Muhammad Hasan Syaahid, Owner Delly Craft
Our journey in the blade-making industry began 19 years ago. However, we had to take a hiatus from 2014 to 2018 due to unavoidable circumstances. During this period, I was employed in Saudi Arabia to settle my parents’ debts.
Our family has a long-standing history in this business, initially crafting affordable agricultural tools for the local market. We pride ourselves on staying abreast of the latest trends in blade design and sharpness. Over the past decade, we have been committed to exploring new styles and designs of blades.
Our team consists of 14 members, although not all are present daily. We have experts who we call upon for traditional-style wood carvings. Similarly, we have specialists for crafting the Micarta G10. My role within the team involves design, heat treatment, and marketing. For blades that require special handling, such as carving, we bring in experts. Each of the 14 team members has a specific role to play.
In general, we use 5160 and L6 forged steel for both large and small blades, which can be shaped according to your preference. For special small blades, like those with Hamon, we use SK3 Japanese steel. Occasionally, we purchase Bohler steel from Sweden for blades that require extra sharpness.
Creativity plays a significant role in our blade-making process. If a blade has a Japanese style, it’s likely that I drew inspiration from various Japanese anime films I’ve watched, such as Naruto and Ichigo, among others. However, I also frequently craft traditional Indonesian blades, such as Lar Bango, Patimura, and Machete, as I have a fondness for traditional designs.
Nir Baral, Bipin Baral, Yesh Kumar, Mr. Baral Parshuram (Owner Cloudy Peak Khukuri), Hasta Bahadur
Meet Mr. Parshuram, a Master Khukuri Maker from Nepal
Khukuri is a curved knife that symbolizes the bravery and valor of the Gurkha soldiers, who have fought for the British Army since 1815. It is also a part of the Nepali culture and history, as it was used by the people in their struggles for freedom and justice. Khukuri is not only a weapon, but also a tool for everyday use in the rural areas of Nepal.
One of the people who has dedicated his life to the art of making khukuri is Mr. Baral Parshuram, a master bladesmith from Nepal. He was born around 1965 in a village where his father was a skilled khukuri maker. He belongs to the Kami community, who have a long tradition of working with metal.
Mr. Parshuram grew up in a time when there was no electricity in his village. He learned to appreciate the value of hard work and craftsmanship from his father, who taught him how to forge, shape, and sharpen khukuri. He attended school until 4th grade, but his education was interrupted by the political and social problems of that era. He joined his father in the family business and honed his skills as a khukuri maker.
After his father passed away 17 years ago, he continued to work with his cousin in their village. He moved to Kathmandu 10 years ago with his family, seeking better opportunities and exposure for his products. He worked as a head bladesmith in a khukuri house for 5 years, then became a partner in another company for 3 years. However, he felt that his work was not respected or valued by his partner, who treated him like a worker.
Two years ago, he decided to start his own company, Cloudy Peak Khukuri, where he could express his creativity and passion for khukuri making. He is proud of his work and strives to maintain the quality and authenticity of his khukuri. He hopes to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Nepal through his blades.
Mr. Parshuram is one of the few khukuri makers who still uses traditional methods and materials to make khukuri. He uses high carbon steel from old truck springs or leaf springs, which he heats in a charcoal fire and hammers on an anvil. He makes his own wooden handles from rosewood or buffalo horn, and wraps them with brass or copper wire. He also makes his own leather sheaths from buffalo hide, which he stitches with cotton thread.
He makes different types of khukuri, such as the service khukuri used by the Gurkha soldiers, the historical khukuri used by the Nepali kings and warriors, and the decorative khukuri with engraved or inlaid designs. He also makes custom-made khukuri according to the preferences of his customers. He can make a khukuri in 3 to 4 days, depending on the size and complexity of the design.
He says that he is happy when he sees his customers satisfied with his products. He says that he feels proud when he sees his khukuri being appreciated by people who love and respect the Nepali culture.
Mr. Parshuram is an example of a person who has followed his passion and turned it into a successful career. He is an inspiration for anyone who wants to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the world.
Chris Van Duyne, Owner of Stranger in a Strange Land Knives, LLC
The phrase "stranger in a strange land" has a rich history, originating from the Bible and used to describe the feeling of being disconnected in unfamiliar territory. Its enduring popularity has made it a fixture in literature, music, and popular culture, with Robert Heinlein's iconic sci-fi novel "Stranger in a Strange Land" being a prime example.
Have you ever felt like a stranger in a strange land? That's how Chris felt when he moved to Maine after a life-changing car accident. Chris used to be a locksmith, but his injuries prevented him from continuing his career. He felt lost, until he met Bibek on Facebook.
Bibek was working for Cloudy Peak Khukuri, who made and sold khukuris, the traditional curved knives of his country. He was looking for customers in the US, and he reached out to Chris, who had always been interested in knives and blades. They started chatting online, and soon became good friends. They shared their stories, their hobbies, and their dreams.
Chris was amazed by Bibek's skill and knowledge of khukuris. He learned that Bibek came from a family of bladesmiths who had been making khukuris for centuries. He also learned that khukuris were more than just weapons. They were tools, symbols, and cultural icons. Bibek showed Chris some of his creations, and Chris was blown away by their beauty and quality.
Chris decided to buy a khukuri from Bibek, and he was not disappointed. The knife was stunning, sharp, and sturdy. It felt like holding a piece of history in his hands. Chris was so happy with his purchase that he wanted to share it with others. He realized that there was a market for these unique knives in the US, and he wanted to help Bibek reach more customers.
That's how Stranger in a Strange Land Knives, LLC was born. Chris created a business that would import and sell the best khukuris and blades from Nepal and other countries. He named his company after the famous biblical phrase "stranger in a strange land" to describe the feeling of being an outsider in an unfamiliar world.
Stranger in a Strange Land Knives, LLC soon gained a reputation for its high-quality, authentic products made by Cloudy Peak Khukuri back in Nepal. Customers loved the craftsmanship, the variety, and the story behind each knife. And it all started with a simple message on Facebook, bringing together two strangers who became friends and partners.