Gus, Blues, fellow forumites, THANK YOU!
I know this is not the Acadamy Awards, but I can realize what it's like for a maker to have an article on them published in a magazine like Blade. It's a good feeling.
I would like to thank several of you personally:
Around 14 months ago Vince Evans told me I ought to consider writing for knife magazines. (I didn't think anything about it) Then we got our first computer for Christmas last year. By late December, Fisk had told me about Bladeforums and I've been here ever since. It was sometime in January when Fisk called and said, "Darby, I want to talk to you." I thought I had made him angry or something. (I had been posting on the forum) He said, "Now don't take this wrong but, I've been reading your post. You don't write anything like you talk.
Your post make me think you have a little since. You ought to consider writing a few articles." I remembered what Vince had said and took it as affirmation. Thank you, Vince and Jerry!
After writing a mini-profile, I emailed Gus and ask if it would be ok to post it. He was very supportive and said he would help anytime he could. I took him up on his offer; he resized the pictures for me and posted them in the stories. I had no idea how to do it...and still don't. Gus, took me under his wing so to speak at this years Blade Show and showed me around. Gus, Thank you for everything!
I wrote an article on my brother and some guy with the title of National Living Treasure. (You probably wouldn't know him) This story means more to me than any that I've written. I emailed it to Amy Hinchman of A.G Russell, I have the upmost respect for her and value her opinion. She called me an hour or so later, CRYING! (You will know why someday) She said that the story had to be told. With that, I pursued it and was promised publication.(Some day) THANK YOU AMY!
Then there is you, the forumites:
Because of the kind responses and encouragement on the mini-profiles I continued to write. I MEAN THIS WITH ALL THAT IS IN ME, if you haden't responded the way you did...I would not have continued. PERIOD! I told yall then and will now, you have no idea how you made me feel. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Then there is some guy from Canada. I have never met him in person nor heard his voice. (HE WOULDN'T GIVE ME HIS PHONE #!) I don't know why, I just emailed him one day and asked him if he would proof read some of my writing. (I listen when reading his post) He replyed yes. I must tell you, Keith Montgomary is a genius! He has made several suggestions that made the stories flow better, including the one on Flatgrind. I am working on three articles at the moment, Keith, we have more work to do.
Thank you for all you have done.
Terrill Hoffman, Amy, and Gus have also made suggestions at times, THANK YOU! I would like to think that one day I would have enough skill and confidence to do this by myself...don't hold your breath.
I cannot end without recognizing Mark Zalesky, Jim Nowka, Bruce Voyles, and Steve Shackleford for their patience and willingness to give me (A nobody) a chance to be a part of this. THANK YOU!
I am not fooling myself; this dream could end tomorrow. I will do the best that I can and hope it continues. I know I will never be a B.R. Hughes, but I do want to be known to have integrity. I have said it here before; unless I'm joking and the reader knows it, I will not write something that I don't truely believe.
Ray, I didn't take the pictures that accompany the article. I have to learn that too... Terrill where are you?
Again in closing, THANK YOU! I consider many...TRUE FRIENDS. Here when you need me...
Darby Neaves
