- Joined
- Nov 30, 2001
- Messages
- 13,564
As I sit amongst the rising pile of leather shavings and scraps, and an ever increasing stack of sheaths in various stages of finish I have some thoughts. I have been watching my little business grow by leaps and bounds in the past coupla years. I've done work for Benchmade, and a few un named custom makers, and countless collectors.....but one stands out above all others. Busse Combat is the single most responsible entity in my success and ultimate happiness, at least 80% of my business is related to Busse knives, and not much lesser to Swamp Rat. What started out as an obsession with an indestructable knife has turned into the business that is about to make my family self supporting! 
This summer my wife is coming to join me in Armoralleather!!! She is going to handle all paper trails and monetary things, she is to be my business manager and accountant (I know, be afraid, very afraid...... 
) Its going to be a rough start for her as I am the worst possible person at paperwork and files that has ever walked the earth. 
I cannot put into words my appreciation to Jerry and crew for helping this to happen. I get to handle the knives I love combined with the craft I love, now I will have the wife I love right in the mix. Not many of us get to have their cake and eat it too, and I feel very very priviledged to be able to make my passion pay the bills. I wish there was a way to thank Busse Combat for what they have done for me and my family, its a dream come true, and yes there is a tear in my eye. I have worked so hard for so long to get here, sacrificed a lot, my wife sacrificed so much as well and I can never, and will never stop repaying her for that. I can finally bring her home to stay, be with our daughter, and make the most of life rather that fiddling it away at a regular job.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Jerry for making the best knives on the planet, and for giving me so much more than just my picture on your website. Some day I will be able to meet you and shake the hand of the man that made my craft into a true dream. I'm working 12-16 hours a day Seven days a week and loving every minute of it, and yea I do take time off for the family, when they drag me off the bench. I can show you the claw marks!
A huge thank you goes out to all the hogs that helped so much as well. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for every one of the great people I get to work with daily. If it werent for y'all thered be no Armoralleather, heck no Busse either (gods forbid ) We all spend far too much on our toys, and things to wrap those toys in, and I appreciate all that money floating around! I could have worse hobbies, like collecting cars, or ugh, coins! We started writing down all the Busse's and Rats in my collection and their value, got real scared and stopped when it hit over 4 grand 
Yep, I am a lightweight!
OK off my soapbox and getting Jerry off that pedastle, my wife wants it back!
That said, its my sad duty to let everyone know that I'm not making Blade yet again this year, too much "life" getting in the way. Bad front toof, I dont wanna snaggle tooth grin for the pics at Blade next year, I look hillbilly enough! Darn absess that will not go away. That will hit the wallet a little hard, and the house thing is getting close and with 1500 to raise its just bad timing all around.
But, on the bright side, I WILL be at Blade next year even if I have to walk and have a big toothless grin!!! I have already marked a big jar Blade 06 and its gonna have enough in it to go and get a toy or two. Anyone up for a San Antonio Blade Pity Party in June? Hopefully at my "new" house?
Oh and before I forget... the pissed on, off, all over, wasnt aimed at Jerry or any entity thereof, I got the feeling some thought it that way. Its another people or persons totally unrelated to the hogs of the trough. SOrry for any mis communication. :footinmou
This summer my wife is coming to join me in Armoralleather!!! She is going to handle all paper trails and monetary things, she is to be my business manager and accountant (I know, be afraid, very afraid...... ) Its going to be a rough start for her as I am the worst possible person at paperwork and files that has ever walked the earth. I cannot put into words my appreciation to Jerry and crew for helping this to happen. I get to handle the knives I love combined with the craft I love, now I will have the wife I love right in the mix. Not many of us get to have their cake and eat it too, and I feel very very priviledged to be able to make my passion pay the bills. I wish there was a way to thank Busse Combat for what they have done for me and my family, its a dream come true, and yes there is a tear in my eye. I have worked so hard for so long to get here, sacrificed a lot, my wife sacrificed so much as well and I can never, and will never stop repaying her for that. I can finally bring her home to stay, be with our daughter, and make the most of life rather that fiddling it away at a regular job.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Jerry for making the best knives on the planet, and for giving me so much more than just my picture on your website. Some day I will be able to meet you and shake the hand of the man that made my craft into a true dream. I'm working 12-16 hours a day Seven days a week and loving every minute of it, and yea I do take time off for the family, when they drag me off the bench. I can show you the claw marks!
A huge thank you goes out to all the hogs that helped so much as well. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for every one of the great people I get to work with daily. If it werent for y'all thered be no Armoralleather, heck no Busse either (gods forbid ) We all spend far too much on our toys, and things to wrap those toys in, and I appreciate all that money floating around!
I could have worse hobbies, like collecting cars, or ugh, coins! We started writing down all the Busse's and Rats in my collection and their value, got real scared and stopped when it hit over 4 grand Yep, I am a lightweight!OK off my soapbox and getting Jerry off that pedastle, my wife wants it back!
That said, its my sad duty to let everyone know that I'm not making Blade yet again this year, too much "life" getting in the way. Bad front toof, I dont wanna snaggle tooth grin for the pics at Blade next year, I look hillbilly enough! Darn absess that will not go away. That will hit the wallet a little hard, and the house thing is getting close and with 1500 to raise its just bad timing all around.
But, on the bright side, I WILL be at Blade next year even if I have to walk and have a big toothless grin!!! I have already marked a big jar Blade 06 and its gonna have enough in it to go and get a toy or two. Anyone up for a San Antonio Blade Pity Party in June? Hopefully at my "new" house? Oh and before I forget... the pissed on, off, all over, wasnt aimed at Jerry or any entity thereof, I got the feeling some thought it that way. Its another people or persons totally unrelated to the hogs of the trough. SOrry for any mis communication. :footinmou
