I have changed my mind...

Ivan Campos

Ivan Campos

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 4, 1999
Messages
2,508
I am sorry to have taken your time, especially to those who e-mailed me, but as I started to sort through the khuks and try to decide wich ones I would let go, I ended up deciding not to part with any... sentimental reasons...
I guess I am a worse HKIV case than I previously though I was...
 
In my current battles within the legal system (legal separation with custody battle) I have been portrayed as an evil and dangerous martial artist. A restraining order was requested against me, which would involve confiscation of all my guns and knives. I like to play judo style, so I gave my father’s pre-64 model 70 .270 to my sister and sold all my other guns. I sold all my knives except one box of favorites, which I shipped away for safekeeping. I gave the money from the sales to my opponent.

You would have loved the sale. I bought a table at a gun show and was setting up the night before. People started coming around asking prices, and I started making good deals. Within a few minutes I had a crowd around me. Within an hour I had thousands in cash stuffed in my pockets and an empty table in front of me. I went back to the organizers and told them they could resell the table, as I was sold out.

The court didn’t issue the restraining order. I think I’m in a pretty good position to come out on top in my legal battle.

But the real question is, what was in that 1 box of favorites I shipped away?


Khukuri forged by Ganga Ram
Udhaipur villager
Original Malla
Mattis snow leopard GS
a couple of villagers
Daughter’s Sirupati khukuri
Son’s BAS khukuri
a couple of other khukuris

Daughter’s dirk (Sambar stag handle, handforged from carriage spring)
1 inexpensive Herter’s sheath knife that belonged to my father
2 Sebenzas (right and left handed)
1sypderco Gunting pocket knife
1sypderco Gunting dull trainer
1 Randall #1 sheath knife with stag handle I handpicked at the shop in Orlando.
1 Spyderco Moran sheath knife
1 “kumar karda” sheath knife
1 Blackjack Trailguide sheath knife with black micarta handle.
1 uluchet
1 skatchet
1 sorocabana ( Thanks Ivan)

I remember the stories of old Layman P’ang in ancient China. He loaded all his possessions up into a boat, rowed it out to the middle of a lake, and sank it.

Guess I just had a hard time getting rid of that last box. ;)
 
Howard,
I dont know how you guys can do it. I have never even thought about divorce and the stories that I hear really scare me. I have alot of respect for individuals who are so strong.

As for selling kuks I know what you mean. About once every 3 weeks or so I think to myself "What can I sell?". One by one I go through my kuks, unsheathing and fondleing them, placeing them into 2 rows. One row I keep, the other I sell...and as I look at what I have I can't stand placing any in the "for sale" row. Every one of'em has its place.

On another note I gave my brother a 15" Villager BAS last weekend when I went to visit him. I havent found a BAS quite like it; shallow fullers, very pointy, and straight enough to stab with. He isnt a "knife guy" and I figured he could use a something besides a SAK. He loved it! He was playing with it all weekend saying "I need to go camping, I NEED to go camping!!!"

Uncle is right when he says that they find their own homes.:)
 
Hello, Howard

It is an honor to know that the humble Sorocabana I sent you was worth being stored with so many good knives and saved from being sold. I have aways been curious about how did you like it and I think this answers my question.

Regarding the old Chinese saying, if I were to load a boat with all my possessions (all my knives for that matter as I possess little more...) it would never make it to the middle of the lake...
 
Uncle,
I guess you could use one of those large ferrys that carry a bunch of cars across waterways and attach a limpet to sink the sucker. :confused: Whadda I know?
 
Uncle,
I'd rather let you let me have a shot at the dust bunnies first...I may be able to save a tiny piece of history for future generations, along with one heyl of a adventure into never-never-ever land.:rolleyes:
 
"The dust bunnies are ferocious with strangers"

bunniesfromhell.jpg

...Uncle has a nack for understatement
 
Bill, that made me laugh out loud. You have a great gift and talent. Think about using it to your good advantage. John Powell might be able to give you a little advice regarding this.

As an old freelance writer I do know that good cartoons can be sold on a freelance basis for decent money. If you can do it here you can do it in the real world.

Did I really say that? Real world? What I should say is if you can do it here you can do it anywhere!!!!!!
 
Best of luck Howard. I hope you do not have to follow P'ang's example. Especially if he went down with his boat.

Will
 
Will,

As I recall, Layman P'ang went on to live for many years under a bridge with his daughter, making his living from weaving baskets from river reeds. He became one of ancient China's most famous Ch'an (Zen) masters.

I was speculating with John Powell a while ago, about the classical Hindu stages of life. I have been a student and a householder. It's about time for me to become a homeless, wandering mendicant/yogi, at least according to Hindu tradition. I have been wondering which khukuri to carry under my robe.

I think perhaps the Malla.

;)
 
Around age 40 seems to be a good time to do this, Howard.

When I entered the mendicant era I felt almost guilty -- no rent or mortgage, no tax, no timeclock. But after ten years of it and a marriage to Yangdu I came full circle and started over again.
 
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