Where are my khukuris?

Three weeks ago a parcel of 30 khukuris left Kathmandu addressed to Himalayan Imports going UPS express. It should have taken about five days to get here. The parcel arrived yesterday after being held in US customs for two weeks and four khukuris were missing, including the magic khukuri.

I am bitterly disappointed and have contacted UPS regarding this loss.

A couple of very nice khukuris did, however, survive and I will post pix of them later today.

Uncle Bill
 
Three of four years back I was losing a few khukuris (always seemed to be some of the best ones) in transit and I was almost certain the culprits were customs agents so I complained about this to a US Senator.

I later got a call from a customs official who admitted that pilferage was a problem -- to such an extent that surveilance cameras had been installed in examination areas and elsewhere.

He told me of a box of watches from Hong Kong that had arrived at its destination completely empty! He assured me they tried their best but some pilferage would always exist and it was something I would simply have to live with -- and it looks like I am.

Uncle Bill
 
The theft of a magic khukri has got to be some seriously bad karma.

Grr.

It's probably not cost effective to hand-carry them through, is it? Nobody should have to put up with this. If you see a customs agent with a khukri that gets sharper every time it's used, get his badge number.

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Namaste,
Jeff Paulsen


[This message has been edited by JeffPaulsen (edited 24 August 1999).]
 
Jeff, some years back we used to hand carry the khukuris to Hong Kong and ship from there because we were losing some to pilferage before they ever got out of Nepal. It has been a problem since day one but these are the first I've lost in about a year. The sad thing is they always seem to take the best.

Uncle Bill
 

Like I said on the other thread, the only saving grace about a khukri being stolen is that somebody has it, somewhere. It will eventually make it's way onto the market and into the hands of a khukuri collector, who will appreciate it (even if he doesn't know the whole story).

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Namaste,
Jeff Paulsen
 
Jeff, you are right. It is better than losing it in an airplane crash. The knife is still alive and so are we.

Uncle Bill
 
Uncle Bill: you lovingly teased a little about Ganja Ram and his magic and resultantly started cutting yourself, the price paid for arousing his ire with your humor. Small stuff.

Stealing a khukuri made specifically just for you, the white monkey, by Ganja Ram is a far far greater offense. Look for either a very anemic customs official or one constantly needing body parts sewn back on, LOL
 

Yep. Seriously bad karma. The knife thief will pay a much higher price for that khukuri than he planned.


------------------
Namaste,
Jeff Paulsen
 
:
Some I have pity for.
The knife thief I have great pity for.His family will suffer and no one will know why.

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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.

 
The kamis, Kami Sherpa, and Gelbu all have their own strange way of doing things according to the "Nepali system." I never know for sure what they are sending or when. For reasons unknown to me they will sometimes at the last minute change items to be shipped, shipping dates, and even change orders based on something like the phase of the moon or a holy day or according to the "Patra", a sort of astrological book Nepalis refer to quite often. (Yangdu keeps one at the ready at all times!)

I do not understand it all and it is sometimes maddening to the Western part of my mind because many times they will change things and do not bother to tell me but it is something I have learned to live with. For all I know that Ganga Ram magic khukuri might end up in my hands before it is all over. I think it is gone but I am never sure so I maintain hope. I have been surprised in the past.

Uncle Bill
 
Uncle Bill, before I read your last post I had been wondering if you knew what four khukuris had disappeared (ie 18th century, sirupati, AK or whatever...) in addition to Ganga Ram's magic khukuri. I think I remember you saying elsewhere that they don't do invoices, so that question may or may not be easily answered?

It would certainly be good if the loss of the knives was just some sort of innocent mistake. If there was indeed any kind of deliberate wrongdoing, though, I would have take out of "Mr. T"s book and say that "I pity the fool" who would unknowingly steal a magic khukuri. Certainly not something I'd want to keep in -my- possession for very long.

Hmm, maybe I'm just too superstitious...

-Dave
 
I don't want to label the boxes anything else -- makes me feel like I'm trying to pull the wool over somebody's eyes. But it was a decent suggestion.

It's a fact of life there are dishonest people everywhere who think nothing of stealing. I read somewhere that we must pay 5 or 6 percent higher prices at supermarkets to cover the cost of shoplifters. Not very fair to the aged trying to get by on a meager social security check or a young single mother struggling to buy food for her children. But either the thieves don't think of this or it does not bother them.

It is as many said, karma has a way of catching up sooner or later.

Uncle Bill
 
Pakcik Bill;
I hope the same incident won't happend to my 12" Silver Mounted Horn Handled Dhankuta + Village Chainpuri! Supposed to receive them by last week - I believe that Silver Mounted Dhankuta might attract a lot of peoples!
 
Bill,
You do not have to be too specific on box labels. No you don't have to lie.
Try this, or something like it: "Farm Implaments."
Dan K
 
I like the recycled scrap metal because it is true!

The curse for evil doers and the blessing for the good, honest folks is a serious consideration.

Mohd, we will do some checking.

Uncle Bill
 
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