In Memoriam Give Away-Our Porch Members

[mrknife]

Rockon75 , I’m not sure however I believe mrknife remembered Bob doing mine(?), unless I’m misremembering. Perhaps mrknife or @paulhilborn know.

It is totally possible that bigbiscuit did that mod, as he loved that pattern and modifying them. I will do a post of my own a little later as both bigbiscuit and halfstop are friends and have made an impact in both life and my collecting/collection.

 

[Rockon75]

It is totally possible that bigbiscuit did that mod, as he loved that pattern and modifying them. I will do a post of my own a little later as both bigbiscuit and halfstop are friends and have made an impact in both life and my collecting/collection.

I am for certain that BigBiscuit reground the 48 that I have. I bought it directly from him. I just wasn't sure when he had done the work. I'm thinking 2015.

 

[Rockon75]

The 54 that is in the giveaway is the unknown. Wouldn't it be special if we discovered that BigBiscuit had done this mod...

 

[pistonsandgears]

Very kind gesture to keep alive the memory of some of the friends we have lost here. I often think of them, and miss seeing their posts.

 

[Dadpool]

When I first started reading the Blade Forums , Bob ( Big Biscuit )'s avatar kind of made me chuckle every time I saw it . He was one the members who made me feel like I was welcome here .

This hit home for me. In my salad days on the Porch -- and on BF in general -- BigBiscuit was one of the folks who made me feel most at home here. When he passed, I was struck by how much I missed him -- missed this man I'd never met in person, and really didn't know much about beyond a shared love of knives and our acquaintance here.

I can't bear the thought of "unfollowing" him, if that makes any sense? Sometimes when I'm sprucing up my profile, his smiling avatar will be one of the ones the site decides to display. It always makes me smile.

This is not an entry, but thank you for running this very generous GAW -- and for prompting all of these lovely, bittersweet memories.

 

[JTB_5]

Great idea Rockon75 ! I echo the sentiments about Ron, and although I wasn’t fortunate enough to know The others it is easy to see how much they impacted folks.

Another guy who did a lot to impact folks here, though less from posting than from his knife enthusiasm, was Derek Bohn. It was recently the anniversary of his passing and though he didn’t spend much time here, I do recall seeing him post from time to time, unless I’m not remembering well. However, I always loved how much he took it upon himself to pass along the hobby of knife collecting. First, Northwoods brand really showed his love for traditional knives. But also his love for passing on the hobby to all ages was remarkable. One of my sons benefited from his knives-for-kids program and got his first real knife with his name etched on it. Derek was a good man and remains dear to many folks who miss him.

 

[Rockon75]

Great idea Rockon75 ! I echo the sentiments about Ron, and although I wasn’t fortunate enough to know The others it is easy to see how much they impacted folks.

Another guy who did a lot to impact folks here, though less from posting than from his knife enthusiasm, was Derek Bohn. It was recently the anniversary of his passing and though he didn’t spend much time here, I do recall seeing him post from time to time, unless I’m not remembering well. However, I always loved how much he took it upon himself to pass along the hobby of knife collecting. First, Northwoods brand really showed his love for traditional knives. But also his love for passing on the hobby to all ages was remarkable. One of my sons benefited from his knives-for-kids program and got his first real knife with his name etched on it. Derek was a good man and remains dear to many folks who miss him.

Absolutely, how could I have left Derek off the list. My goodness.

Derek Bohn (okbohn)
Proprietor-Knives Ship Free

In 2013-2014 when I was getting started, Bob was my main addiction supplier, but Derek had these unique and beautiful knives only available in his store. They had these rustic blades and GEC built them. Something called Northwoods, lol. The unique blades and premium cover materials led me to his internet "door step" time and time again. In the 2014 time period, GEC releases were around 50 per cover and remained in stock for a good while. Derek personally communicated with me on questions that I had and he was always so helpful. I can remember him twisting my arm to consider buying a beautiful Northwoods that was built on the GEC 79 pattern. He was so proud of his "Bohncliffe" blade profile and the creamy natural covers. He said to take a few days and consider it as, these knives don't move very fast and you need to take time to consider the purchase as it was around $175", . Those last about 19.33 seconds these days and none have that creamy white cover that his knives we're known for. I followed him from Oregon to Michigan and almost to Tennessee, where KSF is located currently. I visited their store a couple years ago in Tennessee and all I can say is, it's still worth a stop. The staff have done a wonderful job keeping with the vision that Derek had for the company. I miss Derek as well. A pastor, a knife geek, a pilot, and on and on.

 

[Jolipapa]

Impressed by all the (deserved) great comments!
Should I win, I'd like the knife to be sold to a deserving member and the (not so) humble money sent to Big Biscuit's daughter, a good way to link again with him!.

 

[pistonsandgears]

Absolutely, how could I have left Derek off the list. My goodness.

Derek Bohn (okbohn)
Proprietor-Knives Ship Free
View attachment 1572686
In 2013-2014 when I was getting started, Bob was my main addiction supplier, but Derek had these unique and beautiful knives only available in his store. They had these rustic blades and GEC built them. Something called Northwoods, lol. The unique blades and premium cover materials led me to his internet "door step" time and time again. In the 2014 time period, GEC releases were around 50 per cover and remained in stock for a good while. Derek personally communicated with me on questions that I had and he was always so helpful. I can remember him twisting my arm to consider buying a beautiful Northwoods that was built on the GEC 79 pattern. He was so proud of his "Bohncliffe" blade profile and the creamy natural covers. He said to take a few days and consider it as, these knives don't move very fast and you need to take time to consider the purchase as it was around $175", . Those last about 19.33 seconds these days and none have that creamy white cover that his knives we're known for. I followed him from Oregon to Michigan and almost to Tennessee, where KSF is located currently. I visited their store a couple years ago in Tennessee and all I can say is, it's still worth a stop. The staff have done a wonderful job keeping with the vision that Derek had for the company. I miss Derek as well. A pastor, a knife geek, a pilot, and on and on.

Ah yes Derek was a great guy and had a big influence on my collection. I was really excited when I learned they were moving their shop to just a few miles from my house and I was excited to get to meet him. Sadly he passed right at the start of the move and I never got that chance. I think it would be nice just to have a thread to memorialize these guys. We have lost so many it gets a bit hard at times to think of them all. One other who comes to mind is Charlie Mike I didn't have a lot of interaction with him, but I remember his posts here, I believe he passed back in 2019.

 

[Rockon75]

Ah yes Derek was a great guy and had a big influence on my collection. I was really excited when I learned they were moving their shop to just a few miles from my house and I was excited to get to meet him. Sadly he passed right at the start of the move and I never got that chance. I think it would be nice just to have a thread to memorialize these guys. We have lost so many it gets a bit hard at times to think of them all. One other who comes to mind is Charlie Mike I didn't have a lot of interaction with him, but I remember his posts here, I believe he passed back in 2019.

I was unaware, please share some memories of Charlie Mike https://www.bladeforums.com/members/charlie-mike.112780/

 

[Âchillepattada]

I'm not enough old ( at least on the forum) to have such memories but once again I'm impressed by the "savoir vivre" of this honorable assembly.
Great idea Rockon75

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[Cory Hess]

Bob Andrews was always a character to me. We disagreed on much when it came to GEC, and he was passionate about his knives. We got into a couple terse exchanges, but he never failed to exceed all expectations and hopes as a dealer. I would get emails from him letting me know that he was getting a couple special knives in and was giving me first crack at them. I got a couple really special knives from him, most of all, a rosewood TC barlow that ended up in Evan's vast collection. While we disagreed a lot, I miss his honest and upfront conversation.

Derrick was such a knife advocate. I had the pleasure to meet him a couple times, but the first was quite special. He had just moved his store to Escanaba, which is about 45 minutes from my in-laws. I was very excited that I'd be able to peruse in person, so the next time we were up for the weekend I got up early and packed my daughter and nephew into the truck and headed out. The website said that they were only open until noon on Saturdays, so I wanted to get there early and we could stop in at Hess Knifeworks and Rapid River while we were out. We stopped for breakfast on the way and got to KSF shortly after their 9:00 opening time. The parking lot was empty, but when I tried the door it opened. We headed into the showroom and it too was empty. I didn't think much of this, as I know that most of their business was over the Internet, so whoever was working was probably in back fulfilling orders. We looked around for a while and I was ready to look at some knives from the case, but still nobody had come out. I called out and got no answer. I peeked my head into the door to the back and still no answer. Then the phone started to ring. When nobody answered the phone I knew that something was amiss. Nobody was minding the store. I thought we should leave, but didn't want to leave the store open if nobody was there. I got the kids outside and we waited in the parking lot.

About five minutes later Derrick came peeling into the parking lot, followed closely by a squad car. Apparently, the store wasn't supposed to be opened on Saturdays and they had just overlooked updating the website. Whoever was closing on Friday forgot to lock the door, but they remembered the alarm. Derrick had gotten a call that the store was being broken into. I explained what happened, and he went and talked to the police. The kids got to check out the squad car, and everybody was very friendly. Afterwards, Derrick took us into the store and spent a good hour showing us different knives. My daughter picked out a Northwoods peanut in stag, and when we got back there were stories told about how Uncle Cory broke into the store and got the cops called on us.

I met up with Derrick the following summer at the GEC rendezvous and had a good laugh over the memory. My wife still carries that little peanut that we acuqired on our "heist".

 

[eisman]

We've lost a lot of good friends, but without this site we'd probably never had them.

This morning I'm thinking of chuko and all his fancy lobsters.

 

[Peregrin]

I love reading the great memories!
Cory Hess , Yours really gave me a laugh!

A nice idea for a give away. I miss all these fine fellows that have passed from our forum family to the great beyond.
Not an entry please. Just wanted to say I remember and thank you.

 

[Dadpool]

This morning I'm thinking of chuko and all his fancy lobsters.

This thread is serving another noble purpose: members are finding out about members who've passed. I had no idea we'd lost chuko , or that his son had inherited his account.

The passing of the "account torch" is a good thing. That continuity is lovely.

 

[black mamba]

Great idea, Josh, and thanks for the memories! Tony Bose is the only one of the members mentioned so far that I had the pleasure of meeting in person, at the BLADE Show back in 2010. I was able to spend some time in his room the night before the show started, talking with Tony, Reese, and Kerry Hampton; a very fond memory. I count myself fortunate to have been around to contribute a knife to help defray Big Biscuit's medical expenses, as so many others did. We truly have a very caring family here on the porch. Chuko's and Ron's passings were quite a shock to me, as they were both stalwart contributors. And Josh, the 54 mod is no mystery . . . it was one of mine. I, too, always prefer a bellied with a straight-edged blade combo. Thanks to all for the great remembrances.

 

[JohnDF]

About five minutes later Derrick came peeling into the parking lot, followed closely by a squad car. Apparently, the store wasn't supposed to be opened on Saturdays and they had just overlooked updating the website. Whoever was closing on Friday forgot to lock the door, but they remembered the alarm. Derrick had gotten a call that the store was being broken into. I explained what happened, and he went and talked to the police. The kids got to check out the squad car, and everybody was very friendly. Afterwards, Derrick took us into the store and spent a good hour showing us different knives. My daughter picked out a Northwoods peanut in stag, and when we got back there were stories told about how Uncle Cory broke into the store and got the cops called on us.

What a great story.

 

[Rockon75]

Great idea, Josh, and thanks for the memories! Tony Bose is the only one of the members mentioned so far that I had the pleasure of meeting in person, at the BLADE Show back in 2010. I was able to spend some time in his room the night before the show started, talking with Tony, Reese, and Kerry Hampton; a very fond memory. I count myself fortunate to have been around to contribute a knife to help defray Big Biscuit's medical expenses, as so many others did. We truly have a very caring family here on the porch. Chuko's and Ron's passings were quite a shock to me, as they were both stalwart contributors. And Josh, the 54 mod is no mystery . . . it was one of mine. I, too, always prefer a bellied with a straight-edged blade combo. Thanks to all for the great remembrances.

Excellent to know for sure on that 54.

I had forgotten that Mr. Bose was a member here. What was his BF name/avatar?

I had no idea about chuko . Thank you.

 

[Rockon75]

Great idea, Josh, and thanks for the memories! Tony Bose is the only one of the members mentioned so far that I had the pleasure of meeting in person, at the BLADE Show back in 2010. I was able to spend some time in his room the night before the show started, talking with Tony, Reese, and Kerry Hampton; a very fond memory. I count myself fortunate to have been around to contribute a knife to help defray Big Biscuit's medical expenses, as so many others did. We truly have a very caring family here on the porch. Chuko's and Ron's passings were quite a shock to me, as they were both stalwart contributors. And Josh, the 54 mod is no mystery . . . it was one of mine. I, too, always prefer a bellied with a straight-edged blade combo. Thanks to all for the great remembrances.

BTW, my son still cherishes his "birth knife" that you helped us obtain. Not sure if you recall. Yellow Rose Cattle Barron 4 blade serial #3. He was born on the 3rd of the month and that knife came of GEC's line the day he was born, as close as we can tell. Thank you very much!

 

[mrknife]

I suppose it is tough to say who to discuss first but alphabetically I suppose it would be bigbiscuit. Bob and I got to know each other over the years as I developed my knife interests, chatting here in the threads and messages, eventually even adding him on facebook for ease of contact when his illness had gotten worse. We were hoping he was gonna make that 2017 rendezvous actually. That way he wouldve met some of us in person. But for his part, he was partially responsible for getting me into barlows. See, I had always been obsessed with my knives having endcaps, even insisting upon them. I wouldn't consider knives without endcaps. But Bob kept up the discussion and spurred the interest. He even let this go to me at cost, one of eventually many as his illness progressed .

It had begun a small obsession in barlows that continues to this day.

Another issue Bob had sought to help me with is my difficulty with carrying new knives. If i liked a knife enough, I tended to by a few examples, making sure to keep one mint and perhaps buying a user to carry. I had lamented that GEC seems to refuse to make a 15 long pull clip with an endcap in single blade, in fact one of the earliest knives ive ever purchased was a LNIT 151213 which Ive had modified to be single clip. Seeing as I never found another pop up, I wouldn't carry my knife. He would joke about buying a knife and kicking it down the drive way so id be comfortable using it. Bob actually tried to remedy this by sending this gift,

A knife he had modded by rescaling with thicker hand shaped ebony wood. We shared quite an appreciation for the GEC 15 model and modifying them which we even discussed in detail in the modification thread. Of course this knife's tremendous sentimental value makes it edc quite difficult.

Which brings us to this beauty:

An old spey blade barlow bigbiscuit had modified into a spear which I had a 15 clip donor swapped in from the 2018 rendezvous specials. This was offered by LastRodeo at cost. A knife that I carry in loving memory of our dear forum friend. A piece of appreciation for the 15, the clip and its model's endless modification fun.

Now our other pal Ron, Half/Stop , Ive actually gotten the chance to meet in person at the GEC rendezvouses Ive attended. Ive had the pleasure of dining with Ron and his wife Pam and everyone else over the course of several meals. At one of my latest rendezvous, Pam wanted to buy a present for Ron, my ironwood barlow which she had kept an eye on for him the whole trip! I hope he enjoyed that knife! I was quite shocked to hear of his passing as I had saw it in another thread during my time away from the forums. Ron was part of a group of guys that know who they are, that were part of an effort to help Bigbiscuit during the course of his illness. Most of us in that group managed to meet at that rendezvous actually for 2017. What a great time,

That was the loot haul for that rendezvous.

We're gonna miss you Ron. Not only on these forum threads but at the rendezvouses and all future rendezvouses. We're gonna miss the both of you.

Not an entry, but thanks for the opportunity and the trip down memory lane .