A new traditionalist, thanks to Jackknife.

C

cigardoghd

Joined
Dec 18, 2013
Messages
72
There are a few things I never leave the house with. For the last couple of years that has included some sort of USA made spyderco, an old 80’s model Gerber Guardian that I won at an auction, and my trusty Glock. I reckon there’s nothing wrong with that set up.

But, lately I’ve stumbled upon this section of the forums, looking at photo after photo of sleek two and three blade wonders of yesteryear. And then, one day a couple of weeks ago, during my lunch break, I clicked on the link to Jackknife’s tales. Every day since, my lunchtime ritual has changed and I look forward to a story about a time where the man made the tools and not the other way around.

Well, one morning I decided I’d mix it up. Rather than sliding that spyderco into its usual position ever so neatly into the front pocket of my levis, I rummaged through my drawer and found an old Schrade 330T that my old man so graciously gave me a few years before he ventured into the great divide. I’d never really considered carrying it, but then I thought, why not? After all, that’s why he gave it to me. Into my change pocket it went.

It’s been a week and I’ve not wanted for the spyderco. The little Old Timer has done everything I’ve asked of it and keeps a keen edge. So, last night, I drove over to the hardware store just to have a look. Well, I ended up walking out of there with a nice bone handled trapperlock as well as a little CV “yellar” handled peanut. Couldn’t be happier.

So, a heartfelt thank you to Jackknife, for stories that bring back fond memories of camping, hunting, and wrenching on an old Harley with my pops. :thumbup:
 
cigardoghd said:
There are a few things I never leave the house with. For the last couple of years that has included some sort of USA made spyderco, an old 80’s model Gerber Guardian that I won at an auction, and my trusty Glock. I reckon there’s nothing wrong with that set up.

But, lately I’ve stumbled upon this section of the forums, looking at photo after photo of sleek two and three blade wonders of yesteryear. And then, one day a couple of weeks ago, during my lunch break, I clicked on the link to Jackknife’s tales. Every day since, my lunchtime ritual has changed and I look forward to a story about a time where the man made the tools and not the other way around.

Well, one morning I decided I’d mix it up. Rather than sliding that spyderco into its usual position ever so neatly into the front pocket of my levis, I rummaged through my drawer and found an old Schrade 330T that my old man so graciously gave me a few years before he ventured into the great divide. I’d never really considered carrying it, but then I thought, why not? After all, that’s why he gave it to me. Into my change pocket it went.

It’s been a week and I’ve not wanted for the spyderco. The little Old Timer has done everything I’ve asked of it and keeps a keen edge. So, last night, I drove over to the hardware store just to have a look. Well, I ended up walking out of there with a nice bone handled trapperlock as well as a little CV “yellar” handled peanut. Couldn’t be happier.

So, a heartfelt thank you to Jackknife, for stories that bring back fond memories of camping, hunting, and wrenching on an old Harley with my pops. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Great post. Wholehearted approval from Scotland.
 
Welcome! This place is full of great people and great knives. Look forward to hearing more about your experiences with traditional knives.



Photos always help :)
 
Mr. Carl can take the credit for many good things in the Traditional forum, and this is one of them.
 
cigardoghd, Carl has that effect on people :) My brother hardly ventures onto a computer---I know that's almost unheard of these days---he doesn't even own one!!! He didn't even have cable TV until last year and he's 52!!! I actually admire him for that. He'll go to work after hours and surf the net but very rarely.

A couple of years ago I printed out ALL of Carl's stories to that point and gave them to my brother. I put them in a binder and they reside on a small table in his bathroom. He says they're terrific stories and just perfect in length for reading while relaxing:D

I think it's great you carry your Dads knife:thumbup:

Welcome...

Paul
 
Welcome to the Tradional side and congrats on your epiphany :)

Carl's stories have been a huge source of enjoyment and nostalgia for me and I'm sure a majority in this Forum. They take us back to simple times when things were made to last, people worked hard and didn't waste things like this everything-is-disposable generation of today.
 
I imagine Carl with his pipe, glass of drink and a BBQ sandwich, saying Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen. Now if you really have met him he would just smile nod and ask to see the knife. With his pipe, drink and sandwich sitting right there. ;)
 
paulhilborn said:
A couple of years ago I printed out ALL of Carl's stories to that point and gave them to my brother. I put them in a binder and they reside on a small table in his bathroom. He says they're terrific stories and just perfect in length for reading while relaxing:D

I think it's great you carry your Dads knife:thumbup:

Welcome...

Paul
Click to expand...

Paul, that's quite an idea! I know a few of the older gents here at the shop would love to read those stories. I could bind them up and put them in the break room. I reckon Carl might ought to put out a book of short stories. I'd sure buy a few copies.
 
The first taste is often free my friend. Its all downhill for your bank account from here on out I am afraid. Welcome to the forum.
 
Wow, I'm not sure how to respond to al that, except to say thank ypou all for your kind comments.

I never set out to influence folks, but just wanted to share some old stories. When i first found the place, I was very impressed at the genteel quality of the people on tho forum. I wasn't computer person, and in fact stayed away from them. But my better half bought one and showed me hoe to browse the 'net, and I found motorcycle forums, gun forums, and of course knife forums. All of the 'other' forums I eventually stopped going to, except maybe two or three. But this place remains 90% of my internet time. It seemed like I had stumbled into a time warp, and found a front porch of some old country store like I knew when I was a kid. Some old chairs around a cracker barrel, a coffee pot on the stove inside, and some friendly like minded folks who appreciated the times long gone. Maybe a chance to slow down and smell the roses, or in this case, slow down and feel the jigging.

And slowing downs what a slip joint does. People live too fast these days. Using s slip joint traditional makes me slow down, and think about what is going on. I canslow down and have a mini moment of running a thumb down the jigged bone, or smooth horn, and appreciate the beauty of the natural materials, and way the cutlery krincked the blades to nest just right, or how the blade has developed a different patina after slicing some fruit.

Or, taking out a traditional pocket knife to do something, and having a mini moment to remember the old guys who mentored us. I can't look at an old jackknife without thinking of my dad, or our old ex=marine scoutmaster who taught u so much in a very short time. Many lessons. Like grace under pressure, and get the job done. I sure never set out to be the Pied Piper of the peanut, just was reminiscing about my dad and men like him that I knew growing up. Modest men, quiet, unassuming, but who worked the country through a great depression and then a horrific world war. But then just went on with their lives, doing a job, raining a family, and going about the business of life.

I guess I look at the old knives and see a keyhole look at the past. A trapper, stockman, an old barlow, make me think of the hard working men housed them. Of course, that very well could be the incurable romantic in me. I look at an old sheep foot sailors knife, and I think of what kind of brass stones it takes to climb up the ratlines and reef in the sails while in a storm. By contrast, I look at a modern knife with the black plastic handle and no character and I feel nothing.

Sometimes I think of the members of the liars circle. All hard working men, who legal or not, worked for a living ut in nature. Growing up around working watermen on the Chesapeake Bay, there was a lot of knives in use. It's hard to look at an old TL-29, or a stacked leather handle little finn type of knife, and not think about men who were oystermen, or trappers or even outlaw poachers who always had khaki clad uniforms after them but always seem to disappear when they had to. Of course, back then they all had the ultimate one hand knife, a sheath knife. And that almost universally a little finn made by Case, Western, or Kabar.

Welcome to the traditional side of life, cigardoghd!
 
I'm in the same situation. After having read all of Carl's stories I finally purchased a traditional last week since re-starting my affinity for sharp items a couple years ago. This recent purchase of a slipjoint outside of my SAK is my first traditional since I was given a micro two-bladed jackknife with corkscrew when I was 8 yrs old from my grandma.

I still have that knife. The plastic scales have long gone, with a big dent on one side, half the corkscrew lost in a battle with a chestnut when I was 10 and the carbon blades are duller than the nailfile on a set of nail clippers it's still precious to me as it was give to me by my grandma.

Thanks Carl.
 
Welcome, and I think you will all like to know that do to lack luster sales of the John Wayne peanut, Case has decided to run the Carl instead.



Pete
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top