- Joined
- Jul 14, 2000
- Messages
- 3,278
I joined this wonderful website back in 2000, IIRC. I learned a lot from it, and made many friends. I traveled to a lot of shows and met many people that mean a great deal to me. I got a job in the knife industry and had a lot of opportunities there, none of which I pursued.
I don't regret any of it.
I have always had a soft spot for knives, even after I got out of the business. I would still order a knife from different vendors from time to time. I would check BFC every once in a while. I would, on occasion, talk to some of the makers, manufacturers, and collectors that I had met over the years.
Recently I have felt myself pulled back towards it all. Blade show, the Tulsa gatherings, AR Custom Knife Show, etc.
This past weekend I attended one of the best shows I have ever attended. It was hosted by a former employer and mentor of mine. I ran into people I haven't seen in a couple of years. It did a lot of good for me. I got a phone call soon after, telling me that I had one a pretty hefty gift certificate. Even before that, I have felt the attraction, the pull.
If you aren't in it then it is hard to explain. It is more than gravity. I think it is a lot like any other tool, whether it be a pen, knife, chainsaw, pistol, watch, etc. It is not just the soul of one particular piece. It is the soul that is poured into the industry as a whole. A lot of people have devoted their lives to us and our hobby. It has taken me many years to really fully appreciate it.
Whether I get back into the hobby full time or not does not matter. I think what does matter is that I have made some friends that don't care what I have done for the last couple of years or what I have been up to. What matters to them is their work and the fact that we all share a common interest.
I talked to Ray Kirk at the show and even after several years he assured me my credit was good. I ran into Danbo and it was like we had seen each other a couple of weeks ago. There are a lot more experiences that I could go into, but will not.
I think what bonds us goes a lot deeper than what type of steel is in a blade or what type of scales we have on our latest folder.
I think what matters to the average knife collector is that we 'get it'. What you own or collect does not matter. It is the soul and the effort that you put into it.
I am not really sure where this thread belongs. I think the above applies to all of us, whether we collect customs or factory. Automatics or slipjoints. Wood and steel or damascus and ivory.
We all have something we can share with each other, and that is what I have always looked for in my knives. I simply wish I had known earlier that it did not actually have to be a knife itself, but a common interest between us.
Thank you for listening,
Maurice
I don't regret any of it.
I have always had a soft spot for knives, even after I got out of the business. I would still order a knife from different vendors from time to time. I would check BFC every once in a while. I would, on occasion, talk to some of the makers, manufacturers, and collectors that I had met over the years.
Recently I have felt myself pulled back towards it all. Blade show, the Tulsa gatherings, AR Custom Knife Show, etc.
This past weekend I attended one of the best shows I have ever attended. It was hosted by a former employer and mentor of mine. I ran into people I haven't seen in a couple of years. It did a lot of good for me. I got a phone call soon after, telling me that I had one a pretty hefty gift certificate. Even before that, I have felt the attraction, the pull.
If you aren't in it then it is hard to explain. It is more than gravity. I think it is a lot like any other tool, whether it be a pen, knife, chainsaw, pistol, watch, etc. It is not just the soul of one particular piece. It is the soul that is poured into the industry as a whole. A lot of people have devoted their lives to us and our hobby. It has taken me many years to really fully appreciate it.
Whether I get back into the hobby full time or not does not matter. I think what does matter is that I have made some friends that don't care what I have done for the last couple of years or what I have been up to. What matters to them is their work and the fact that we all share a common interest.
I talked to Ray Kirk at the show and even after several years he assured me my credit was good. I ran into Danbo and it was like we had seen each other a couple of weeks ago. There are a lot more experiences that I could go into, but will not.
I think what bonds us goes a lot deeper than what type of steel is in a blade or what type of scales we have on our latest folder.
I think what matters to the average knife collector is that we 'get it'. What you own or collect does not matter. It is the soul and the effort that you put into it.
I am not really sure where this thread belongs. I think the above applies to all of us, whether we collect customs or factory. Automatics or slipjoints. Wood and steel or damascus and ivory.
We all have something we can share with each other, and that is what I have always looked for in my knives. I simply wish I had known earlier that it did not actually have to be a knife itself, but a common interest between us.
Thank you for listening,
Maurice
