EDC XIII Which knife or knives are you carrying today?

RPZIP said:
I am familiar with 700.

I was stationed in Germany from '79-'82 (Air Force) and in 80 decided I wanted a motorcycle. My girlfriend's stepfather at the time knew a German guy who was selling a '75 Honda GL1000 Goldwing for DM 1600. I said no way. I was looking for something to start with, like a 250 class bike. I had never ridden a motorcycle before.

Well Dieter came out one day and Mr Pittman insisted I try it out. I was adamant, no way. For awhile. So after being goaded for a period of time I decided I would give it a careful try. Once I understood the brake and gearbox peddles I was off - clutch and throttle just the same as a car with a stick. And after a few runs up and down the street and careful u-turns I thought, this ain't so bad!

But before I could buy it I had to get my European Armed Forces Drivers License endorsement for motorcycles..... And the only one I could borrow from anyone to take the riding test was a c.1980 Kawasaki 1300(!) Transverse six-cylinder, about 700 pounds, high center of gravity. 😂

So I had a half hour practice on the base during which I pulled up to a T junction, and when I came to a stop it heeled a little and I lost it at that point of no return. I weighed about 150, was fit and very strong for my weight - but I couldn't stop it. All I managed to do was mitigate the fall so it just blemished the fairing that was fitted to it and prevent damage to lever etc.

I could not pick it up. I reached a certain point and couldn't get past it. A guy in a passing car stopped and helped me get it verticle again.

Goldwing was about 600 pounds. That 1000 cc horizontally opposed four cylinder motor affording a much lower center of gravity. Picked it up twice. Once I swung the kickstand down at a gas station and it swung back up. Satisfied by the audible "clunk" I didn't realize it had clunked going back up. It fell as I was walking away. Once I found the right points to grab pulled it right up. Second time the kickstand sunk down in the tarmac in the summer heat. A little tougher that time 😅.

Many happy memories on that bike.

Wiki photo of Kawasaki 1300
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I used to have a "76 KZ 900 bored to 1015cc, bigger carbs, headers, completely rewired, too much to list great old in-line four. Quick and fast. Turning and slowing down... 'eh not so much. The first Mad Max movie with all the old bikes made me have to have one.

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DaveHS said:
That is a great knife. A wonderful piece of design in blade, handle and lock mechanism.
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I have to say, I was honestly blown away. I’d heard so many horror stories about Benchmade’s quality control, which made me put off buying one for years. I’ve never had a bad Spyderco, so I just stuck with them—they’ve never let me down.

But when I opened my Griptilian, I was genuinely impressed. The ergonomics feel perfect in hand, and the edge was perfectly symmetrical right out of the box. The S30V steel is a huge upgrade over the old 154CM in my opinion. The Axis lock makes it incredibly fun to fidget with—smooth, snappy, and just satisfying to play around with.

I honestly couldn’t find a single flaw on it. Every penny was worth it. I’m officially a Benchmade fan now—it really seems like they’re right up there with Spyderco. I’ll find out for sure as I pick up more Benchmades, because one thing’s certain: this definitely won’t be my last.
 
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JustJasonOutdoors said:
I have to say, I was honestly blown away. I’d heard so many horror stories about Benchmade’s quality control, which made me put off buying one for years. I’ve never had a bad Spyderco, so I just stuck with them—they’ve never let me down.

But when I opened my Griptilian, I was genuinely impressed. The ergonomics feel perfect in hand, and the edge was perfectly symmetrical right out of the box. The S30V steel is a huge upgrade over the old 154CM in my opinion. The Axis lock makes it incredibly fun to fidget with—smooth, snappy, and just satisfying to play around with.

I honestly couldn’t find a single flaw on it. Every penny was worth it. I’m officially a Benchmade fan now—it really seems like they’re right up there with Spyderco. I’ll find out for sure as I pick up more Benchmades, because one thing’s certain: this definitely won’t be my last.
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I’m with you there! I am a giant Spyderco fan but I have a number of Benchies too. Wait until you get an Osborne / 940 or 945 in your hand. The good news for you is that Benchmade knives come up for sale on the exchange and elsewhere on the used market quite often. IMG_1505.jpeg
 
ferider said:
Belated sorry for that idiot in the Scirocco - hope it all mended, also for your girlfriend. I grew up in what you guys call "K-town", not far away from Rhein Main, even closer to Ramstein. Sounds like I'm about half generation younger than you.

I've kind of done a similar thing with my Harley: hit a truck (and flew over it) who was coming against me, he was turning left and cut me off across a light in San Jose. He wasn't even insured .... Anyways, if you see a photo of my Fatboy around BF: that's why it has custom tanks and paintjob .... there is a 100% probability to get into an accident with a bike, all that can be done is dress right. Always cringe when I see people without helmets here. So far, I had the above near total, and a second full total (of my Ducati back then), neither of the two was my fauright butt
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Only two kinds of riders my friend!!! Those who have been down and those yet to be down........
Front tire blew on my wide glide at 70+🤔.....Cartwheel ed down Rt. 4 in Vermont outside Rutland.....
Got lucky... Road rash, broken fjnger and totally crashed my teal n birch Harley😥....And my right cheek is a little flat now.....😜
 
jfk1110 said:
Only two kinds of riders my friend!!! Those who have been down and those yet to be down........
Front tire blew on my wide glide at 70+🤔.....Cartwheel ed down Rt. 4 in Vermont outside Rutland.....
Got lucky... Road rash, broken fjnger and totally crashed my teal n birch Harley😥....And my right cheek is a little flat now.....😜
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Glad you made it! I found some gravel in a corner and slid right into the ditch riding around Lake Berryessa. Broken wrist separated the opposite shoulder. Bike was still rideable minus the right foot pegs. I had to ride an hour all banged up while holding my right leg in the air 😂
 
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