The HI Kothimoda. Sign up time.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
View


I have sent pictures and specs to Nepal and Bura believes he and his son, Prakash, can make a Himalayan Imports kothimoda that will look almost identical to my pal's old kothimoda as shown in the picture. This does not surprise me a lot. I think they can do it and will do a good job so we are going to get started on a couple.

Here is the way it will be: The overall length of the khukuri will be about 17 inches and blade will be a double fuller as shown. Weight estimate about two pounds, perhaps a little less. Handle material will be water buffalo shin bone. Bolster will be brass and buttcap may be some sort of surprise. The blade will be marked with the HI logo and will be initialed by Bura and Prakash to identify them as the makers and a BG will be etched into the blade to identify the khukuri as being made in BirGorkha.

The scabbard will be covered with COBRA SKIN if we can get it and I think the chances are very good that we can. The fittings will be of silver and similar to those shown. Somewhere around four ounces of silver (but no gold -- too expensive) will be used. Bura will do the silver work. I expect this scabbard and khukuri to be of astounding quality.

I will be in Nepal to watch over the shoulder of Bura and Prakash while they do a couple of prototypes. It will be right or it won't be at all.

This is a labor intensive and special materials effort and it will not be cheap. But it will be a true kothimoda and one worth collecting. Since it is a kothimoda it is entirely appropriate for the name of the owner to be etched into the blade is so desired.

This initial effort will sell for $450. If anybody wants a real kothimoda here is your chance. Sign up time via phone, email or snail mail.

Suggestions and comments appreciated but we are very near the start work stage so we will have to work fast if we want to change anything that we think needs changing.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Two gone.

For those who asked. Last time I was in Nepal cobras were far from being endangered species. Cobra skin purses, wallets, and other items were offered in every tourist shop in Kathmandu. And, I had a couple of pairs of cobra skin cowboy boots made by a top sarki. Unless things have changed drastically it should be the same. I had no problems with customs anywhere in the world with the cobra skin.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Dido Bill,

I think this is what I've been waiting for...
If I am already included, good.
If not, add me to the list.

Harry
 
That is a dui chirra blade, rather than a tin chirra, right? Same as a regular Hanuman?

Groannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

I will be strong -( at least once I have a Ganga Ram...)
 
But Rusty, just look at IT! The workmanship...the fine lines...the curves... the artistry...and it is exquisite...begging to be touched... fondled...caressed...besides, isn't your HIKV acting up?

biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif


Harry

P.S. If this turns out as good or better than the Banspati, I would say that this would be top Khukuri for the year 2000.

------------------
"Khukuris are our obsession and we're late for therapy!"

[This message has been edited by Kozak (edited 01-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Kozak (edited 01-11-2000).]
 
Rusty, you're right. It is a dui chirra.

Bura seems to think this will be a snap but I foresee a couple of very serious problems. First, is getting decent bone that's well cured. By rights it should be a year old and that is hard to come by. Second, is getting the high quality cobra skin for the scabbard. There's a lot of lower quality around and this we don't want. If we can't find cobra we will use some other top quality hide from something but I don't know what. I'll know a lot more after I've spent a few days in Nepal.

But as I said, it is either right or not at all.

Six gone.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Now Rusty, don't disappoint all your friends on the forum...
It will be worth it just to hear the wild stories Bill comes back with trying to get the kamis and sarkis to make these beauties.

------------------
JP
 
Couple of points:
FIRST
a) Ganga Ram's khuk has to come first. He could continue to work til he's 90 or drop dead tomorrow. I can't afford it now, but when I can, that's top priority.
b) Then I need a dui chirra. If not a kothimoda, a dui chirra Hanuman, though the kothi would let me get a dc blade and a Bura made piece in one. Bura's banspati is marvelous but the brass handle keeps me from completing a bond with one.
SECOND
Pala may call these "rich man's" khukuris, but that brings up the spiritual side. I could rearrange my priorities and own one of these! I won't. But it reminds me that by Nepali standards I'm indeed vey rich. Yangdu and my wife are btth 5'0" and around 140-150.
If I lost 45 pounds I might go completly off my diabetic meds. I don't need even one khukuri other than to remind me of the above situation. And no, I'm NOT getting rid of the ones I have.
THIRD
What is with the stompa and old Lama Kunghar? Did he get the Dreamcatcher medallion and if so is there any report of what he felt? Is he still on Kami's ranch or did he leave for a monastery. Does Kami maintain homes at the ranch and in Kathmandu? Is he retired from being Mayor of the village, and what is the village's name and location.

Sorry to throw all of this at you at once, but I'd meant to ask and then this seemed the proper place to remind us what our purchases mean to the people that make these masterpieces. Feel free to respond in a new thread if you feel it's appropriate.


------------------
"Now every time I read the paper the same old feeling comes on; we're waist deep in the Big Muddy, and the Big Fool says to push on!"
 
No report on Lama Kunghar. He can stay at Kami's ranch if he wishes but he will probably wander around visiting various gompas in the area.

I am hand carrying all the medallions you gave me, Rusty. Customs might want some outrageous fee if I sent them via express mail. I'll do better with customs face to face with backup system to help. I will be hand carrying all the gifts that were sent for kamis and sarkis and my brother-in-law will meet me at customs to help out.

The village name where Kami has his ranch or farm is called Phera and it is located roughly 30 miles SW of Everest. Kami is no longer the mayor. He gave up his political career.

Kami maintains the ranch. His foreman and wife are in charge and hire local labor as required. Kami says he loses money when he travels to the ranch to collect profits. Kami has a flat in a quarter called Bizuli Bazaar (electric market if you can believe that and why they call it this I have no idea) just outside Kathmandu City. He has a two daughters, Chokpa and Dicksung, living with him along with his son, Gelbu, and the son of a kami named Pradeep also lives with him. He is not alone.

If I've missed anything bug me and I'll try to answer.

------------------
Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
Not my thing personally but by GOD(s) I can admire something like that.

As most of you know, I think the whole HI system will benefit from having some higher-end pieces (in terms of $ value) in the catalog.

Jim
 
Hi Bill, I've been working hard on my website, research, other stuff.

These "hi order decorative pieces" are one really cool direction to doing a bit of "big bux work". Our "special project" is another. I'm well aware that even the HI pieces that *look* purely decorative will be anything but, and could put in years of heavy use or a full-scale brawl just fine
smile.gif
.

Jim
 
I like the shape and style of the blade, but could leave the fancy stuff. Could one get the blade w/ a chiruwa full tang and less fancy fittings? $$$?
 
Rusty --- What is the reason that you want the Ganga Ram --- I thought you liked the lighter khukuri's. ---I like heavy thick blades because they are just awesome, and I can handle them fairly well, ---but the lighter ones of course are much easier to control. The sirupatis for instance. Great fighters. I have a mixture of both.--- I guess you mean get something great made by someone great while you can? Thats how I feel.

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



 
Jay H., A while back, Bill put off picking out a sherpa style khukuri by Kancha Kami, Pala's Neigbor on the ranch, who had made the khukuri that killed the bhalu ( did I remember the Nepali name for bear right Bill? ). Kancha Kami died and now Bill can't even get any of the collectors he sold them to to let him borrow one for a model.

Ganga Ram is the 80 year old kami with a 70 year old boy to help him. When they were scouring for villagers, Ganga Ram said to tell that Sherpa boy ( Pala ) that he doesn't know about khukuries, and come back in two/three weeks and I'll make him a magic one, the way we used to all make them, one that'll get sharper the more you use it...

Bill will also tell you he made light of some of those statements ( not disrespectful, just kidding ) and after not cutting himself in half a year, cut himself several time in several days...

Ask Bill some more of it.
 
Uncle Bill,

I also like the kothimoda blade, but cannot afford to buy one. Is it possible for the kamis to make a regular khukuri with this blade?

Christian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top