Video Review

R

RA Carignan

Joined
Dec 19, 1999
Messages
245
The wife and I just sat down and watched the "rough-cut" copy of the video. WOW !! If the quality of the finished video is better then what we just saw, then Craig has found a new vocation.

The sequences that were on the video are excellent, showing the starting steps of making a khurkuri, from what I imagine are the planing stages (hard to tell as I don't speak Nepalese(sp)) It was interesting to see them weight the steel, then measure out the length of the double blank. It amazed me to see just how straight the lines were, when it was being done "free hand". The trick with the water to split the sections apart was very informative.

Not too sure as to the weight of the two hammers being used, but they appear to be 12 pounders. What you will see is a very experienced ballet being performed, very smooth and polished, with no wasted movements. Although this video is just a rough cut, what is there will show you the early steps taken to produce an excellant knife, using the basic hammer and fire.

I want to place my order NOW for the first run of the completed video. I'll be watching the rough cut a couple more times before I send it off
biggrin.gif


Rick
 
Rick: Ballet - that's a good way of describing the bishwakarma art. I love how the master holds the blank while his two assistants act as the forging hammer(s). Talk about teamwork. Last night, I edited the Puja, and then the section on handle-making. As I looked at the footage, I could see just how psychic the bishwakarmas must be - they look like they know exactly what the other guy is going to do - sort of like how twins behave. Have you ever seen that - twins often finish the sentences of each other. With the bishwakarmas, it's the same thing.

Here's my question for Blackdog and RA (and later, for those who see the video): Do you think I should add narration?

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Craig,

I think IMHO that some naration would be needed, so that everyone can get a better understanding of each step. I for one would like to know why they weigh the springs, before the initial cuts. Also maybe add in low background native music as filler. My two cents worth.

Rick
 
My thinking on why they weigh the springs is as follows: each bishwakarma sort of works for himself. That is, he makes a khukuri, and if it passes TBs inspection, TB "buys" it. I think they weigh the steel so that TB can keep track of how much steel he's passing out.

And yes, music and narration will make the tape better - as long as it doesn't interfere with the constant ringing of hammers - which is music too.

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top