- Joined
- Jan 1, 2009
- Messages
- 3,431
Where do I begin? It can be a bit difficult to talk about someone you have never met.
Even more so, when you just recently discovered him. In fact, less than 24 hours earlier on the dreaded internet. A sharp double edged sword, that I have come to both admire and despise.
On what do you base your discussion? Will the person be bothered or upset about what you say? Is it permissible to discuss a man in a forum about knives? Will the Mods swoop down on me like a hawk on a baby bunny?
Acknowledging such a man, and saying a heartfelt thank you!
To me at least, seems worth the risks.
I am a relative newcomer here. This forum is like the swamps Jackknife describes. To many it is just one big place. But I have come to view it as many smaller locations with individual inhabitants and personalities. Little tributaries that feed into a larger body.
Last night, after a search on the net for "Finn" I was looking for info on the Case Finn. A small sheath knife, somewhat resembling my trusty Buck Woodsman.
That search popped up a thread from Blade, it was here in the Traditional section. I have been dipping my toes in the water here and I find it very much my kind of swamp.
So I happily clicked on it ,to see what I could learn.
That thread was titled The Leather Handle?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ather-handle?highlight=Leather+handled+knives
At first, I expected it to be the usual sort of thread. A few old guys, or Luddites like myself, expounding on the merits of such handles. And then being ripped apart by a pack of rabid young wolves extolling the virtues of G-10 or Micarta.
But for a change, and much to my surprise. This was not a technical discussion. It was a story. A charming tale of days gone bye. A tale of "Old Guys" who most likely weren't really that old. Everybody past thirty looks old when you're a kid.
I loved it! And in part, I lived it. Seeing in my mind's eye a group of old guys, seasoned in their respective skills, all sitting around a wood stove. With a coffee pot warming on top. In a general store no less. What a hoot.
All carrying their respective sheath knives. Slicing cheese, apples or using them as pointers. Sitting in a loose circle some on overturned crates and most likely some rickety old chairs that were no longer safe for the masses. Relegated instead to the old codgers how had talent enough to repair them and sense enough to use them. For me, it never got any cooler than that.
Hearing the exploits of Bill the Trapper. Having him show his knife, and the others too. And he more importantly. Him having to social skills, to tell an impressionable young man, his knife was "The Best One" How utterly cool must that have been?
That tread alone, was enough for me to take the time to PM Jackknife and thank him for a great read. I must say, I went off to bed in a wonderful mood. Reflecting on simpler times.
But it didn't end there.
My wife has been ill. Not deathly sick by any stretch. Just really under the weather. I know she is worse than she lets on. Because she keeps telling me it's not that bad.
That has me doing all the stuff that she usually does, that I take for granted. I was up at O Four-Hundred this morning, and ripped off some quick chores, and made some coffee.
Just before daylight, my old dog and I made a trip outside. I question whether he will see the grass turn green. I am almost certain, he won't see the leaves fall again.
The place I call home is sort of a land based Noah's Ark. The amount of critters that travel through here is impressive. Not wishing to see my dog defend his territory from the coyotes. And most likely lose. I grabbed a cup of coffee and went along for the walk. It was twenty-four degrees this morning and snowing at a pretty good clip.
Perhaps my timing was just perfect. Or perhaps it was some sort of harmonic convergence.
If you are searching for gold, and you stumble on one little nugget. It makes sense to mine that area for more. So I opted to do more mining right here.
The next thread I stumbled on was "Getting Out of the Weather"
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-of-the-weather?highlight=out+of+the+weather
Since I had just "Gotten Out Of the Weather" with my cold empty coffee cup, and the old dog. It seemed like an appropriate read. I was again interjecting my expectations. And again, I was pleasantly surprised.
This was not a tale of Gore-Tex shelters, with the latest aluminum poles. No high tech rain gear, or other modern conveyances. Not a bivy bag in sight.
No folks, it was another story. One of two adventurous boys. Taking chances boys take. Or at least taking chances, boys used to take. I suppose it could have ended badly. But it didn't.
Because those boys had the good fortune to stumble once more onto Bill the Trapper. Wet and cold, those boys were offered a seat at camp. Next to a warm fire. No nylon, no Gore-Tex, not even canvas. But dry, and warm never the less.
I had to chuckle at Bill's secrets. My pack always has twine and candles. I use twine ten times more than I use para-cord. I am pleased to know I am in good company.
Two young boys in the company of some grizzled old trapper. Living life. Learning lessons. Learning them in such a way, that they are driven home. Never to be forgotten. Learning to do more with less. Bill made use of his skill, and with aid of a knife created something special.
Once while camping in late fall on the Cedar River Flow. We encountered a father and son in a canoe. They were headed down river. It was one of those days. Very much like the one from this story. Snowing, but melting. The father and son team pulled up to ask for directions and distances.
They were wet, and cold. The son was shivering some. We convinced them day to take a quick break. Offering to make his son some hot cocoa. Dad relented.
The weather was getting worse and the dad wanted to push on. It took a great deal more convincing. But finally we got the dad to accept our offer to camp with us for the night, and push on in the morning. He mentioned it was for his son, but he seemed pretty relieved to be off the water too. The young one was extactic.
We shared our camp and some food. But most of all. We shared the warmth and safety of our fire. This story could have ended badly too. But it didn't.
At this point, Jackknife had me hooked. I was eagerly reading with a fervor not seen since my younger days devouring the short stories of Jack London.
After a trip to town for the usual mundane Saturday chores, I returned and searched once more. This time coming on a thread called "The Circle"
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1183478-The-circle?highlight=Full+Circle
This thread takes us down the path of knife choices. From early scout days to today. Some choices driven by wisdom, some choices driven by ease of use. Some even driven by our aging hands.
Having been up and down the knife evolution scale. I can admire "The Circle"
I like to think of myself as middle aged. In truth, I don't really like it at all. Let's say that I have come to grips with it. I certainly am not young. And middle aged is becoming a bit of a stretch. How many one hundred twelve year olds do you know?
I find myself making that same circle. The fact that I was searching for a Case Finn in the first place bears that out. I haven't lost those fine motor skills he describes. At least not if I am warm and dry. But I did just pick up my first Opinel recently.
Out of the box, I wasn't impressed with its sharpness. Think hack saw. But I took a stone to it and it improved. Then I hit it with the strop. And it got even better. Finally, i reloaded the fine side of my strop with some fresh green compound. After spending a short time on there. My new Opinel turned around faster than a Porsche in an ice storm.
You could just feel the edge come on.
This trilogy of tales spoke to me on so many levels. Even if somewhat bittersweet. Because kids today have a slim chance of meeting Bill the Trapper. Most will never get a chance to "sweeten" their coffee, while warming themselves under a lean-to built of cattails.
In today's world, they most likely will never hear a Scout Leader say " If you have you pants on, you should have a knife on"
These wonderful stories speak of a bygone era. As I read them, I not only took them in. I looked at them as if they were being told today. And frankly, I chuckled even more.
In today's world of cell phones, political correctness, and those ever present helicopter parents. I can't help but see how much different they would be. Not better mind you, just different.
Take those innocent encounters at Jenkin's Store. Then add in some frantic woman screaming at the top of her lungs. "Oh My God, That Guy Has a KNIFE.
Or dial it back a bit and just imagine how different it would have been if those guys had been saddled with cell phones. Or today's ever present need to be somewhere else.
Can't you just see the Child Protective Services going after the Bill the Trapper for endangering the welfare of young Jack and Tyrone. By offering them a little "sweetener"
with their coffee.
I grew up with a store much like Jenkin's. Ours was called Bud's. Named after the kindly gent who owned it. It has had at least four owners since then. And at least as many names. We still call it Bud's.
It was that same old time General store. Where you could buy breakfast, work boots, wool socks, knives, blue jeans, and other staples of everyday life. Bud's was so iconic in its ways. It even made it into National Geographic.
Sadly, that one article did more to destroy Bud's Store and in fact our entire town than if we had poured gas on the floor and lit it ourselves. I don't blame the magazine. It was bound to happen. They just opened up the flood gates to a time portal a little sooner than necessary.
I noticed after I typed most of this. There is an actual stickie with links to Jackknife's threads. I was always the type to dive in and read the directions later.
I pondered whether to continue. But, for me nothing has changed. Except I have a boat load of additional reading material.
I came to these threads in search of a Finn, maybe even a Twin Finn. I was looking at purchasing one for its cutting and slicing properties, and for its stacked leather handle. I will likely own one now for sure.
At this point, I no longer see it as just a knife. I see it as a time machine. I see it as an opportunity to turn over a crate, and sit right there with Bill the Trapper.
Jackknife, thank you for that!
I bet those old goats would be pleased know their stories, lies, and legends live on.
Rest assured, when I get my Finn. I will drain a few PBRs out by a fire, and hoist my finger in a salute to you and Bill. It really is all you need.
Even more so, when you just recently discovered him. In fact, less than 24 hours earlier on the dreaded internet. A sharp double edged sword, that I have come to both admire and despise.
On what do you base your discussion? Will the person be bothered or upset about what you say? Is it permissible to discuss a man in a forum about knives? Will the Mods swoop down on me like a hawk on a baby bunny?
Acknowledging such a man, and saying a heartfelt thank you!
To me at least, seems worth the risks.
I am a relative newcomer here. This forum is like the swamps Jackknife describes. To many it is just one big place. But I have come to view it as many smaller locations with individual inhabitants and personalities. Little tributaries that feed into a larger body.
Last night, after a search on the net for "Finn" I was looking for info on the Case Finn. A small sheath knife, somewhat resembling my trusty Buck Woodsman.
That search popped up a thread from Blade, it was here in the Traditional section. I have been dipping my toes in the water here and I find it very much my kind of swamp.
So I happily clicked on it ,to see what I could learn.
That thread was titled The Leather Handle?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ather-handle?highlight=Leather+handled+knives
At first, I expected it to be the usual sort of thread. A few old guys, or Luddites like myself, expounding on the merits of such handles. And then being ripped apart by a pack of rabid young wolves extolling the virtues of G-10 or Micarta.
But for a change, and much to my surprise. This was not a technical discussion. It was a story. A charming tale of days gone bye. A tale of "Old Guys" who most likely weren't really that old. Everybody past thirty looks old when you're a kid.
I loved it! And in part, I lived it. Seeing in my mind's eye a group of old guys, seasoned in their respective skills, all sitting around a wood stove. With a coffee pot warming on top. In a general store no less. What a hoot.
All carrying their respective sheath knives. Slicing cheese, apples or using them as pointers. Sitting in a loose circle some on overturned crates and most likely some rickety old chairs that were no longer safe for the masses. Relegated instead to the old codgers how had talent enough to repair them and sense enough to use them. For me, it never got any cooler than that.
Hearing the exploits of Bill the Trapper. Having him show his knife, and the others too. And he more importantly. Him having to social skills, to tell an impressionable young man, his knife was "The Best One" How utterly cool must that have been?
That tread alone, was enough for me to take the time to PM Jackknife and thank him for a great read. I must say, I went off to bed in a wonderful mood. Reflecting on simpler times.
But it didn't end there.
My wife has been ill. Not deathly sick by any stretch. Just really under the weather. I know she is worse than she lets on. Because she keeps telling me it's not that bad.
That has me doing all the stuff that she usually does, that I take for granted. I was up at O Four-Hundred this morning, and ripped off some quick chores, and made some coffee.
Just before daylight, my old dog and I made a trip outside. I question whether he will see the grass turn green. I am almost certain, he won't see the leaves fall again.
The place I call home is sort of a land based Noah's Ark. The amount of critters that travel through here is impressive. Not wishing to see my dog defend his territory from the coyotes. And most likely lose. I grabbed a cup of coffee and went along for the walk. It was twenty-four degrees this morning and snowing at a pretty good clip.
Perhaps my timing was just perfect. Or perhaps it was some sort of harmonic convergence.
If you are searching for gold, and you stumble on one little nugget. It makes sense to mine that area for more. So I opted to do more mining right here.
The next thread I stumbled on was "Getting Out of the Weather"
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-of-the-weather?highlight=out+of+the+weather
Since I had just "Gotten Out Of the Weather" with my cold empty coffee cup, and the old dog. It seemed like an appropriate read. I was again interjecting my expectations. And again, I was pleasantly surprised.
This was not a tale of Gore-Tex shelters, with the latest aluminum poles. No high tech rain gear, or other modern conveyances. Not a bivy bag in sight.
No folks, it was another story. One of two adventurous boys. Taking chances boys take. Or at least taking chances, boys used to take. I suppose it could have ended badly. But it didn't.
Because those boys had the good fortune to stumble once more onto Bill the Trapper. Wet and cold, those boys were offered a seat at camp. Next to a warm fire. No nylon, no Gore-Tex, not even canvas. But dry, and warm never the less.
I had to chuckle at Bill's secrets. My pack always has twine and candles. I use twine ten times more than I use para-cord. I am pleased to know I am in good company.
Two young boys in the company of some grizzled old trapper. Living life. Learning lessons. Learning them in such a way, that they are driven home. Never to be forgotten. Learning to do more with less. Bill made use of his skill, and with aid of a knife created something special.
Once while camping in late fall on the Cedar River Flow. We encountered a father and son in a canoe. They were headed down river. It was one of those days. Very much like the one from this story. Snowing, but melting. The father and son team pulled up to ask for directions and distances.
They were wet, and cold. The son was shivering some. We convinced them day to take a quick break. Offering to make his son some hot cocoa. Dad relented.
The weather was getting worse and the dad wanted to push on. It took a great deal more convincing. But finally we got the dad to accept our offer to camp with us for the night, and push on in the morning. He mentioned it was for his son, but he seemed pretty relieved to be off the water too. The young one was extactic.
We shared our camp and some food. But most of all. We shared the warmth and safety of our fire. This story could have ended badly too. But it didn't.
At this point, Jackknife had me hooked. I was eagerly reading with a fervor not seen since my younger days devouring the short stories of Jack London.
After a trip to town for the usual mundane Saturday chores, I returned and searched once more. This time coming on a thread called "The Circle"
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1183478-The-circle?highlight=Full+Circle
This thread takes us down the path of knife choices. From early scout days to today. Some choices driven by wisdom, some choices driven by ease of use. Some even driven by our aging hands.
Having been up and down the knife evolution scale. I can admire "The Circle"
I like to think of myself as middle aged. In truth, I don't really like it at all. Let's say that I have come to grips with it. I certainly am not young. And middle aged is becoming a bit of a stretch. How many one hundred twelve year olds do you know?
I find myself making that same circle. The fact that I was searching for a Case Finn in the first place bears that out. I haven't lost those fine motor skills he describes. At least not if I am warm and dry. But I did just pick up my first Opinel recently.
Out of the box, I wasn't impressed with its sharpness. Think hack saw. But I took a stone to it and it improved. Then I hit it with the strop. And it got even better. Finally, i reloaded the fine side of my strop with some fresh green compound. After spending a short time on there. My new Opinel turned around faster than a Porsche in an ice storm.
You could just feel the edge come on.
This trilogy of tales spoke to me on so many levels. Even if somewhat bittersweet. Because kids today have a slim chance of meeting Bill the Trapper. Most will never get a chance to "sweeten" their coffee, while warming themselves under a lean-to built of cattails.
In today's world, they most likely will never hear a Scout Leader say " If you have you pants on, you should have a knife on"
These wonderful stories speak of a bygone era. As I read them, I not only took them in. I looked at them as if they were being told today. And frankly, I chuckled even more.
In today's world of cell phones, political correctness, and those ever present helicopter parents. I can't help but see how much different they would be. Not better mind you, just different.
Take those innocent encounters at Jenkin's Store. Then add in some frantic woman screaming at the top of her lungs. "Oh My God, That Guy Has a KNIFE.
Or dial it back a bit and just imagine how different it would have been if those guys had been saddled with cell phones. Or today's ever present need to be somewhere else.
Can't you just see the Child Protective Services going after the Bill the Trapper for endangering the welfare of young Jack and Tyrone. By offering them a little "sweetener"
with their coffee.
I grew up with a store much like Jenkin's. Ours was called Bud's. Named after the kindly gent who owned it. It has had at least four owners since then. And at least as many names. We still call it Bud's.
It was that same old time General store. Where you could buy breakfast, work boots, wool socks, knives, blue jeans, and other staples of everyday life. Bud's was so iconic in its ways. It even made it into National Geographic.
Sadly, that one article did more to destroy Bud's Store and in fact our entire town than if we had poured gas on the floor and lit it ourselves. I don't blame the magazine. It was bound to happen. They just opened up the flood gates to a time portal a little sooner than necessary.
I noticed after I typed most of this. There is an actual stickie with links to Jackknife's threads. I was always the type to dive in and read the directions later.
I pondered whether to continue. But, for me nothing has changed. Except I have a boat load of additional reading material.
I came to these threads in search of a Finn, maybe even a Twin Finn. I was looking at purchasing one for its cutting and slicing properties, and for its stacked leather handle. I will likely own one now for sure.
At this point, I no longer see it as just a knife. I see it as a time machine. I see it as an opportunity to turn over a crate, and sit right there with Bill the Trapper.
Jackknife, thank you for that!
I bet those old goats would be pleased know their stories, lies, and legends live on.
Rest assured, when I get my Finn. I will drain a few PBRs out by a fire, and hoist my finger in a salute to you and Bill. It really is all you need.
We're in the middle of the EIGHTH storm since mid November! :grumpy:
