Sanu BirGorkha - 1. Pix. Take a look.

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This one came in today's shipment. We are making so many different models we are going to have to start assigning model numbers. This one we are calling the Sanu BirGorkha -1. We will probably abbreviate that to the Sanu BG-1 for Id later on. It tells us the knife was made by Sanu Bishwakarma in BirGorkha factory. The shop is getting big enough to be called a factory rather than a shop. I am not sure what to call this style khukuri. It is close to several styles but doesn't exactly fit any of them so let's just call it the Sanu BG-1. Anyway, here's the specs.

Length is 15 inches. Blade is 7/16 thick and 1.5 inches wide. Weight is a surprising 1lb. 2.oz. Unless my scales are a little off.
The fit and finish are very nice as you can see. Blade is hardened quite well. The handle was carved by Sanu himself and it is pretty neat carving for a kami. I am not sure how well you can see it but there is a bone inlay of the yin-yang symbol. The scabbard is the best I have seen come out of BirGorkha. It has tooled designs, not complicated but neatly done. Very good frog. The karda is a new stiletto design by Sanu. Chakma very good quality.

Price for this rig is $150 and we will pay shipping. There is one only so the first call or email takes this one. I am sure we will be making more. This little knife is a winner. So, sign on. More will be in the air soon.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 17 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 17 November 1999).]
 
prn

prn

Joined
Apr 26, 1999
Messages
481
That is pretty! Nice carving! At 1# 2oz, it's quite light for utility use, but the MA folks will be slavering to get their hands on this. By my, admittedly crude, measurements off the screen, I put the karda and chakma at overall lengths of about 5" with blades of about 2.5" or so, still on the small side. I guess the larger standard-to-be has not gone into effect yet, but they are getting nicer all the time. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this become popular.
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Having a few "standard" models, like the BAS, WWII, AK, etc is very nice, but it's really fascinating to see what the kamis, as craftsmen and artists come up with on their own too. I can believe, though, that it drives Bill crazy to have all those back orders unfilled while the kamis get creative.
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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
Join the NSSSA (Nationial Short-Sleeve Shirt Association) -- Support the right to bare arms!

 
Man! just when you think it can't get any better they have to go and do something like this. Excellent job, and a heck of a deal at that price. The Kamis are truely makeing collector items of our future.....Maybe if I worked nights and sold a couple..oh never mind.
 
If only I could Uncle Bill. With a new house and Christmas around the corner I am on khurkri restriction!
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How about a 16-17" Gelbu Special with this type of handle and scabbard decorations on it?

Mike
 
Welllll...it's SO pretty it borders into high art versus utility. "Wall hangers" are nice but...they won't sell quite as well.

You're also getting into the part of the holiday season where people start hoarding gift cash.

This piece in "plainer" form but with that level of quality might sell better. HOWEVER, that single small yin-yang in the grip is just AWESOME, it really "sets it off".

I'll tell you flat-out, I want a pair on the "special project". Absolutely.

But overall, I think the guys need to develop more of a "classic Japanese aesthetic" where "plain, simple but TOP quality" is the order of the day.

It WILL sell as is pretty soon now, I think. If not, keep it around, it's a *fantastic* demonstration of what the kamis can do.

Jim
 
I REALLY love the handle and I REALLY love the scabbard but I can't get past the blade shape, which just doesn't speak to me on this piece. The yin-yang is excellent, as is the carving & tooling, and I hope to see more of it; please don't think that this is going down the wrong path. The blade just doesn't appeal.



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Namaste,
Jeff Paulsen

"Oh, a magic khukuri. Why didn't you say so?"
 
Though this khuk is an impressive "tour de force," it's a bit too much for my taste -- a bit overdone. I agree with Jim regarding the classic Japanese aesthetic of achieving elegance through simplicity. Just as a woman can wear too much jewelry or a car can have too much chrome, so can a khuk have too much decoration, in my humble opinion.

 
Kaka,

In this case, would'nt this particular khukuri qualify as a kothimora khukuri but more on the utilitarian side ( you can still do a fair amount of chopping with it)

Arvind
 
I sort of like this rig and maybe it's a good thing. I always tend to admire things that reflect work I can't do myself. The scabbard impressed me a lot and since I can't even make a decent toothpick the handle impressed me, too.

But I will agree there is great beauty in pure simplicity. It's a good thing I feel this way since I'm a pretty simple fellow myself!

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Bhanis, you made your post just ahead of me and I just now saw it.

It might quality as a sort of poor man's kothimora but when I think of kothimora I think of 3 ounces of silver on the scabbard and better yet an additional ounce of gold.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
I rather like the blade shape on this one, but I am not too fond of the yin-yang motif.

The leatherwork on the sheath is cool and the handle is neat too, but I generally prefer to see either a carved wood handle or a plain polished horn handle.

Ditto about Japanese aesthetic minimalism.

Nervous about the stiletto karda in that it might be too thick and too narrow to sharpen easily.

Great looking rig though, all in all. Big enough to do just about anything and light enough to bring just about anywhere!

-Dave

[This message has been edited by Dave K (edited 19 November 1999).]
 
Kaka,

All in all, I think this particular knife qualifies enough to be a museum piece. Unfortunately on this particular occasion I'll have to rein in my HIKV in light of the Holidays coming up and my list of Christmas shopping being incomplete. If I did get this particular one, I would mount it up on a plaque as an example of fine workmanship and artistic value.. I find this one to be too beautiful to take with me out to chop.

Arvind
 
Hi Bill,

Is the Sanu BirGorkha still available?
Dare I. If so, how much?

Here'S Hoping

Damian T

damian@unitedbladeworx.com.au
 
Don't worry, Uncle Bill, it will get taken. I'm more of a gardener than a martial artist, myself, and I don't hang khukuris on the wall (not even just as a place to take them down from to use), but this one is unique and I have no doubt at all that it will appeal to someone. Some of the kamis may be "merely" (Hah!) excellent craftsmen, but some, like Sanu, are obviously artists as well and sometimes want to do something all their own. I think it is wonderful that they have an outlet for their artistic drive. I don't know who will buy this or just why it didn't go in 15 minutes, but the right person just didn't show up instantly for once. Let it be and the person it speaks to will hear it and come.


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
Join the NSSSA (Nationial Short-Sleeve Shirt Association) -- Support the right to bare arms!

 
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