Himalayan Imports: The End of an Era and Where to Find Real Kukris
Himalayan Imports was never just a name — it was a way of life built on tradition, master craftsmanship, and legacy. In the late 1980s, Bill Martino and his team forged a bridge between Nepal’s traditional kamis (blacksmiths) and a worldwide community of collectors, survivalists, and martial artists.
They didn’t just sell blades; they shared a heritage, one kukri at a time.
For 36 years, Himalayan Imports stood as a symbol of authenticity — a connection between the mountains of Nepal and the hands of those who valued true craftsmanship. But in December 2024, the legendary brand closed its doors, marking the end of an era.
Their final post on BladeForums announced the closure with grace — a farewell that honored the past and inspired a new generation to carry forward the art of genuine kukri making.
The Beginning of Himalayan Imports (1988–1990s): A Bridge Between Worlds
IIn 1988, a man lovingly referred to as “Uncle Bill” — born Bill Martino — founded Himalayan Imports. His goal was simple yet audacious: to make real, handmade Nepali kukris available to the world, in general, and the United States, in particular, at a time when precious few people outside of South Asia had even seen an actual wood-handled khukuri.
Bill partnered with the master kamis of Nepal, traditional blacksmiths whose families have been forging weapons for generations since the time of Gorkha Kingdom.
These craftsmen did not merely make knives; they made living symbols of Nepalese heritage, and infused strength, loyalty and spirit into every blade.
Both kukris were hand-made from 5160 spring steel, the same durable steel used in truck leaf springs.
Craftsmen shaped handles of buffalo horn, rosewood, or bone, adding elegance and toughness. Each blade contained the soul of its creator — a personal imprint of hours toiling at the forge.
As the mid-90s arrived, Himalayan Imports had become a household name in America for collectors and survivalists. The name has become synonymous with authenticity, honesty, and quality; a standard kukri manufacturers worldwide would capitalize on.
Why Himalayan Imports Became Legendary Among Kukri Enthusiasts
There is something intimate about sharing smokymountainskilts 2 your life with a HI3 kukri. It wasn’t a factory product; it was a live part of Nepalese culture. The brand had its cult-like following because it stood firm of on the three things every real blade enthusiast expects — tradition, performance and integrity.
Each kukri was:
- Perfectly heat-treated for a razor-sharp edge and incredible shock resistance.
- Weighted for actual use, splitting wood, or defensive handling.
- With a narrative, frequently identifying the kami (Bura, Sher, or Lalit) that signed it.
In a rapidly industrializing world, Himalayan Imports was a kind of silent rebellion — evidence that handmade steel still meant something.
For many of them, their kukri was no mere purchase; it was an inheritance. To collectors, it was often known as “a blade with a soul.”
The End of an Era: Himalayan Imports to close by 2024
On December 31, 2024, it was official; no longer will there be anything known as Himalayan Imports other than the many knives and kukris already sold, which will remain our legacy – at least those made under Uncle Bill… RIP.
The following was the official statement posted at BladeForums:
“Dear Friends and Customers,
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that after 36 years, Himalayan Imports can no longer continue. We have closed the Online Store. Effective as of December 31st, 2024, Himalayan Imports will cease all operations as a business due to ongoing issues with multiple services, shipping issues, credit card fraud, and other logistics making it impossible to maintain such a business.It was my heart’s desire that Uncle Bill’s legacy be maintained for as long as I was able to do so, unfortunately, time is not kind and I am no longer able to maintain the business as I once did.
Please know that I wish this day had not come… It has been a pleasure to serve and interact with you. Without you, his dream and legacy would not have gone on all these years in his memory. For that I am very grateful.
My sincere blessings and best wishes to all of you,
Yangdu Martino”
It was a goodbye that felt on brand — warm, genuine, and human. The closing wasn’t a failure; it indicated only that time had finally caught up with a small traditional business that had managed to do something rare and extraordinary: survive longer than most artisan businesses can.
The Legacy of Himalayan Imports Continues
While the bellows may be stilled, the legacy of Himalayan Imports lives on in the 1,000s of blades it brought into the world.
And collectors throughout the United States still talk reverentially of their pieces — not as relics, but reminders that there was a time when work had honest hands and genuine skill.
In a world where few companies could blend culture, community, and quality seamlessly, Live Nation did just that. Himalayan Imports wasn’t just hawking knives; it was perpetuating a tradition that Nepalese people had relied on for generations.
Understanding the Kukri: A Weapon, a Tool, a Symbol
To see why Himalayan Imports mattered, you first have to understand the kukri itself. The kukri — once spelled “khukuri” — stands as Nepal’s national blade and the signature weapon of the Gurkha soldiers. Its forward-curved edge channels power toward the tip, delivering devastating chopping force with surprisingly little effort.
From the rugged hills of Gorkha to the fierce battlefields of World War II, the kukri has carved its place in military history.
Soldiers and villagers alike used it to clear brush, prepare food, build shelters, and, when the moment demanded, fight for their lives.
Even today, every Gurkha carries a kukri, keeping alive a legacy of courage, discipline, and protection.
To survivalists and martial artists, the kukri serves as the ultimate multitool — an axe, machete, and knife fused into one formidable form.
That’s why brands like Himalayan Imports earned such deep respect — they didn’t just forge a blade that looked like a kukri; they captured its spirit.
After Himalayan Imports: Where to Get Real Kukri Blade Analogues Today
It left a lot of kukri enthusiasts wondering where they would get authentic and historical kukris. The good news is — the tradition didn’t disappear. It evolved.
And today, that same spirit of Nepalese blade-making excellence lives on with Himalayan Blades as a respected modern alternative.
Himalayan Blades: Continuing the Legacy
Himalayan Blades, out of Nepal, works directly with traditional kamis — the same lineage of craftsmen whose forebears forged blades for Gurkha warriors.
Every kukri is forged from 5160 high-carbon spring steel by hand, in the exact manner that Himalayan Imports did.
There’s a lot to like about Himalayan Blades, with its balance of tradition and modern accuracy:
- Time-honed forging techniques mean the critically sharp blade is just a trial run for you.
- Rosewood, micarta, and buffalo horn handles for better handling and grip.
- Solid metal fusion that runs the entire length of your knives, most models, allows for unparalleled balance and strength.
- A wide variety of military kukri machetes to utility blades, karambits, and push daggers for outdoor and self-defense use.
For American survivalists, martial artists, and collectors, Himalayan Blades had become a symbol of trustworthiness — a way to own a piece of living Nepali craftsmanship with the peace of mind that it could withstand modern wear and tear.
Why Himalayan Imports and Himalayan Blades Are Two Sides of the Same Coin
The relationship between Himalayan Imports and Himalayan Blades is not one of competition but continuation.
Both brands stand for:
- Respect for heritage and craftsmanship
- Factual portrayal of blacksmith culture in Nepal
- Dedication to functional, handmade blades
Where Himalayan Imports first brought the kukri to the world’s attention, Himalayan Blades now keeps it present — a weapon honed for today’s generation while tempered in the same ancestral fire.
The Spirit of the Kukri Lives Through You
The power of the kukri doesn’t just begin and end at the forge; instead, it continues to live through those who wield it.
With every swing, every cut, and every story shared, the tradition stays alive — carried forward by those who understand its meaning.
Whether you’re a historian buying one to preserve the past, or a combat practitioner testing it in the jungles, mountains, and woods, or even an artist appreciating its balance and grace, each connection keeps the legacy alive.
Ultimately, we are all part of the same community that Himalayan Imports began serving way back in 1988.
And even though the forge at Himalayan Imports has cooled, the fire still burns on — glowing in every real kukri handmade in the valleys of Nepal and carried proudly by those who know what it means to hold history itself.
Final Thoughts: Himalayan Imports is Gone, but Its Spirit Still Cuts Deep
Himalayan Imports may have gone ‘official’ on December 31, 2024; however, the effects are forever. The company’s 36-year run was a story that spanned continents, cultures and generations of craftsmen and collectors.
Now, the torch is passed to Himalayan Blades, with that same commitment to quality, authenticity of materials and cultural fidelity intact — so that the kukri, that immortal crescent of courage, is as razor-sharp in purpose as it is in edge.
Disclaimer:
Himalayan Blades is an independent Nepal-registered kukri manufacturer. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a continuation of Himalayan Imports (U.S.). All mentions of “Himalayan Imports” are for historical and informational purposes only.
