The ancient kami and the magical khukuri.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
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This is the absolutely true story of the ancient kami and the magical khukuri. His picture is in the thread "Boys, meet a couple of true master kamis."

Gelbu, Kami's youngest son, heard about these old kamis on his journey and made quite an effort to go see them and I think it was worth it. When he arrived Gelbu told them who he was, what he was doing, told of Kami Sherpa, me and my Gurkha brother and of Himalayan Imports.

The old kami who is named Ganga Ram Bishwakarma said, "I've heard of you fellows. That American jwai (son-in-law) is the one who does business with that Gurkha boy down near Dharan." He is referring to Til Bai who is in his 60's as a Gurkha "boy."

The old kami goes on. "Well, you tell that American jwai if he thinks that Gurkha boy can make a good khukuri then he has a lot to learn about khukuris. You tell him I am going to make him a "magical khukuri" (I swear -- this is what Gelbu told me he actually said) the likes of which he and few others have ever seen.

We used to make all our khukuris like this when I was young. My grandfather made them, my father made them, and perhaps I am the only kami in Nepal left alive that can make one. But I will make this jwai such a khukuri. Tell him he will never have to sharpen this khukuri. The more he uses it the sharper it gets. And, he will never be able to break it. This khukuri will outlive him and that Gurkha boy and every other man who is alive in this world today. You come back here on your way home and I will have this khukuri ready for you. When our jwai gets this khukuri have him tell you what he thinks about it and then you come back here and tell me. And, that will be my price for this khukuri -- only that you return here and tell me what the American jwai thinks about this "magical khukuri."

Now, boys, this khukuri should be here in a week or so and it is one I really want to see and test a little. Even if it doesn't get sharper with use it is a khukuri that will go into my collection along with this story and a picture of old Ganga Ram. Of course, I will share pictures, review, and thoughts regarding this khukuri. If this one gets lost I am going to cry.

Now you see why I hold these old kamis so near and dear to my heart. What wonderful people they are! I love them.

Uncle Bill
 
That's a great touching story, Bill. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to seeing a picture and hearing your impressions of the magical khukuri.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

 
That's a great story Bill. Can't wait to hear about the Magical Khukuri when you get it.

I've always said the magics in the steel. Who knows, maybe it is this time!
 
What a story! I almost swooned!
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Can't wait to see this khukuri. There are not many people in the world still making things the old, old way.
 
Damn fine story!! I'll be on pins and needles waiting for the pictures and your impressions.

Mike
 
Hi Bill,

What an intriguing story. Alas, I fear Ganga Ram might be more familiar with Lynn Thompson and his Marketing Team than Cliff Stamp and Archimedes' cheater bar.
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We'll see, but now I too, can't wait for the "Magical Khukuri" report.

OK guys, what HI khukuri blade style will the "Magical Khukuri" turn out to be?
BAS,Sirupati,Gangaola,WWII,............??

Stay safe and all the best, Phil <-----------<


[This message has been edited by Phil Squire (edited 29 July 1999).]
 
For me, every khukri I own (all HI) is "magical". Even my unbelievably rough and ugly $35 villager. Above and beyond the exquisite workmanship and utlitarian qualities that the khukris possess (especially the HI produced blades) is another quality that I cannot put into words. The lines of the blade, the flow of the steel, the way the massiveness and heft of the blade dissappear when you pick it up. The knife just comes alive n your hand. It "speaks" to you. Even my mother, who is not inclined to weaponry of any sort, commented on how light and alive my 15" AK felt in her hand. Perhaps this "ethreal" quality is all in my head but if so, does it really matter? I don't think so. These knives come with a mystique of a far off, exotic land and people that is enhanced by Uncle Bill's stories. But I think that even without the benefit of Uncle Bill's (and others) knowlege and story telling that this "magical" quality would still make itself known to us. Until I became aquainted with these blades I had never had steel "speak" to me. For me, anyway, this is magic.

Mike
 
Boys, I have no idea as to what this magical khukuri is going to be -- style, size, handle -- I'll be as surprised as anybody but if it is half as good and old Ganga says it is we will be ordering more from him.

Uncle Bill
 
The story made me sad because I know I will never be able to meet this man and to know his ways will be lost to the world one day but on the lighter side I can't wait to see the khukuri and how it performs.

thanks and take care
collin
 
There may be some truth to what Phil says, but it is nothing to fear. Indeed, the blade of Bill's knife may not have a superior rockwell hardness. There may be a crack in the handle. Perhaps it will not return to true after putting it in a vice and using mechanical leverage to bend it 90 degrees.

The magic is in the kami's eyes. Look closely and you will see it. And for one who feels the magic the blade will be a most formidable weapon and a useful tool.

In the land of Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism, reality is a little different. All phenomena are illusory, a product of mind, or if you will, imagination. There are few clear distinctions of the sort we like, between reality and hallucination. Is the demon who frightens a villager and causes him to run off into the night and die of exposure any less real than a tiger that does the same thing? If you tried to debate this topic with a Tibetan Buddhist monk, you would have a most interesting and difficult argument.

Many of you have felt the magic in your khukuris. If I can pick on Chiro, notice the change; from comparing the depth of penetration of a village khukuri to a modern factory produced knife, to a determined search for more handmade khukuris with that undefinable "magic." Is it superior ergonomics? Perhaps.

When you come to think of it, aren't a baby, or a bird, or a tree, pretty weird and magical also?

Colin,

Don't worry. The ancient one is only 80. Also he has a youngster (only 70) helping him out, so they may be around for a while. Maybe they would like a young apprentice. Who knows?
 
:
I have felt the magic of each and every one of the H.I. Kuhkuris' I have received and opened. However when I got the magical 18"Ang Khola it was speaking to me through the box.I would carry it everywhere with me if I could get away with it.I used the bent coathanger trick to make a hanger for it and hung it right beside my head on the bed. (That trick works well by the way.
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)

I believe in magic and magical things. I also believe that many of these "Old Ones" know some things we wouldn't understand if we saw them.
After seeing the X-Creatures on the Discovery channel the other night and seeing some beautiful country in Nepal and hearing some of the things that was said about Yeti I think I know a little more about the people there and the magic of the land and the people.I wouldn't be surprised if it is truly a Magical Kukuri.

I can't wait to see it and the review either!!


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&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;---¥vsa----&gt;®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.
 
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
 
I have spoken elsewhere about the magic the kami works -- he takes a piece of rusty spring, discarded, forgotten, and considered worthless by its previous owner, and through his own brand of magic reincarnates this spring into a new lifeform -- a beautiful and very useful khukuri.

He is showing us in a dirty little shop with a few hand tools the basic belief system of both Hindu and Buddhist in a very basic but also very eloquent fashion. All we need do is look.

I know there will be magic in the khukuri this old one is sending me. It is magic already and I have not yet seen it. I can feel the presence of old Ganga even now and I will feel it more once I hold his khukuri in my hand.

No matter if the knife becomes sharper with use it will still be magic. Howard is right.

Uncle Bill
 
It would be very interesting to hear what Til or his kami's have to say about the magical khukhuri.

I'm sure the guys are Shop 1 are interesting characters as well.

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 29 July 1999).]
 
What a fascinating thread. I have enjoyed reading this more than anything prior. So interesting are the thoughts from different members regarding the new magical khukuri, and the kami magic of all of HI handmade khukuris. Thanks Bill for the story.
Jim

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What? Another knife? Don't you have enough of those things already?
How many does one person need?

 
Uncle Bill,

After receiving my second khukuri today, (the 15" AK) all I can say is that this one feels as magical as my first BAS. Each feels different, and gives me a different feeling when I pick up either one. When I get my third one, then my fourth, and so on, they too will tell me something different then the others. For me, each tells me something different, but I can't fully understand it. For Ganga, he can probably look at the blade and understand what it tells him. He understands the magic that we can only begin to grasp. Now, if only you could get MORE khukris from him, we would all be even more happy
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And who knows, it may help us understand the magic we can't translate.

Take care,
John Johnson
 
Thank you all for posting of the magic you feel through these khukuris. I like to hear about it. It makes me feel happy. I too have a special feeling when I hold mly khukuri, the magic I suppose.

Mr. Wallace,
I would love to be an apprentice to one of the kamis if life would allow me to do it. However, there is also the problem that I can't do anything well with my hands but I would be willing to try.

thanks and take care
collin
 
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