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

[coyote711]

Sure, manual labor, like traditional knives require more effort but I also find far greater satisfaction. Don't give me wrong, I love some modern flippers and such but, I still love my traditional knives that give me satisfaction simply by using them. Maybe I am weird, maybe I am getting slightly insane perhaps I am onto something.

In Finland there's old proverb, that is very hard to translate but its rough translate is: "Its the work that will thank the laborer." Its also one my mother's favorite proverbs. I never knew what that ment, until I started making manua labor myself. What did I learned then. You should listen your mom... always.

I don't think you're weird or getting insane at all, Jani! Excellent post. :thumbup: In one of my "past lives" I was a CPA - it got to where, at the end of the day, I wasn't feeling much satisfaction - what did I have to show for my labor ..... at first a bunch of papers with columns of numbers, and later when computers took over, just a bunch of printed reports with columns of numbers. I know that's an over-simplification, but I get much more satisfaction from, say planting 160 acres of corn, or hauling a load of fertilizer from the plant to the field.

BTW, Jackknife's posts always give me "food for thought" - yours are starting to have the same effect.

 

[thejamppa]

BTW, Jackknife's posts always give me "food for thought" - yours are starting to have the same effect.

There's still plenty way me to go for that but I take that as compliment. Jackknife is gentleman of his own league. I hope one to be even half of the gentleman he is

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

I'm looking for some opinions. And since there seems to be a fair number of us older people here, I thought I would ask here. And even you youngsters too. Wisdom knows no age.

I'm seriously considering a career change that would require me to go back to school for a couple of years. I'm thinking of "upping" my EMT level to Paramedic. But at 51, it's been a while since I've sat in a classroom. At my age, do you think it might be worth the effort? Or am I getting too long in the tooth. I do plan to consult the Medics I know about the opportunities. But I'm kind of interested in what you guys think about being the old guy in the room.

Dale

 

[Blues]

If the desire and the motivation are there I wouldn't let age deter me.
Temper any decision, however, with a realistic assessment of whether there will be any hindrance to your being taken on by your potential employers due to age and benefits issues.

Good luck! I hope you are able to realize your goal!

 

[jackknife]

Made it through the 3rd set of layoffs on my corporate job today. Odd in that we had our best year yet last year and are beating that this year as well as taking market share. Got called into an office you don't want to be in and was told I was staying, but am loosing most of my staff, I knew that was coming, but now there are only three of us. Anyway, I am glad plan B is working out in the shops. We have actually been making a profit the last 4 months. Not bad for having started the dog joints last Sept.

Not much of a drinker, but got home and popped a beer. (Harps Lager) Got the chick magnet (14 y.o. Buick ) out of the shop today . All is well. I think I'll go look at that beautiful knife Steve posted again and check out the Sheffield thread a little more closely. Looks like Mick posted some new ones out of his collection today, but I did not have time to take a goo look. I imagine I will be wiping drool off of my chin before it is over.

Congrats on making it another day!!:thumbup:

I know the feeling, they kept on reducing my personel in my old job, untill they found a place in Mexico to make the stuff, then laid us all off. I had been there for almost 20 years, but it made no difference to the guys in the board room who wanted to see a higher proffit margin. Felt kind of funny to be tossed out the door after all that time. Karen and I took a month long trip around the country that summer to see all the National parks to celibrate my new unemployed status.

Hang in there bud!:thumbup:

 

[jackknife]

Hi,

I'm looking for some opinions. And since there seems to be a fair number of us older people here, I thought I would ask here. And even you youngsters too. Wisdom knows no age.

I'm seriously considering a career change that would require me to go back to school for a couple of years. I'm thinking of "upping" my EMT level to Paramedic. But at 51, it's been a while since I've sat in a classroom. At my age, do you think it might be worth the effort? Or am I getting too long in the tooth. I do plan to consult the Medics I know about the opportunities. But I'm kind of interested in what you guys think about being the old guy in the room.

Dale

You're never too old to learn more and better yourself!

Go for it, Dale.:thumbup:

 

[jackknife]

Sure, manual labor, like traditional knives require more effort but I also find far greater satisfaction. Don't give me wrong, I love some modern flippers and such but, I still love my traditional knives that give me satisfaction simply by using them. Maybe I am weird, maybe I am getting slightly insane perhaps I am onto something.

In Finland there's old proverb, that is very hard to translate but its rough translate is: "Its the work that will thank the laborer." Its also one my mother's favorite proverbs. I never knew what that ment, until I started making manua labor myself. What did I learned then. You should listen your mom... always.

This is why I don't own any power tools anymore. I get a weird satisfaction using the old hand tools.

Last summer I had to replace the 2X4's that make up my back deck. I got the lumber and cut every one of the pieces with a hand saw. It felt great to use the old tools where I could feel every cut as the teeth on that old Ames Fork And Hoe company saw going throught the wood. Where I needed to notch the few 2X4's to fit around a $x$ upright, I used one of dad's old chisels I sharpened up, and a wood mallet. Now I look out on the deck and feel a real sense of accomplishment. Every board hand cut. I loved every moment of using a square and hand saw. Even if I did take 4 Ibuprophin at a time after!

Granddad always said a bit of sweat makes job more rewarding.

 

[Trent Rock]

This is a picture of a porch I took in Angels Camp, CA
It had that Pure Americana feel I love so much......

I just got back from a 2 week vacation in Colorado (and Northern New Mexico)
I have to say that I saw a lot of traditional knives on the people's belts:thumbup:
The traditional knife wearing culture is still alive!! (Not in California though : )

I'm still about 20% tactical/black matte/modern knives
80% old skool Schrade, Buck, Camillus,Western...........
Something about holding an OLD knife
Especially grandpa's, uncle's or Cousin Butch's knives
It's the history aspect of knife collecting I love

You guys got saliva and sharpening stones lying around this here porch?
Maybe, I'll stop by and sharpening up some steel with ya'll...........

BTW.....Trent went to his 1st RODEO!!! W00t!!!

 

[coyote711]

Hi,

I'm looking for some opinions. And since there seems to be a fair number of us older people here, I thought I would ask here. And even you youngsters too. Wisdom knows no age.

I'm seriously considering a career change that would require me to go back to school for a couple of years. I'm thinking of "upping" my EMT level to Paramedic. But at 51, it's been a while since I've sat in a classroom. At my age, do you think it might be worth the effort? Or am I getting too long in the tooth. I do plan to consult the Medics I know about the opportunities. But I'm kind of interested in what you guys think about being the old guy in the room.

Dale

Hi Dale! Elliott's caveat is the only potential downside I could think of: "Temper any decision, however, with a realistic assessment of whether there will be any hindrance to your being taken on by your potential employers due to age and benefits issues."

30+ years ago, after serving 4 years in the military and a few years of working, I used the G.I. Bill to go to college. I believe I was 27 or 28 years old at the time - that may sound "young" compared to your age of 51, but back in the late 1970's and early 80's most college students were 17 or 18 years old, and right out of high school. So I was definitely the "old guy" in most of my classes. I think now days it's much more common for people your age to find themselves back in the classroom, and you may not feel so "old" after all!

If you feel stale, or like you're stagnating in your current position, and are willing and able to assume more responsibility, then I, too, say "Go for it!" :thumbup: I think the classroom work will come easier than you may think - it sure did for me. I was in high school because I had to be there; I was in college because I wanted to be there. That makes all the difference in the world.

Sorry for rambling on ..... just putting in my .02.

 

[thejamppa]

dalee100, man is too old to learn something new only when he can't breath no more. Aslong we're alive, we can learn something new. Question is, if we're motivated. I know 51 y-o woman, who upgraded her levels to full time nurse and sat 2 years in bench to get that. She said after making it: It was best decision she ever made.

 

[dalee100]

Hi,

Thanks for your advise guys. It's much appreciated. It's a scary step to consider taking. When you get older you can't afford a mistake as easily. I'd like to think I can do the classroom part. Heck, I've worked in the back of the bus for over 15 years as a volunteer. But it's still a bit scary, a lot more medical theory involved.

Jani and Keith, those are stories that give me some courage to do some talking to some Medics who are close to my age about the job prospects for us "older" types.

Hey Trent, Rodeo's are a blast. Now you just to work up the courage to climb up on one of those ponies.

Dale

 

[mnblade]

It's a scary step to consider taking. When you get older you can't afford a mistake as easily.

Back in high school, I had an old football coach who used to preach that most injuries happen when you're going less than full speed.

I think that translates well to life in general. Wisdom is GREAT. But fear, which people sometimes mistake for wisdom, is a hindrance nine times out of 10. As Coach P would say during those brutal August two-a-day practices, "Pin yer ears back and get after it!"

 

[freezergeezer]

Hi Dale! Elliott's caveat is the only potential downside I could think of: "Temper any decision, however, with a realistic assessment of whether there will be any hindrance to your being taken on by your potential employers due to age and benefits issues."

30+ years ago, after serving 4 years in the military and a few years of working, I used the G.I. Bill to go to college. I believe I was 27 or 28 years old at the time - that may sound "young" compared to your age of 51, but back in the late 1970's and early 80's most college students were 17 or 18 years old, and right out of high school. So I was definitely the "old guy" in most of my classes. I think now days it's much more common for people your age to find themselves back in the classroom, and you may not feel so "old" after all!

If you feel stale, or like you're stagnating in your current position, and are willing and able to assume more responsibility, then I, too, say "Go for it!" :thumbup: I think the classroom work will come easier than you may think - it sure did for me. I was in high school because I had to be there; I was in college because I wanted to be there. That makes all the difference in the world.

Sorry for rambling on ..... just putting in my .02.

Absolutely agree. I, too went back to college later on. One of my brothers finished his engineering degree through open university this year, having bailed on normal uni several years back. Took him 6 years, but he's done it & is now working with his wife in China on an expat program.

If there's jobs available for you, definitely go for it. If there aren't, but you'd like to do it anyway, then even more definitely go for it. Apaart from anything else, there's proven health benefits to continuing studying later in life.

I saw a really interesting item on TV the other night, about the University of the Third Age. Not a hippie thing, it's like an open university for the advanced generations.

 

[mendezj]

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[coyote711]

I'm not sure why this popped into my head today, but it did, so here goes .....

This spring I took a couple pair of leather boots into the shoe repair shop in town to have new heels put on one pair, and heels & soles on the other. There used to be 3 or 4 of these shops around town, but this is the last one left. The gentleman that owns it is well into his 80's, and has been repairing shoes his whole life - learned the trade from his father. Stepping into his shop is like taking a trip back in time.

Anyway, hardly anyone is doing this type of work anymore. He said he gets customers from up to 90 miles away, because all their "local" shoe repair shops have gone out of business. (My guy has taken on an apprentice, so hopefully this shop will be around for a long time!)

I guess it's partly the throw away mentality that society has adopted, and also partly because a lot of shoes/boots are crap to start with and couldn't be repaired even if you wanted them to be. Whatever the reason, these old time, skilled craftsmen are a dying breed, and that saddens me.

 

[thejamppa]

Keith, I've seen that exact same thing. Thank God we have local shoe repairer / shoe maker and he is in his 40's. Anything with leather he does them. I've seen in some bigger towns / cities that in shopping mall's there usually is one shoe repair shop, in much of my surprise but they lack the feeling when you enter shoe makers workshop with scent of leather filling your senses everywhere.

I think we need more apprentices, more craftsmen in order to improve our society. Not all jobs can be made more effective with computer's and robots. We need true artisans, who create wonderful things by their hands and teach their secrets and trades to apprentises.

All black smiths I know or shoemakers are up to their eyeballs in work, so at least in here there is big need of old time craftsmen. One of my dream job ever since I was kid has been a black smith

 

[texasflyfisher]

I've noticed the same thing. I have been wearing boots off and on for the past 30+ years. When I graduated from college in '89 I bought my first new truck and a pair of Tony Lama half-quill ostrich boots. I bought 4 more pairs across the years with the last pair (Lucchese elephant) in 2000. There used to be plenty of old style boot repair shops but now they are getting far and in between. For a while I had a friend that did them on the side at home re-sole and re-heel them. I now found a tiny shop with a guy that does a good job. He's also a bowfisherman (hunts for alligator gar and real aliigators) that I like talking to whenever I go in the shop.

Along the same lines, barbershops seem to be going away being replaced by salons. I went to my first non-barbershop when I was in college and was scared to have a woman cut my hair rather than a male barber. I later went back to a barber and have been seeing the same one here in town for maybe 10 years now. I walk in and he knows exactly what I need done. He's a characters and talks about religion, politics, and you name it. All while the rest of the clients waiting their turn give their opinion. It reminds me of the barbershops where I grew up with the barbers arguing among themselves or poking fun at each other. I also remember getting my boots shined while we had our haircut done. Those were the days.

 

[kamagong]

Surprisingly there are actually a few shoe repairers/leather workers near my home. The problem is that it seems that most footwear these days is designed to just fall apart and is not really repairable. Shoes seem to be like everything else now, disposable and meant to be thrown away after a short while.

That's one of the reasons why I'm drawn to knives. A good knife will last a lifetime or two if taken care of. I have enough to last me 143 lifetimes.

- Christian

 

[kamagong]

Don't get me started about salons. I started cutting my own hair in college because I couldn't find a decent barbershop near my school. I'm sorry, but unisex salons are anything but. They cater to women, children, and metrosexuals. No thanks. I'll pick the old barbershop everytime -- the one with cracked chairs, straight razor shaves, and off-color jokes. It just feels right somehow.

 

[Blues]

Christian, you must feel doubly strong about this issue!