"Carl's Lounge" (Off-Topic Discussion, Traditional Knife "Tales & Vignettes")

I picked out a knife out of my drawer of 60 or so GEC knives. I want to give my friend one for helping. We were at the depot and a young lady asked him if he had a knife and he looked ashamed to say no. I had to cut her rope with my 85.

He is a simple hard working guy. Here is what I grabbed. A perfect example with zero issues.

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What do you guys think?

I think you're a heck of a friend! :thumbup: Most awesome. Please let us hear his reaction.

-- Mark
 
Drink lots of water!

Okay, since I have come to know and care about many of you as sort of an on line extended family, I have to pass on a warning from what I've been having a very painful lesson in. Kidney stones.

Sorry to hear this, Carl. Hope you're feeling better bit by bit. I do drink lots of water, and almost no soda. Admittedly, too much coffee, though.

-- Mark
 
Hey Mark :) He loves it. Used it a few times while we were building the deck. He told me it will be appreciated greatly and he won't lose track of it. He is a great friend too. He would have helped for free, but I figured some money, gas and that knife would raise his spirits. He was recently laid off from his government job. If he was working he would not have taken anything for the help, he never would have.
 
Hey Mark :) He loves it. Used it a few times while we were building the deck. He told me it will be appreciated greatly and he won't lose track of it. He is a great friend too. He would have helped for free, but I figured some money, gas and that knife would raise his spirits. He was recently laid off from his government job. If he was working he would not have taken anything for the help, he never would have.

That's great. I've often wondering how many (any?) non knife nerds carry/use GEC knives. Now, I reckon, there's at least one. :)

-- Mark
 
Carl,

I hope it is over this week. Had one of those "stints" put in earlier this year and removed. Geez, I am still not sure what I enjoyed the most, the stone(s), stint going in, dealing with the stint while it was in or stint coming out. None was very much fun at all.

Check your mailbox around Thursday or Friday at the latest :).

g
 
Thanks Gus. It was over yesterday. The doc told me to take a deep breath and hold it. Then he pulled out the stent. Let me tell ya, it was downright attention getting!!!:eek:

I feel like a new man. Hope I never have to deal with that again.:D

Carl.
 
I live in a small town in the SF Bay Area. I always have a knife or two on me. Sometimes I carry a fixed blade (Mora or Sharpfinger or something, small/sharp and unassuming). I went to music in the park the other night with my wife and daughter. Guy comes up with his wife and kid. Kid in his early twenties. Seemed like a nice family, but he had a MASSIVE knife on his belt. The practical tactical guys would know what it was...nice knife, but even I was taken aback. Probably an 8-10" blade. I own ONE knife that big. And I never carry it. Saw him at Safeway two days later...wife saw the knife this time. She was appalled. It's weird, he seems like a nice guy, but carrying a knife that big all the time? He was dressed in baggy jeans and a shirt, not fatigues. Normal kid. But, the only thing I can think is a misguided idea about self defense? Can't think of another reason for carrying a knife that big on a daily basis.

Anyway, it was interesting, because I love knives, but even I was like, 'woah, that is a SERIOUS' knife...he gonna cut up an apple with that???'. Nice knife. Not a work knife...lots of fisherman here, but you ain't slicing open a fish with that. This ever happen to anybody else...made me feel weird.
 
Good for him for exercising his legal right. Carrying a fixed blade in California is legal, as long as it's done openly. Doesn't matter how big the knife is. As long as he wasn't brandishing it I don't have a problem, even though I do think it foolish. But I'm glad the kid did it. Rights need to be exercised occassionally, if only to remind the rest of us that they exist.

Can't think of another reason for carrying a knife that big on a daily basis.

Not really anyone's business is it? That guy could say the same thing of you if he found out about hundreds of knives you have at home.

BTW, are you talking about the Thursday concerts at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord? The family and I go a few times during the summer.

- Christian
 
I live in a small town in the SF Bay Area. I always have a knife or two on me. Sometimes I carry a fixed blade (Mora or Sharpfinger or something, small/sharp and unassuming). I went to music in the park the other night with my wife and daughter. Guy comes up with his wife and kid. Kid in his early twenties. Seemed like a nice family, but he had a MASSIVE knife on his belt. The practical tactical guys would know what it was...nice knife, but even I was taken aback. Probably an 8-10" blade. I own ONE knife that big. And I never carry it. Saw him at Safeway two days later...wife saw the knife this time. She was appalled. It's weird, he seems like a nice guy, but carrying a knife that big all the time? He was dressed in baggy jeans and a shirt, not fatigues. Normal kid. But, the only thing I can think is a misguided idea about self defense? Can't think of another reason for carrying a knife that big on a daily basis.

Anyway, it was interesting, because I love knives, but even I was like, 'woah, that is a SERIOUS' knife...he gonna cut up an apple with that???'. Nice knife. Not a work knife...lots of fisherman here, but you ain't slicing open a fish with that. This ever happen to anybody else...made me feel weird.

I occasionally carry a large traditional bowie, and to be honest I've never cut a thing with it when I do...I just like the notion that once people wore a 6 gun and bowie on their belt, especially where I live they would have. Its really not practical but I do like to do it every once in a while, and when I'm not in town I'll put my 6 gun on as well. Its legal for me to open carry, but I dont want to draw attention to myself until I have my citizenship (then I will be fully exercising my rights).
 
I live in a small town in the SF Bay Area. I always have a knife or two on me. Sometimes I carry a fixed blade (Mora or Sharpfinger or something, small/sharp and unassuming). I went to music in the park the other night with my wife and daughter. Guy comes up with his wife and kid. Kid in his early twenties. Seemed like a nice family, but he had a MASSIVE knife on his belt. The practical tactical guys would know what it was...nice knife, but even I was taken aback. Probably an 8-10" blade. I own ONE knife that big. And I never carry it. Saw him at Safeway two days later...wife saw the knife this time. She was appalled. It's weird, he seems like a nice guy, but carrying a knife that big all the time? He was dressed in baggy jeans and a shirt, not fatigues. Normal kid. But, the only thing I can think is a misguided idea about self defense? Can't think of another reason for carrying a knife that big on a daily basis.

Anyway, it was interesting, because I love knives, but even I was like, 'woah, that is a SERIOUS' knife...he gonna cut up an apple with that???'. Nice knife. Not a work knife...lots of fisherman here, but you ain't slicing open a fish with that. This ever happen to anybody else...made me feel weird.

I guess I view things a bit differently. I've taken a lot of guff over my lifetime for doing things that were legal and harmless, but which other people disagreed with and thought they needed to share their opinions with me. It gets old after a while. If people want to see something that needs changed, they should go look in the mirror. I'm sure they could find plenty there to work on.

My apologies for coming down hard on your post. It wasn't so much the post as a convenient opportunity for me to hop up on my soapbox.

And to sort of answer your question, when I see someone doing something that strikes me as a bit odd, I usually think, "That's a bit different." Then I think, "Good for you for having the guts to be the kind of person you want to be instead of trying to conform to everyone else's expectations."
 
I occasionally carry a large traditional bowie, and to be honest I've never cut a thing with it when I do...I just like the notion that once people wore a 6 gun and bowie on their belt, especially where I live they would have. Its really not practical but I do like to do it every once in a while, and when I'm not in town I'll put my 6 gun on as well. Its legal for me to open carry, but I dont want to draw attention to myself until I have my citizenship (then I will be fully exercising my rights).

Robert, you brought back a memory that always makes me laugh. Back in the 1970s I was working for the Forest Service out of Vernal, Utah. One day a buddy and I decided to head up near Flaming Gorge (a national recreation area up in the mountains - lots of people by local standards, many from other parts of the country) and do some fishing and shooting. Out there you could shoot pretty much anyplace as long as there weren't livestock in the way, and pretty much everyone had a gun in their vehicle. We stopped by a place called the Red Canyon Lodge for breakfast, but took our Dan Wesson .357 magnums off and left them in the truck. When we went back out, we strapped them back on, started to get in the truck, then changed our minds and decided to walk around their fish pond for a couple of minutes. The pond is right outside an all glass wall that is on one side of the restaurant. We were standing there minding our own business when the lady that ran the restaurant came out and asked us if we'd please leave our guns in the vehicle when we were strolling around outside the restaurant. It didn't bother her, but it was making some of the tourists a little bit nervous.
 
Robert, you brought back a memory that always makes me laugh. Back in the 1970s I was working for the Forest Service out of Vernal, Utah. One day a buddy and I decided to head up near Flaming Gorge (a national recreation area up in the mountains - lots of people by local standards, many from other parts of the country) and do some fishing and shooting. Out there you could shoot pretty much anyplace as long as there weren't livestock in the way, and pretty much everyone had a gun in their vehicle. We stopped by a place called the Red Canyon Lodge for breakfast, but took our Dan Wesson .357 magnums off and left them in the truck. When we went back out, we strapped them back on, started to get in the truck, then changed our minds and decided to walk around their fish pond for a couple of minutes. The pond is right outside an all glass wall that is on one side of the restaurant. We were standing there minding our own business when the lady that ran the restaurant came out and asked us if we'd please leave our guns in the vehicle when we were strolling around outside the restaurant. It didn't bother her, but it was making some of the tourists a little bit nervous.

Great post! I got a chuckle out of that. :D
 
Maybe I wasn't clear (and it was in Benicia), I don't have any problem with it per se. Like I said, he seemed like a nice kid. I am stoked that I live in CA when it comes to knife laws. It just struck me as odd. I should have said, it was also a brand new looking knife. Expensive knife. I didn't feel in danger in any way, and, lord knows, let the kid carry it...it just struck me as odd. Especially as someone who loves knives. Like taking dynamite to the local fishing hole. I cast no judgment on any man (I have done (and continue to do) my share of civilly disobedient things - I believe in individual's rights to do what they feel is best...and he wasn't even breaking any laws)...I just couldn't make sense of it. Young kid, tiny baby, wife...why haul that much steel? Maybe I should have kept my wondering to myself seeing as how the thread got moved and I seem to have said more than I intended somehow.

It was a nice looking knife. Half me was wondering, the other half wanted to ask him to bust it out. YMMV
 
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Point being, my wife thinks I'm knife stupid. This was the first time I've ever thought, 'wow, why'? Carry on. :)
 
Pretty morning here in north central KS! its decieving though, its going to be scorching hot again...stay cool for those that have to work in the heat!

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That's an awesome photo Robert. Supposed to be hot here all week then cool down a little on Sunday with highs in the lower 90's.
Jim
 
I just couldn't make sense of it. Young kid, tiny baby, wife...why haul that much steel?
Considering where you live, maybe he felt that was the best way to protect his family while remaining legal? ;)
Either way, Kudos to him for exercising his rights.
-Bruce
 
Considering where you live, maybe he felt that was the best way to protect his family while remaining legal? ;)
Either way, Kudos to him for exercising his rights.
-Bruce

I can see that as valid. Having been in the position of having three little ones at one time, there were times I wore a sheath knife as backup to my blackthorn stick. Nothing is as important as protecting your cubs. The People's Republic Of Maryland does not allow CCW, so my sheath knife and stick were all I could carry when we took the kids to the park.

Carl.
 
Anyone still take a family vacation? The summer vacation season has been here for about a month now, with the arrival of Memorial Day. Where is everyone going? I usually take some day trips in July.

Staying home on the 4th, work on a new fence for my Houdini pups, mow the acre back yard with a push mower (whew!) and work in the garden. Relax with a few hard ciders and some burgers in the afternoon. Depending on the heat. Going to town about 5 minutes away to see the fireworks, or, if I'm tuckered out, or sauced, gonna watch the display the neighborhood puts on.

That weekend, I'd like to take a trip up to Cabelas in PA.

On my birthday, I'm doing a lot of driving. Bass Pro in Harrisburg, Indian Echo Caverns nearby, Roots farmers market near Lancaster, a knife shop on the other side of Lancaster and then about an hour ride home. All of them open around 9, all are about an hour from me, but I'll have a lot of driving ahead of me. Gotta narrow it down.

This would be the week that my family usually goes down the ocean, but we go the end of the month, so my family will get to be at home for the Farm Days, and see the horse pulls, in Delta PA.

The 14th is the local Howard County powwow at the Howard County fairgrounds. Any members on here should go check it out, you'll have a great time. Good dancing, good food, great regalia (don't call the dancers regalia a costume!).

The 21st I'd like to take a trip to southern MD around St Marys.

The following weekend, I'm going to OC for our annual family reunion type get together. We rent a couple beach houses near RTE 90 in OC proper. The aunts come down for two weeks, everyone else for a week. We have a big crab feast on Sunday. I plan on taking my sisters boyfriend and my little brother up to a local knife shop up the road a ways in DE, a trip down to Chincoteague and Crisfield, and if the flies aren't too bad (sheesh), a day trip on Assateague, hiking in the national park side. Would like to take the Lewes ferry to Cape May NJ, and maybe spend the night in Atlantic City. I like going to OC for a long weekend, but when it comes to a week, which is what I rented a place for this year, I got to get out of the city. Too much hustle bustle, and bad food! Only a few places left to get a good breakfast, or good piece of fish, even a good crabcake. They're either packed, sold to make room for hotels, or went out of business.

August is going to be a lot of work getting the place ready for my parents 40TH anniversary party, through to the party in September. I foresee Gatorade stock going up through the heat.
 
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