The first four Ang Khola Bowies arrive. Pix.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
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<img src = "http://members.aol.com/tibetitems/pict10.jpg">

Well, here is a sample of the first Ang Khola Bowies. We got in four today. Please don't ask for the first four names on the list. I can't ship until Monday anyway and I am busy unpacking and trying to get today's stuff ready to ship. But here are the specs.

It is close enough for a cigar but not exactly what we specified. The lanyard hole got a rivet through it and the shape is a little off sketch. They couldn't figure out the cross sectional view I sent so that didn't take but maybe we don't need it. But for fellows who can't read or write they didn't do bad and the knife is really quite nice.

Is is interesting to me to see that the slight curve of the khukuri worked its way into the design. Also, the sex screws (I swear, that's what they called them) that we paid $2.50 per unit for were not used -- the kamis made their own rivets. And, I noticed the blades in this shipment have no markings whatsoever. When we sent the "Made in Nepal" stickers over the kamis thought this is all we wanted and nothing else because I had complained so much about the made in Nepal markings. So, no HI logo, no serial number, nothing. I tell you, boys, it is not easy dealing with folks who can't read or write and live on the other side of the world. But all that aside here are the specs.

Length -- just about 15 & 1/2 overall. Blade is about 10 inches. Width is 2 & 1/4 and thickness is 1/2 inch. Weight is just at 2 & 1/4 pounds. Handle is the Chiruwa style as you can see with buffalo horn slabs (on this one the left side is slabbed with a beautiful piece of gray streaked horn). Fit and finish are very good and the hardening seems very good also. Karda and chakma look undersize for this big blade but they are well done. Scabbard and frog very high quality. The edge on this first one I unwrapped popped the hair off the back of my hand and the knife feels amazing comfortable in the hand. And, here's another that is going to be very hard to break or bend.

So, first four guys on the list will be getting these first four next week. Please send us some feedback.

I am going to call Gelbu this evening and try to get our HI logo back on the blades along with the serial numbers. Little wonder I have ulcers!


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


[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 22 October 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 22 October 1999).]
 
Awhile ago when I posted this Mike reminded me the wrong pix was up in a reply he made. I got the pix fixed and replied. Now both these posts are gone.

I've been having problems posting all day long -- keep getting the "internal server error" message. Anybody else had a problem today?

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
Poor Cobalt: when he comes back he'll be so happy - and them someone will let slip about the 800 pound Salyan. LOL

Nice knife.
 
:
I saw that post by Mike,Uncle.
Then as you say "it was gone."
I haven't posted but once today and didn't have any trouble then.There has been some talk in the general forum about posts disappearing,but I haven't read that thread.

By saying, "They were both gone did you mean the new pix too?

Now that IS wierd!!! When I first wrote this the old pic was up and then I reloaded it and the Cobalst Special is there.I wonder if it will be there after this goes through?!?!


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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ




[This message has been edited by Yvsa (edited 22 October 1999).]
 
I said in another thread that there was no need for the kamis to learn how to make a scramasax - but here they have already done so, more or less. Just a little bit straighter...

This is sort of a monstrous knife, both in that it's mucking huge and that it partakes of the nature of the bowie and the khukuri. It looks like it cuts the edge off of Cold Steel tantos to warm up. Take that, Fallkniven! Take that, Ka-Bar!

Clearly I am in a really wierd mood today.

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Namaste,
Jeff Paulsen

"Oh, a magic khukuri. Why didn't you say so?"
 
I haven't had posting problems but I've been plagued with "internal server error" messages all day.

It looks like the kamis really did come close. However, although I'm still interested, I'll hold off until I see the second generation. The overall lines are fine for me but I'd really like to see the exposed & hardened butt and the removable scales that were originally planned. Oh well, Nepal Ho!
wink.gif


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Cheers,

--+Brian+--




[This message has been edited by bcaffrey (edited 22 October 1999).]
 
I deleted my post, because Uncle had fixed the picture when I checked back.
But, I too have been getting that Internal Server Error message. Spark needs to be notified.

--Mike L.

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Real men ride Moto Guzzis!
 
Mike, I posted about the "internal server errors" on the Help forum.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--


 
Well I guess I have proublems here. the pix I got is of the three bargains Pala just had. sure would like to see what these bowies look like.
 
I looked at the packing manifestation and saw four AK Bowies listed. When we got everything unpacked there were only three. Every now and then we have a knife or two that somehow get "lost" during transit. I am never sure where they end up but it is not here. I have a feeling somebody along the way liked this AK Bowie -- just the same way Mohd lost his spotted deer horn knife.

But, at least we got three and that was the only knife missing this time. I'll be shipping them next week. When we call tonight or this weekend I'll try to find out what happened to the sex screws and see if we can't get that handle the way we want it.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html
 
Ice,
Because of space limitations on AOL, Bill recycles pictures. I suspect that your browser is reading the old pict10.jpg from your PC's cache. Try hitting "refresh", "reload", or whatever its called on your browser.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--


 
Uncle Bill,

Should you get another shipment in with a spare AK Bowie aboard, I'd like a shot at it.

Thanks
smile.gif


Nick
 
So could we get this with an eye of the dove cho?

ROFLMAO - no, uncle, I am not serious.
 
Interesting design, Uncle Bill. I wonder if we'll be able to see a comparison of the AKB against similar sized khukuris done by Cliff Stamp or Will Kwan as well as the traditional designed Bowies. It shows promise, but until the field testing comes in, I can see why the kamis did not put the H.I . initials on the blades.

Harry
 
Thanks for the info. I turned this thing on this morning and the pix came in fine. Quite impressive,looks like an add for the worlds strongest knife.
 
In the "Hype War" by Lynn Thompson and MadDog, with Jerry Busse occasionally putting in his two bits worth, I would love to have a video tape of all three posturing about how strong their knives were, then see their faces when they put up their strongest knives and the AKB gets thrown in as a control. Testing prefferably by the (Cliff) Stamp of approval.

Then again, I've got my Super Salyan. Still, this is more comparable to the western designs. Would love to do a full page ad in Blade with a MadDog, Busse, Cold Steel, and AKB just lay them side by side with the stats underneath on the upper 5/8ths of the page, and then on the bottom 3/8th show the AKB, the Super Salyan, and the 22" AK, and say something like: "Of course if bigger knives are to your liking we have those too!"
 
As far as the posting problems went yesterday, I had them as well, on top of the usual AOL problems, which never seem to go away for very long!

Now, for the AK Bowie, all I have to say is WOW!!! It looks like all the in-fighting concerning the maker vs. maker threads going on needs to take a back seat. I would wager that this beast could eat either of said makers blades for breakfast, and then use their "wonder" sheath materials as a toothpick!
smile.gif
I think what we are looking at is a new breed of blade...a combination of the old ways, with an eye on modern tastes. I think the kamis are to be commended, and I would have loved to have heard their comments concerning this one. Did the exposed pommel idea make it through in the translation, as I can't tell from the photo? I can't wait to see what one of these will do when I get one in my hands, as it should perform, as usual, excellent. Now, if we could only do a Busse/MD/AK Bowie test. Think that would "stir the pot" any???
smile.gif
After I get this one, and then having had all of these knives that have been bantered about at one time or another, I think I could answer that question, hands down!

Take care,
John Johnson

If guns are outlawed, can I use a sword?
 
Because this knife is not made per our design I am not 100% pleased with it. The tang should have been 1/2 inch thick and they tapered it down from the 1/2 inch blade thickness to about 1/4 inch at the end of the tang. The lanyard hole got riveted through. It is apparent to me that the kamis can understand the plan view and that's it. Any other view mystifies them. And, although it may be my imagination I think I see a little "let's get this finished and celebrate Dasein" hurry reflected in the manufacture.

And, I'm going to give up on the sex screws. Those I sent now cannot be located at shop 1.
We are going to have to tolerate the hand made rivets.

Because of all of the above we are going to discount these first three knives and sell them for $150 -- not a bad buy. Those who were logged in for the original Cobalt Special will get the first shot at these -- fair is fair. So, email for call if you want one of these first three.

In the meantime, Yvsa will manufacture a wood prototype which I will express mail over to shop 2 as soon as it is completed. If the kamis can see a wood mockup they can easily convert this to steel. The next run should be to spec. and that's what we want.

As you have heard me often say, doing business with people who cannot read or write and who live on the other side of the world is not always easy.

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