The reason Sgt. Karka's stuff is so good.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
It's simple. Sgt. Karka is a man of honor.

If it were not for the help offered by Pala and Himalayan Imports USA Ram would have never made it to med school in Latvia. And, if it were not for the continued help we give and generate he would not be entering his second year of med school. He's run out of money but thanks to a generous forumite and Sgt. Karka's khukuris we have sold recently along with a few bucks from jackpots here in Reno Ram is going to make it into second year med school.

Sgt. Karka is repaying us the only way he can and that's to make the absolute best khukuris he can and send a few to us. If he did anything less than his best he would not be able to rest at night -- sort of like biting the hand that feeds.

There is something about men of honor that I hold dear to my heart and this is the reason I'm sharing this information with you. I suspect there are more than a few other forumites who share my philosophy about this matter.
 
They looked wonderful. I still wish I could have got the sickle that was awesome.

So Uncle Bill, from what I understand the Kamis are one of the lower castes right?? So occupationally that is one of a limited number of occupations custom will allow them to engage in? So Sgt. Karka was/is in the military and his son is in medical school but he is making khukuris? So is he of the same caste as the kamis? If not would people look down on him for making khukuris?

Would it be possible for a person of lower caste to do well in school and go to medical school? What opportunities are available?

I was wondering if you could shed some light on how that works. I'm vaguely familiar with the whole concept, but would love to know more.
 
I also wondered why we hadn't heard about him lately.

You mentioned he has his own shop.

Is he still in the military? Has his duty station been moved so he has to work off-duty on his own? Why else would he have to send his khuks to Birgorkha?

Just curious.
 
His work is exceptional, and I hope that we see more of it. Sounds like a neat guy, too. :)

Oh, hollowdweller--yep, you'd like the Khurtie! ;) :D
 
Originally posted by t1mpani
His work is exceptional, and I hope that we see more of it. Sounds like a neat guy, too. :)

Oh, hollowdweller--yep, you'd like the Khurtie! ;) :D
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Yea I've thought they were awesome since I first saw one.
 
Bill just put three more Sgt Karka khukuri's up for sale that he found if anyone is interested.

See the thread below titled:

Special little Bilton Kothimoda by Sgt. Karka. Good deal.
 
Thank God. Don't tell Uncle, but I may even be solvent next month. If he hears, that, there'll be a "I've got this special ___" post and picture!!!
 
The knife carries his honor...it's a wonderful piece! :D

t1mpani...you got the Khurtie? Thank goodness! Now I don't feel guilty at all for snagging the 18th Century! ;)

I still hope a blem or villager model of it comes available sometime when I'm online...need it as a real worker, not for show.
 
So Uncle Bill, from what I understand the Kamis are one of the lower castes right?? So occupationally that is one of a limited number of occupations custom will allow them to engage in? So Sgt. Karka was/is in the military and his son is in medical school but he is making khukuris? So is he of the same caste as the kamis? If not would people look down on him for making khukuris?

Karka is of the kami caste but calls himself "Sunar" rather than Bishwakarma -- a slightly higher caste. "Sunar" is a goldsmith rather than blacksmith.

He's 35 years in the Army and will probably stay in until he gets so old he is forcefully retired out.

A kami can do anything he is able to do but is still of the kami caste. When I lived in Nepal I had a kami pal -- he was a Phd and professor of physics at Tribuvan University.
 
Originally posted by Nasty
t1mpani...you got the Khurtie? Thank goodness! Now I don't feel guilty at all for snagging the 18th Century! ;)
Click to expand...

Alas, hoisted on my own sickle/cleaver-thingy!! I'm sure the guilt was just eating you up before. :p
 
I have met a fair few Sgts in my short time, several of them made a comment along the lines of 'don't call me sir, I work for a living' and that has always stuck in my mind. The fact is that you respect an officers rank, then you grow to respect the officer, Sgts you respect because they bloomin well work. Sgt. Karka seems to be one of the finest examples of this it has ever been my honour to encounter. The Bilton is perhapse the finest knife I have ever encountered, his work says it all. In all honesty if I weren't so skint I would be sending more than the amount requested because there are some times when too little is charged if that makes sense.
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
A kami can do anything he is able to do but is still of the kami caste. When I lived in Nepal I had a kami pal -- he was a Phd and professor of physics at Tribuvan University.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Glad to know they have the ability to move up.
 
StmmZaum...Had *I* not been broke, I'd have at least ordered another when Uncle Bill found them!
 
After reading UB's first post I now find myself wanting one of the khuks. Here I thought my HIKV was dormant.

bt
 
Nasty, just pray he finds more, there has to be one left for you and one for sarge somewhere ;)
 
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