Flea Market Finds Mystery Box GA, Rockgolfer is the winner

[panzertroop]

Old pockets knives are little pieces of history. Love them!

 

[rustyshackelford]

I"m in thanks! I like old knives because, even though I wasn't alive during it, they make me feel nostalgic for old times and the people who lived during those times.

 

[pertinux]

Thanks for a fun giveaway.

Boy howdy, if you come to these threads late, others have already expressed themselves so well that one's own thoughts seem derivative. Ah, well. I think that means I'm in good company.

I enjoy old knives because it is refreshing to see, hold and employ a useful tool that is made to last (and has!), especially in our increasingly "disposable" society in which production items often are created to be replaced.

As much as I appreciate many of the benefits of more modern materials and processes, the combination of natural, durable handle materials with blades that have been used for their intended purpose for years and are still useful often imbues older knives with a functional beauty that is compelling.

No matter who wins, I can't wait to see what's in the box!

~ P.

 

[Simple Man]

One word "Character" New knifes have little to none of it. Character that takes years to produce and gain through use.

Another forum I frequent refer to my favorites as "HOK's" or Honest Old Knives. Knives that have been carried, used responsibly but not abused, and aren't polished to within an inch of their life. They tend to have some blade left, and not overly sharpened, maybe a cracked scale, maybe not.

I currently carry a Shapleigh Diamond Edge from the 20'-40's that I rescaled in Micarta, but left as much character as possible.

 

[uchinanchukg]

Stich,

Awesome GA idea. I've yet to pick out a knife at a flea market. I'm hoping the next time I go to St. Petersburg I can find someone selling old pocket knives.
I saw someone selling some last time I went but I was not initiated to the traditional pocket knives at the time. I wish I was.
Now that I can appreciate it I hope someone will be out there selling them.

I like old used knives because of the history behind the knife. I like knives that are used and ones that show it. I think old used knives looks great. Especially traditional knives. They look best when well used IMHO.
It also makes me ponder what kind of person used it and for what kind of things it was used for.

Thanks for the opportunity!

KG

 

[catcalls]

I like old knives because it makes me think of when everyone carried a pocketknife. When all knives were used, and not just looked at. When I see an old knife it reminds me of my grandfather who gifted me with an old stockman, and my great grandfather who had a knife in every tackle box and hunting backpack. It makes me almost want to go back in time when workin on the farm was an everyday deal. I like knives because knives like use, and I like to use something made to be used, whether its brand new or 75 years old.

Jack

 

[Planterz]

As a relative "youngster" in the Traditional forum, I have to say that much of the draw ,for me, to older traditional knives is that I get a kick out of having a knife that's older than myself. Granted, that's not saying that much, but I still think it's cool. Some people my age might like driving a classic car older than themselves. Or buying vinyl albums older than themselves. But I like knives older than myself.

Great idea for a giveaway, thanks for the chance.

 

[jsrice]

I like old knives because I'm young and most old knives were before my time. It is always interesting to see what knife lovers enjoyed before all the high speed steels and push for bigger badder better started.


Thanks for the opportunity a neat idea

 

[jujigatame]

This is not an entry but I wanted to say I think P. nailed it with this...

I enjoy old knives because it is refreshing to see, hold and employ a useful tool that is made to last (and has!), especially in our increasingly "disposable" society in which production items often are created to be replaced.

As much as I appreciate many of the benefits of more modern materials and processes, the combination of natural, durable handle materials with blades that have been used for their intended purpose for years and are still useful often imbues older knives with a functional beauty that is compelling.

That's the main reason older knives appeal to me. It's the same with other old tools that have endured.

 

[puukkoman]

Wow... It's been really nice to read everyone's entries.
Thanks for the chance, Stitch. Really cool (and exciting!) idea for a give-away.
I like old knives mostly for the feeling that I get when I handle & examine them, and use them. I enjoy feeling connected to the past, and to the people who may have been involved in the object's history. A pocket knife is a very personal item, for most people. It goes with them everywhere, through all their travels and adventures, and so it has a unique path that's not identical to any other. I love to imagine the cutlers at work producing the knife, using methods and tools that are much the same as some still used today, and think about how they may have lived. I like to imagine the previous owner(s) and where they may have taken the knife, and what they may have used it for; I like to imagine what their lives may have been like.
There's no substitute for an old, well-used and well-cared-for pocket knife; nothing else holds that much personal history.

Thanks again, Stitch. Been a nice opportunity to let my mind wander for a few minutes.
Alex

 

[iahunter3]

I like older knives because I don't have to fret over sliding it into my pocket for the first time worrying about scratches etc. Those first strokes on the stone on a knife are always the toughest even though I purchase them all to be "users". The simple journey back to times past while whittling on a stick and wondering what/where that knife has been.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

"$2.50 for this ~100 year old pearl handled pen knife precursor to Camillus"
"$5 for a slipjoint made in Canada"
"$10 for this solid little pen knife with home made slip sheath. Okay" takes it home "My first Cattaraugus!!"
"$20 for this well used but cared for pruner with a list of features I have on no knife in my collection"
All occurred to me this year, mostly in the last 3 weeks!


I love that the good old knives are very affordable, and as I don't have much money these days, I can justify getting a new to me slipjoint for the price of a burger (don't smoke, don't drink coffee and I think I remember what beer used to taste like). I enjoy finding out that a previous owner shares my taste- with a use/sharpening modified Spey, but almost unused pen blade. Having a bit of history older than my grandpa in my pocket, that one day may be in the pocket of a grandson or granddaughter is a great thing to me. Learning by examples in hand of how intricate the manufacture of a 'simple knife' can be, years before computer aided design, with nearly all steps attended to by a human hand.

I like older knives because I don't have to fret over sliding it into my pocket for the first time worrying about scratches etc. Those first strokes on the stone on a knife are always the toughest even though I purchase them all to be "users". The simple journey back to times past while whittling on a stick and wondering what/where that knife has been.

I love that they aren't safe queens (at least the ones I find/can afford), that are a reminder that knives are still tools!

Thank you for the chance! I am going to offer a similar surprize giveaway when I can get everything organized- way to beat me to the punch!

Great reasons all.

 

[zpavao]

Thank you! Brilliant idea!

Traditional knives are great I think at least in part because they're simple, reliable and proven. My grandfather carried the same knife for his entire childhood, used the heck out of it as a kid, and it still served him well through a military career!

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I like older knive 'cause of their history, I like old knives 'cause of their character but mostlyI like old knives 'cause of their inherent quality typical of older knives, btw, thanks for the giveaway.

 

[Campbellclanman]

This is such a neat idea, I admire the thought you have put into this Give-away!.
Old knives, well they have most certainly taken me over in such a strong way, I think a combination of things that we pick up subconsciously when we look at the older knives and it all hits you at once, the old golden Hue of Stag or Bone that has yellowed and gives you that warm glow that only time - and plenty of it - can give, or the old Ebony that shows it scars from nearly a Century of wear, and yet it still holds its own with its lovely natural look next to the dulled and worn Nickel Silver bolster and shield.
The marvel at a knife that has obviously been used so much for so long-yet you respect its snap being sure fingers are well out of the way-probably more-so than that 2 year old knife next to you, and those Swedges that could only come from that era, that still look good to this day, and when you close that knife, be it Jigged Bone by hand, Smooth bone, Stag or Ebony...it holds your glance longer than a modern day production knife, and yet its still difficult to pinpoint as to why.
If I am lucky enough to be picked, I will be sure to pay for shipping if we overseas folks can be included!
Thank you, and good on you.

 

[ConBon]

Thank you for the chance, i'm in.
I like old knives because they remind me of a simpler time, but I mostly like old knives because of the quality and unique touches they feature.

Thanks,
Connor

 

[qncygnnr]

Great GAW. Somebody is going to get a box full of history.

I have all of the knives I ever bought or were given (I'm 56). I try to carry one of those older folders everyday - even though I sit in a cubicle and rarely even have chance to use the knife in my pocket. In my family when Grandpa & Dad decided you were old enough to have a knife and use it correctly ... well that was a big deal in my family. A folding knife was always a tool (and never a toy) but also a badge that signified movement from child to young man (age 10). The quickest way to lose their respect and the privilege to carry was to get caught being what my dad referred to as a "knucklehead". I never lost my privileges - and every morning when I get ready for work and pick a knife for the day, I can't help but reflect for a moment about what each of those knives means to me.

I'm recovering "older" knives myself - if I think they've got any life in them at all and the price is right I'll bring them home and work them over gently (no polishing - just rust removal) with a thorough cleaning, oiling, and new edge. I give them away when the opportunity presents. To that end I don't need to be in on this GAW (I've been blessed with many knives over the years) - unless you tell me that all of these need to be rehabilitated. I just want to see the goodies when the winner is finally declared.

 

[Robert.B]

I love older used knives because I often wonder what my old knives could have been used for, where they travelled, what happened to the owner or owners in their life while it was sitting in the bottom of their pocket...not to mention the character an old knife has!

Great idea for a GA!

 

[Stich2442]

Ok the winner is #28 Rockgolfer, thanks everyone great responses to why, I think we all have similar reasons.

 

[Humppa]

Thank you, Pete! What a great GA. Thank you for the chance, Sir!

Kind regards
Andi