Hinderers and a Hummingbird named Gus......explains a lot.

RubiconSS

RubiconSS

Joined
Jan 12, 2011
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This is just a story, nothing useful contained herein.

I sit on my front porch in the morning as I contemplate my day, drinking coffee and waiting for the joints to break the rust lock.
Mornings lately have been lovely, clear and cool here in the woods atop a Mountain in the Poconos....it's quiet cept' for Gus.
Bzzzzzzzzzz Hmmmmmmmmmm Whoommmmmm as Gus comes and goes, back and forth from his feeder(s) and then back up about 50' straight up to a single dead branch on a shagbark Hickory tree above my head.
Gus does not seem to mind me and I certainly do not mind him, Gus and I have an understanding.
I give Gus his sweet nectar and Gus gives me much much more - sorta like my Hinderer. More about that later.
Hard to describe the pleasure one derives from either of these two things that start with "H", for those who experience it - no explanation needed.
For those who do not - no explanation possible.
It occurred to me just this morning towards the end of cup#1 that while Hinderers and Hummingbirds could not be more different, they actually do share (at least for me) a unique relationship.
You see, Both offer a sense of order and solidity in an ever increasingly caotic uncertain world.
When Gus comes to visit he gives me a sense of calm, a sense of 'correctness" to the start of my day. I'd thank him if I could and who knows, maybe keeping his feeder clean and full is thanks enough for Gus.
As I bid Gus fairwell and adue to go begin my day, right before I depart the humble abode to march into the days battle - I don my trusty Hinderer XM18 (into my right front pocket) and as a Knight undoubtedly felt after suiting his armor, I feel ready and finished and set to go.
For those who know what I mean, you probably First came to a similar realization the first time you ever drove down your driveway and realized, "Oh Crap, I forgot my knife!!" You turned around and went back and got it even if it made you 5 minutes late. To not turn around - unthinkable.
So, Thank you Rick and Rob and Gus for bringing a sense of order to my life and others and next time you look up and think you saw something fly by just out of sight, pat your pocket AND say Hi to Gus.
 
I'm telling you man, find yourself a publisher and get cracking on your book. Hate to break it to you though, but you may have to divest yourself of the Hinderer theme in every story. Nah, screw that, your target audience will stay limited to Hinderer fans but you don't need the money, right?
 
We live 16 stories in the air and we have a Hummingbird my wife calls Gertie...She love the nectar and we love her.. and you Sir...Need to compile a book of your LOGIC....LOVE IT..Keep them coming...
 
Rubi, you are a great and talented contributor. Inspired by your little story I ventured outside to see if any of Gus's little friends might be hanging around. No such luck, so I hope you catch a pic of that little guy. Hinderer in the photo and it's a win for sure!

While I was out I snapped a couple phone quality photos just to add a little color to day. It's been so friggin hot that it's near impossible to keep things pretty, but here's the photos all the same...

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Caught a little visitor in this pic...
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Thanks Guys, Wow what beautiful Photos. Love the contrast of Manmade and Mother Natures Beauty.
 
Thanks for the story Rubi, it's the little things that keep me sane and grounded.
 
That's some excellent writing. Thank you!!! Explains a lot! And, btw, I have landed my first Hinderer thanks to you. It's in the mail and I look at the photos of it frequently. The knife in my pocket right now is loved but may soon be sitting in a drawer!
 
Thank you for the kind words. We look forward to sharing your enjoyment when your XM arrives, that is always an exciting day. Don't tackle passing Delivery Drivers ( they don't seem to like it):D
 
Thanks Rubicon,
Let me share with you my moment of epiphany regarding my decision to purchase an XM-18.
When I started buying and appreciating knives a few months ago I had a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of a $400 knife like the Sebenza. Striders were a complete shock to me and Hinderers? Ridiculous! But I bought a small Sebenza and I was impressed. That resulted in my selling it and buying a large Sebenza. Now a $400 knife to most people is absurd. But I am also an audiophile and musician so I am comfortable with absurdity when there is a hidden logic in it. As you know, in high end audio paying $1200 for a 6' set of speaker cables is absurd to most, but when I can hear and feel the improvement over the $900 and $600 and $500 etc. cables that I have tried then the cost is worth it and completely justifiable. Every piece of my stereo is justifiable in my mind.

So the other day, as I was contemplating the "absurdity" of buying an after market XM-18 I suddenly had an epiphany. I'm willing to spend $1200 on a turntable cartridge to listen to vinyl for a couple hours a week. I own several guitars, one is a handmade Lowden from Northern Ireland that I love to play 2-3 times a week. Is it really so absurd to spend hundreds on a knife that I will carry with me at all times to enjoy and use every day? It was at that moment all the anxiety and indecision just fell away from me like an old overcoat. I am totally happy and have no reservations. I contacted P40_Warhawk who was selling my dream XM-18 slicer on EBay and the rest is history. And now I am anxiously waiting. Like anticipating a new set of speakers! Same excitement but for relatively cheap!!!!
 
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Maprik, we all justify our purchases with some logic. Your path is not uncommon.

It this forum we do not speak to secondary pricing. All here are well aware and you have not offended any. I just caution the use of price as many people will begin to post off topic statements and can cause negative conversations.

Like you, I enjoy many hobbies. I have an affinity to audio systems. More into mobile audio than home or theater. My truck thumps, but not to share with others. It's for me and I enjoy tinkering with my system at my convenience and leisure. Even my neighbors are not upset with the minimal amount of SPL fun I do from time to time.
There are so many hobbies we could discuss at nausium, but I stick to knives first.

Hinderers are quality and value wrapped into an awesome package. Yes, value. Even at an elevated price point, these knives are worth the costs in time and currency necessary to own them. That is my opinion, but it comes from a guy that seeks value, quality, and reliability in his gear.
And I use my knives, not each has been used yet, but they are tools first. I do not run out and thrash my gear just to post a photo on the Internet, but if I need to or want to use my knives, I am confident the quality of knives that I own will perform as expected.
In the case of my Hinderers, I expect a lot, and they certainly inspire me to believe they will handle whatever I decide to throw at them. They have not let me down to date (and I rock a 3.5 most every minute of the day and most of the night). In that, I see tremendous value.

Welocome to the group that is Hinderer owners.
 
Thanks! Sorry to derail your thread Rubicon. I didnt mean to rattle on for as long as I did...Again, love your observations and would like to read more...
 
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