Santosh Bhahadur Kami

[killa_concept]

In fact, I just now looked over my two Sher-made khukris (which I'm surprised you guys didn't do as you're the ones concerned over collectability) and have already found a distinguishing feature: Sher signs his first initial with a dash above it (as illustrated below) which is not the case with Santosh (according to the example given by Aunty Yangdu):

My Sher 15" AK (my 18" Vojpure has the same dash):

Santosh:

Distinguishing mark:

**edit**
Another difference is that my two Sher pieces (and others I've seen) have the initials directly next to the cho, instead of above it (as with Santosh)

 

[b.c.molin]

...Sher signs his first initial with a dash above it (as illustrated below) which is not the case with Santosh (according to the example given by Aunty Yangdu):

Another difference is that my two Sher pieces (and others I've seen) have the initials directly next to the cho, instead of above it (as with Santosh)

Good work! Hope the info in your post gets into the Kami marks thread. :thumbup:

 

[Bladite]

In fact, I just now looked over my two Sher-made khukris (which I'm surprised you guys didn't do as you're the ones concerned over collectability) and have already found a distinguishing feature: Sher signs his first initial with a dash above it (as illustrated below) which is not the case with Santosh (according to the example given by Aunty Yangdu):

My Sher 15" AK (my 18" Vojpure has the same dash):

Santosh:

Distinguishing mark:

**edit**
Another difference is that my two Sher pieces (and others I've seen) have the initials directly next to the cho, instead of above it (as with Santosh)

there are noticeable differences in the second initial too.

there's no guarantee though that this will remain the same. there has been ... drift in various aspects of things from the same people. iirc, bura's mark changed slightly a few years ago.

still, a marque is a marque, and a signature is a signature. they SHOULD be unique imho, but hey, that's me and my silly opinion.

it seems like most of my blades are by bura and old sher. as well, the kami with no marque at all: sgt khadka - who has a style and materials all his own that he doesn't need a marque.

however, since my skill at identifying who made what simply by the hammer strikes, the way the shadows play over a blade at the solstice, and what they ate that day is limited, i'd prefer obvious help... it matters as much as anything else, yes?


Bladite

 

[nagod]

kami or maker marks should be distinctive enough to identify even if similiar is used as a homage to original kami,

 

[Nicholas]

Good catch, K_C. Also, I recall that on the HI site, lists of kami marks also take into account the date of the piece (since, as I said, the marks often change). That, too, could help resolve confusion.

 

[RandomAyes]

xxxxxx

 

[warty]

Well, let me get back home. I have far more Sher, the Tiger items than any other Kami in my collection and I will simply take pictures of all his kami marks through time. I have some from the days while Uncle Bill was still here with us, some afterwards as well. Maybe with enough of the marks gathered up, the difference will be simply seen and there will be no confusion at all.

Myself, I think it is a great thing to honor Sher this way, after all, it is all in the family and it is as much a traditional family marking as it is a personal one.

BTW: The Boomarang I just picked up, made by the Tiger, also has the little "Hash Mark" on it...

 

[Nicholas]

Myself, I think it is a great thing to honor Sher this way, after all, it is all in the family and it is as much a traditional family marking as it is a personal one.

Quite so.:thumbup: Personally, I would rather have it this way, than to forget "old Sher" entirely.

 

[killa_concept]

there are noticeable differences in the second initial too.

there's no guarantee though that this will remain the same. there has been ... drift in various aspects of things from the same people. iirc, bura's mark changed slightly a few years ago.

still, a marque is a marque, and a signature is a signature. they SHOULD be unique imho, but hey, that's me and my silly opinion.

it seems like most of my blades are by bura and old sher. as well, the kami with no marque at all: sgt khadka - who has a style and materials all his own that he doesn't need a marque.

however, since my skill at identifying who made what simply by the hammer strikes, the way the shadows play over a blade at the solstice, and what they ate that day is limited, i'd prefer obvious help... it matters as much as anything else, yes?


Bladite

Don't get me wrong - I definitely see where you're coming from as I know you to be quite a collector on top of a user (I frequent the Becker section a decent bit). However, it's ultimately Santosh's decision as to what mark he chooses to use and his choice to honor a family member and his contributions to HI is quite respectable. HI undoubtedly needs to add some new, talented kamis to the roster during these difficult times and the last thing we want to do is make Santosh (and his much needed help) feel unwelcome. That all said, the decision appears to have already been made so I simply thought that trying to make the distinctions now would be a better solution than complaining and potentially offending...

Has anyone had a chance to weigh Santosh's pieces for deviation from average? Sher The Tiger's pieces tend to be, ah, robustly built... or in other words, "Hurrrng! Oh gawd it's heavy!"

Well he just started working for HI, so at best, we'll see his work in the next shipment which will probably be a couple of months away. And as for the Sher pieces, I definitely know what you mean! But boy howdy, does it ever work - a kukri is made for chopping and those thick, overbuilt spines means a lot of mass behind with the thin bevels and superbly hardened edges. IMO, if your arm can handle it, nothing goes through wood like Sher-made khuks

I'm really hoping Santosh not only adopts Sher's mark, but his style as well :thumbup:

Well, let me get back home. I have far more Sher, the Tiger items than any other Kami in my collection and I will simply take pictures of all his kami marks through time. I have some from the days while Uncle Bill was still here with us, some afterwards as well. Maybe with enough of the marks gathered up, the difference will be simply seen and there will be no confusion at all.

Myself, I think it is a great thing to honor Sher this way, after all, it is all in the family and it is as much a traditional family marking as it is a personal one.

BTW: The Boomarang I just picked up, made by the Tiger, also has the little "Hash Mark" on it...

Definitely looking forward to it! From the khukris I've seen made by Sher, they've all had that little hash mark above the first initial - buuuut that might not have always been the case. What I'm really curious about is whether Santosh always signs his kukris without that dash... I'm sure I could make much better distinctions if I had a larger collection and actually read and wrote in that language

 

[warty]

well. both Yangdu and sta94 read and write Devanagari so I am sure when it is needed, we can get things read. Also Karda seems to have at least a passing knowledge of it as well. PLUS, should you wish to pick some up, there are resources in the Link Library as well as simply doing a Google Search for Devanagari Language sites. I am certain with the power of the internet, we can muddle through what we need to get through.

 

[Bladite]

Don't get me wrong - I definitely see where you're coming from as I know you to be quite a collector on top of a user (I frequent the Becker section a decent bit). However, it's ultimately Santosh's decision as to what mark he chooses to use and his choice to honor a family member and his contributions to HI is quite respectable.

well, i moderate over there, and have a stupid amount of Machax devices - hence my love of all things khukris was influenced there... Beckers are pretty easy to track

and i have a pretty crazy amount of HI products as well, some of which are very rare... the more so because i know their intricate histories.

i do not know any of the new kamis work, but one maybe, well at all. three Masters, yes, and a few marks you just don't see anymore. time will tell.


Bladite

 

[b.c.molin]

still, a marque is a marque, and a signature is a signature. they SHOULD be unique imho, but hey, that's me and my silly opinion.

...

i'd prefer obvious help... it matters as much as anything else, yes?


Bladite

Agree 100%.

Best way to avoid any potential problems, real or perceived, is to stop it before it begins. Maybe with both sides aired here, Yangdu may consider asking Santosh to keep his homage to Sher and also add a unique identifying mark for himself? Only time will tell.

 

[jayinhk]

Old Sher makes robust pieces? I just bought a young Sher Kobra. What am I in store for? This is all too confusing.

 

[killa_concept]

Old Sher makes robust pieces? I just bought a young Sher Kobra. What am I in store for? This is all too confusing.

Old Sher had quite a reputation of overbuilding his kukris. My 15" AK by him is 1/2" thick which is what you'd expect in 18"+ AKs (15"ers are supposed to be closer to 3/8"). I also have an 18" Vojpure by him which is thicker than 1/2"...probably 17/32" or so. The thing weighs in at 37oz (which is very heavy for a kukri, especially one that isn't chiruwa).

As for Young Sher, he's a different Kami with no relation to Sher the tiger - they just happens to share the same name. As for what you're in store for, I only own one Young Sher khukri: an 18" m43. I'd say his style is quite "by the book" when it comes to sizing - the m43 is about 3/8" thick, which is what it's supposed to be. The sweet spot was also fairly well hardened with a very satisfactory bevel. To sum up, I'd say he's a great kami with a bright future ahead of him. Expect your kobra to be quite to your liking :thumbup:

Back on topic:
I'm sure you guys have already seen the piece by Santosh in today's DotD. Like I said in a previous post, it looks like the decision on the mark has already been made and that there's no real use in complaining. But on the bright side, it does look like the distinction I made is holding true. No dash mark over the first initial with Santosh . Also looks like a quality blade by a skilled kami which is what we should be focusing on. I'm hoping someone picks up a piece by him soon so we can get an idea as to his style - I can't quite make out the dimensions (let alone the edge quality) just by the pictures

 

[Bladite]

i think at this stage of my khukri collecting prowess, i know what to focus on


Bladite

 

[jayinhk]

Thanks Killa, can't wait to get it!

 

[warty]

I think he argument is moot and I think you are all making a mountain out of a molehill.

As for all the wonderful things is some collections that may never be seen again and such, so? I guess I will never see them again, should I therefore worry about this particular subject even more because of this fact or does this mean some folks have more expertise and therefore more standing in the community that they can tell a kami what they can and cannot do? SOME FOLKS HAVEN'T BOUGHT A PIECE IN FOREVER! I think this means you can't very well tell any of the new folks a thing, you don't buy their stuff so why should they care what you think?

In short, I think it is time this particular thread dies a slow death and goes away. What is done is done and no amount of worry or arguing is going to change it. If the man wishes to honor his Uncle, then let's honor his wishes and allow him to do so without making such a big ado about nothing.:yawn:

 

[Bladite]

I think he argument is moot and I think you are all making a mountain out of a molehill.

As for all the wonderful things is some collections that may never be seen again and such, so? I guess I will never see them again, should I therefore worry about this particular subject even more because of this fact or does this mean some folks have more expertise and therefore more standing in the community that they can tell a kami what they can and cannot do? SOME FOLKS HAVEN'T BOUGHT A PIECE IN FOREVER! I think this means you can't very well tell any of the new folks a thing, you don't buy their stuff so why should they care what you think?

In short, I think it is time this particular thread dies a slow death and goes away. What is done is done and no amount of worry or arguing is going to change it. If the man wishes to honor his Uncle, then let's honor his wishes and allow him to do so without making such a big ado about nothing.:yawn:

quite a few things in my collection will be seen again, in different ways. just saying. been around the block a few times...

i MIGHT just have more knives than some people here have lifetime posts, ya know? just saying.

and no sir, i ain't telling nobody what to do. i just have an opinion, and nobody be telling me what to do or my opinion be wrong or right, right matey? arrrrrRRRrrrrrr

but as i've indicated, by this point, i've developed a style and a method, and well, know what i like...

as for buying... some of all y'all psychic? ain't nobody knows what i been buying, or someone else for that matter. heck, i don't know what i've bought some days

buy what you like. don't buy what you don't like. money talks.


Bladite

 

[warty]

Golly, you have a lot of knives!

I still think the thread has run its route and actually changed nothing.

:yawn:

 

[Bladite]

Golly, you have a lot of knives!

I still think the thread has run its route and actually changed nothing.

:yawn:

i sure do...

some of the old timers here have had dozens of any given model, and certainly have many hundreds... i don't remember who the grand champion was, but some of us relative old timers have staying power some of the actual old timers are just plain humbling (and silent for the most part...)

good old jimmy had at least 90+ in the period of one year, including aquiring some AMAZING old and one of a kind models. not bad for a fresh shark.

you keep saying nothing has changed, but i disagree. i've learned much.


Bladite