In Memory of James K Mattis - Please leave your thoughts here.

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I got to know James by Tommi and share his feelings and thoughts.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote to James that after all I'm not going to make a deal with him (yet) - $'s rate id dizzy high just now.
I also wrote that obviously we'll have time for it later.
Well, we don't. Just brings to my mind how suddenly the evening can arrive.
 
This is a huge shock for me, too. I, like the others here, offer my condolences to Mr. Mattis' family and am deeply saddened by our loss. And while I'm not a religious man like some of you here, I can't help but think that James IS going to a better place because he deserves to. He always provided a thoughtful answer to any of my questions and, like everyone here, has proven to be a tremendously positive presence on this forum. I ordered two of my favorite knives from him and was thinking of ordering another, just b/c I liked the way he did busines b/c of who he is--a great guy. In fact, I'm looking at my daily carry--a Spyderco Calypso Lightweight, Jr.--w/ the "Chai" symbol etched into it. I wanted that done b/c I wanted the knife to be a more personal possession and b/c I felt that his view of cutlery was a good thing. Let's face it: Whether we were politically correct types, martial artists who look at knives as defensive tools, or folks in the middle, he was an advocate for us all. THAT will be missed. I believe it was Clay that suggested we keep James' name on the moderator list. He said that "he's earned it." I'd like to say that not only has he earned it, he was, in the truest sense, a moderator. Never to play any one side and always mending arguments, I don't think there is anyone here who can fulfill the title to the extent that he did. Please honor this request in memory of the man and what he signifies to us.
 
I am shocked and saddened by this news. We are all the less for this loss, but none so much as his family. My thoughts and prayers are with them tonight.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
Very sad news.
I did know that I could win friends on the net, but I just realized that I can loose a friend on the net.
Good Bye James!
red
 
My condolences to the Mattis family on your loss.
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Steve Shinde
 
What can be said that hasn't already been said. James had become an institution on the online knife groups. He is already missed.
 
The world is poorer now that he has gone.
4 Years ago when I discovered the presence of knifecontent in the internet and found the first comunities there, mostly on the bm forum of old, James was the person that made me allways return. His warmth, wisdom and wit that was in every post enlightened me on other subjects then just knives. He made me more aware of the injustices in Red China and since then I try not to buy a product from there.
Many times when bought a knife, I asked myself what would James think about it. Once I posted a review on the BM forum and he quoted me on his pages - this is after several years still an honour for me.
I´m really sad, that I didn´t buy one of his knives at a Munich blade show.so I´d have some physical memory.
Shalom James, you left a mark on me that can not be erased.

all my love and condolences to Toni and the family
love from cologne
Matt from Munich
 
Goodbye Mr. Mattis. I was looking forward to meeting you someday, and I stil am. We'll miss you!!


Blades
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Indeed a great loss to us all.

My deepest condolences to the Mattis family.

A true gentleman, he was a kind person and one of a kind.

We will miss him.

Let this thread and the vast knowledge James has shared with us in this Forum stand as a lasting memorial to him.

Good bye James.

May you rest in peace.
 
Everyone here has already said so much, and I don't know what I can add.
James, you are missed.
Toni and family- you have my prayers
and hopes that you will see your way through this tragedy.
Shalom.
 
Toni,

For some reason, I couldn't sleep last night. I got up so I could watch the sunrise. When I logged on to Bladeforums, I thought someone was playing a cruel joke. Then as I read this thread, it became all too clear. Another weird but wonderful thing happened. As I was reading all of the heartfelt things that people were saying about James, the first rays of sunlight began to appear over the lake that I live on. As I read on, more and more sunlight bathed my world. It was as if all of the things people were saying about James, was lifting up the sun and overwhelming the darkness with bright sunshine. Then as if on cue, a single jet streamed across the bright blue, cloudless sky. It seamed to be going straight up instead of across the sky. The contrail behind the jet was lit up by the sun and was a brilliant fluffy white. It is still up there as I write this, spreading ever wider, just like the warmth that always seemed to spread behind James as he went through life.

I didn't need to meet the man to know what a wonderful, knowledgeable, and truly classy gentleman he was. My heart goes out to you and you are in my prayers.

Jim McCullough
Duluth, Minnesota


Mike and Kevin,

I haven't read through all of the responses yet so I don't know if this has been mentioned yet. How about if we get a special run of SIFU's with a memorial to James on it. Most of the proceeds could go to his family, but a small portion could go to HIS favorite charity.
Another nice thing would be to let people donate a smaller amount, say $25, and receive some kind of smaller rememberence. That way, people who couldn't afford the SIFU could still help out the family.
I also would like to second the idea of keeping him listed as moderator of this forum.
 
I can't think of the number of times James' posts made me smile, or laugh out loud, or nod in agreement, or wish that I had said what he did. I'll miss his voice on the cyber-ether, and I also wish I had known him in three dimensions. My sympathy and condolences to his family. I'll say a Kaddish for him.
 
James was certainly a gentleman and I will also miss his posts. For some reason, I'd always pictured him as being quite a bit younger - I guess that was his enjoyment of life that I mistook for age.

James was a man of knowledge and understanding whom I am grateful to have met.

My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Ray

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831
 
I'm speechless at the moment from the shock of loosing James Mattis! Just found out just now! My thoughts and prayers are with the Mattis family and friends!

James Mattis is in good hands now! Never met James in person, but someday I plan on it!!

 
My most profound condolences.

It is a comment on the man's intelligence, thoughfulness and basic integrity that he will be missed by so many people who never actually met him.
 
Toni,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you & your family for this tragic loss.

James,
I'll play some bagpipe music in your memory tonight. I'll miss you.

Brian
 
Please add my condolences. James will be missed by all that knew him. He conducted his life and his business in a manner that I hope some of us can emulate. Peace be with James and his family.

-Alan
 
James was a man of great integrity and wit.
I think Jim March summed it all up.
"He was the best of us"
I will surely miss him.
My heartfelt condolences to his family
Doc
 
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