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- Sep 14, 2006
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We moved to the country a while back and took over the property of an older gentleman who had passed away.
"The Old Gentleman" - That is how we refer to the previous owner. Of course we know his real name, and some of his history. What is unfortunate is that when he passed away, all of his living relatives but an estranged nephew were also gone. The nephew had no interest in the property or anything on it, so we purchased it in toto.
In going through the rooms of the house, which were left full with most of The Old Gentleman's belongings, we came across a small ornamental bowl on a bed-side table. In it was an old pocket knife.
We got busy with other things and the knife was put in a drawer somewhere. Today I got it out and looked at it.
The knife is a three-blade Hammer Brand USA knife. It's small, maybe 3". There is a clip blade, very worn, and what seem to be a couple of spey type blades.
The knife has seen much use. The patina is heavy, and the clip blade is bent out of true. It has been sharpened on a coarse stone. It is missing a pin, and there is play in the blades.
The Old Gentleman had a spiral notebook full of plans for buildings and repairs, livestock needs and improvements. One day though, he got down in his back, and he just didn't want to get out of bed anymore. His wife was gone, his son was dead, and there wasn't anybody else. And then, he was gone too.
But, an unintended legacy, The Old Gentleman left his knife behind, and it still has a bit of life in it.
After a good cleaning, I do think it will find its way into my pocket from time to time, in memory.
Andy
"The Old Gentleman" - That is how we refer to the previous owner. Of course we know his real name, and some of his history. What is unfortunate is that when he passed away, all of his living relatives but an estranged nephew were also gone. The nephew had no interest in the property or anything on it, so we purchased it in toto.
In going through the rooms of the house, which were left full with most of The Old Gentleman's belongings, we came across a small ornamental bowl on a bed-side table. In it was an old pocket knife.
We got busy with other things and the knife was put in a drawer somewhere. Today I got it out and looked at it.
The knife is a three-blade Hammer Brand USA knife. It's small, maybe 3". There is a clip blade, very worn, and what seem to be a couple of spey type blades.
The knife has seen much use. The patina is heavy, and the clip blade is bent out of true. It has been sharpened on a coarse stone. It is missing a pin, and there is play in the blades.
The Old Gentleman had a spiral notebook full of plans for buildings and repairs, livestock needs and improvements. One day though, he got down in his back, and he just didn't want to get out of bed anymore. His wife was gone, his son was dead, and there wasn't anybody else. And then, he was gone too.
But, an unintended legacy, The Old Gentleman left his knife behind, and it still has a bit of life in it.
After a good cleaning, I do think it will find its way into my pocket from time to time, in memory.
Andy
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