A huge THANK YOU, and a short muse

B

Brian.Evans

Registered Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2011
Messages
3,267
This may prove to be a long winded post gentlemen, so I beg you bear with me. I'm not sure where to start, so I'll just pick a place and go from there.

List of things I used to not like in a pocket knife:
Clip main, preferred a spear
Half stops
Saw cut anything, bone or Delrin

New favorite knife:
TC Barlow with clip main and saw cut red bone

How did I get my new favorite knife you ask? Well......

Back about 5 weeks ago, I got an email from a gentleman on this forum with a simple message, "hey, I need your address. Got something for you." I sent my address and a few days later came this:

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Its a horrible photo, but I'm a paramedic, not a photographer. Sorry about that, it doesn't do the knife justice.

From the moment I opened the tube, I was in love with this knife. There is something so, so right with it. I emailed the gentleman and expressed my gratitude and unworthiness of such a gift. In fact, I'm still in awe that I received such a wonderful knife as a gift.

This is the knife, that if i didn't feel it in my soul to create and make things, might convince me to stop making knives. That's how much I love this knife. It has won me over to clips and half stops. I still can't believe that happened and even now that I write this, I'm not sure how it did it.

When I received the knife it had only the faintest, barest hint of patina on the blade. I didn't remove it, as it came from the original owner and made it all the more special. It literally went in my pocket the minute it came from the tube and hasn't been left at home in favour of another knife since. All others pale in comparison to my TC barlow.

I had been hinting heavily to my wife about a spear point pony jack for Christmas, but I won't need it now. This barlow has made me into a one knife man. Yes gentlemen, I said the words. This is THE KNIFE. It will be the knife my son remembers me using, the knife he will get someday in the (hopefully) distant future when I depart this mortal coil and embark on the next great journey.

The saw cut bone is a pleasure to behold, and the steel takes a wonderful edge. You can see in the picture above that it looks like there are a couple of chips in the tip of the edge. I don't know how those happened to be in the picture, as I just looked at the blade a few seconds ago and it's completely intact. Not sure about that, but rest assured; it remains undamaged.

All this to say THANK YOU to a gentleman (in every sense of the word) that wishes to remain anonymous. I will cherish your gift always.

Continuing, is their anything better than a sharp knife in your pocket? I submit to you that happiness is not a warm gun, rather a sharp knife. I love sharpening freehand. Very easy to get into a mindful state and become very aware. Plus, the beautiful line of clean steel through the patina makes me smile every time.

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Have a wonderful day guys! (And ~P)
 
Great gesture and a great knife! The people here are what makes this place so great. Good on the giver of such a generous gift.
 
Wow! It was a thrill for me to just read this story and actually feel your joy in this. I'm very happy for you and very much awed by the kindness of this mystery member who has done this. Three cheers to him/her for having done this.

What color bone is this one? It looks like it's Red Sawcut form the pic. And more pics please??

I truly love my single blade spear Charlow in Red Sawcut bone. It is the definition of a CLASSIC pocket knife. It rides in the watch pocket of my motorcycle jacket.

Thanks for sharing this, its a wonderful story and it literally warmed my heart to feel your joy and know of this kindness on the part of one of our fellow members.

More pics! :)
 
Awesome! Thanks and heck yeah the medic theme is great! Just getting off of graveyard shift with my Pemberton in left front pocket. :)
 
medicevans said:
I had been hinting heavily to my wife about a spear point pony jack for Christmas, but I won't need it now. This barlow has made me into a one knife man. Yes gentlemen, I said the words. This is THE KNIFE. It will be the knife my son remembers me using, the knife he will get someday in the (hopefully) distant future when I depart this mortal coil and embark on the next great journey.
(snip)

Continuing, is their anything better than a sharp knife in your pocket? I submit to you that happiness is not a warm gun, rather a sharp knife. I love sharpening freehand. Very easy to get into a mindful state and become very aware. Plus, the beautiful line of clean steel through the patina makes me smile every time.
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Wow, congratulations on such a fine knife, but more so on finding the one precious. That in itself is the great thing. When your hand finally closes around the one that on some deep level that you know is the one that will be in your pocket when you go. Sometimes it comes as a surprise, one that you had not even thought of. Like an unseen attack on your heart from left field, but there's no denying it.

And yes, that bright ribbon of sharpened edge running along a blade stained from use, from living a real life as a companion to your daily life. The darker it gets, the more it has become to mean to you. When it comes time to sharpen that edge back to the bright ribbon, the steady rhythmic sound and feel of the blade on stone is very meditative and relaxing.

Carl.
 
jackknife said:
Wow, congratulations on such a fine knife, but more so on finding the one precious. That in itself is the great thing. When your hand finally closes around the one that on some deep level that you know is the one that will be in your pocket when you go. Sometimes it comes as a surprise, one that you had not even thought of. Like an unseen attack on your heart from left field, but there's no denying it.

And yes, that bright ribbon of sharpened edge running along a blade stained from use, from living a real life as a companion to your daily life. The darker it gets, the more it has become to mean to you. When it comes time to sharpen that edge back to the bright ribbon, the steady rhythmic sound and feel of the blade on stone is very meditative and relaxing.

Carl.
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Very well said Carl. That's exactly how is was. There weren't angels singing, but there might as well have been. It was like finding the light switch in a dark room.

The ribbon clean steel and the patina on the rest of the blade reminds me of what I always tell my wife about my wedding ring. She has the lifetime warranty on hers. Twice or three times a year she gets the prongs around the stones checked and gets it "redipped" which I'm assuming is some kind of replating. Consequently, her ring looks beautiful and brand new almost year round. That's what she likes, so I support her decision. However, that's not for me. I have a very simple white gold band. I take it off to take a shower and that's it. It gets the heck beat out if it working and banging around outside and just general living. I'm hard on my hands. But the scratches show my life. I don't want a shiny new ring, I want it to age and show my journey.
 
medicevans said:
I have a very simple white gold band. I take it off to take a shower and that's it. It gets the heck beat out if it working and banging around outside and just general living. I'm hard on my hands. But the scratches show my life. I don't want a shiny new ring, I want it to age and show my journey.
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medicevans---I love your whole post!!! I have had the very epiphany that you have had with the same knife, except for the covers---mine are Gabon Ebony and I have laid claim on this very forum that it is "THEE" knife, my grail, quest is complete---I have found it :thumbup:

In addition, you mentioned your wedding ring---I had to highlight you quote because it describes my wedding band to a "T" as well :thumbup: Except it remains on during the shower :)

Again, great post my friend, it strikes very close to home.

That anonymous person who gifted you this priceless gift is truly a gem and a deep thanks to them as well.

GO SOX ;)

Paul
 
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Yeah, I could go with some Simichrome, and polish off the patina. It would look a lot shinier like the day GEC shipped it out. But then, I couldn't look at the stains from when Karen caught that nice fat catfish, and it ended up in a hot cast iron pan turning into golden browned fillets for dinner. Or the picnic with the canoe pulled up on the shore of a secluded inlet, and the sausage and fresh baguette, and the Gray Poupon mustard to top it off.

If I cleaned off the stains, it would be like erasing memories of times and places that pocket knife contributed to. I don't want to do that. But I will sharpen it. And that bright ribbon of shiny edge says something too. The tool is used, but well cared for. The same with your barlow. The patina on the blade with the nice sharpened edge, makes a statement.

Carl.
 
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Your post, this thread, perfect!! I'm off to take my walk, bask in the sun on this fine cold day with a smile in my heart.

Sacred Covenants, Meditative States, living life with all the scratches...
 
Thanks for sharing this great act and your discovery with us. Reading this thread put a big smile on my face:)
A huge good on you to the giver:thumbup:
 
Making that special "connection" with a knife (or a favorite pipe, deer rifle, etc) is something that is difficult to put into words. It just fits you, it becomes a part of your every day life routine. You're about as likely to walk out the door without your pants on as to leave that knife on the dresser. It's the one you always reach for, the one that's filled with memories of the past because it was there with you when those events happened. It's the one your kids remember you pulling out and using to cut the tag off that new Schwinn bicycle on Christmas Day in 1976 and it's the one you still use now to open the mail every day. It's worn and aged over time just as you have. You've both aged and grown older together through life - good times and not so good times - and it's always been there and performed it's tasks well. It's a life companion that's never let you down. You care for it and maintain it religiously, keeping it's edge plenty sharp and it's joints oiled. There are many pocket knives in the world, but this one is a trusted friend, one you feel a unique attachment too. It's not just a tool, it's a part of you, an extension of you, it lends you comfort and companionship like few other tools do.

When you find "the One", you have found one of the great enjoyments in life...
 
You had me from the beginning Medic, with a great gesture by the phantom giver (nice going, phantom of the forum!), but you really got me when you mentioned "beautiful line of clean steel"!
I went right over to the hone, and gave my favorite EDC a quick, needed touch-up.
You have really touched the heart of this business of a favorite knife. They just click into place!
I have tried a few replacements for mine, but unconsciously gravitate back to this one. It accompanied me throughout the Maritimes on my recent trip, except for brief stints in the bellies of the planes, and is in my pocket today.
I carried a Barlow for a long time in my early years, and who knows, may carry this one for the rest of my time!
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Thanks so much for your post, for sharing this knife and what it means to you.

I started grinning almost as soon as I began reading, but this part right here at the end kicked it up a notch:
medicevans said:
Have a wonderful day guys! (And ~P)
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:D

~ P.
 
Thanks for sharing this great gesture, Brian.
I´m sure,you´ll love this fine and classic pattern. I got one from Charlie as a gift some months ago and I really like the knife!
 
Charlie, honestly I never was super crazy about the barlow pattern when I was younger. They've really grown on me over the past year or so. Once I saw different knives other than the typical, what I call standard looking, barlow I got more and more interested in the humble barlow. These knives are incredibly well made, and I have no doubt they can go the distance. That single blade spear in antique yellow is a beautiful knife as well. That was the bone and blade I was going get on the pony jack. Very classic style.

I do wonder, after looking at yours, am I sharpening the edge too acutely? It seems my edge bevel is always so much taller than most people's.
 
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