Sunday with H.I. Bilton

[hunglvq]

Cool man! Let's try this man. This is also an old man, too!

OPIUM WEIGHT AND BEADS. JJ MARKET, SECTION 22, SOI 4/7, SLOT 129.

Let's come there and ask for Mr Sei. His mobile is (+66)881 211 211. He speaks little and simple English like "this one old, i'm student, no money, discount more". He will understand.

I bought 2 enep from him. Small one at 700 Baht, bigger one at 1000 Baht. Both are old rusted but look original.

Pls share with me the address of the knife maker in section 22. I come to Thailand mostly every year, then may visit him.

Cheers,

Hi Hung,

Yes, right now I'm gorging on rambutan, mangosteen, dragonfruit, etc etc here in BKK. Haven't been too adventurous about trying out insects over here, although I've had my share in Nepal and Bhutan.

Re: JJ Market, yes, I've been there and picked up some old, beat-up, plain & simple Thai and Burmese dha/daarb swords, as well as an e-nep and some assorted blades, but would appreciate address of the place you visited as it may be different from the one I went to. I saw this one modern Thai knife maker who had a nice stall with damascus blades, mostly modern/Western designs, but also some neat e-neps with antler handles etc. Too bad I didn't have a camera with me. The place I bought swords and e-nep from was in section 24, older guy selling old stuff.

 

[JayGoliath]

Sawadees...

I'm going there next May. It's going to be a crazy shopping mode for Eneps.

Jay

 

[sta94]

Hung, yup, that's the same guy I went to!!! I was mistaken, it's in section 22 and not section 24 as I mentioned in my earlier post. He even had a few old khukuris including an old MKII that I was very tempted to buy. There were also other shops with a few swords and blades here & there - esp. in the antiques section (Tent 1) but they were mostly monk knives with ivory handles and silver all over (atleast that's what they told me) or good old swords with silver on handle, scabbard, etc. that were way beyond my budget. There was also a shop selling Himalayan stuff including overpriced tourist khukuris!!! Fun place that Chatuchak Market! JayGoliath I think you'll enjoy yourself there

 

[hunglvq]

Sta94, seems that's the same MKII that he showed me. He did a demonstration on the balance by letting the knife stand on its edge on the scabbard, then he shakes, the knife still stands.

I also saw some 8" tourist khukuri in Chiangmai and some places in BKK at 300 Baht. The quality is low and I did not bother to buy.

Jay, when you are about to go there, let me know. Let's see if I can plan to fly over to join the knife hunt with you.

 

[JayGoliath]

Sta94,

I hope you enjoyed yourself there!

Hung,

I'm reaching BKK on May 11th 2011 and stick around till 15th.

 

[hunglvq]

Cool! you have long term planning, man. I'll try to plan my trip accordingly.

14&15th May 2011 is weekend, then we can hunt in JJ market.

 

[sta94]

Sta94, seems that's the same MKII that he showed me. He did a demonstration on the balance by letting the knife stand on its edge on the scabbard, then he shakes, the knife still stands.

LOL!!! Yeah, he did the exact same demonstration with me as well. I've been there a few times now in my last two trips to BKK, including earlier today - and he was showing the MKII in this same manner to another customer when I got to his shop today!!! And yes, I picked up a few more neat old blades from him today. Pictures to follow in due time once I'm back home and settled.

I also saw some 8" tourist khukuri in Chiangmai and some places in BKK at 300 Baht. The quality is low and I did not bother to buy.

Yeah, too many poor quality khukuris out there. I stick to HI, a select few modern sources, including good villager ones, and older quality khuks. Not worth wasting money on the junk out there.