Early Christmas courtesy of Tony Bose and Rob Thomas

[4Mica]

I have been meaning to post this for a few weeks now but life just has seemed to get in the way but I have some time this morning so I am going to share with you my early Christmas present. But first a little back story, I became aware of Tony's work through this sub-forum a few years ago and he is my favorite knife maker. I met him and Reese at Blade 2009 and was skunked on drawing one of their knives then. I was back again in 2010 and was able to get to know Tony a little better and I was able again to coon finger his beautiful knives. Also, from Blade 2009 to Blade 2010 there had been a life changing development for me, I was diagnosed with lung cancer in February 2010 after months of the doctors not being able to figure out what was wrong with me. I hoped to draw a knife but again I skunked out, though is was a kind of honor to yell out the winners names to the crowd outside the room during the drawing (I am still jealous of Don Hanson who's name was drawn twice). Then a few weeks ago I got a huge surprise, Rob Thomas of Thomas Damascus came over with a box with a bow around it that had a return address to Winfred, IN. He told me it was a Christmas present and that I couldn't open it until Christmas. Needless to say as soon as he left I opened the box to find what is pictured below (photos courtesy of Kerry Hampton). I want to thank Tony and Rob for making a dream come true for me. I am also including a photo of Tony and I at Blade in June, also taken by Kerry but with my camera, we might not be much to look at but the knife sure is. Thanks again Tony and Rob.

 

[Mike Robuck]

Huge congrats! That Tony guy is A-OK.

Hope you enjoy using your new knife.

 

[ptradeco]

Great knife and a great story. Thanks for sharing both.

 

[somniloquist]

Great story! You couldn't ask for a nicer knife or bunch of folks. All the best for a speedy recovery!

 

[kamagong]

That's a great story and I hope you do well on your recovery. It seems that everything has worked out well, that knife there is more precious than any random knife you win in a drawing.

- Christian

 

[KnifeHead]

It was great meeting you at Blade. Tony and Rob are good people. Good for you getting a real treasure from Tony's bench.

You did a good job yelling the names out, btw

 

[4Mica]

That's a great story and I hope you do well on your recovery. It seems that everything has worked out well, that knife there is more precious than any random knife you win in a drawing.

- Christian

Oh, I completely agree, I am not really jealous of Don anymore.

 

[338375]

Congrats on the new knife. Thats a beauty and would make anyone smile.

Very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Smoke going up for you from Oregon

 

[4Mica]

It was great meeting you at Blade. Tony and Rob are good people. Good for you getting a real treasure from Tony's bench.

You did a good job yelling the names out, btw

Thanks, Kerry. It was great meeting you, too. And it is a real treasure for me and my family (my eight year old son is already a budding knife collector).

 

[JUST1MOR]

Man, it's stories like this that keeps reminding me there is still some compassion left in the world . . . Great story, great knife, thanks for sharing with us.
Prayers for your complete recovery. Godspeed.
Be safe.

 

[puukkoman]

That's a heck of a nice thing they did for ya... Congrats to everyone involved.
And best wishes on a full & speedy recovery.

 

[comoha]

What an inspiring story! Congratulations on gaining your grail knife and best wishes to a complete recovery.

 

[VCM3]

Tony is a great guy. I hate that friggin' disease ,I think thats the second time this week I typed that.
Enjoy & use that knife,for many years to come
-Vince

 

[wagglebee]

Wow! That is an amazing story, it even brought a tear to my eyes. :thumbup:

On a more important note, you have my very best wishes and prayers for a full and speedy recovery!

 

[texasflyfisher]

A lot of good people around here. *sniff*

 

[kai76]

Congrats on an AWESOME knife. Great story, stay strong, positive and get well!

 

[Blues]

Congrats on a fine knife and use it in good health!!! (Especially the latter part of the message. We'll all be pulling for you!) :thumbup:

 

[SharpNJ]

Enjoy that special knife for a long, long time.

 

[seussbrother]

Thanks for sharing your story. The gang at Wilfred Works can't be beat as human beings and they aren't too bad at crafting knives either. Enjoy your knife. It's a beauty!!!

All the best,

Allan

 

[Bastid]

Congratulations on such a fine knife.

Always know we are pulling for you. The people behind stories like this is what makes us part of the knife community and motivates a lot to do what they can when others are concerned.

We should feel fortunate to be in that community. There just are not too many like it around anymore. It is people like Tony, Reese, Kerry and a host of others and many of them participate here that make knife people better as makers, collectors, users and humans.