- Joined
- Mar 15, 1999
- Messages
- 567
Hello, Uncle Bill -
I just picked up the Ganga Ram Special from the Post Office what a pleasant surprise! When I received the notice from my mail carrier that he had attempted to make a delivery from Himalayan Imports, I was very curious. I thought that my GRS was still several weeks away from being shipped; I figured that this shipment was probably the kagas katnes that I had ordered. Imagine my surprise when the postal clerk returned to the counter with a long box (obviously not paper cutters)!
This khukuri is simply awesome. I feel as though the ancient master really has crafted a "magic khukuri". I know that I'm sometimes inclined towards overblown prose when I'm writing about my latest acquisitions, but lately every successive HI khukuri I receive seems better than the last one (although both the Millennium and Ganga Ram specials seem to be flirting with khukuri perfection, if such a thing exists). I don't know which one is my favorite they are very different creatures. The MS is like a sleek, quick jungle cat and (I would think) has great ability as a fighter. The Ganga Ram Special has the stately power and majesty of a bear, or perhaps a great whale (there is something that's evocative of the shape of a whale in the curved blade). I don't know if I'm seeing tigers and whales in my khukuris it may be time to cut back on my Friday evening cocktails
The finish of the blade is excellent I haven't been able to use it yet, but it's razor sharp and I would guess that it's nicely hardened. The chakma and karda are without question the finest I've ever seen (better than the MS, even). I'm particularly fond of the handle on the Ganga Ram Special; the details of the carving are exquisite. I really think you're on to something with these carved handles; I just took a look at the Garud (sp?) Ang Khola that you posted and I almost had to take the plunge and order one (I'm afraid that I'll have to hold off on any new acquisitions for a while, though). Even though some of your more tactical-minded customers may prefer the more utilitarian handles, the carvings add an extremely elegant touch to what is already a collector's-grade piece. Do the kamis who make the blades also craft the handles, or do other artisans do this task? The wood on both the MS and the GRS has a different appearance (more vibrant color, finer grain and figure) than my other wood-handled khukuris; do you know what type it is?
The scabbard is first rate and the frog fine; it may not be a "super frog" but it's certainly more than adequate. All in all, an extremely impressive package and well worth the cost. This may well be the first of my HIs that I don't have the heart to use I'm thinking that it will have to be displayed in a place of honor in my collection. Old Ganga Ram is to be commended; his eighty-some-odd years of skill are quite evident in this blade. I hope that his participation in the visiting kami program has worked out well for the old master a man with his skills is truly a treasure. I hope the younger kamis are paying close attention
Thanks to Pala, Yangdu, Uncle Bill and all of the good people of Himalayan Imports in Nepal. Please convey my special appreciation to old Ganga Ram it's privilege to own this khukuri. I can't help but feel that between the Millennium Special and the Ganga Ram Special, I now own two of the finest khukuris in the world.
Jim
(I hope you put one of these under the bed for yourself, Uncle)
[This message has been edited by UglyJim (edited 10 December 1999).]
I just picked up the Ganga Ram Special from the Post Office what a pleasant surprise! When I received the notice from my mail carrier that he had attempted to make a delivery from Himalayan Imports, I was very curious. I thought that my GRS was still several weeks away from being shipped; I figured that this shipment was probably the kagas katnes that I had ordered. Imagine my surprise when the postal clerk returned to the counter with a long box (obviously not paper cutters)!
This khukuri is simply awesome. I feel as though the ancient master really has crafted a "magic khukuri". I know that I'm sometimes inclined towards overblown prose when I'm writing about my latest acquisitions, but lately every successive HI khukuri I receive seems better than the last one (although both the Millennium and Ganga Ram specials seem to be flirting with khukuri perfection, if such a thing exists). I don't know which one is my favorite they are very different creatures. The MS is like a sleek, quick jungle cat and (I would think) has great ability as a fighter. The Ganga Ram Special has the stately power and majesty of a bear, or perhaps a great whale (there is something that's evocative of the shape of a whale in the curved blade). I don't know if I'm seeing tigers and whales in my khukuris it may be time to cut back on my Friday evening cocktails
The finish of the blade is excellent I haven't been able to use it yet, but it's razor sharp and I would guess that it's nicely hardened. The chakma and karda are without question the finest I've ever seen (better than the MS, even). I'm particularly fond of the handle on the Ganga Ram Special; the details of the carving are exquisite. I really think you're on to something with these carved handles; I just took a look at the Garud (sp?) Ang Khola that you posted and I almost had to take the plunge and order one (I'm afraid that I'll have to hold off on any new acquisitions for a while, though). Even though some of your more tactical-minded customers may prefer the more utilitarian handles, the carvings add an extremely elegant touch to what is already a collector's-grade piece. Do the kamis who make the blades also craft the handles, or do other artisans do this task? The wood on both the MS and the GRS has a different appearance (more vibrant color, finer grain and figure) than my other wood-handled khukuris; do you know what type it is?
The scabbard is first rate and the frog fine; it may not be a "super frog" but it's certainly more than adequate. All in all, an extremely impressive package and well worth the cost. This may well be the first of my HIs that I don't have the heart to use I'm thinking that it will have to be displayed in a place of honor in my collection. Old Ganga Ram is to be commended; his eighty-some-odd years of skill are quite evident in this blade. I hope that his participation in the visiting kami program has worked out well for the old master a man with his skills is truly a treasure. I hope the younger kamis are paying close attention
Thanks to Pala, Yangdu, Uncle Bill and all of the good people of Himalayan Imports in Nepal. Please convey my special appreciation to old Ganga Ram it's privilege to own this khukuri. I can't help but feel that between the Millennium Special and the Ganga Ram Special, I now own two of the finest khukuris in the world.
Jim
(I hope you put one of these under the bed for yourself, Uncle)
[This message has been edited by UglyJim (edited 10 December 1999).]
