Himalayan Imports Information Pages

BHIMSEN MODEL KNIFE

This unusual, sword-hilted khukuri is another piece of Nepalese history, a replica of the personal weapon of one of Nepal's greatest heroes: Bhimsen Thapa. Bhimsen became Prime Minister of Nepal in 1775, and held ofce until 1839. During that time, he contributed government and military reforms that remain in place to this day. He also was a prominent participant in the 1816 war against the British...and this is what he carried. So there you have it: when the British came to India, and fought the Gurkhas for the rst time, THIS is the weapon they saw.....and learned to respect.

Himalayan Imports Information Pages BONECUTTER

This very popular model is inspired by a model from the now-defunct GK Kukris. A specialty of HI's Sgt Khadka, who is the only kami allowed to make them, this blade is available in a wide variety of sizes.The beautiful blade is carefully fullered, achieving some of the forward-weighted chopping power of our popular Ang Kholas along with its excellent balance, and all Bonecutters come extremely sharp, and ready to use. 20, 15, 14 &12

Himalayan Imports Information Pages KATUNJE ("The Yangdu Special")

Katunje is a neighborhood in Bhaktapur, the ancient city that adjoins Katmandu. Bhaktapur is Nepal's "City of Culture," and many visitors do not feel that a trip to Nepal is complete without seeing it. Yangdu has family in Katunje, and while visiting Nepal in 2005 (for Uncle Bill's funeral), Yangdu found this kukri, lying unnoticed in one of BirGorkha's shops, and was struck by its graceful form. She decided that since the "Uncle Bill Especial" had been in our catalog for so long, this would be her design. She named it, "Katunje," and now we offer it to you.

Himalayan Imports Information Pages SHERPA STYLE KHUKURI (Kancha Kami Replica)

Himalayan Imports Information Pages

Once in a while, a Himalayan knife-maker comes along and creates knives of such beauty and usefulness that he becomes a legend during his lifetime. One such knife maker was Kancha Kami, who crafted knives for 60 years before he died in 1992. He inherited his skill from his ancestral involvement with blacksmithing and knife making for more than 400 years. During his lifetime, he lived within view of four of the world's highest mountains, breathing pure air and drinking clean water that owed down from Mt. Everest and other sky-high mountains. His life was simple and he lived it in a traditional manner with few frills, quietly creating Khukuris and farm tools. The land he lived on, 30 miles southwest of Mt. Everest, was hostile and full of rocks, but he managed to raise enough crops to keep his growing family of ve boys and two girls well-fed. His fondest desire was to pass his craftsman's skill on to his sons and, thereby, continuing the tradition his ancestors founded over 400 years ago. Part of the tradition he lived everyday, and believed in completely, was that of his 5 sons joining him in his craft as they grew old enough to become skilled knife-makers. That was not to happen. His dream ended when all of his sons decided to follow easier and better-paying jobs in the tourist industry. When I was growing up on my father's ranch, I spent almost every weekend with Kancha Kami, sitting by the re and listening to him tell me stories while he sharpened the knives from the ranch. He wasn't just a great knifemaker, but a great storyteller, too, with a sense of humor. I can still hear him laugh when I think of him.

Himalayan Imports Information Pages

Whenever someone asked who wanted to go to Kancha Kami's Aaran (his shop) to get the knives sharpened, I was always ready to be the one. I believe my father and the sherpas who worked on the ranch knew that and only asked to tease me. They would smile at the sight of me jumping up and down, saying, "I do! I do!" When they picked me, I would gather up the knives and scurry off to Kancha Kami's Aaran and a new story. The only trace to be found today of Kancha Kami's craftsmanship is the model Himalayan Imports made of his famed Sherpa knife. Our Kamis have been busy creating exact replicas for your collections. ---Yangdu Martino

A Portrait of Kancha Kami

Himalayan Imports Information Pages

Shree Ten Chandra Samsher

"Thrice-Honored Chandra Shamsher," is the translation of this khukuri's name, commemorating the political titan who reigned as Nepal's Prime Minister from 1901 to 1929, "relinquishing" the post only when he died. By his time, the ofce of PM had become hereditary, and the king's had become largely honorary, making Chandra Shamsher ruler in all but name. Consequently, the many governmentissued khukuris issued during this time bore HIS name as an inscription, and not the king's. This blade is typical of the large, leaf-bladed khukuris of the late 19th- and early 20th centuries (for many of the originals were "gently used" blades, predating the minister's reign). Overall length -- 21'' Weight --49 oz Spine thickness --1/2'' White metal bolster, buttcap and tip Satisal wood handle & Standard leather scabbard
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Himalayan Imports Information Pages TAMANG KHUKURI

While I was in Katmandu, I enjoyed visiting my cousins and having dinner with them. After a great meal and lots of conversation, I decided to say goodnight for the evening. On my way out I met a couple of older Tamang men in Katmandu for business. They approached me and asked if I "would buy a knife that had been in their family for two generations." They let me examine it and it had a good, sharp blade. Even though it was a little rusty, it was a good knife and obviously had served its purpose, protecting the men and their families for two generations. Both men had the same knife and, remembering the Kamis wanted more work, I offered to buy both of them. They declined, explaining that they needed one knife to protect themselves on the trip back to their village.---Yangdu Martino

Himalayan Imports Information Pages YETI HUNTER KNIFE

A knife with not just an edge, but a story: When I was a young girl, 13-14 years old, on my father's ranch in Nepal, I would play in the hills above the ranch every weekend I could. I would climb up the mountainside to where the Sherpas (Chauri gothala) protected our Yak herd from the Yetis and wander around. As a little girl my head was lled with tales of the Yetis and I was always wondering what they were. All the Sherpa's carried a special knife in case the Yetis attacked the herd. They slept with it under their pillows for protection. I had a 15.5 version that I carried when I was in the hills with the Sherpas. On the ranch, everyone had to be always ready to protect the herd and our family. We all had the Yeti Hunter knife right beside us at all times. The yetis were always near, but we never saw them. When we would be wandering high up, around 9,000 feet, Yeti tracks could be found in the snow. Sometimes we found a bit of scraggly hair or some other sign of their passing. When the moon was full, we could hear them howling at the moon all night. Their howls would ow over the mountains and echo in my bedroom. They sounded so close that I would grab my small Yeti Hunter knife and run outside with the hope that I would get to see them. During thunderstorms, the people on the hills could hear the Yeti howling after each thunder clap. As scary as that sound was I was hoping and hoping to catch a glimpse of those Yetis, but never did. But, I always had my Yeti Hunter knife right beside me, just in case. These Khukuris are the replica of the old Yeti Hunter's knife used years ago on my father's ranch. This is your opportunity to own one. If you add a Yeti Hunter's knife to your collection you can protect yourself from the Yetis if they should show up. --Yangdu Martino 9

Himalayan Imports Information Pages BHAIRAB KHUKURI

According to Yangdu's shop manager, Rajesh, this knife was very rare and historical; used by Nepal King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Its most distinctive feature is an ornate head of brass metal (with an equally ornate, matching guard), which you might take for a lion, but is actually something even more special: the face of Bhairab. Bhairab, or Bhairava, is the most terrifying and destructive aspect of the Hindu god, Shiva, and one of the most important gods worshipped in Nepal. It is said that he was born when the god Brahma demanded to be worshipped as the Supreme Creator. Shiva, who disputed his claim to this title, then reincarnated himself in the form of Bhairab, in order to punish him. He cut off one of Brahma's ve heads, so that the "Supreme Creator" only has four, to this day. The last, Bhairab continues to carry with him. Yangdu was asked whether they were full tanged, and her answer was "full tanged, mushroomed to Bhairab head." Sufce it to say that it's a serious tang, for a serious blade, created in honor of a very serious being. Overall length --25'' Weight -- 76 oz Spine thickness -- 1/2'' Brass "Bhairab" head buttcap Brass guard Copper inlayed on both sides or blade Satisal wood handle & Brown leather scabbard
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Himalayan Imports Information Pages HANSHEE

19" Panchthar Chitlangi

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages The Bagh Marne from Uncle Bill's collection

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages Buduney Khukuri by Bura

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages PACHTHAR

"This very unusual scabbard is made of light colored wood wrapped round with bamboo threads. Devengari script on scabbard means Kami Kesar Pachthar. I, personally, had not seen such a scabbard until my visit to the shop in Nepal and felt it worthy to be offered to you, my discriminating customers. I hope you agree with me." ----Bill Martino

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages SALYAN

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages BAMBOO CUTTER-A Special Knife

While traveling west of Nepal, along the road to Pokhara village, I could not miss the bamboo forests that dotted the countryside. The bamboo was as tall as some trees and each stalk was several inches thick. The villagers use the bamboo to make household and farm products, as well as to build the actual huts they used for various purposes on their farms. The bamboo was very tough to cut and they need a special knife to harvest what they need for their daily use. Cutting the tough bamboo stalks into sections 4" to 6" long, the villagers hollow out the bamboo and make drinking cups for their own households. Beautiful woven baskets can be seen in many a shop or villager's homes, a perfect example of their creative talents. Some local craftsmen make musical utes from the bamboo and the tunes they play can be heard coming from their homes as they relax after the evening meal. This knife has been used by villagers living near a stand of bamboo for decades. We have been fortunate to get a supply of that same tough bamboo cutter knife they use every day and can offer them to you now.

--Yangdu Martino

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages BURA GOOL KNIFE

CHAINPURI

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages CHANDRIKA

CLEAVER

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages JUNGLE KNIFE

KERAMBIT (rst model)

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages LAXMI PUJA SPECIAL

N-2 KNIFE ("Vaquero")

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages R1 & R2 KNIVES

LEFT: R1 "Stick Knife" RIGHT: R2 "Jungle Killer" R3 KNIFE

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages R4 KNIFE

R5 KNIFE

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages R6 KNIFE

R7 KNIFE

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages R8 KNIFE

R9 KNIFE

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages R10 KNIFE

R11 KNIFE

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages TRISUL ("Nepali Boot Knife")

OAL -- 14'' Weight -- 13 oz Spine Thickness -- 1/4'' ULTIMATE FIGHTER

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages

VALA SPEAR KNIFE ("Smatchet") Echoing the "Smatchet" knives carried by Australian troops in WWII, this massive, double-edged blade measures 11" long, with total length coming to 16.5". An impressive blade for the lover of militaria.

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages BURA BOWIE

MOUNTAIN BOWIE

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages "MYSTERY" BOWIE

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages Panjabi Churi

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages DRAGON INDONESIAN SWORD

Overall length -- 28'' Weight -- 47 oz Spine thickness -- 3/8'' Single dragon engraved on one side of blade by Narayan Steel guard Full tang Standard leather scabbard
"WAJASKI" SWORD

Our playfully mispronounced (but well-crafted) HI version of the Japanese, wakizashi, this is the natural companion to the HI Katana.

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages DUKTI SWORD

Overall length --26.5'' Weight -- 32 oz Double edge blade Brass guard Full tang Single Himalayan Pheasant (Danphe) carved in both sides of satisal wood handle Standard leather scabbard The Pheasant, or Danphe, is the national bird of Nepal, and is well known for its bright colors. It is a stout, Himalayan pheasant and can be seen in the high-altitude region of Sagarmatha National Park, Annapurna Conservation Area, Langtang national park, etc. It is protected in national parks, and under wildlife conservation acts.

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages MANJUSHREE SWORD

TARWAR

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages UDDHA SWORD Full-tang version

Hidden-tang version

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages

Called the Bura Bhajra and it's about as good as any short sword you'll see. She weighs in at 27 ounces and is 19 inches overall length. The blade excellently done as you might be able to see is also excellently engraved with 4 auspicious signs from Buddhist religious art. The handle, beautiful chandan, is excellently carved by, I'm sure, the Newari Carving Man. And, I believe the engraving was done by Bura's oldest son. Looks like he has improved considerably since I was him work in 2000. I'm not sure about the motif on the handle -- I think it's a rendition of Black Bhairab Kobra

Beautifully done 30 inch 34 ounce sword by Bura which he calls the "Guru Nana Sword." Really nice rig. Excellent chandan handle.

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Himalayan Imports Information Pages BUTTERFLY SWORD BY ROYAL KAMI BURA

Overall length --22'' Weight --27 oz Spine thickness --3/8'' White metal guard, bolster and buttcap US purplewood handle Leather scabbard with brass tip

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