- Joined
- Nov 11, 2003
- Messages
- 6,787
Well, I've been hanging out on this Busse forum for a while, and it's safe to say this is one of the best group of people I've ever had the pleasure of sharing company with. So allow me to officially introduce myself, so we can begin this relationship in earnest.
I've been an active member of Bladeforums for over 5 years, racking up close to 3,000 posts. I've tried other forums, but this was my first when I needed to find out about a knife, and it still feels like home in the knife world for me. I've bought and sold hundreds of knives, even operating a store for a while, repping for a major manufacturer as well as working with the big distributors.
My first love in knife collecting has been balisongs. I've been interested in them since childhood, mainly because 1) They are fun to flip, and 2) They were illegal where I grew up. As I started collecting balisongs, the bug was pretty severe. The balisong bug is known to be pretty strong, and I quickly became one of the more knowledgeable collectors on the forum.
To pry me away from balis is no small task, but this forum has managed to win me over with its combination of old-school charm, gentlemanly manners, and family-oriented fun. I should clarify that I'm still into balis, and that community is very important to me. I'm not moving, so to speak, just adding this place to my homes in the knife world.
In the knife community at large, there are some good people, many newcomers and fly-by-nighters, and a bunch of rotten apples. In the balisong community, which is smaller, and somewhat tight-knit, there are some really good people, but also some egos which make the entire experience a little less appealing, fun, and friendly. The bali elders, though mostly a kind bunch, don't always take the time to educate and set the tone for the up and coming collectors on the forums, although many of them are very helpful if PMd or emailed directly. Here at the Busse forum I've met mostly good folks. Folks who care. Who care to get to know you, talk to you, and also care more about their personal relations than the knives that we deal in. That, to me, speaks volumes about this place. The old-timers around here, and heck, even the company owner and staff, take the time to care for and educate the young-uns. That also shows patience, and a good heart.
Knowing a thing or two about leadership, I am sure that Jerry, Amy and Co. share alot of responsibility for setting the tone of this community, and for encouraging people to be nice, honorable, and to have fun in the hobby. But this Busse arena also attracts alot of real high-quality folks, meaning folks with integrity and with heart. Maybe also because it is a smaller community, this place is special. Those of you who have been around a while know what I mean, and I am just beginning to find out. It has been said before, but this is the best place I have found to hang out in the knife world. I hope that you guys will accept me, and that we can enjoy this hobby together for a while.
Having been in this hobby for years now, it becomes increasingly important to enjoy the folks I'm dealing with, and have a personal aspect to the whole thing. In the beginning it was more about getting the right knife; hunting down the elusive one. Sure, I got to know some good folks, but my focus was on the knives. These days, I've got lots of knives that are more than capable, and I'm more interested in sharing the hobby with like-minded individuals. So here's to knife collecting and using, and hanging out on forums with good people. My priorities have also been changing now that I am a father of a 7 month old daughter. Family-type fun starts to become more appealing when you think of your kids.
Thanks for being a great community, keeping your integrity, and providing a welcoming home for new Hogs like me. I don't travel to Blade shows and things like that, but hopefully there's room to be connected though this computer. Peace, Bali-Hogger
I've been an active member of Bladeforums for over 5 years, racking up close to 3,000 posts. I've tried other forums, but this was my first when I needed to find out about a knife, and it still feels like home in the knife world for me. I've bought and sold hundreds of knives, even operating a store for a while, repping for a major manufacturer as well as working with the big distributors.
My first love in knife collecting has been balisongs. I've been interested in them since childhood, mainly because 1) They are fun to flip, and 2) They were illegal where I grew up. As I started collecting balisongs, the bug was pretty severe. The balisong bug is known to be pretty strong, and I quickly became one of the more knowledgeable collectors on the forum.
To pry me away from balis is no small task, but this forum has managed to win me over with its combination of old-school charm, gentlemanly manners, and family-oriented fun. I should clarify that I'm still into balis, and that community is very important to me. I'm not moving, so to speak, just adding this place to my homes in the knife world.
In the knife community at large, there are some good people, many newcomers and fly-by-nighters, and a bunch of rotten apples. In the balisong community, which is smaller, and somewhat tight-knit, there are some really good people, but also some egos which make the entire experience a little less appealing, fun, and friendly. The bali elders, though mostly a kind bunch, don't always take the time to educate and set the tone for the up and coming collectors on the forums, although many of them are very helpful if PMd or emailed directly. Here at the Busse forum I've met mostly good folks. Folks who care. Who care to get to know you, talk to you, and also care more about their personal relations than the knives that we deal in. That, to me, speaks volumes about this place. The old-timers around here, and heck, even the company owner and staff, take the time to care for and educate the young-uns. That also shows patience, and a good heart.
Knowing a thing or two about leadership, I am sure that Jerry, Amy and Co. share alot of responsibility for setting the tone of this community, and for encouraging people to be nice, honorable, and to have fun in the hobby. But this Busse arena also attracts alot of real high-quality folks, meaning folks with integrity and with heart. Maybe also because it is a smaller community, this place is special. Those of you who have been around a while know what I mean, and I am just beginning to find out. It has been said before, but this is the best place I have found to hang out in the knife world. I hope that you guys will accept me, and that we can enjoy this hobby together for a while.
Having been in this hobby for years now, it becomes increasingly important to enjoy the folks I'm dealing with, and have a personal aspect to the whole thing. In the beginning it was more about getting the right knife; hunting down the elusive one. Sure, I got to know some good folks, but my focus was on the knives. These days, I've got lots of knives that are more than capable, and I'm more interested in sharing the hobby with like-minded individuals. So here's to knife collecting and using, and hanging out on forums with good people. My priorities have also been changing now that I am a father of a 7 month old daughter. Family-type fun starts to become more appealing when you think of your kids.
Thanks for being a great community, keeping your integrity, and providing a welcoming home for new Hogs like me. I don't travel to Blade shows and things like that, but hopefully there's room to be connected though this computer. Peace, Bali-Hogger
