's not something that just anyone may want to do, you do have to be careful. It takes a lot more work and care in fitting to get the full curved handle. I can see why the khukuri has evolved from the full curved models of long ago to the modern khukuris of today."

And the reply from the founder of HI Bill Martino:
"Let's wait and see what the kamis do with this one before we start ordering. They may decide to change the design as they sometimes do and then we will have to go back to peg one.

I will caution them about making any changes but I never am sure what those monkeys will do."

Below is a photo of the Yvsa Cherokee Special by HI:

Rare, old school, Yvsa Cherokee Special, 1 lb. 15 oz., 18" overall, by Sher. Wood handle with bone and horn inlays. 2 YCS Kardas, and blunt awl.

 

[philllll]

I love those handle patterns!

 

[sweetcostarica]

I love those handle patterns!

There many big fans of Himalayan Imports, Yangdu and the kamis in Nepal making the larger blades. Although you have to be aware of anything inlayed in the handle of a knife, as the repeated shock of use WILL loosen the inlay pieces.

The Yvsa Cherokee Special (YCS) comes in this latest diamond and dot handle pattern below:


Also there is or was a plain handle version.

 

[philllll]

I would be way too scared to chop anything with a knife that beautiful, anyways. I'd probably end up buying both

 

[Gehazi]

That was always my problem as well , I only ever used one of my khukri's though I own many , i just hate to mar the finish. Though im pretty disappointed that i even used that one , because i like them to just stay perfect, my 20 inch suripati developed a really charming petina from use, but i need to have its edge professionally reworked.
also the Yvsa burnisher is the one i wish HI would use by default