There's alway room for improvement. Suggestions and comments, please!

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
Since BirGorkha was started we have all seen dramatic improvements in quality and the introduction of models never seen before in the US. But, no matter how good you get there is always room for improvement. So, if you have any suggestions now is the time to voice them because I can deliver them in person which always works better than a phone call or the written word. I'd be happy to hear any ideas.

And, while we are on the subject of improvement let's consider this forum, too. I think we have a very good forum which is frequented by experts and neophytes alike, all of them top drawer. But, if you see anything that could be done better let's hear it.

Although we may never achieve it we can still strive for perfection.

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Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ

 
DAMN we're good.
wink.gif


Heh heh heh.

I dunno Uncle Bill, it's looking all right to me.

One of the things I have noticed about recent khukuris (and others have too) is the more blunt tips we are seeing now. I would prefer to see more attention to graceful shapes and sharp tips like the old shop 1's seemed to have. I would also like to see more attention to a crisply defined cho.

What the hell do I know though, eh?

One thing I can definitely say is that I personally would like the idea of seeing the kamis try their luck with non-khukuri designs like katars, and khanjarlis. I wonder what they could do with Japanese katanas or with traditional western european medieval weapons like broadswords and daggers.

Also, if they could make a decent scottish Highland basket hilt claymore or dirk I would be in cutlery heaven. What about targes, too?

Anyone else have any ideas?

-Dave

PS-- how's that katana project coming along, anyway?
 
Bill,

BirGorkha broke new ground in the west with the Gelbu Special.

The kamis may wish to explore what they can do with a lighter Gelbu Special. The fuller can be used to decrease weight if the spine isn’t correspondingly thickened. The current GS is very strong, but heavy. I think a light GS would find many customers.
 
Weekly update of what's in stock, what's coming in, both sooner & later.
I know you've posted this info a couple of times but maybe posting it a certain day each week would be a good idea? This way even if someone is very busy they could still take the time to check in that day. Even a "nothing in stock, nothing coming soon" message would be informative.
Just a suggestion.
 
I want to second Jon's suggestion. There should be some way that an "Available, Now Shipping, and Soon To Come" table is always available from a link that could always be in the same place on the page--just as on most of the pages, the "exchange|makers/mfgrs|general" links are always right on top. Maybe we can ask Mike Turber about this.

Then, as things come in, transfer them from "Now Shipping" to "Available", and cross them off when sold.
If it's hard to do with the Forum software then it could be done on some other page (the AOL page maybe) and have a link on BF.
 
I would like to see the but caps at 1/8 - 3/16". What is the but cap going to be for the Kothimoda, and will there be any choice other then shin bone for handle material ?

Floyd
 
Bill,
I'll have to agree with Dave on more graceful lines. I remember seeing a more curved spine on some of the older kukris. That is a very small detail that could probably be worked in the grinding process.
Other than that, they look good to me.
 
Hey Uncle Bil,

This has been raised once or twice, but if HI had some sort of credit card option it would be real useful for us overseas types.

I know that you have some reservations about this but perhaps you could come to an arrangement with Mike or Spark, where by we pay via the Bladeforums site and they forward it on to you in whatever form is convenient. I don't know if this is viable but it might be a solution for some of us on a case-by-case basis.
 
How about...

A "cookri": a kinda thin khukuri to fit cooking purposes. Needless to carry HI guarantee for its limited, specialized way of use but I hope many types of khukuris in this field. I've been interested in use of khukuri for cooking.
Are khukuris used for cooking?

HI katana and broadsword sound great except that I cannot own one as far as I live in Japan.

khukuri video: Of masterpiece, master kamis, expert users, doing incredible jobs.

Uncle Bill's book! of no BirGorkha made: total 9 exciting stories but episode 4 is to be published first.

Sorry guys I started suggestions but ended in a wish list.


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\(^o^)/ Mizutani Satoshi \(^o^)/
 
If the problem's now fixed, forget it, but monitor birgorkha cosmetics on the sword of shiva and on the polishing to prevent overbuffing.
 
An extra tie down at close to the bottom of the scabbard to keep the rig from swinging.
wink.gif
------- Also, I hope the bone handle works out well on the Kothimoda.

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I second WrongFriend's suggestion about the cookri. My 20" sirupati works great at splitting bagels, and dividing our frozen chicken, BUT is is a little bit large and unwieldy for such a task. A nice kitchen knife or two that you can REALLY put the pressure on (for that frozen stuff, etc.), would be nice. I'm tired of having the butcher knife almost butcher me when it flexes...


Rob

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'He's losin' it... (Words spoken about me by a visitor seeing me with my Khuk!)
Lucky for them I'm not...
 
I would like to see HI offer a few khukuris along older, more traditional lines. Judging from the pictures I've seen of the older khuks, their spines were more fully curved, and their blades were wider.

In general, I think that HI should continue to focus on khukuris and should be wary of expanding its selection of knives. What makes HI so special is its uniqueness, its very specific focus; if that were to be lost, then HI would become just another knife outlet -- IMHO.
 
Stick with what the Kami's know. Kukris and other traditonal Nepali items. Hate to see them try to crank out an ethnic tool they have no familiarity with. That could damage their reputation! Maybe some different options on wooden handle selection. I'd like to see some exotics: Cocobolo, lacewood, ebony are just a few that come to mind.
I do like the Idea of the Cookri. Can we toss that one around a bit. Could be a real winner!
ALways a pleasure,
Sutcliffe
 
Put up a picture menu. Not that all will be available at all times. You might separate limited run items out but show a picture of it anyway

For example:

ANG KHOLA / STANDARD MODELS

( picture ) 15" Ang Khola
specifications
( picture ) 18" Ang Khola
specifications
( picture ) 20" Ang Khola
specifications

ANG KHOLA / NON STANDARD, REQUIRE SIX ORDERS FOR LIMITED RUN.

( PICTURE ) 18" AK Chiruwa ( panna butta style riveted slab handle) 0 specifications
number now on order list 4, ( 2 more orders needed for run.

(PICTURE ) 12" AK
specifications
number of orders on list 2, ( 4
more orders needed for run.

Do that for Sirupatis 12", 15", 18 ", and 20 inch in standard, 25" under special run.
BAS 15 and Giant BAS,

In other words, a catalog of regular and special types on your website, so when someone sees it mentioni.
 
Like Steven, I would also like to see more older style khukuries come out with the wider blades and the forward curve such as the Sanu forward curve and the Ganga Ram Special. Also I'd like to see some ancient blade forms such as the katar, tulwar, khanda etc, anything that is within the range of the kamis knowledge and abilities..

Arvind
 
Bill, if I may, I'd like to see the prices for each piece on HI page. I know there's that saying "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" but I believe there are consumers who are willing to save to buy quality. I like the timeline idea too.
 
Uncle Bill, I would like to see a Khukuri that has all the lines straight and crisp like on a Japanese Katana. The trouble is that on the Katana, the final polish is done on stones. This keeps the lines crisp and straight. This would also drive up the cost per Khukuri.
 
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