A Birthday Knife for Dad

Trout Hound

Trout Hound

Joined
Sep 28, 2014
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I thought that the members here on the porch might appreciate this. Tomorrow is my Dad's 60th birthday. This birthday has particular significance, because Dad was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease about two years ago. He's still not too far gone, but it's important for us to make the most of whatever time we have.

Dad was never as much of a knife nut as I am, but he usually has a knife in his pocket. Over the years it has usually been either an old Camillus-made Buck 305, or one of several SAKs. Ever since he had to retire a couple years ago, I've been thinking about getting him a really nice pocket knife. I talked to Mom, and she said she thought he was still okay with sharp pointy things for the time being, so I decided this birthday was the time to do it.

Dad has usually preferred small knives, and, a few months ago, a member photo of the GEC #18 Beagle caught my eye. I just really love the look of that knife, and I decided that Dad would probably love it too. I really wanted the Tidioute with the oil sucker rod wood. I really like the way the wood looks on that model, love the shield, and I think Dad will really appreciate the history behind the wood as well.

So, I found one in new condition on the bay, and I also ordered him a KSF pocket slip for it. I finished giving the knife a good sharpening today, and I'll give it to him at dinner tomorrow night.

It may not be too long until Dad isn't safe to use a knife anymore, but I am really happy knowing that this will be the nicest knife he's ever owned, and I hope he'll enjoy it while it lasts. I suppose that, at some point down the road, it will probably come back to me, hopefully with a nice patina started, although I am in no hurry for that to happen. With any luck, maybe my grandson will carry it one day.


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Sounds like a wonderful birthday gift for your Dad. God bless you, your Mother, and your Dad - we've dealt with this disease in our family - enjoy the moment. OH
 
Got knife pics?

Good choice on the knife.
 
That's very thoughtful, best wishes to your family. 60 is sounding younger and younger to me by the year, my mom's about to turn 60 in a few days too.
 
What a fine knife to gift you're Dad. :thumbup: I am older than you're Dad and as an old fellow a gift that someone gives me that has had thought and love put into it far outweighs any other gift that has been bought just to have something to give out of obligation. It seems you have thought hard about what he would enjoy and also create memories for all of you and he will recognize that thought and love. Like Harry our family has saw this disease and realize how it affects everyone so our thoughts and prayers will not only be for your Dad but your whole family.
 
Sorry to hear that about your Dad Trouthound-
that is waay too young to get Alzheimers. My MIL was diagnosed fairly recently at 72yo and that is a young age for it.
I hear there is research going into to a new medication which slows it right down.Hopefully the health professionals are on to it for your Dad.
 
It would be real neat to see your Dad holding that knife, 60 is far too young to have that thrown at you, I really wish him well.
 
Sorry to hear about your dad's health TH, but hope he enjoys his new knife, a very thoughtful gift :thumbup:
 
Alzheimer's runs in both sides of my family. I'm sorry to hear that your family is going through that. Great choice on a little knife, I'm sure he'll love it. Make sure you follow up and tell us how the gifting goes.
 
The Beagle will be a great choice. Certainly pray the best for him, and that he will still have much time to enjoy it.
 
Make sure you tell him to smell the knife. Sounds weird but those oil suckers have an amazing smell to them! Not to mention the great story that goes with where the wood came from. Awesome history to it.
 
What's the story with oil sucker rod wood anyway? I like the grayed look, but it always kind of perplexed me as to what it really was, besides wood from an old oil rig.
 
Wilted Kilt said:
What's the story with oil sucker rod wood anyway? I like the grayed look, but it always kind of perplexed me as to what it really was, besides wood from an old oil rig.
Click to expand...

I'll do my best with this story but anyone feel free to chime in and correct me if I have it wrong.

Oil sucker rod wood came from the old oil fields around GEC's hometown.

This was written by "rma100" in another thread. "I just spoke to Chris at GEC about the Sucker Rod Wood. All of the handle material is from used, historical, wild Oil Sucker Rods. As I mentioned earlier, it's locally sourced and been laying in the woods for 150 years. It has not been retrieved from some old warehouse find, this is the Real McCoy. She says you can smell the oil when they're cutting the wood. The wood does not need to be stabilized as the sucker rods are all Hardwood. A lot of the dense, hard wood handle materials do not need to be stabilized, ie.. Ebony, African Blackwood and others. And as I mentioned earlier, I think 150 years in the woods would cure any toxicity, and "naturally" stabilize the wood. Probably the only reason these sucker rods survive at all is that they ARE impregnated with oil."

Some info from online:
A sucker rod is a steel rod, typically between 25 and 30 feet (7 to 9 meters) in length, and threaded at both ends, used in the oil industry to join together the surface and downhole components of a reciprocating piston pump installed in an oil well. The pumpjack is the visible above-ground drive for the well pump, and is connected to the downhole pump at the bottom of the well by a series of interconnected sucker rods. Sucker rods are also commonly available made of fiberglass in 37 1/2 foot lengths and diameters of 3/4, 7/8, 1, and 1 1/4 inch. These are terminated in metallic threaded ends, female at one end and male at the other.
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Many thanks to everyone for your prayers and well-wishes. They are sincerely appreciated.

To add to what was said above, my understanding is that the sucker rods are left over from the Titusville oil boom of 1865. That means the rod is at least that old, and when you consider that the tree was probably at least 30' tall when it was cut, you're talking about wood that is something like 200 years old. Way cool!

We initially tried Dad on the usual regimen of the latest approved drugs, but he had some really ugly side effects, including heart problems. We finally made a decision to discontinue the neuro drugs so that he can at least be healthy and comfortable for whatever time is left. He may yet be a candidate for human trials on new drugs; we'll just have to see. There really is some remarkable research being done.

Thanks again. Will try to post pics soon.




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I almost didn't post because this disease runs on my maternal side, affecting the women in the family . My mother's mother(grandmother), her mother(great-grandmother) , and so on down the line. My mother is 85, so onset should occur at some point in the region of 5-6 years. I say that with some assurance as family records indicate such. These women also tend to live to 99 or so. My mother is still absolutely sharp. My 57 year old sister is less so, due to brain trauma as well as other factors, external and self-imposed, both. Enjoy all the time you have. This is a beautiful thing you do. Document it as well as you can. My son will not remember his grandmother well as an adult, so anything you do now will have great impact. Well done.
Thanks, Neal
 
Dad really loves the new knife. He already said it's going with him on our next trout fishing trip.

Not the greatest pic in the world, but you can see the knife ok. Forgive the 1970s orange countertops.
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GEC and chocolate cake. Life is good.
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My wife would kill for those countertops. For some reason she loves 70s style in the kitchen. Lots of oranges, greens, bright yellows, etc. Not my favorite, but it's a compromise I'm willing to make. Heaven knows she's had to make some compromises of her own.

I'm really happy that your dad enjoyed his gift. It looks like you got him a good one. Let us know how that trout fishing goes. ;)
 
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