BMCGear
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2014
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Smokey is my grandfather. He is my mother's father, a mechanic, logger, fisherman, duck hunter, and all around outdoors-man. Smokey passed away not long after I was born so I never knew him except for the stories that I was told and I own 2 of his guns and his old pocket knife.
This knife was given to Smokey from my father who considered him a 2nd father. Smokey was apparently night and day different than my other grandfather in many ways but he was an honest hard working man and him and my father connected on that level as well as others.
I feel that this knife gives an honest depiction of my grandfather in several ways. First it's an inexpensive knife. A Sodbuster has always been an affordable knife and that represents in many ways the life that my grandfather lived. He never had more than he needed and sometimes not enough but he always made it through. Secondly he was rough around the edges. Just like this knife. The back spring isn't quite flush, the liners may have a gap here and there, and there is some blade play. Even when new this knife wasn't perfect. Although he was rough around the edges he always took care of the people he loved and would give the shirt off of his back. My father often says that Smokey had a heart of gold it was just under a few layers of callous due to what he had gone through as a child. So although this knife may not have perfect fit and finish it offered years of companionship and did it's best to do whatever my grandfather asked of it. Lastly before being given to me the knife lived an honest life of hard work. Just like my grandfather. I could probably find more similarities but those are what come to mind when I hold the knife.
I wish I would have known Smokey. I know a lot about him, and owning this knife and 2 of his guns (one of which was his favorite; a cheaply made Spanish double barrel) I feel connected to him. Just thought I'd share this; it's kind of sappy but so is the traditional forum sometimes.
Pics:
This knife was given to Smokey from my father who considered him a 2nd father. Smokey was apparently night and day different than my other grandfather in many ways but he was an honest hard working man and him and my father connected on that level as well as others.
I feel that this knife gives an honest depiction of my grandfather in several ways. First it's an inexpensive knife. A Sodbuster has always been an affordable knife and that represents in many ways the life that my grandfather lived. He never had more than he needed and sometimes not enough but he always made it through. Secondly he was rough around the edges. Just like this knife. The back spring isn't quite flush, the liners may have a gap here and there, and there is some blade play. Even when new this knife wasn't perfect. Although he was rough around the edges he always took care of the people he loved and would give the shirt off of his back. My father often says that Smokey had a heart of gold it was just under a few layers of callous due to what he had gone through as a child. So although this knife may not have perfect fit and finish it offered years of companionship and did it's best to do whatever my grandfather asked of it. Lastly before being given to me the knife lived an honest life of hard work. Just like my grandfather. I could probably find more similarities but those are what come to mind when I hold the knife.
I wish I would have known Smokey. I know a lot about him, and owning this knife and 2 of his guns (one of which was his favorite; a cheaply made Spanish double barrel) I feel connected to him. Just thought I'd share this; it's kind of sappy but so is the traditional forum sometimes.
Pics:
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