So you want brass handled khukuris. Pala has them at better prices than anybody.

K

Kami Sherpa

Joined
Aug 12, 1999
Messages
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Namate all! It is me, Pala, again with some special offerings.

Bill Jwai does not care for brass handled khukuris and because of this does not like to sell them. This is wrong thinking on Jwai's part. If a customer wants a brass handled khukuri then we must supply him with this item. So, here are three that I am offering to you. If you want more I can easily and quickly get them for you.

The top two are producation models like other people sell here. I hand picked them at the factory who makes production khukuris for export and tourist sale and left them in the shop to be shipped here as I did not want to carry a bunch of khukuris with me on my journey. These are the identical khukuris that come to the US and elsewhere from Nepal. They are NOT HI khukuris (even though they are marked with HI! -- I told those monkeys at the shop to mark the Royal Kami's blade and not the other two -- they did it just backwards. You see what happens when I am not there to watch those monkeys like a hawk?) although we will guarantee them as we do all the khukuris we sell.

I will say nothing bad about these production khukuris but I will say the handles are not solid brass as some claim. I have never seen a production brass handled khukuri with a solid brass handle, not a single one in my 70 years. I suppose there could be a few in existence but if there are I have not seen them.

top -- 15.5 inch Ang Khola -- blade thickness almost 1/2 inch, width 2 inches, weight 1lb 12 oz.

Pala's price -- $65 and I pay shipping

center -- 16 inch WWII model -- blade thickness 3/8 inch thick, width 1.75 inches, weight, 1lb 80z. Other's charge $89 + $6.15 for a total of $95.15 Shop with Pala and save $30.

Pala's price -- $65 and I pay shipping.

bottom -- the Royal Kami's version of a WWII brass handle. Notice the size of the handle versus the production models. Notice the size of the karda and chakma as compared to the production versions. The seam on the brass handle is barely visible on this khukuri. It is clearly visible on the production models. The blade is perhaps five times better than the above models and much better finish. Scabbard is better and special heavy duty frog attached. This khukuri is 17.25 inches in length, blade is almost 1/2 inch thick, two inches wide, and the weight is 1lb 14 oz. This is a REAL khukuri!

The bottom khukuri is blessed. The top two are not. I forgot to mention this.

Pala's price $145 and I pay shipping.

Email or call Bill Jwai if interested.

Namaste!

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Pala (Kami Sherpa)
Owner, Himalayan Imports
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html




[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 18 September 1999).]
 
Namaste Kami Sherpa,

One of the great advantages of doing business with HI is the wisdom, experience, and guidance that are available to customers. Before you came here to visit, we understood that you were in Nepal checking the village khukuris, and the factory khukuris, for quality and workmanship. Many here have put faith in your judgement and experience. Bill has also shared his knowledge freely.

I caution you against an unreserved philosophy of "giving the customer what they want." There are many firms that can do this, but few that can supply the experience and wisdom that you and Bill have brought to HI. In some instances what may sell may also be what lets a customer down when he most needs his knife.

With this in mind, of what use are these knives? Are they mostly for dress? Or does the brass handle have a practical application? I think it might be uncomfortable to use in the cold, and perhaps slippery when wet.

Yours with the greatest respect,

Howard Wallace
 
Namste, Howard:

My great gratitude for your kind words. Should you ever decide to visit Nepal again you will be a most welcome guest at my home.

In regard to your comments:

I must believe that a cusomer knows what he wants in a knife. If he does light work in his back yard a production model will work fine. If his life might depend on his blade then he had better consider this and get a knife he can rely on in any situation. Remember, the customer is always right. If he is a collector then he might want a knife that might be different from the above. I cannot outguess my customers.

Tests and 11 years field use by thousands of customers of HI khukuris have shown what they will and can do. Tests also show what the production models can and might be expected to do.

I am in the position of being able to offer the finest khukuris being made in Nepal today, the Himalayan Imports khukuris. Nobody can do this but me because I am Himalayan Imports. If your life depends on your knife get one of these.

I am also in a position of being able to supply village khukuris made in village shop -- this because I am known in Nepal and people bring these knives to me for consideration. If I think they are good I buy them and ship them here.

Since I own my shop I am in the position of being able to offer employment to village kamis on a visiting basis which allows shop 2 to offer an endless number of styles and sizes of khukuris. This is good for us, good for the visiting kamis, and good for our customers.

Last, I also am in a position to buy or make if I so choose any model of any Nepali khukuri being offered anywhere by anybody. And, I have the advantage that I am a factory and not a dealer. I make khukuris in Nepal and I sell them here. I have no middlemen to rely on or contend with.

I have not yet decided firmly exactly which course I will follow but I will take your comments under serious consideration and I thank you again for taking the time to advise me.

Namaste!


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Pala (Kami Sherpa)
Owner, Himalayan Imports
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
:
Namaste Pala.
I commend you on provideing these brass handled Khukuris to the people who might desire them.I think they are sort of pretty,but I wouldn't want one unless I was maybe just collecting them.I don't feel they are a real representation of Nepal's True Khukuri's.
I also think that after using them for a while without gloves that my hands wouild turn black and green from the brass.I have worked metal for more than 35 years and I don't like the smell or taste of brass and when I have been cut with brass it has always hurt more and was harder to heal.

I have a couple or so questions if you don't mind.
Since you bought these two at a factory did the shop kamis have to do anymore work on them to make them look better or were they already up to H.I. standards?

What kind of Steel are they generally made of?

Have you had any of this factory's kami's come to you for a job since Himalayan Imports pays better than anyone else for good kamis?

I know shop help talks to one another and knows where the best work is and the best pay.I believe that is a common thing for us that work or have worked metal.It is the best tools,the best way to do something,or "Did you hear about what happened to Joe down at the machine shop just out of town?

I think you and Himalayan Imports have the best reputation in all of Nepal and beyond for being good people!
Thank you Pala.

------------------


&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;---¥vsa----&gt;®
Cornbread ain't s'possed ta be sweet!....Dagnabit gurl,whut did they teach you way up north in ....;) hehehe.


 
Namaste, Yvsa Bai:

I am selling to the US market and I must listen closely to what it tells me. This is why I offered these three. Since the only one to sell today was the HI khukuri made by the Royal Kami it makes me wonder. We will see if anyone is interested in these other two production models. I feel like grinding the HI off the blade but I do not want to destroy the finish.

We did no work on these two production models in shop two, other than mismarking them. I still cannot believe the kamis did the marking just backwards of what I told them. When we called last night I voiced my great displeasure with this. One of the main efforts expended on production khukuris is making them look good. Tourists will not buy an ugly village model that is the better knife but they will buy a nice looking production model.

I tend to agree with you and Bill Jwai about the brass handles. Up where I live it gets bitterly cold and the brass handle would not work. But, I must listen to the desires of the US market if I am to be in it.

Because of your many years in the metal business you would spot the difference between the Royal Kami's khukuri and the other two in three seconds. A file along the blade tells a big story. Looking at the seam on the brass handles tells another. The production models had seams that were not vertical but that ran skewed down the handle. Perhaps a 1/16 of an inch or more of solder showed. The seam done by the Royal Kami was dove tailed across and down (perfectly vertical and perfectly horizontal) the handle so stress would be distributed more evenly across the seam. The joints were maybe four or five thousands with almost no solder showing.

In Nepal these production khukuris are called "rail common" khukuris which tells you what kind of steel is generally used. This rail is easy and quick to forge and can make a decent blade if worked properly. But it is just not as strong as leaf springs and is more prone to bending.

I have about 25 different production models coming that are in the air now but I am not sure I want to deal with them. Maybe we can discuss and vote on this option in the forum.
I am here not only to try to dispense knowledge and information but to also learn from all of you whose opinions I value so greatly.

And my great gratitude to you for your kind words.



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Pala (Kami Sherpa)
Owner, Himalayan Imports
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
Namaste Pala,

On looking at the brass handled versions, I get this "bad feeling in the gut". It's not about the feel of the metal on skin in cold weather, or even the weight.

What bothers me is, if the grip material is much "stiffer" than the usual wood or horn, wouldn't that transmit more shock to the tang/blade junction on a hard hit? I'm assuming these have a "stick tang" much like a conventional piece such as my new 21" Chainpuri?

Is this concern anywhere near grounded in reality?

Jim March
 
Palaji.

Personally, I think the CBKC Khukuri handle looks more artistic and extra beautiful than the full brass handle! It looks classy!

I believe that CBKC Khukuri handle will lessen the feel of the metal on skin affected by cold weather and also will transmit less shock to the handle as well.

[This message has been edited by mohd (edited 17 September 1999).]
 
Namaste Pala.

I have heard nothing but praise for the quality of your products and the service to your customers. This is obviously a reflection on your dedication and honesty.

I hope to soon be able to number one of your offerings amoungst my collection of knives.

(All used of course, I do not believe in buying any tool and not using it)
 
Hi Big1.
Now at this time, it is 4:29am in West Coast of US (I am enjoying 4:29pm down here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and you are not sleeping yet! Is it a HIKV infection?
 
From the pics, I must admit, these "golden khukuris" are gorgeous (there is a childeren's story in there somewhere: "The Goose that Laid the Golden Khukuris" subtitled "Ouch!"), but I share Jim's concerns about shock resistance.

Is brass a traditional handle material?

------------------
Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847

Specialization is for insects.

[This message has been edited by CD Fleischer (edited 17 September 1999).]
 
Namaste all!

Over the centuries, khukuri handles have been made out of anything that was available including the steel itself. So, I suppose we would say that brass could be traditional.

It would not be my personal choice for a handle for reasons I have stated. The tang used on these is the traditional tapered one. The handle is formed and seamed and soldered. Then it is filled with what Jwai calls Himalayan Epoxy (laha in Nepali). This would give some shock absorbing quality to the handle but it would not be as good as wood or horn.

Of course, when the handle is engraved as Lal Bahadur does it the piece is beautiful but not as functional as wood or horn.

L. B.'s khukuri sold right away but not the production models. Is this telling us something?

I am going to reduce the price on the two production models to $65 right now and see what happens. This is chaper by about 1/3 than what others sell these same models for. We will see what happens then.

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Pala (Kami Sherpa)
Owner, Himalayan Imports
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
Pala has just said he is one of the poorest salesmen in the world and has asked for help and advice to improve his sales skills.

My personal opinion is "do what you do best". Pala is a shop owner and manufacturer and that's what he better keep doing. He has brought a shop from nothing to the best equipped and best staffed shop in Nepal producing the best khukuris in Nepal in less than six months and the end is not in sight. Let others worry about sales, Pala -- just keep doing whatever it is you have been doing.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
Namaste Uncle Bill,

Agreed, have Pala and the kamis continue to put out a quality product and it will sell itself. No need for salesmen.

Harry
 
The last shipment we got in which contained the Gelbu Specials convinced me that shop 2 was making the best khukuris I'd ever seen but I wanted to wait for an expert opinion from the field before I said this. I have heard from two men who know much more about steel and knives than I do and they confirmed my suspicions so I feel free now to make the claim. Next item is scabbards and we will be there.

And, Harry, you are correct. Repeat sales remain at 80% which is the best testimonial regarding quality that I can think of.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html


[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 19 September 1999).]
 
Pala, my best "marketing advice" would be to stay with the "high end of the market", both in terms of function and cosmetics. A good deal on a nice village model now and again is fine, but I wouldn't focus my efforts there and I would recommend not hand-picking factory specimens.

You want every single HI piece to be a testiment to your company. On top of that, Bill and your daughter will have to do just as much work to process a $40 order as to process a $150 piece. Unless you radically ramp up the US distribution side of the biz, trying to do "mass market low price" will eat you alive. If you have to concede that section of the market to GH, so be it.

Mass sales of lower-quality goods requires a whole different gameplan you're not prepared to deal with yet. There's nothing wrong with that; there are lots of people that stake their lives on their steel and if they've got half a brain they'll come to YOU.

You and HI are the very best deal going on blades that you can trust your life to, both fighters and heavy utility/wilderness survival.

Jim March
 
Namaste Jimji:

Thank you for your kind advice which I will take under serious consideration.

I will post more on this idea later. I have about 25 different rail common khukuris coming which will give all of us a better idea as to which route to take.



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Pala (Kami Sherpa)
Owner, Himalayan Imports
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
Pala,

I think that Jim is right. I do not buy HI khukuris (just) because they are cheap, or (just) because they are beautiful, I buy them because they are excellent _and_ tough _and_ NOWHERE else in the world could I get a knife like this for any price. If you sold them for twice as much I would not buy as many but I would still buy them. Also I am buying some of Uncle Bill's time, and his stories of the kamis and the shop, and his knowledge of Nepal (and your stories and knowledge when you are here, Pala) and that too comes from HI, nowhere else.

When you sell village khukuris that are not so pretty but still work, that is good too - they are tough enough for almost everything and they are for using, not for looking pretty. We don't talk about the village khukuris or give them names much but they are very good when clearing brush or pulling staples or digging in the garden.

There are two problems with selling the 'rail common' khukuris here on the forum: one, people think they are more pretty than useful. two, they are not from your shop. If they are cheap enough you will sell them, but I think you will do best like this:

Remember to be different from every other khukuri seller in the world. Only HI sells real Shop 2 khukuris. Only HI imports village khukuris that are tough enough for Kami Sherpa.

Namaskar Pala and thank you for listening.

Jeff Paulsen
 
Namste Jeffji:

Thank you kindly for your valued advice. You and Jim March are telling me the same thing as have others.

But I still must get rid of these brass handled khukuris.

OK $60. I will get rid of them one way or the other even if I must give them away.

------------------
Pala (Kami Sherpa)
Owner, Himalayan Imports
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
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