Walosi's special order. Pix.

[Bill Martino]

This rig came pretty close to what Walosi wanted. A woodchuck like Wal is really going to appreciate this one.

 

[kamagong]

 

[Bill Martino]

After you get all that red rouge off this wood, Wal, this is going to be a beautiful scabbard -- and handle, too.

 

[Bobwhite]

Very nice, I am an envious woodchuck.

 

[Walosi]

No, Uncle Bill, this is way beyond what I wanted, and a light year or so beyond what I expected. My mailman has absolutely no idea how much trouble is in store for him

Now, the nit-picking; what is the historical/cultural/religious significance of the cute little critters on the sheath? See ? Now do you know why I asked for just "leaves and vines" figures? This opens a whole new arena. I need to know who carved them, their background, the.....OMG!!!! I'LL BE DOING RESEARCH
Seriously, having seen only the pics, if you could express my appreciation to the kami and the carver when you next e-mail Gelbu...It is obvious that these men know how to add art to utility, and this is as fine an example of that combination as one could ever hope to possess. If you know, please, who are they?

 

[billpaxton]

 

[MauiRob]

BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to see it when Walosi finishes with it

 

[Bill Martino]

The quality of carving has gone up along with everything else and this lastest bunch is quite impressive. I don't know if your young Newari carver is just developing and improving or if he is getting help from dad and brothers. I think Sanu made this too but memory could have slipped. Nepali shipping staff getting ready to head for mailing service.

 

[Walosi]

I'm having a little trouble making out the figure in the top panel of that sheath - Could it be a Nepali rendering of a bearded Smiley Face, with Frog Feet sticking out from under the beard?? And the lower panel could easily be me waiting for the mailman, biting through the brace on the post to keep my cool.

Uncle Bill - Are these characatures? Did you add some, ..... er...comments to the order?

 

[John Powell]

The fearsome face belongs to 'Kirtimukha' (also known as 'Chepu' in Newari)who is a protective deity. he is always depicted with just the head, two forearms and chomping on a snake/serpent.

The other image could just be the artists imagination or a seashell which indicates blessedness. Great looking work.

The Khukuri FAQ has pictures of the more commonly found images and a short explanation.

 

[Yvsa]

:
And I know you're already proud.

 

[Walosi]

John - Thank you. Despite my kidding around, every new blade seems to open a new window. Boredom and a yen for new information is what got me on the web in the first place. This place, and the people who "inhabit" it, are a bonanza.

Yvsa - Just got off the 'phone with the mailman. The HI package will be the first delivery (if it gets this far by then) on Monday morning. Offered to finish the handle of his Garud just to get a look at it. Looks like a trip to town tonight for more oil, wool, hmmm - need a supply inventory

 

[Bill Martino]

And I think there's a couple more folks carved on the back of the scabbard.

 

[Black Bear]

Wal, You're a incredably lucky man. All these exquisite new rigs coming in all at once. Of the three new rigs that Uncle has shared with us today in my opinion yours is THE ONE. I'm going to save my pennies starting now for one similar to yours Wal, I would never ask to have it copied exactly. I'm very envious.

 

[Bill Martino]

Beautiful work and beautiful rig and a one of a kind, at that.

 

[Walosi]

Black Bear:

Go for it. The final result may be up to the kamis and carvers, but total lack of disappointment seems to be guaranteed

My mailman's Garud is the same figure as mine (the Garuda, eagle figure) and I can't wait to compare them. He said he still enjoys just looking it over for new detail - this is a very thoroughly carved piece. Of course, I don't waste time "just looking" at it, Hehehehe. I can do thiswhile I'm rubbing more and more oil into it

 

[Walosi]

See how well I've been able to avoid comment on Uncle Bill's revelation about additional carvings? Up until now, I've taken a page from Tsmi's manual on calm, reasonable response. Composure is the key. This is Friday. The package should arrive Monday, and Dick said he would watch for it and bring it right out. I can wait until then to see the other side of the sheath. After all, monday is only SIX @X%!&** MONTHS FROM NOW....and then I can relax

 

[Apothecary]

I rate this one a 10 out of 10 on the drool scale...

 

[Howard Wallace]

I just uploaded the latest changes of the FAQ to the web. I reorganised the carving and symbol information John refered to above and put it on it's own page at http://www.tx3.net/~howardw/Khukuris/carving.htm . Enjoy!

 

[Bill Martino]

Thanks, Howard.