"Signature Series" Gurkha House Khukuris?

C

Craig Gottlieb

Joined
Mar 8, 1999
Messages
1,760
Okay, so I'm sitting in the airport waiting to pick Marya up, and I have this idea (I'm reading a really stuffy magazine called The Robb Report for people with too much money). What about offering a numbered, "Signature Series" khukuri for top level execs to keep on their desk to impress visitors. I know this is not up our alley here on the forum, but if I were to design such an animal and sell them (and do well selling them), it'd help keep the prices of our khukuris as low and affordable as they are. That being said (now that we all have a vested interest), here are two questions:

1) Is this a crazy idea?
2) What could I offer that would make the khukuris "worth" the money to the right millionaire executive?

I was thinking maybe a presentation velvet lined wooden box, a semi-precious stone set on the blade face, a flux capacitor?

Bombs away!
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
It sounds a bit wacky to me but you never know! How about gold inlay on the blade and some expensive wood (ebony or teak) for the handle, and have some carvings, too. The bolsters would need to be gold or platinum (it won't be for use right?). The velvet case could hold the sheath too. The possibilities for the sheath are endless. Quite an investment I would say.
 
Craig,

Isn't life wonderful in allowing us to use 'down-time' to think up ideas like this one. I think that the handle and presentation case should be not only from the same type of wood but if possible from the same tree. The sarki (sp?)could work their magic on both the sheath and the case. This is just my two cents worth.

Rick
 
Guys: Thanks for humoring me! I think both suggestions are good if I ever get around to doing something crazy like this. I think gold filling an engraved presentation would be a good start. Hell, that could be done for very little money and be available to the forumites. What about a blued engraved blade with gold inlay? I can do that here at home and post the results. In fact, I think I WILL do it here and post the results.

As for platinum or gold on the bolsters, I don't know . . . I like even the presentation GH models to be functional.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig, I think this is a good idea. I don't think this is something I would be able to afford, but then again my paycheck doesn't exactly qualify me as the Robb Report type. And as you pointed out, the extra profits from those sales could help keep the khuk prices low for the rest of your inventory, which I'm all for.

I think that first of all it would definitely have to be a Kothimoda. In fact, the pics I've seen (I think from Berkley if I'm not mistaken) of one of your Kothimodas would fit right in with the regular Robb Report fare, in my opinion (that's a compliment!). I would think a GH Kothimoda ad in the RR would be well received. Quite frankly, I wouldn't change a thing on the Kothimoda, except maybe add serial numbers--that was a good idea. Or perhaps offer to have the customer's name engraved in the native Nepali (is it Sanskrit?) on the blade (for a princely sum, of course; if it doesn't cost much, then any common folk can afford one, can't they?)

Just my $.02, FWIW.

Chris

[This message has been edited by X-Head (edited 05-25-2000).]
 
Sound's great! I'm still tempted to go with the "black and gold" blade (or "black and silver" if we want to go the kothimora route). I don't think I'd be able to afford a Rob Report ad, but the models would be there for those who wanted one. And if they want a limited edition khukuri - one that would subsidize khukuris for us normal folks - then so much the better!

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig,
Somebody gave me a year's subscription to the Robb Report (more or less as a joke) several years ago, so I had the chance to look at a lot of glossy photos of super stretch limos, Ferraris, Porsche spyders, 120' sportfishermen, Lear Jets with custom interiors, Westchester estates and private islands. If you're going to appeal to that crowd, you need to think BIG! Those folks spend more for toys than lots of countries spend for national defense!
The kothimora is a start, but for the dot-com millionaire market, I suggest the following improvements as a minimum:
-replace the silver repousse-work on the scabbard with 18-karat gold; inset diamonds as options to customer specifications;
-replace the velvet with the rarest, most exotic reptile skins you can legally import
-solid silver handle instead of brass, with 22-karat gold-plating as an option;
-pattern Damascus blade (at the prices you're going to charge for these babies, you'll make up the loss on the first few the kamis screw up learning to work with the stuff);
-fitted locking hardshell case, satin or velvet lined, covered with Morocco leather with owner's name embossed in gold leaf.
Now that would be a proper tool to carry in the back of a customized Hummer.
biggrin.gif

Berk
 
Berk: I LIKE YOUR STYLE, BABY!! Grrrrrrr!

Now that's a khukuri. You know, I did consider bringing some damascus with me to Nepal, but couldn't find a block suitable for khukuri making (most people make thin damascus for folders). I think a Damascus with ivory grips would be nice!

Of course, your concoction is most certainly the best dot.com millionaire khukuri I've heard of so far. Maybe I should call Regis.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig, I think your idea definitely has merit. I think, too, that the "executive khuk" should come in a fitted case but come also come with a stand to allow it and the sheath to be nicely displayed on a desk or table top; the khuk itself should be in the neighborhood of 15".
 
A dip in a hot blue tank may not be the best for the laha. Brownell`s sells an exellent cold blue. You can split the difference and heat the surface to sizzel. The engraving needs to be undercut to hold the gold wire. For durability, 12 or 14 ct. would be best. Up near the spine, it should be unharmed. A silver wire mix, artistically done, could be very nice. There are plenty of books with diagrams and patterns that the kami`s could read. You might want to send them our tools for that.
 
Brownells? I've got the catalog, so I'll order that stuff today just for fun. As for the gold inlay, Koval sells a gold solution for washing engraving - no, it's not real gold, but it'll give a nice effect for the "prototype."

Another forumite, who has lost his password, suggested I name it after a VC winner - sounds like a winner!

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig,

Check your e-mail. I sent you an attachment, that is a take-off on Berkley's idea. Also the idea of naming them after the VC holders is a WONDERFUL idea, (1) because it honors them, and (2) really gives it a very limited number (i.e. 'exclusiveness'). Once more, just my two cents worth.

Rick
 
RA: I got your mail, and will post the pic this weekend - Folks - basically, it's a "golden" kothimora with the high brass buttcap like the deer handled "mini" that FNG bought from us.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
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