Welcome to Himalayan Imports!
Always Imitated but Never Duplicated
Established in 1988 by Uncle Bill and Ang Yangdu Martino with her father, Ang Kami Sherpa, as a way to provide a means of wage and support for the hard working Bishwakarma, the Sarkis, and their families, while also providing the means and market for finely crafted khukuri, knives, swords, and various handcrafted fair trade items.
Uncle Bill's vision was not only to provide for the care of the Bishwakarma and their families but also to allow them to make the kind of knives they could be proud of — the kind of knives that a person would be proud to own and use. An outdoor working knife that will serve its owner well in whatever condition or circumstance arises and will also provide the owner with the best in the business warranty. He pioneered making and marketing khukuri to the USA and the world in the early days before and after the internet was born and had one of the first online stores selling them. Himalayan Imports was featured in Blade magazine and were in or the inspiration for blades that have been in such movies as "Barbarian Queen" and "Resident Evil". He was also a beloved presence on internet forums with a loyal following, up until his passing in 2005.
His wife, "Auntie" Yangdu, has remained committed to her late husband's vision and dharma work and has provided the same kind, personable, and professional customer service he was famous for. The best in the industry for over 35 years.
Materials and Workmanship
All of our Khukuri manufactured in our own shop (arun) by experienced Bishwakarma using traditional tools and techniques learned and passed down for many generations, many have been with us for years and some have been trained by, or worked with the "Royal" Kami, Lal Bahadur Bishwakarma. The last one to make blades for the last King, Royal family and court of Nepal.
Himalayan Imports Khukuri and knives are hand-forged and tempered in the traditional manner, and all natural traditional materials are used in their construction. Blades are constructed of 5160 spring steel and differentially zone hardened to 58-60 Rc in the sweet spot for chopping power and durability.
Premium handle materials range from exotic rosewoods and other traditional materials to western hardwoods and buffalo horn to antler and bone.
Scabbards, or "dap", are also made in the traditional manner. Leather over wood with brass chape. Various leathers are used, but the most common is the traditional black leather. Supplied with chakma and karda (small side knives).
Since many of our blades are primarily designed for bushcrafting usage, wood processing and general field work, they tend to be built stronger and thicker than normal retail, war replica or tourist trade khukuri. We also sell thinner, lighter khukuri suitable for general tasks and normal knife usage.
Handles are larger than most nepalese khukuri and are sized to fit larger hands.
All our khukuri are measured in overall (OAL) length from tip of blade to buttcap.
If you have a specific length or weight requirement, please contact Yangdu at himimp@aol.com.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Himalayan Imports strives to provide the best customer service in the industry to its friends and collectors all over the world. We conduct our business in honorable Gorkha fashion. All our Khukuris are guaranteed for the life of the tool, to the original owner, against defects in workmanship. Misuse, neglect or abuse, intentional or otherwise, however, does not fall under the warranty and is not honored in any way.
Please contact Yangdu Martino at himimp@aol.com for any questions, concerns or customer service.
We Value Your Safety
KHUKURI SAFETY - REQUIRED READING !!
Payment
All pricing is in USD (United States Dollars). All payments, domestic or international should be in USD.
We accept Paypal, Venmo, Visa, Mastercard, Discover card and many other forms of payment. We also accept check or money order by mail, but these must clear our bank before shipment is made.
In addition to purchasing here at the online store, you may acquire khukuris
through a DOTD (Deal of the Day) at The Himalayan Imports forum, on Facebook or on Instagram .
Items sold in these places can be anything from museum quality, rare or one of a kind items to discounted end-of-month deals on retail items to easily fixable and totally serviceable blemished or otherwise discounted items.
All DOTD items are sold "As Is" on a "First Come, First Served" basis, meaning that You must be the first to Email Yangdu at himimp@aol.com with your complete information, including your Name, Address, Item Wanted and Method of Payment. Yangdu will then confirm availability and shipping price/total invoice. Then you can send payment.
Payment for DOTD items is expected within 24 hours of your email for requested item. Items may be resold if not promptly paid for. To be fair to all our customers, PLEASE, only claim a DOTD item if you intend to and can complete the transaction.