English knife woes

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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I might have the opportunity to study at Oxford next semester/year. Here's the thing though. I have two genuine hobbies in my life--race car driving and knife fondling. Both will disappear--my beloved car (and my legal ability to drive..) and effectively my entire knife collection.

Are there any brightsides to consider? I've been meaning to try a UK Pen Knife...
 
Knife fondling is still legal in private (!)and at your age you can drive legally in the UK (if you have knives/cars of course).
 
Did my postgrad. at Oxford and had the time of my life. You'll be meeting so many new people and having so much fun that you'll forget all about knives.. Well maybe not completely forget. The Spyderco UK Pen is really nice and you'll hardly miss the lock. You may even prefer the new Danish pen made to comply with their even harsher laws. Oxford is only about 40 mins from the bright lights of London. London is only a few hours from Paris by Eurostar. Need I go on?:D
 
is there a bright side... pfffft

Pubs.

Specifically, Oxford pubs.

I'm an English Oxford grad now living in the USA. There are so many things about home that I miss, but the English pub is without exception the first thing that springs to mind when anyone asks.

I know it's terrible that that's the answer I give when asked what's good about the UK, but there you go.

Oxford's a truly amazing place - seriously, don't pass up the chance to go there.
 
There aren't that many antique shops, but there is a good one on the High Street that has some interesting blades (and firearms too amazingly).

Cycling is not obligatory (and a bit difficult after your bike gets nicked, which it will).

You can always get a bus!

Where might you be studying?
 
Well, alas, I do not drink.

Despite reasonable wealth, I am not so wealthy as to afford both private college and maintaining two separate race cars....but as long as we're dreaming, let's go with something European. How about a Ferrari Modena.


Oxford has always been kind of a distant dream for a million different reasons, although I refuse to transfer due to my loyalty to the also great TCU, to which I am a legacy student. But studying abroad is my attempt to satisfy two old goals.

But, it's a bit early to worry about these things, I suppose. I haven't even been accepted yet, and I'm also going for a certain scholarship to make it possible. I just haven't been able to sleep or do much else since I talked via e-mail late night to admissions.

Well, and I am thinking a lot about the blue bump I'll be picking up this weekend.

And that new Porsche 911 Turbo that just came out. Sure, it's still not as fast as a Z06, and cost 50k more, but I still like it.

I won't turn the offer down, I know--given the offer exists. Just comes with some sacrifices.
 
You are kidding, right ? I would have to seriously question someone's priorities in life who would trade off this tremendous opportunity because of something silly like giving up cars and knives for a year.

Geeez !
 
I'd be studying at Oxford university, they haven't told me which sub college. But I'm a biologist premedical here in Texas if that makes any difference.

Ocelot, if you could tell me any more about the university, pros and cons, would be very helpful.

Also, what about Cambridge?

And I can't stop checking my mail to see if they've evaluated my credentials to see if I have a good shot or not.
 
These aren't just racecars; they're completely street legal. And from what I saw on Top Gear, they beat the pants off of most Ferraris and Porsches. 0-60 in under 3 seconds; 0-100 in about 6 seconds. Don't know about the English prices, but the prices for the American-made models are comparable to an average-priced passenger car. I couldn't locate a used one for sale anywhere in the US, but they may be more common in England.

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How about some of those British motorcycles? They'd be cool to own in a place where they could actually be serviced.

-Bob
 
In Oxford, we townies (as non-students are allegedly called) derive great amusement when asked by tourists (of which there are many):

"Could you please direct me to the university"

What most people think of as "the university" is mostly in the centre of town and consists only of the separate semi-autonomous colleges (New College, Brasenose College, Christchurch (never called "Christchurch College", probably because it is also a cathedral!), and so on). There is no single campus.

There is also Oxford Brookes University (formerly "Oxford Polytechnic"), which is in Headington (~2 miles outside the town centre). This is a well-thought-of place, but is not generally thought of as being in the same league as the actual uni.

The university is (with Cambridge) considered by many to be the best in the country. Being a graduate of Liverpool University myself, I have to say that it depends what you are studying. There is no medical school as such in the university (as far as I know), and I think most medics at Oxford do their two preclinical years here and then move to another university's med school for the three subsequent years (to London, for instance, where I think that a few med schools have an arrangement with Oxford (could be wrong about this -- check their website http://www.ox.ac.uk/

Oxford is an OK place to live (but almost as expensive as London), but is not all dreaming spires and there are some places you really don't want to go.

Many museums (the Ashmolean and the Pitt-Rivers are especially good for knives, swords, etc.) and much cultural stuff. Lots of pubs, some of which are rather good. Some of the folks are friendly (me, for instance!), some less so.

Silverstone is, I think, between here and London (sorry -- don't really follow car racing) and there are a couple of major race teams based in Oxfordshire.

I've been to Cambridge, but only to speak at a political meeting, so I haven't seen much of it. It seems like a nice place and has a similar reputation academically (though both places would totally disagree with that :).

Cambridge is often referred to as "the other place" by Oxford academics and there is much rivalry, as you might expect. Both places have many traditions, of which they are very proud . . .

I could go on, but I have to edit a book about computers just now (moan!).

If there's anything I can help you with, drop me a line.

Good luck!

geoff
 
Dude OXFORD???? you think you have Problems, I will trade with you you can have my knives for a year and I'll go to Oxford ok? If you really can go this will be an unbelievable experience with teachers and facilities second to none. I have studied at places ranging from Community Colleges to Pennstate. But if you can go to Oxford you go.
 
Bob W said:
How about some of those British motorcycles? They'd be cool to own in a place where they could actually be serviced.

-Bob
Click to expand...

I used to own a Triumph Tiger 110 (650cc, but mine had a 500c engine) about 25 years ago and even then I had to do all my own servicing as I couldn't afford the services of the few specialist garages. It is even worse now . . .

If, however, you mean the more modern Brit bikes (i.e the ones that don't leak oil from every mating surface:( ), I'd have thought that any competent modern bike mechanic could sort you out . . .

The country roads around here are "interesting" for bikers, though:D
 
Don't pass up the opportunity to continue studying while you are young, which apparently you are. Knives were here yesterday and, they will be here tomorrow - even in greater numbers and, more iterations. But the opportunity for quality graduate studies, especially from such a fine university abroad, only comes once in a lifetime - if that much.

Don't worry about missing anything. Time will pass by almost in the wink of an eye. If it wasn't for the world of academia, the world would certainly be a different place and, most of us would likely not be here. And, we certainly wouldn't be chatting on the internet.

Think of all those knives that you enjoy, and how much passion, sweat and talent went into making them. Now you can prepare to give something back. Your knowledge to us is like a fine knife to you. Remember what Winston Churchill said, "...you build a life by what you give."
 
Some cracking birds in Oxford, too!
(Translation - Some hot chicks in Oxford, too!)

But Sadly, WE dont have Cheerleaders! (Well, not PROPER ones!)
 
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