got asked if my Gunhammer was a...Smith & Wesson*barf* (ALSO re: my MODERATOR status)

harkamus

harkamus

Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
4,984
I spent the day driving up to Brevard, NC to go hiking and waterfall observing at Dupont National Forest and some other place with a waterfall. It was basically where a few scenes from the Hunger Games was filmed. Anyway, while eating dinner, a friend of mine pulls out his pocket knife and said he was prepared in case we had some first aid emergency. On quick glance, it looked like some old assisted SOG. So I pull out my HTM Gunhammer and deploy it with the flipper. Dude goes, "Wow, I've never seen that one before. Is that assisted?" I said, "Nah. It's not assisted. I dislike assisted knives. You've never seen it before because it's hand made." I knew at once that he wasn't a knifeknut, so I didn't go into more depth about it. He then asks if the knife was a Smith & Wesson to which I replied, "Nope." That was the end of our convo. He compared the edge of his knife to mine which is mirror polished and taken to 22.5 degrees inclusive. He goes, "Daaaaaamn."

All in all it was a blast today going hiking. It was much needed to clear my head, which brings me to something else...

I may step down as moderator in the near future. Times are rough. I haven't been able to find employment in the past few weeks. I've been liquidating many of my valuables. Yes, the HK45 may have to go. Money is running out, and I still have student loan bills to pay, which compared to many folks I know is actually not all that much. But when you have ZERO income, any number is magnified. I landed a few interviews and even made it to round 2 of 3 with some company, but nothing ended up happening. I will give it a few more weeks time to look for jobs even the tiniest bit relevant to my field (exercise science, kinesiology, strength coaching, or biomechanics). If I find nothing, I'm sorry to have to tell you guys, I'll be relocating for a least a year to Taipei, Taiwan for work. You guys have to understand, I need to make money so I can 1) pay off loans, and 2) pay for my graduate school studies once my loans are paid off).

That said, I'm thinking one of the regulars here should replace me. If I am forced to leave, I'll catch whoever becomes mod up to speed.

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you guys this.
 
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Have you considered getting a forbearance on your loan payment. They usually have a financial hardship qualification. You can get one for 6 months to a year. You skip the payments but they keep adding the interest to your principal.

It's not the greatest option but it works very well when you need it.
 
I am sad to hear this Hark. Times are rough. We are on opposite ends of the job spectrum for now it seems. I have just taken a job in a different state for a massive pay increase. But, it means forfeiting school for a long time. I had big plans for a degree, and am about 1.5 years away from mine, but my money situation is tight and I am living paycheck to paycheck. I hope I am doing the right thing. Time for a little opening up; I have severe anxiety about relocating. It's probably my biggest fear, way more than public speaking or anything like that. I have about a month before the move and I cannot even sleep anymore. Three hours last night, about the same the night before. On top of that, my new job is going to be a drastic increase in responsibility, as in win or lose in a year kind of thing. It's a lot of pressure, but it's only able to happen since I am 24 and don't have a family of my own or anything holding me down where I am right now besides being born and raised here.

I cannot imagine relocating to Taiwan. I could never follow through on that. I think it goes without saying that everyone wishes you the best of luck no matter what happens. I hope you can find the job you are looking for here, but Taiwan could be one heck of an experience. I guess it is what you make of it.

And, I am guessing that the big, new announcement isn't that HTM has been bought by Taylor Brands (the purveyors of fine cutlery brands like S&W, the current Schrade brands and several (~40!!!) others for the uninitiated)?

And finally, there is only one man who could possibly be your successor, Neuron. But I think you already knew that ;) Hopefully it won't come to that, you have really been a big help with this forum and it's beloved S90V Gunhammer.
 
Thanks for all the comments, folks. If it comes down to Taiwan, I'll prob still post from time to time if I have free time and can get to a comp.

Ideally, I don't want to do the forbearance thing if I can help it. Rather not accrue even more interest. If I'm in Taiwan, I'd have all my money just deposited straight into my BofA account. I'd probably also increase my payment per month so I can pay it all off in roughly 6 months time while working in Taipei.

I have no problems moving over seas. I'll be home sick from time to time I'm sure, but at least where I'm going, enough of the population speaks English to where things shouldn't be a problem for the most part.
 
I've started the wheels in motion for stepping down as mod. Neuron agreed to take over. I've had some leads that may help my situation, but whatever happens will still have me too busy to moderate this place. And, chances are I'm still relocating. It just may not have to be Taiwan anymore.

Though as funny as it is, I found an old old friend from over 10 years ago that I lost touch with that just so happens to be in Taiwan. Funny how the world works.
 
I feel you on the money troubles Hark, for sure. The most important thing now is that you stabilize your life so you can do what needs to be done.

Just know that no matter how far your responsibilities and duties carry you, we'll be here, ready to talk shop about knives and tease you about your love for Kirby.

Go out there and kick some ass, brother. We'll see you back here before too long.
 
Oddly enough I graduated with a similar degree and moved on to grad school right after graduation this year. Here's to hoping our job field perks up a bit in the near future. Best of luck in your search.
 
TheBleedingEdge said:
I feel you on the money troubles Hark, for sure. The most important thing now is that you stabilize your life so you can do what needs to be done.

Just know that no matter how far your responsibilities and duties carry you, we'll be here, ready to talk shop about knives and tease you about your love for Kirby.

Go out there and kick some ass, brother. We'll see you back here before too long.
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That's the plan. Take care of priorities. I'll be around though, prob not as much. BTW, I guess I'll divulge my custom Gunhammer details.

Guess I'll spill the beans here of what my personally requested feature for that blade was. I wanted a pocket clip mounted on the backspacer so the whole knife is 100% symmetrical. No left or right side clip. Just on the backspacer. Blade steel is m390. Pivot will use his Maxx Glide bearing system. Both sides of the pivot will be a torx head so I can actually strip the knife down myself. 3.9 inch stone washed blade. Beadblasted titanium handles. .15inch thick linerlock. Not a framelock because those are not symmetrical. Also no index cut outs to make lockbar access easier. Cut outs just look tacky and make a knife asymmetrical.

austonh said:
Oddly enough I graduated with a similar degree and moved on to grad school right after graduation this year. Here's to hoping our job field perks up a bit in the near future. Best of luck in your search.
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My advice is try to make connections. In the mean time, walk the walk and actually exercise so you can look the part. Despite how hard things have been, I still manage to hit the gym upwards of 6 times a week. Been at it for 12 years.
 
Sweet, that's a really good idea. I liked the spring loaded clip that's part of the handle too. Have you guys seen that one?
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
Sweet, that's a really good idea. I liked the spring loaded clip that's part of the handle too. Have you guys seen that one?
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By Caswell? That maker has a few designs where the clip only comes out when the blade is closed. When you flip the blade open the clip retracts. Mine's simple. Just screwed on the almost full length titanium back spacer. That idea is that I should be able to upgrade to a G&G Hawk Gripclip in the future. I figure I just need to give G&G Hawk measurements of where the screw holes go, and they could prob make me one.
 
I've been travelling this week, so I am a little late to the thread. Hark, this is very sad news. I sure wish you the best in finding a source of income that fits your skills. If you ever need a reference for your communication ability, initiative, reliability, etc. you have a lot of folks who would attest to your abilities. Thanks for sharing your secret build ideas - they are very interesting. Good luck in the future, and I know we will hear from you often.
 
so what does that mean im gonna have to pester neuron now to pester sparks about the subform and me moding that?
 
Best of luck to you brother Hark. You might want to start making knives. That definitely has helped out my situation.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Best of luck to you brother Hark. You might want to start making knives. That definitely has helped out my situation.
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Yikes, it's not helped mine... I've spent a LOT of money on tools and steel, and haven't really recouped much of it. I'm not sure how many makers would agree that it's a good thing to get into if you already have a cashflow problem...
 
I had most of my tools before I started.
 
harkamus said:
That's the plan. Take care of priorities. I'll be around though, prob not as much. BTW, I guess I'll divulge my custom Gunhammer details.

Guess I'll spill the beans here of what my personally requested feature for that blade was. I wanted a pocket clip mounted on the backspacer so the whole knife is 100% symmetrical. No left or right side clip. Just on the backspacer. Blade steel is m390. Pivot will use his Maxx Glide bearing system. Both sides of the pivot will be a torx head so I can actually strip the knife down myself. 3.9 inch stone washed blade. Beadblasted titanium handles. .15inch thick linerlock. Not a framelock because those are not symmetrical. Also no index cut outs to make lockbar access easier. Cut outs just look tacky and make a knife asymmetrical.

My advice is try to make connections. In the mean time, walk the walk and actually exercise so you can look the part. Despite how hard things have been, I still manage to hit the gym upwards of 6 times a week. Been at it for 12 years.
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That sounds like a Gunhammer I'd like to see. Near-perfect symmetry with a kustom klip. Do post photos when she arrives.

Heh, during my whole stint of funemployment, I've really been racking up the hours in recreational exercise. I got myself a bicycle, tricked it out, and began riding it everywhere instead of driving. In about a month of riding, the money I've saved on gas has paid for half of the bike already. If that sounds feasible to you where you live Hark, I would highly recommend it. You'll get ridiculously strong, save money, and you'll feel great after every ride.
 
TheBleedingEdge said:
That sounds like a Gunhammer I'd like to see. Near-perfect symmetry with a kustom klip. Do post photos when she arrives.

Heh, during my whole stint of funemployment, I've really been racking up the hours in recreational exercise. I got myself a bicycle, tricked it out, and began riding it everywhere instead of driving. In about a month of riding, the money I've saved on gas has paid for half of the bike already. If that sounds feasible to you where you live Hark, I would highly recommend it. You'll get ridiculously strong, save money, and you'll feel great after every ride.
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Uh dude, Hark is already ridiculously strong:

brucelee4.jpg
 
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