In early April 2011 I had the opportunity to visit a traditional village blacksmith while in the Fikkhal area, Eastern Nepal.
In both India and Nepal craftsmen are still considered as the lowest cast and I could see this man lives simply. He was extremely peaceful and very pleasant to be around.
He produces mostly tools and farm implements for locals, but when I asked him to make something for me, he obviously suggested the Gurkha's khukri. The order is placed…