Another “Old Timers” BF Thread.

G

Gene

Joined
Oct 2, 1998
Messages
1,781
Here I go again bringing up another old timers thread from us old guys that used to be here from the beginning? Doe’s anyone remember Bald1 and some others from the old days? No big deal and I just have such good memories about those long ago days when knife talk was just getting started and Mike and Kevin started this great, original website.

As always, kudos to Kevin for being here and maintaining this site all these years! God bless all!
 
It's been a minute for sure, age catches up with the best of us and I do remember B bald1 out there in SD, we both had folders made by Rob Simonich, who passed away far too young.

And I still have this Scrabble square that you sent me years ago ;)

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Keep safe sir and stay well
G2
 
Very cool Gary and I’m honored you still have that.Ya, Rob was one of the best. The walking 🤠 and a gifted knifemaker. You should post sometimes all the giants of knifemaking you’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with. Your history is fascinating.

You too stay in good health and peace. All the best.
 
Here’s the thread about the folder that I won, wow way back in 1999!

T

Thread 'Talonite (r) knife contest winner'

The winner of the EDI Genesis Talonite (r) knife and the EDI Genesis steel knife is Gary W Graley whose entry is below. The contest was actually a drawing. The reasons were for fun but this is a pretty clever entry.

Thanks to all who entered.

tom


Gary W. Graley
Senior Member posted 01 July 1999 02:08 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for the knife, I like to say a few words abou....what? Oh I thought I won....hmmm why should I win, cause as over 2,000 others on this forum, I haven't won anything yet? Not...

G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Here’s the thread about the folder that I won, wow way back in 1999!

T

Thread 'Talonite (r) knife contest winner'

The winner of the EDI Genesis Talonite (r) knife and the EDI Genesis steel knife is Gary W Graley whose entry is below. The contest was actually a drawing. The reasons were for fun but this is a pretty clever entry.

Thanks to all who entered.

tom


Gary W. Graley
Senior Member posted 01 July 1999 02:08 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for the knife, I like to say a few words abou....what? Oh I thought I won....hmmm why should I win, cause as over 2,000 others on this forum, I haven't won anything yet? Not...

G2
Click to expand...

That’s good stuff! 😂 Any chance you hung onto it?
 
Would that I had, but no such luck...
G2
 
Boy, some great stuff has passed through our hands over the years. We were lucky to “babysit” them for awhile.
 
Boy, just remembering and truly not bragging because I was working 2 and sometimes 3 jobs back then and my extra money, (if I had any!), went for knives.

I remember I bought and traded knives until I had the complete catalog of IMHO the greatest knife maker of them all, Kit Carson. I had every one of his magnificent knives at the time! We even did a trade where I sent him one of my air guns and he made me a special BAK folder which was rarer than hen’s teeth and a one off.

Like you Gary, I wish I had hung on to a couple of the great knives that passed through my hands back then. Good memories all though!
 
Kit Carson was a legend for sure and his knives showed it, sad he's no longer with us. Never met or talked with him but always liked his designs.

Looks like it's just you and me on this last round up partner!

Butch_Sundance by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
Ya, looks like it my friend. We’re dinosaurs now but we, (and so many other great guys), helped in small ways to make BF the success it is today. Again though, what a great time those early days were!

Move on you old farts, we young-ins are what’s happening like you guys were back in the day. That’s correct and that’s life. Just kidding because even the young-ins now are mostly great knife lovers and knowledgeable and good guys.

Ya, Kit was the real deal. He never took his great talent or fame to his head. He would always answer questions to anyone and was always a gentleman but also loved to joke around. He never “kowtowed” to his a.. kis..ng admirers like some other makers did just to get them to order their knives, (boy, I could tell you stories where I called a couple of famous knife maker’s out for that very thing!). He was a stalwart of the knife community and I wish I would have hung on to at least one of his masterpieces.
 
I remember when just about every active knife maker used to be on here and we would all engage freely on the General Discussion forum. We didn’t have a fee structure, we didn’t have the endless bunker silos we use today and if we wanted to discuss knife making, politics, tell jokes or announce new items we could all do it there. Yes, it sometimes got warm and it was helpful to wear flame retardant suits during those moments, but the information flow was great. Then again the place was much smaller, there were only a couple of thousand registered users and I remember reading the entire content of Bladeforums in well under a week.

This was back when getting to your first 100 posts was considered a milestone and you were instantly dubbed with the title of Senior Member. :oops:

N2s
 
Do you guys remember when Ed Fowler played an April Fools joke on us and started a rukus?

He posted that he had found an authentic trade knife from the Louis and Clark expedition and had decided to test it to destruction to learn about its metal properties.

This Expedition:
en.wikipedia.org

Lewis and Clark Expedition - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

It started a lively discussion on the propriety of destroying rare antique national artifacts, which went on for a few days before Ed admitted that he was pulling a prank.

N2s
 
Excellent post N2s!

Like Thomas Wolfe supposedly said, “you can’t go back home again”. I understand what he meant and I know you cannot go back but the memories will always give great comfort as life passes so quickly.

I just can’t forget the wonderful memories I have of discovering BF all those many years ago and the thrill of like minded folks who did the same.

I still love knives, I still love this great, enduring site that I don’t frequent much anymore but keep on keepin’ on!
 
not2sharp said:
Do you guys remember when Ed Fowler played an April Fools joke on us and started a rukus?

He posted that he had found an authentic trade knife from the Louis and Clark expedition and had decided to test it to destruction to learn about its metal properties.

This Expedition:
en.wikipedia.org

Lewis and Clark Expedition - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

It started a lively discussion on the propriety of destroying rare antique national artifacts, which went on for a few days before Ed admitted that he was pulling a prank.

N2s
Click to expand...

Boy N2 I don’t remembered that but that’s great stuff!

Wow, Ed Fowler,
I remember at a knife show once when he was really coming aboard with his wonderful stuff and writing neat magazine articles, I went up to him and asked him if his knives were as good as he said they were in some of his articles in magazines at the time. I was polite (and I know what a stupid question to ask!), and he got kind of offended and grabbed one of his knives and said, “look at this” and he offered it up to me. I took it from him and was so impressed with the fit and finish and asked “how much”? He said $350.00 and at the time I had little extra money so I passed. Great opportunities missed! 😅😖
 
Fellow OG here. You guys are not alone.

I lurked a few years and used to laugh at just how “into knives” guys on here were. I’d come here searching for answers to questions I had about knives (and get them), but didn’t sign up. Why not?…..

I didn’t want to get “addicted to knives” like all of you clowns. Welp, I guess the red nose and floppy shoes fit.🤡 Been registered since 4/2/01, lurked since ‘98.

BF has changed. A lot. And evolved. Not sure if it’s for the better or worse, but one thing I can say with certainty is there are a hell of a lot of people interested in knives these days.

I think that’s positive overall. Sure, we might get snaked on a few things we want to acquire, but it’s good to see our hobby strong.

New blood coming in and lots of it. Hopefully passing it down. Knives ain’t “serious bidness”, but long live the love of blades.✊
 
AntDog said:
Fellow OG here. You guys are not alone.

I lurked a few years and used to laugh at just how “into knives” guys on here were. I’d come here searching for answers to questions I had about knives (and get them), but didn’t sign up. Why not?…..

I didn’t want to get “addicted to knives” like all of you clowns. Welp, I guess the red nose and floppy shoes fit.🤡 Been registered since 4/2/01, lurked since ‘98.

BF has changed. A lot. And evolved. Not sure if it’s for the better or worse, but one thing I can say with certainty is there are a hell of a lot of people interested in knives these days.

I think that’s positive overall. Sure, we might get snaked on a few things we want to acquire, but it’s good to see our hobby strong.

New blood coming in and lots of it. Hopefully passing it down. Knives ain’t “serious bidness”, but long live the love of blades.✊
Click to expand...

What can I say? Another great post from another “red nosed” knife addicted clown! 😉

Something about knives that is the equivalent of great art and creativity that illicits great creativity and imagination. Knives are tools of course but they are also wonderful works of art.
 
Gene said:
What can I say? Another great post from another “red nosed” knife addicted clown! 😉

Something about knives that is the equivalent of great art and creativity that illicits great creativity and imagination. Knives are tools of course but they are also wonderful works of art.
Click to expand...

Which brings up that other member that we lost way too early. The energetic clowning antics of Vampire Gerbil kept us all entertained for years. The application form he shared with us for dating his daughters was a classic. Unfortunately, it ended in a hellacious tragedy. It is good to recall the many great members who once shared these forums and the many who have come since.

n2s.
 
not2sharp said:
Which brings up that other member that we lost way too early. The energetic clowning antics of Vampire Gerbil kept us all entertained for years. The application form he shared with us for dating his daughters was a classic. Unfortunately, it ended in a hellacious tragedy. It is good to recall the many great members who once shared these forums and the many who have come since.

n2s.
Click to expand...
Ughhhhhh. That hurt like hell. VG was a favorite. I’ve prayed many times for their family.
 
AntDog said:
Ughhhhhh. That hurt like hell. VG was a favorite. I’ve prayed many times for their family.
Click to expand...

Post #5 on the thread below is a good intro to VG's brand of humor: (unfortunately the photos are gone, but if you could imagine a 6'6" tall 300+ pound middle age guy, covered in tattoos and wearing lacy lady's evening wear and combat boots- you begin to get an idea of how he often presented himself

Vampire Gerbil

Post in thread 'A day in the life of Bladeforums...:)'

Yeah, like I was gonna pass THIS up!!

MR. WOBLEBOTTOM: As the voice of reason, I feel it is my duty to advise you, Newbiefreddie, that you're incredibly irresponsible! Your wife is in dire need of medical attention and you should not take time out to post here and wait for replies.
My advice is to call 4-1-1 for the number to 9-1-1 and request an ambulance immediately!!!

MR. WOMBLETOP: I'm afraid that I must disagree with Mr. Womblebottom, as usual. Due to the fact that Newbie Fred (That's his name, you moron, LOOK!) is a newbie, he's yet to realize the wheretofores and whatnots...

n2s
 
Back when I joined in 10/98 I think it was from doing research on my first fancy knife purchase in 10 years, a BM mini AFCK in ATS-34!
 
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