Remembering Uncle Bill and Rusty

Howard and Archangel said it very well already, but I miss them both as well.

I was just talking about Uncle Bill a few days ago... His example is still in my heart when I need to remember that there are good guys out there.

Rob
 
Unfortunately, I did not find HI until shortly after they had passed.

I read most of the old posts and archive posts before I joined up, and felt sad that I missed being able to talk to him.

RIP U.B and R.S.

Carry on Yangdu.
 
Thank you everyone for good thoughts and prayers for UB and Rusy
 
One day Uncle Bill and Rusty mentioned about a small bird was flying to Malaysia.
Naively I didn't understand the meaning until I received a shipment from Reno.
It contained HI 7.75" JKM-1.
A gift from Uncle Bill and Rusty to me.
And I named it as Bird.

HI775InchesJKM-1Bird01.jpg


mohd
 
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Uncle Bill introduced me to my first good knife, a Shop 1 BAS. I still have that knife, and it might be the finest example of the khukuri that I own. The BAS later led to me acquiring another dozen or so of its brethren. More importantly, it led me to friendship with a good and trusting man, one who sent each and every knife off based on my word of honor. I found it incredible then and I still find it incredible know. The world was a better place because of Bill Martino.

- Christian
 
How could I have forgotten the date? Work I guess.

March 2005, the day my avatar changed from plain red on white. A large regret is that depite a hundred emails back and forth I never spoke to Uncle Bill on the phone. Just as I didn't do (and no one else did at Uncle's request) many special orders because he was so sick. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Aunt Yangdu though.

Not that it mattered, as he provided me a lot of information and guidance via email, just would have liked to hear his voice. I was always so impressed with his honesty, generosity and kindness. I used to write him about a particular knife (with no funds on hand), and he would write back "pay when you can", and two days later I'd have the postman at my door wearing a big smile and holding a triangular box! :) His trust gave me motivation to never keep him waiting long.

Kamagong is right and he did this with everyone. I am also amazed he stayed in business, but I think people were so stunned for the most part it never occurred to them to try and take advantage of him; at least I hope so.

Great man. My condolences to you Yangdu for your loss, which we all share to a lesser extent. Thank you for remembering him for us.

Norm
 
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I met Bill and Yangdu at Terry's house in Claremore when they came by to visit. We had that trailer full of people wanting to talk about HI. And guns. A good time was had by all. Seems like that was just a year or two ago!

Gregg
 
I wish I had known them, it would have been a great honor. The moment I saw Bill Martino's picture, for I never met the man in my life, I thought, 'heck, he could be my surrogate father'. I am always on the lookout for older guys who could be father figures to me, seeing as my father was, and still is, an insubstantial father indeed. When I saw how he lived through the pictures and words on Himalayan Imports website, I just got the feeling that he would have been something like the father I never truly had. But, I soon found out that he passed away, and it was sad. Without even knowing him, I forged an emotional connection to him. He was that cool of a person, I believe. And Rusty, I don't know much about him, but from what I have heard, he was an equally fine person, and that deserves equal praise. I hope to accomplish at least a fraction of what they accomplished in their lives. I hope I am dead wrong about spirituality, because its people like Uncle Bill and Rusty that deserve a better place. My condolences to you, Miss Martino, for your loss, and to all of Bladeforums, no, all the people who were touched by these two, for their collective loss. Here's to peace on Earth, and a better place beyond. Peace.
David
 
I buy a Heineken greenie for Bill every year. Can't believe it's been as long as it has. Prayers and smoke up for you my friends. The world is a bit darker with your absence.
 
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