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

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Although I never met him, in all the correspondence I had with him, in every post of his I read, his gentleness was evident. He was truly a gentleman and a scholar. What first impressed me was his "good karma cut" for knives he sold. Ten percent to your favorite charity.

I have one knife from him with the "Chai" symbol on it. I treasure it more now.

Dean
 
My condolences to the Mattis family.

God has a way of touching many different kinds of people with His love. James love of his faith, and its joy, was no secret. James did not take his lamp and hide it in a closet, he set it upon a lampstand for others to see.

Knives are what bring us here on BF and it was because of my interests in these mere objects of steel, plastic and wood that I came in contact with James Mattis. He had a certain way about him, like "Chai" that was enjoyable to be around.

For a man of faith, death is but a promotion. James' passing is our loss; perhaps we can gain something from his ways.

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 09-16-2000).]
 
Mr. Mattis was one of those guys who always stood out, not through vulgarism or vanity, but through wisdom, warmth and humor. I remember his posts from when I first started..... We need to gain more like him not loose them... I am sorry that words cannot do this situation justice, but To the family and all of us- may God give us all comfort and peace at this time of loss

Paul Pfund
 
James ran Chai Cutlery like we should live our lives. Humorous, compassionate, dedicated and fair. James was always a pleasure to talk to. He will be remembered as a gentleman and a scholar. My condolances to his family. I will miss him.
 
Well, I am at a loss for words!!! I just arrived home from work, and this has really come out of left field!

I had the opportunity to sit by James at the TKCL Banquet at this years blade show in Atlanta... We chatted just briefly, but it was obvious to me that he was a great human being with a wealth of knowledge!

Jim, you will surely be missed!!!

Toni, and family... You have my sincerest condolences!!!
 
Had a nice chat with James at Blade Show West last Saturday.Wished I would have spent the day at his table.What a wonderful and delightful man.He is missed.
My prayers are with his family.

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have a"knife"day
 
This is a terrible blow. James was one of the "good" guys.
He always conducted himself as a gentleman and was charitable to the end.

I only recently picked up a "puukko" from him. It'll mean all the more to me now, but somehow this just doesn't seem real.

I always had fun with James whether chatting about knives, philosophy, religion or poetry.
His was a unique mind with a charitable spin at all times.

This site, indeed the world, is diminished by his loss.

Blues



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Live Free or Die

Blues' Knife Pix
 
I'm saddened by the lost.
I just saw him last Saturday at Blade Show West. He had what I call the 3-D man down to a science.
He had lots of Curly, Some Clint and alot of Ghandi...

Men like him are gifts to Humanity.

Rest in peace James

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"Though a man should conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle,
He who conquers himself is the greatest warrior."

"This is the law:
There is no possible victory in defense, The Sword is more important than the shield, And skill is more important than either, The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental."
 
I didn't know Jim but I do extend my condolences to his wife and family - My prayers are with you Toni -
 
I am shocked beyond words, even after letting it absorb for a few hours it's still unreal.

We never met in person being on opposite coast, and I never had the chance to buy from him, although I'd planned to buy several new spydercos from him. He was truly one of the good guys, not only in the industry, but on this mortal coil. James helped turn my little hobby of collecting knives into a full blown rabid passion, and the sad part is, he probably didn't even know it.

Toni, my prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Please don't hesitate to come to us for any help you need.

We have truly lost a brother..
frown.gif

 
Jim was always the gentleman. We'll miss his good humor and sage counsel. With deepest sympathy from our family to his...

Will
 
Wow I don't know what to say!! I log on this morning and see this. Seems like he was just in chat. Sh$t happens so fast it makes your head spin. He will be missed. I remember him as a voice of reason in the old days well before this forum started. At a loss for more to say.
bob
 
This comes as a great shock. My sincerest condolences go out to all of the Mattis family.

I never met James but I will miss him.

Kenneth Lau
 
What terribly sad news this is. I always went out of my way to read what sparkles of truth and wisdom Jim had to say. The way he wrote reminded me of a warm father figure always willing to take time to teach others. I do think his web site should be kept up for other to see a glimpse of the man and his ideals.

My deepest condolences go out to the Mattis family, he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sincerely,
Tom
 
I'm at a loss for words, this is not only a terrible loss to his family, its a terrible loss to our knife community as a whole. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.

Jake
 
Meeting and getting to know people through the internet is a relatively new thing. In these forums, we sift through posts building a feeling about each posters' personality and character. Over the past year it became clear to me that James was a bright light of reason, kindness, fairness and thoughtfulness both here and in the real world.....a world which is surely a little darker without him. I will miss his presence on these forums.
 
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