Gus Kalanzis aka "Bastid"

My deepest condolences to friends and family. Aside from their knowledge of cutlery, Gus, Elliott, Cougar, and Esav set the example of correct moderation of the forum. If you enjoy the forum, part of that experience you enjoy is because of Gus.

Here's a bit more on that sword, and the deep knowledge and appreciation Gus had about custom cutlery

JParanee

Thread 'Blade 2014 Vince Evans Scottish Baskethilt Sword'

Our very own Gus Kalanzis was so very kind to bring this heirloom quality Scottish Baskethilt Sword by renowned artist Vince Evans

Please have a look at this video and lets all say congrats to our own Bastid :)

[video=youtube_share;NXRttLnIXos]

youtu.be/NXRttLnIXos
  • Love
 
Gus truly was the best of us. He was such a kind and generous person - when I moved from Kentucky to Florida he let me stay the night in his home and helped me pick up a dog I was adopting as well. He was a truly great person to know and I'm incredibly saddened by his passing.
 
Spark said:
Gus truly was the best of us. He was such a kind and generous person - when I moved from Kentucky to Florida he let me stay the night in his home and helped me pick up a dog I was adopting as well. He was a truly great person to know and I'm incredibly saddened by his passing.
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We really are an extended family...and have lasted longer than many.
 
Blues Blues Spark Spark Thanks for your words and remembrances. I don't make my way in here much for no good reason, yet TODAY I felt your pull. Karma.

Elliot, what you wrote was profound and PERFECT. Thank you.

I met Gus in the old TKCL email list. All good vibes.

I raise a toast to him tonight. He has enriched so many.

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
Blues Blues Spark Spark Thanks for your words and remembrances. I don't make my way in here much for no good reason, yet TODAY I felt your pull. Karma.

Elliot, what you wrote was profound and PERFECT. Thank you.

I met Gus in the old TKCL email list. All good vibes.

I raise a toast to him tonight. He has enriched so many.

Coop
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Thank you, Coop. It wasn't the Blade Show without seeing you there and what you were memorializing via your photographs. All part of the ritual we looked forward to year after year. I'll join you in a toast this evening.
 
To me the guy was a bit of a legend around here, and I never got to know him, but I knew he was one of the good ones. Excellent eulogies.

My sincere condolences for his family and for the friends here who loved him. Sounds to me like he had a life well lived.
 
Thank you Elliot for sharing a heartfelt tribute to your good friend Gus.

It is sad to lose a friend so close to you that he was family. I am thankful that you have many many great memories with him to look back on as you grieve his passing.

Phil
 
I will aways remember him as a great and generous person who has helped and educated me in many situations. Had the honor to meet him in person at the ´99 Blade (when I also met you for the first time, Elliot, and many old timers) and other subsequent Blades and I have only good memories about our interactions.
People like Gus are harder and harder to find as the years go by and he will surely be missed.
 
I'm heartbroken to hear this sad news. Gus was one of the best guys you could ever hope to meet, and I was fortunate to have him as a good friend. RIP, my friend. We'll meet up again.
 
I had several occasions to speak to Gus through the forum, and a few times outside the forum including meeting Gus at the Blade Show here in Atlanta. The culture in the Traditional knife community here would not be what it is without both Gus and Elliott and I am very sad to here of Gus's passing.
Condolences to his family and indeed, godspeed to you Gus.
 
Thank you, Stu. Gus was very self effacing, but he knew he was loved, whether he felt he deserved it or not. This site has lost some giants over the years...James Mattis, Esav, Gus, Uncle Bill and too many others to name. They were each instrumental in creating and strengthening the foundation of this site, and largely why it continues to flourish a quarter century later.
 
very sad news. big loss to the site and all of us, R.I.P.
 
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