Free Talonite Camillus EDC winner

T

tomwalz

Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
121
1. We have winners
Eda-koppo on Bladeforums
Whodad on knifeforums

We have emailed them.

We got some really great entries. They made for wonderful reading.

2. The one problem I did have is that I got entries from active duty military, fire, law enforcement, etc. We put everybody's name in equally and drew. However these folks really are heroes. Unfortunately I can't give every one of them a knife but I can find the cash to run a contest just for these folks. I'm not sure who should be in. There are folks serving our country who are pretty modest about it (although I won't mention Bald1 by name, for example.)

I just read about mail personnel sorting mail in a tent, not knowing if they were handling anthrax or not but determined that terrorism wasn't going to stop them. When Rob and I first talked about Talonite our standard was a 19-year-old serviceperson on a hostile beach. We wanted to make the best knives we could and we determined to sell them with as much information as we could give them. We wanted to make an excellent knife and we wanted them to know what it would and would not do.

Anyway, I am willing to take everyone at their word. If you are helping protect our country and are putting your self in harm's way please give us the chance to give you one of these knives.

If you want to know why I am doing this then please look up Walt Welch's explanation. I can't say it better or even as well.

3. Legally I have no right to make obligations for Camillus or Darrel Ralph. I am entirely responsible for this contest. That is the legal stuff. Darrel spent a huge amount of time designing a truly great knife. Will Fennel and Jim Furgal of Camillus took the risk of introducing new knives with new technology.

4. There were entries from people who have disagreed with me in the past and I did not then respond in as gentle and dignified manner as I could have. I thank them for entering. I truly do aspire to the kind of pleasant, tolerant exchange you see from guys who are really good.

Anyway,

Thanks again. It was a lot of fun
Tom
 
Tom:
your kindness and compassion is simply marvelous. You are an extraordinary Man. To the winner: congrats, not only did you win a great EDC that will serve you well, you won it from Tom. This knife is destined to bring you GREAT LUCK

BUT, I really SHOULD HAVE been the winner. In light of my Academy award winning acte as a serious WHINER, THIS KNIFE would have ended all my mindless Rantings about getting Boned outta TWO SPYDERCOS, and already having placed myself in HARM'S WAY and coming out the LOSER there also.

ONLY KIDDING Sheldon!!!!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes: What you have done/ and continue to do is a credit to the man you really are Tom, and I am proud to share bandwidth with you ANY DAY....................wolf;) ;)
 
Why it took so long to post results

The reason it took so was hundreds and hundreds of entries.

Plus we double-check everything. Copy all the entries from all the threads and emails. Paste in word. Edit for member's names only. Try to figure out if the blank space is really a name. Decide not to take chance. It wasn't drawn so it is all right. Put in Excel and sort a-z to find duplicates. Use 36 pt. Font and print all names. Run through paper cutter. Put lots and lots of papers in bag. Stir very well so no two are stuck together. Pull one. Think about what to say and then post. Think about military.
Think about Walt Welch. Think about how to lightly explain legal involvement here. Think about another knife just for heroes. Think about new furnace. Decide can't afford it. Think about Walt Welch and what heroes these folks really are. Mailman comes into deliver mail. Knowing it could be anthrax on pretty near anything and still doing job. Think about buddies lost in wars. Get emotional. Decide some things more important than money. Give away knife to heroes. Try to decide who is and who is not a here. Let them decide. Worry some guys might not like it. Decide to ignore them. Trust heroes. Think about what our private security has gone through.

Also talk to furnace guy about new furnace in the plant ($2500 surprise), talk to customer about brazing problem. Talk to rep and see if he can go to customer and politely show him what he is doing wrong. Talk to office manager about new furnace. Talk to office manager about pricing problems from supplier. Get up date on baby. Baby doing fine. Talk to shop foreman about supplier problems. Go lunch with buddy. Talk to pretty redhead bartender about kids. Also her cancer is all cured. Good news. Try to remember her name. Convince foreman that we need the very best even if it is more money. Try to remember what time Sonja, (pretty, blonde science teacher) said to pick her up for dinner. Decide to call and leave message that I am guessing.

Tom
 
My sincere congratulations to the winners, enjoy your knives. Tom, thanks for allow us the joy of participate.
 
Hey Tom...ummm how about sharing some of them pretty ladies you got ...hmm how about the next contest is a Date with one of them?? :D :rolleyes:
 
Hopefully, by the time you do your next contest I will be one of those heros serving for our country. You're a good man.
 
Tom:

Got your e-mail this AM & sent reply about an hour ago. Many thanks for the opportunity and your generosity!

People really win on Bladeforums!
 
Originally posted by tomwalz
Anyway, I am willing to take everyone at their word. If you are helping protect our country and are putting your self in harm's way please give us the chance to give you one of these knives.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... I assume I am missinterpreting this post....and even if I am not, I wouldn't feel right accepting such a "give-away" for just doing my job... That being said, how much are you selling the tallonite EDCs for (are you selling them?)?
 
Tom,

I appreciate the mention in your opening post in this thread. It's been a tough day. We had a C-21 crash while taking off this afternoon from the base where I work... no survivors. More I can't say as other details have yet to be officially released.

A few weeks back one of our base's B-1B bombers was lost off Diego Garcia. Thankfully all 4 crewman ejected safely and were recovered by the Navy. Unfortunately today's incident did not have as good an outcome.

So I'd like to ask folks to keep our servicemen and women in their prayers (regardless if their uniform is military, police, fire, postal, or civilian threads such as US Marshalls, FBI, Secret Service, etc. wear). The Country is in for the long haul with our fight against terrorism. And with it, no doubt we will loose more good people, in direct action, in support roles, in training, both at home and in far off places.

I also want to thank you for once again a great give-away. You mentioned Walt "Doc" Welch too. Undoubtedly you read my post where I shared part of Walt's letter to my navy corpsman son which accompanied gifts of knives, photons, medical gear, and sage advice. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186448&perpage=20&pagenumber=3 If that in some way helped inspire your offer to help place Talonite knives in the hands of folks serving our country, be it local, state or federal, I'm sure old Doc is smiling up above. It's a great gesture and a tribute to Walt and his legacy.

THANKS TOM

Retired Navy
USAF civilian
 
Dear Warriorsociologist:

No, you didn't misinterpret it.

If you would, you might check Bald 1's post about Walt Welch.

It isn't about you doing your job but that you are willing to do it at all and that you do it so well. Part of this is that you guys really are heroes to a lot of us. There are a lot of us just looking for a way to say thank you.

Tom
 
Dear Tom,

Thank you for clarifying for me...and humbling me with the honor you bestow to others. I wish I had been active on these forums when Walt was still with 'us'...his legacy of unselfish sagemanship seems to have rubbed off on more than but one of you fine men and women.

I am glad to have found this forum...and I am glad to see everyday America, not just the patriots who have always done so, honor their military and civilian men & women in uniform. This is perhaps one of the greatest things to come out of 9-11. Wearing a uniform, any uniform, usually entails the acceptance of a professional calling...not just a vocation. I believe professionals feel they are 'called' to do what they do. Professionals put the interests of others and the integrity of their profession before their own interests. Most importantly, professionals are mindful of the responsibility they share in maintaining the honor that others before them have brought to the uniform they are privileged to wear.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart...not 'just' for being the generous man that you are, but for being a proud American and true patriot. Nothing is free…but I hate nothing more than seeing something others have fought hard for flaunted and taken for granted. Up until a few months ago, freedom was one of these things. 9-11 has refocused and re-newed the sense of honor that we feel towards the men and women who had been otherwise silently performing their thankless jobs. While I may be one of them...I am but one. Do not honor me. Instead, honor the idea...honor the profession, and honor the principles that inspire young people to take up professions in service to others.

Semper Fi.
 
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