Uncle Bill Memorial Khukri

M

mross

Joined
Nov 10, 2003
Messages
361
I was contemplating what we should do for a fitting memorial for Uncle Bill. Then it hit me, a commemorative Khuk. If those that know him best can give insight into what was his favorite Khuk we could hopefully get a special run for this. I think most if not all the cantina member would buy one and I'm sure other list surfers would by one also. This is an all around win deal. We get a fitting tribute to UB, and HI and the kami's get more sales. So what do you all think? Can it be done?
 
I think it's a great idea. I just hope someone has a better idea than I as to what Bill's favorite khuk was.

Also, since special runs are also special pains, we may want to wait a while on this. Yangdu has enough on her plate at the moment.
 
mross said:
So what do you all think? Can it be done?
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I think we should wait until Yangdu is open for business as usual again, she will post when she is ready. Yes it can be done and would be a nice gesture for those who want to do it.:)
Uncle Bill's favorite khukuri was the standard 16-1/2" WW II.;)
 
I was thinking of trying to get a Uncle Bill Especiale. I have always though tthat it looked interesting and it seems fitting.
 
Yes, I agree the UBE was his design and it would be fitting to commisison a special edition. I would like to see a smallish version, with a kothimoda motif. Not a big chopper, but a modest sized desk knife that we could look at and use every day and remember what a positive force he was in our lives. :p
 
It would be fitting to do a nice 12" version. Perhaps we can figure out a way to have them engraved:

IN MEMORY OF BILL MARTINO​
Our Uncle Bill​
1933-2005​
Himalayan Imports​

We may even be able to have his likeness photo etched on the other side of the blade.

n2s
 
We may even be able to have his likeness photo etched on the other side of the blade
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Not by HI. While it's a very nice idea, I think an all made-in-Nepal knife would be more fitting.

John
 
not2sharp said:
It would be fitting to do a nice 12" version. Perhaps we can figure out a way to have them engraved:

IN MEMORY OF BILL MARTINO​
Our Uncle Bill​
1933-2005​
Himalayan Imports​

We may even be able to have his likeness photo etched on the other side of the blade.

n2s
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Maybe instead of engraving the blade put it on a wooden stand or wall plauque with a engraved brass plate.

James
 
And maybe price it to put in a little extra for Yangdu, Ram, etc...?

All great ideas, and this sounds like just the thing. Good idea.

Nam
 
I had this thought briefly. The long discussed, much-fabled Sherpa Style might be nice - one in his avatar. Someone would have to make a model, though, as this is like the Great White Whale of the HI line - perpetual trouble getting a reasonable copy.

I also thought about special pricing - pay what you think it's worth. I don't think it would be appropriate to have an extra-special delux model with an extra special delux price that only a few would be able to afford. But most of the people who would be interested in such a thing know where the money goes, and that every penny either goes towards shipping or making a far-off corner of the world a better place. So pay what you think it's worth, know you're getting a quality blade and know that your dollars are well spent - each extra penny is a bit larger karmic ripple.

IMHO, we can toss around ideas, but this should be tabled for a while, maybe a long while. There are LOTS of things going on now, and lots of new adjustments for HI to make. The least of which is a rather large special run of Mini Foxys (yes I ordered one, but no I'm not giving that priority because I did. It's on the table and needs to be cleared off before something else comes up.) The system needs to adjust to the change before we add extra burdens. Maybe in a year or so, once we have a solid idea and all the wrinkles are ironed out we could be looking at a special run.

Other ideas that popped into my head just now (not necessarily good) - an UB challenge coin/medallion reminiscent of the kami mark medallion. US-made would let us use a photo-likeness. Don't know what the logistics of a Nepali made one would be. Also, I believe my local monk is connected with some charities that are active in Nepal and Tibet, if we wanted to do some sort of donation (though the Ram and Birgorkha activities are already extremely worthy and relevant). Just spewing out ideas. Toss the bad, build on the good.
 
I've got a couple "I have this special _______" that U.B. picked out for me. Those are my memorial knives.
 
Tohatchi NM said:
IMHO, we can toss around ideas, but this should be tabled for a while, maybe a long while. There are LOTS of things going on now, and lots of new adjustments for HI to make. The least of which is a rather large special run of Mini Foxys (yes I ordered one, but no I'm not giving that priority because I did. It's on the table and needs to be cleared off before something else comes up.) The system needs to adjust to the change before we add extra burdens. Maybe in a year or so, once we have a solid idea and all the wrinkles are ironed out we could be looking at a special run.
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I agree. This is not a time to ask Yangdu to do anything. We should wait, listen, and if she brings up something like this to Rusty, then we can go for it.

It's hard for us, because everyone wants to DO something. :) Men, as a whole want to FIX things. It's just our nature. But I think now is not the time. We all want to honor Bill, but I think we should go slowly, and do it in a way that causes Yandu joy and not aggravation.

We are men of action. But for now, I think we need to wait for input from Rusty and Yandu on how best to honor our friend. We CAN, however honor Bill every day in our own lives, by being kind and trying to help someone who needs it.

This is just my two cents. If it doesn't make any sense, it's because it's 04:25 here, and my coffee hasn't taken effect yet. And because sometimes I just don't know what I'm talking about. :rolleyes:

You're all my friends.

Steve
 
Please gentlemen, YOUR NOT LISTENING to what Yvsa has said...

"Uncle Bill's favorite khukuri was the standard 16-1/2" WW II"

Uncle Bill considered Yvsa to be his brother, so I'm quite sure Yvsa has some personal insight on this issue.

I feel that we should therefore base any special commemorative model on Uncle Bill's stated preference. I say this out of respect for UB and support for mross's idea :)

(...when and if it becomes appropriate to make a run of commemorative khukuris)
 
But for now, I think we need to wait for input from Rusty and Yandu on how best to honor our friend. We CAN, however honor Bill every day in our own lives, by being kind and trying to help someone who needs it.
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I agree with both points.

Regarding the second one: I think Uncle Bill would be most happy if we all did that, and I think WE would be happier too. I am trying to find a way to enter a career that allows me to help people and still support my family--it ain't easy. But I guess I don't need to get paid to help people, I could just do it on my own time.
 
I think this is a fantasic idea, guys. However like others have said before this idea should be shelved at least for a little bit so that Yangdu can get her feet under her again. IMHO, and i could be completely wrong, a 16.5" full spec WWII khuk would probably honor Uncle Bill the most. If you think about it, special concepts and designs always cause a lot of headaches before the kamis get them right. Maybe instead of a new special design we could just have the kamis make a run of 16.5" WWII models with a full (and i mean full) convex edge, traditional bolster and buttcap (steel perhaps?), beautiful (but domestic to Nepal) wood or imported antler for the handle, and very very fine leather for the scabbard. It seems like a good compromise. We would get a special run of khukuris to honor Uncle Bill, but the WWII design is familiar to the kamis, thus easier on Yangdu. I think Uncle Bill would be flattered by the gesture and relieved that we are not causing undue burden on Yangdu.
Anyway, i think Steve et al are right. At the time being we should just pass kindness and good nature around to whomever may need it. That is the greatest way we can honor Uncle Bill.

Jake
 
I think its a good idea to not push on this idea for a while until everyone gets back on their feet. But I don't think its disrespectful or inappropriate to talk about it or share ideas that we have about what we would like to see. I think Uncle Bill would encourage us to at least talk about what we like, especially since we are talking khuks!

Also, I don't really have any other outlet for talking about Uncle Bill except for this forum, so I don't want to be told not to talk about Uncle Bill, or how to honor him, or what we can do at some appropriate time in the future. Thanks.
 
"I just hope someone has a better idea than I as to what Bill's favorite khuk was"

I'd ask the Kamis, or Pala? I bet if they can engrave dragons, sun/moon/stars, or the milennium "Peace" model, then they could put some uncle bill thing ont there, mebbe a verse in devengari chiselled into the blade?

Just a thot.
 
Maybe, if she was interested, Yangdu might like to decide what style kukri gets made, or can tell us what his actual favorite one was.



~ b
 
I may be wrong, but Uncle Bill did not design the UBE- it was a design by the Kamis to honor him.

If Yvsa says the small WWll was Bill's favorite it probably was. Bill was of fairly slight stature. He wasn't knocking many trees down in the Trailer court.





munk
 
Yeah a 16" WW2 Chirwa style with Chandan handle and steel fittings with

"Good stuff and thanks" on the blade!

Instead of an eye butt cap a flattened Heineken cap since it was his brand!
 
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