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- Apr 5, 2005
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Once in a while, a Himalayan knife-maker comes along and creates knives
of such beauty and usefulness that
he becomes a legend during his lifetime. One such knife maker was Kancha
Kami, who crafted knives for 60
years before he died in 1992.
He inherited his skill from his ancestral involvement with blacksmithing
and knife making for more than 400
years. During his lifetime, he lived within view of four of the world's
highest mountains, breathing pure air and
drinking clean water that flowed down from Mt. Everest and other
sky-high mountains. His life was simple and
he lived it in a traditional manner with few frills, quietly creating
Khukuris and farm tools.
The land he lived on, 30 miles southwest of Mt. Everest, was hostile and
full of rocks, but he managed to raise
enough crops to keep his growing family of five boys and two girls
well-fed. His fondest desire was to pass his
craftsman's skill on to his sons and, thereby, continuing the tradition
his ancestors founded over 400 years ago.
Part of the tradition he lived everyday, and believed in completely, was
that of his 5 sons joining him in his craft
as they grew old enough to become skilled knife-makers. That was not to
happen. His dream ended when all
of his sons decided to follow easier and better-paying jobs in the
tourist industry.
When I was growing up on my father's ranch, I spent almost every weekend
with Kancha Kami, sitting by the
fire and listening to him tell me stories while he sharpened the knives
from the ranch. He wasn't just a great
knifemaker, but a great storyteller, too, with a sense of humor. I can
still hear him laugh when I think of him.
Whenever someone asked who wanted to go to Kancha Kami's Aaran (his shop)
to get the knives sharpened, I
was always ready to be the one. I believe my father and the sherpas who
worked on the ranch knew that and
only asked to tease me. They would smile at the sight of me jumping up
and down, saying, "I do! I do!" When
they picked me, I would gather up the knives and scurry off to Kancha
Kami's Aaran and a new story.
The only trace to be found today of Kancha Kami's craftsmanship is the
model Himalayan Imports made of his
famed Sherpa knife. Our Kamis have been busy creating exact replicas for
your collections.
Kancha Kami
KANCHA KAMI'S SHERPA STYLE KHUKURI BY SHER THE (TIGER)
Overall length --18''
Weight --35 oz
Spine thickness --1/2''
Brass bolster, buttcap and tip
Satisal wood handle
Brown leather scabbard
This Khukuri is spectacular, amazing and inspiring
Add one more to your collection at $225 YBB *SOLD*
Email to order
of such beauty and usefulness that
he becomes a legend during his lifetime. One such knife maker was Kancha
Kami, who crafted knives for 60
years before he died in 1992.
He inherited his skill from his ancestral involvement with blacksmithing
and knife making for more than 400
years. During his lifetime, he lived within view of four of the world's
highest mountains, breathing pure air and
drinking clean water that flowed down from Mt. Everest and other
sky-high mountains. His life was simple and
he lived it in a traditional manner with few frills, quietly creating
Khukuris and farm tools.
The land he lived on, 30 miles southwest of Mt. Everest, was hostile and
full of rocks, but he managed to raise
enough crops to keep his growing family of five boys and two girls
well-fed. His fondest desire was to pass his
craftsman's skill on to his sons and, thereby, continuing the tradition
his ancestors founded over 400 years ago.
Part of the tradition he lived everyday, and believed in completely, was
that of his 5 sons joining him in his craft
as they grew old enough to become skilled knife-makers. That was not to
happen. His dream ended when all
of his sons decided to follow easier and better-paying jobs in the
tourist industry.
When I was growing up on my father's ranch, I spent almost every weekend
with Kancha Kami, sitting by the
fire and listening to him tell me stories while he sharpened the knives
from the ranch. He wasn't just a great
knifemaker, but a great storyteller, too, with a sense of humor. I can
still hear him laugh when I think of him.
Whenever someone asked who wanted to go to Kancha Kami's Aaran (his shop)
to get the knives sharpened, I
was always ready to be the one. I believe my father and the sherpas who
worked on the ranch knew that and
only asked to tease me. They would smile at the sight of me jumping up
and down, saying, "I do! I do!" When
they picked me, I would gather up the knives and scurry off to Kancha
Kami's Aaran and a new story.
The only trace to be found today of Kancha Kami's craftsmanship is the
model Himalayan Imports made of his
famed Sherpa knife. Our Kamis have been busy creating exact replicas for
your collections.
Kancha Kami
KANCHA KAMI'S SHERPA STYLE KHUKURI BY SHER THE (TIGER)
Overall length --18''
Weight --35 oz
Spine thickness --1/2''
Brass bolster, buttcap and tip
Satisal wood handle
Brown leather scabbard
This Khukuri is spectacular, amazing and inspiring
Add one more to your collection at $225 YBB *SOLD*
Email to order
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