A Special Knife

JK Knives

JK Knives

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Joined
Mar 6, 2001
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As some of you older members might know, last July we lost a good friend, James Babcock (udtjim). He was one of our early members, in fact, he purchased the first Kephart I ever made, before I was even a full time knifemaker. His son, Rob, posts here, and we email each other. I had asked if he would sell me one of his Dad`s knives, and he refused, saying he would just send me one. I had no idea which model Rob would send, but on Monday this arrived in the mail. It`s one of my early models, called the Pocket Kephart, and this one has tiger maple handles on it. It had a visit to the "spa" this morning, and looks as good as the day it left my shop. I`ll be carrying it along on hikes, and to our Gathering this weekend, as a remembrance of a good friend.
Thanks, Rob.

A few photos.

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udtjim.

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Very cool. I enjoyed Jim's posts and at one time I think he and I had the largest two collections of your knives. He was a down to earth man and Rob seems like a fine man in his own right.
 
i don't think i could say it any better than KYenglish. :thumbup:
 
This knife fits perfectly in a Buck 110 Folding Hunter sheath. The flap will keep me from losing it.
 
Both Mr. Babcock's are class acts.

Godspeed udtjim.

I know he is watching the JK forum.

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
Both Mr. Babcock's are class acts.

Godspeed udtjim.

I know he is watching the JK forum.

best

mqqn
Click to expand...

Not a day goes by that I don't think of Jim. He gave me my EWOK and every time I look at it I thank him.
He is greatly missed.
 
I like to I think we impart a kind of signature or imprint of whatever you might call it on things we own and really care about. This is one of the reasons why a 50 year old axe may hold an allure to some over a new piece. Why your Grandfather's shotgun or pocketknife means so much to hold and use.

I didn't really get a chance to get to know Jim here but a lot of people I respect here did. That's good enough for me.

Maybe Jim will get to attend our Gathering, get to go on hikes with John, get to smile down on us a little bit.

As Andy said....Godspeed Jim
 
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As a newbie here, it's very cool to read this story. :thumbup: for everyone involved.
 
I'm glad to see the knife will make it to PWYP. Dad would have liked that. He wanted to go himself but his health wouldn't cooperate. With luck I'll make one down the road.

Glad you got the knife okay, John! I know Dad loved it. Just be sure to keep the pipe cleaner, you know- for extra retention!:D
 
Great gesture by Rob! And a great way to remember udtjim.

Pretty cool!

Glenn
 
I'm sorry to say I didn't get to know Jim,but remember seeing a lot of his posts when I first joined BF.
That is a heck of a nice keepsake to wear & remember your lost friend by.
Thanks for posting this John,makes me glad I hang out here.Good people & great knives........yup.
 
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