village models

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
759
Uncle, I always read about these village models that seem to be a good value for a good price. Do you have any available now or do you post them when they arrive. I would like to try different types of Khukuri's without being preoccupied with abusing or ruining such quality knives such as those produced by HI.
 
cuch -
The villagers are made by village kamis, in towns visited by Pala and Gelbu on their business travels (now severely limited, I'd guess, by the Maoist jump-up). When they see a good one, they bring it back. There are a few good kamis who know steel and heat treating on a par with BirGorkha, but make "country knives" - all go and no show. Take a peek at the "Villagers" section of the HI site. When a few have been collected, they are sent to Reno, and he posts them. The frenzy can be as heavy as those over the PGAs.
Mine had a thin butt cap, some fold lines in the blade, and file marks and dents on a beautifully grained handle. A lot of sanding, oiling, and a 400-grit hand rubbed finish on the blade make a very presentable knife (nothing "touristy" at all) but one I am not afraid to use because everythin can be putback into "as was" condition. Yvsa likes to use the pretty ones, and says the marks give them character. True, but these little Bulldog Puppies come with character, look nice when they're bathed, don't have many fleas and bite as hard as they bark :eek:
 
They make great gifts too! "This is a Villager...it is yours...this is my M43 a HI product...(and so the transfer of HIKV is complete):D :p :D
 
I like the villagers but for a few dollars more, one can get one's grubby little hands on a PGA. Better quality for only a couple of extra bux. :)
 
Wal's astute observation is right on -- villagers are going to be rare offerings until the current almost martial law in Nepal is lifted.
 
...that they were willing to resume truce talks, etc., etc., as though they had shown the government their strengths, and could now be generous. An item in Nepal News this AM reported 62 Maoists killed and a number wounded in an army/police raid against a training camp in Rolpa.

It doesn't sound as though the government was too thrilled at the offer.
 
Wal's astute observation is right on -- villagers are going to be rare offerings until the current almost martial law in Nepal is lifted.
Click to expand...

A shame for us but more for the village Kamis and their villages:(

I have one villager that I bought awhile back that is quite well finished (probably because Uncle Bill knows that even though I try and change, I am still a picky SOB:o :D ). The blade has what Wal described as a "400grit"finish and I sanded and Tung Oiled the handle (i.e. Walosified it:D) with about three applications (steel wool in between)and what started as a very dull dark brown handle now has deep beautiful grain lines--still tough looking and very willing to bite, but now it looks like a pure-bred fighter and not the mutt it once was:D
 
I'm waiting for a few Villagers so I don't have to feel guilty about beating up the others.
One under the seats of each of the trucks and in the trunk of the Cadillac, a few in toolboxes, etc. HIKV is SOOOO infectious!
 
Roger,
as the thread suggests, you might have to wait a long while. Even then you might be 30 sec. or so too late for the feeding frenzy and only get the last one.

I'd use the HI versions till Uncle gets some more Villagers. As they are beaten and bruised they become more beautiful...pardon me while I go explain to Jewel what I meant.;)
 
Good Point Dave,
I am abashed. Why spend time waiting for villagers when I have 400+ years of experience waiting for me to chop, pry and protect right here? I don't need to save a favorite Bura, Durba, Kesar, etc. for a rainy day. It's ready to serve me NOW! The more I think about it, the more I realize it is like saving the last cracker in the box. Why?

I used to spend alot of time "polishing and primping" for company but I realize it's the bruised and battered ones that are the most beautiful.
IMO much of our time here is spent exchanging care and use tips, to preserve them DURING use. That's the most memorable info I take with me from the keyboard to the scabbard anyway. Some threads WILL be for the long term storage questions, but these Khuks are the same living beings in so many ways that we've talked about in other recent threads and so my old ideas/ values re: K's seem absurd.

I think Federico's post a few days ago really showed me the light. What I got from his post was that no matter what, the khuks will not be the mirror bright beauties they are today (entropy dragons indeed!). After years and abuse, what counts is whether or not they work. The scars are a tapestry that tells the story.

I've seen and participated in threads that have talked about the collectibility of HI khuks. They will be (and are) collected and truly valuable, but I have to remember why I invested in them in the first place; function,craftmanship and the beauty of a well designed tool/weapon. Function above all else.
 
Just a FYI...

My villager (used by my wife to uproot brush, rocks be damned...used by friends to remove old cabinets and hack through nails, plural, on purpose) is still cutting things, opening beer bottles (best damn cho design ever!), and generally stinking up the place with ugly functionality.

I might have to sharpen it one day, too. Edge re-alignment is finally beginning to reach its practical limits.

Mike :D
 
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