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Jackknife Requests "Your" Story...
- Thread starter jackknife
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Jeez, I think everyone in the 50's and 60's had one of those at one time or another. They used to be on the isle with the nailfiles and nail clippers. They actually worked at being a not bad screwdriver and bottle opener. Lots of the guys I served with in the army had one on thier keyring for getting those cold ones open at the end of the day. That was before twist off caps.
Yeah, when they use your middle name, you know you're in the fertilizer then.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2007
- Messages
- 6,151
My Grandfather (Dad's dad) was a carpenter most of his life.
The typical look too, pinstripe overalls and toolbelt with exactly what he needed. A few nails trying to escape.
He built thousands of homes, many of which I get to see on the way to and from work.
His specialty was hand made cabinets (you couldn't buy premade then).
On the jobsite he was in charge most of the time so he would take on any task that needed.
The man was a genius when it came to carpentry. He could do everything.
When I was about 7 or so, he added a bedroom onto my Dad's house during the summer.
I was able to hang out with him during the entire project.
I've never met another person that was as good at their trade as he was with his.
During his coffee breaks (he actually drank coffee during those breaks) he would whittle on whatever
scrap was laying around.
His knife of choice was almost always a stockman. He carried a nicer peanut when he was "going somewhere"
Never really making anything intentionally, sometimes he would replace the wooden wedge in his hammer head.
One of those times, he let me "do it". I made a nice pointy stick that day.
I was proud of that stick.
Shortly after that, my Dad took me to the lumberyard and I picked out a nice Case stockman. Still have it.
All of the knives he owned are currently at my Dad's. Has every one of them, working or non.
I sometimes take a look at them when I'm at Dad's place, makes me remember the good times.
I do still miss my Grandfather very much. But I am greatful for the time we spent together.
mike
The typical look too, pinstripe overalls and toolbelt with exactly what he needed. A few nails trying to escape.
He built thousands of homes, many of which I get to see on the way to and from work.
His specialty was hand made cabinets (you couldn't buy premade then).
On the jobsite he was in charge most of the time so he would take on any task that needed.
The man was a genius when it came to carpentry. He could do everything.
When I was about 7 or so, he added a bedroom onto my Dad's house during the summer.
I was able to hang out with him during the entire project.
I've never met another person that was as good at their trade as he was with his.
During his coffee breaks (he actually drank coffee during those breaks) he would whittle on whatever
scrap was laying around.
His knife of choice was almost always a stockman. He carried a nicer peanut when he was "going somewhere"
Never really making anything intentionally, sometimes he would replace the wooden wedge in his hammer head.
One of those times, he let me "do it". I made a nice pointy stick that day.
I was proud of that stick.Shortly after that, my Dad took me to the lumberyard and I picked out a nice Case stockman. Still have it.
All of the knives he owned are currently at my Dad's. Has every one of them, working or non.
I sometimes take a look at them when I'm at Dad's place, makes me remember the good times.
I do still miss my Grandfather very much. But I am greatful for the time we spent together.
mike
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2005
- Messages
- 2,892
I'm from Argentina, my family has always had strong ties to rural activities. Even my dad, who is a judge in Buenos Aires (the capital city) lives in a small farm where he raises horses.
We've always been proud of keeping our country's rural traditions alive, things like "soguería" (traditional leather working, done with raw hide), horsemanship, etc. Both my dad and I have learned a lot from old "gauchos" at my grandfather's ranch. I owe a lot of my limited knowledge to don Juan Ochoa, an 84 year old ranch hand that can do anything I can do faster, better and with simpler equipment. The man was put on Earth to feed me a slice of humble pie every time we work side by side!
Whenever I read one of Jackknife's stories about Mr. Van, I'm reminded of don Ochoa (who's still alive and routinely kicks my butt). He carries and old French kitchen knife in a traditional Argentine sheath (they are carried IWB), the things he does with that chef's knife are amazing. I keep bringing my expensive customs that are perfectly designed for the task at hand, and he keeps doing a better job than me.
Knives are a big part of my country's traditions. They are not only tools but priced luxury items, we've got some for work and some to show off on Sunday. Folding knives aren't part of that cutlery tradition, work knives have always been fixed blade knives. That still holds true today, most rural workers carry "verijeros" (spear pointed knives with a 4" blade, no guard, and integral bolsters). Those who carry folding knives use SAKs. They are the working folders in this country, that's for sure. All other brands are almost unheard of outside of a few cities.
The love for the great outdoors runs in my family. Every vacation I can recall with my dad or grandfather was spent travelling with our horses, on a canoe or going up some mountain. I appreciate a good cigar, a nice single malt, and other refined things, but I still haven't found anything quite as heart warming like whittling a spoon by a camp fire in while my horse rests.
My dad and grandfather both collect knives, but they keep it traditional and only use one or two. My dad seems to get along fine with SAKs and Opinels, he keeps the rest of his knives in their boxes. I'm quite different, I've been exposed to lots of different knives from all over the world and my collection is very eclectic, from handmade Argentine knives to Benchmades, I like them all! And I use them all.
I've always been afflicted by a bit of wandering lust, I've had several short but interesting jobs. I worked as a hunting guide in La Pampa and parts of northern Patagonia, there I learned to hunt boar and pumas with a knife (and got some cool scars). Then I started doing horseback trips through the mountains in Cordoba (central Argentina, my family's adoptive home province). I bred endurance and polo horses. I study history and anthropology at the UBA (Buenos Aires university), this combined with my guiding experience helped me land some interesting internships at different digs.
It took a girl to make me settle down, after I met her I decided to spend more time in Argentina and I opened an outdoors equipment store in Buenos Aires (where I get to play with lots of knives!).
We've always been proud of keeping our country's rural traditions alive, things like "soguería" (traditional leather working, done with raw hide), horsemanship, etc. Both my dad and I have learned a lot from old "gauchos" at my grandfather's ranch. I owe a lot of my limited knowledge to don Juan Ochoa, an 84 year old ranch hand that can do anything I can do faster, better and with simpler equipment. The man was put on Earth to feed me a slice of humble pie every time we work side by side!
Whenever I read one of Jackknife's stories about Mr. Van, I'm reminded of don Ochoa (who's still alive and routinely kicks my butt). He carries and old French kitchen knife in a traditional Argentine sheath (they are carried IWB), the things he does with that chef's knife are amazing. I keep bringing my expensive customs that are perfectly designed for the task at hand, and he keeps doing a better job than me.
Knives are a big part of my country's traditions. They are not only tools but priced luxury items, we've got some for work and some to show off on Sunday.
Folding knives aren't part of that cutlery tradition, work knives have always been fixed blade knives. That still holds true today, most rural workers carry "verijeros" (spear pointed knives with a 4" blade, no guard, and integral bolsters). Those who carry folding knives use SAKs. They are the working folders in this country, that's for sure. All other brands are almost unheard of outside of a few cities. The love for the great outdoors runs in my family. Every vacation I can recall with my dad or grandfather was spent travelling with our horses, on a canoe or going up some mountain. I appreciate a good cigar, a nice single malt, and other refined things, but I still haven't found anything quite as heart warming like whittling a spoon by a camp fire in while my horse rests.
My dad and grandfather both collect knives, but they keep it traditional and only use one or two. My dad seems to get along fine with SAKs and Opinels, he keeps the rest of his knives in their boxes. I'm quite different, I've been exposed to lots of different knives from all over the world and my collection is very eclectic, from handmade Argentine knives to Benchmades, I like them all! And I use them all.
I've always been afflicted by a bit of wandering lust, I've had several short but interesting jobs. I worked as a hunting guide in La Pampa and parts of northern Patagonia, there I learned to hunt boar and pumas with a knife (and got some cool scars). Then I started doing horseback trips through the mountains in Cordoba (central Argentina, my family's adoptive home province). I bred endurance and polo horses. I study history and anthropology at the UBA (Buenos Aires university), this combined with my guiding experience helped me land some interesting internships at different digs.
It took a girl to make me settle down, after I met her I decided to spend more time in Argentina and I opened an outdoors equipment store in Buenos Aires (where I get to play with lots of knives!).
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2001
- Messages
- 1,055
Some great stories here, folks! Great to hear the international perspective, too. I've read some about the gauchos of Argentina, and it's really interesting to see what I've read translated into "real life".
-- Sam
-- Sam
Last edited:
Will Power
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,363
What got me into pocket-knives was beauty. The sheer look of them as a child. Folding knives (and some fixed) are inherently useful,clever and often beautiful to look at and use. A small knife in your pocket made of attractive materials gave you a sense of happiness pure&simple.
That hasn't changed. Life has changed me and there's been some very trying and frightening times I have to say,but traditional knives are a constant.A reminder of mans' creativity,skill and resourcefulness. They still give me that sense of optimism and excitement ,zeal, I had over four decades ago. Belief in possibility, curiosity, pride in being able to own and use a tool that I would never have the talent or skill to make myself. As the ancient Japanese (doubtless others too) believed, it is a great honour and a source of contentment to carry a fine knife,product of the cutler's art. An ennobling thing.
It's still there, that thrill you get when looking at your favourite pieces despite the harsher realities of life, a hope for better things to come, remembering those no longer with you. Traditional knives humble you in the best way, a link with past and a connexion to the present and future. That's why I say the beauty of knives is important to me.
That hasn't changed. Life has changed me and there's been some very trying and frightening times I have to say,but traditional knives are a constant.A reminder of mans' creativity,skill and resourcefulness. They still give me that sense of optimism and excitement ,zeal, I had over four decades ago. Belief in possibility, curiosity, pride in being able to own and use a tool that I would never have the talent or skill to make myself. As the ancient Japanese (doubtless others too) believed, it is a great honour and a source of contentment to carry a fine knife,product of the cutler's art. An ennobling thing.
It's still there, that thrill you get when looking at your favourite pieces despite the harsher realities of life, a hope for better things to come, remembering those no longer with you. Traditional knives humble you in the best way, a link with past and a connexion to the present and future. That's why I say the beauty of knives is important to me.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2007
- Messages
- 6,518
My dad told me later (mid 90's) that it was up to the CO of their crew whether or not the crew could carry knives. Almost everyone on their crew had a TL29 pattern, but even if they weren't allowed to carry it, everyone had at least one little TRIM knife all the time. My dad carried his (the one he gave me) so long most of the plating was worn off.
I'm going to bookmark this thread. Some of the stories here are great. :thumbup:
thx - cpr
lambertiana
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 9,437
My father only hunted a couple times when I was very young and I didn't get to tag along. But we did a little fishing. I don't recall the knives used for a lot of that fishing; the only one I remember for sure is when our familiy was camping on Assateague Island and were surfcasting for flounder. I used my father's Buck fixed blade to cut up bait fish. It was an older model, very similar to the 118 that I got a few years later.
My first pocketknife was an Ulster scout knife in the late '60s. Not long after I got it, I was playing at the local creek with a friend, and he was carrying it. He then told me that he lost it....
The first knife that I bought with my own money was a PIC German stag-handled knife that I bought when our family was on a camping trip around 1969 or so. I still have it.
I don't yet have any pocketknives from family members who have passed on, at least knives that they carried themselves. I hope to someday get one of the Case knives that my grandfather left (I know he had a 6347 and a congress). I have three knives that he gave me. The first was a small Buck caping model that he gave me in the late '60s-early 70s. The next was a Puma Hunter's Friend, pre-1964, that he gave me out of his own collection some time in the early '70s. And in the mid-70's he gave me a Craftsman stockman.
My grandfather's association with Case started when he was 8 or 9, in 1919 or 1920. He was living in Thatcher, AZ, and his parents ordered a Case knife out of the Sears Roebuck catalog. When it arrived he went into town to show it off, and a kid he had never seen (and never saw again) took off with it. I was surprised at how much he still hurt about it when he told me the story 80 years later.
My first pocketknife was an Ulster scout knife in the late '60s. Not long after I got it, I was playing at the local creek with a friend, and he was carrying it. He then told me that he lost it....
The first knife that I bought with my own money was a PIC German stag-handled knife that I bought when our family was on a camping trip around 1969 or so. I still have it.
I don't yet have any pocketknives from family members who have passed on, at least knives that they carried themselves. I hope to someday get one of the Case knives that my grandfather left (I know he had a 6347 and a congress). I have three knives that he gave me. The first was a small Buck caping model that he gave me in the late '60s-early 70s. The next was a Puma Hunter's Friend, pre-1964, that he gave me out of his own collection some time in the early '70s. And in the mid-70's he gave me a Craftsman stockman.
My grandfather's association with Case started when he was 8 or 9, in 1919 or 1920. He was living in Thatcher, AZ, and his parents ordered a Case knife out of the Sears Roebuck catalog. When it arrived he went into town to show it off, and a kid he had never seen (and never saw again) took off with it. I was surprised at how much he still hurt about it when he told me the story 80 years later.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2007
- Messages
- 4,698
I love these threads!:thumbup:
great stories
Got my 1st knife when I was a Cub Scout at age 9
My father always had knives when we went camping and fishing
I can still see him with his Buck 110 in black leather sheath on his belt along the Conejos River
Come to think of it
My mom never had a problem ever with knives
She bought me the Camillus Cub Scout
She grew up in Colorado as well
So I'm sure she was around knives her whole life
I bought a hatchet and came to BF for info and history:thumbup:
Stared collecting mostly fixed blades
Didn't know much about folding knives
Didn't know pattern names, blade types, handle materials, etching vs. stamping, bifurcated tangs, a blood groove was actually a fuller......
I've stared to collect more folding knives
Though I still like fixed blades the best
The old ones with the leather ring handles
Franciscomv====>
Great info on knife culture in Argentina:thumbup:
What is the typical 1st knife a young, rural boy gets?
At what age?
Is it kind of a "rite of passage"? (like I like to think it is in America)
I like the way they always say the Gaucho knives are pointy to act as a toothpick
I picture a bunch of Gauchos sitting around the campfire picking the beef chunks from their teeth with fancy steel and passing around a bottle of aguardiente
From A.G Russell===>
great stories
Got my 1st knife when I was a Cub Scout at age 9
My father always had knives when we went camping and fishing
I can still see him with his Buck 110 in black leather sheath on his belt along the Conejos River
Come to think of it
My mom never had a problem ever with knives
She bought me the Camillus Cub Scout
She grew up in Colorado as well
So I'm sure she was around knives her whole life
I bought a hatchet and came to BF for info and history:thumbup:
Stared collecting mostly fixed blades
Didn't know much about folding knives
Didn't know pattern names, blade types, handle materials, etching vs. stamping, bifurcated tangs, a blood groove was actually a fuller......
I've stared to collect more folding knives
Though I still like fixed blades the best
The old ones with the leather ring handles
Franciscomv====>
Great info on knife culture in Argentina:thumbup:
What is the typical 1st knife a young, rural boy gets?
At what age?
Is it kind of a "rite of passage"? (like I like to think it is in America)
I like the way they always say the Gaucho knives are pointy to act as a toothpick
I picture a bunch of Gauchos sitting around the campfire picking the beef chunks from their teeth with fancy steel and passing around a bottle of aguardiente
From A.G Russell===>
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2005
- Messages
- 2,892
Trent, rural boys get a knife as soon as they can do any sort of work that requires a knife. So quite early in their lives! I can't remember not having a knife, by the time I was 7 I already had a nice collection going on.
Usually the first work knife will be a typical carbon steel "puñal criollo" (similar to the Bokers on AG Russell) made in Tandil (a city in the south of the Buenos Aires province). Quality with those is hit and miss, they are roughly finished, but they are cheap and serviceable. Most of the time people buy the blade and fit a simple wood or stag handle to it (they are hidden tang knives, it takes just a few minutes and some epoxy putty to have a usable handle). The whole finished thing would cost 15 bucks or less.
Frosts Mora knives, although not very common, are quite appreciated. They were introduced to the country when Mustad (a company that shells horse shoes and farrier equipment) started importing Frosts tools with their brand on them.
I think the most important knife for a kid is not his work knife, but his Sunday knife. Those usually come as a gift after finishing a particularly challenging task or something like that, and are cherished for generations. My Sunday knife, for example, belonged to my grandfather. He got the blade (an old Boker blade) from his father, and the gold and silver handle and sheath were a gift from the employees at a sugar cane plantation he managed in Chaco (a very poor Argentine province). He built a school and a small hospital for them.
Here's a very bad pic. It's in great shape for a knife that's been used for three generations!
Usually the first work knife will be a typical carbon steel "puñal criollo" (similar to the Bokers on AG Russell) made in Tandil (a city in the south of the Buenos Aires province). Quality with those is hit and miss, they are roughly finished, but they are cheap and serviceable. Most of the time people buy the blade and fit a simple wood or stag handle to it (they are hidden tang knives, it takes just a few minutes and some epoxy putty to have a usable handle). The whole finished thing would cost 15 bucks or less.
Frosts Mora knives, although not very common, are quite appreciated. They were introduced to the country when Mustad (a company that shells horse shoes and farrier equipment) started importing Frosts tools with their brand on them.
I think the most important knife for a kid is not his work knife, but his Sunday knife. Those usually come as a gift after finishing a particularly challenging task or something like that, and are cherished for generations. My Sunday knife, for example, belonged to my grandfather. He got the blade (an old Boker blade) from his father, and the gold and silver handle and sheath were a gift from the employees at a sugar cane plantation he managed in Chaco (a very poor Argentine province). He built a school and a small hospital for them.
Here's a very bad pic. It's in great shape for a knife that's been used for three generations!
My dad was raised in rural poor Mississippi in the 40's and 50's. They farmed and had very little. He moved to Memphis before I was born, but all my young life (birth to 18) we went to the farm most weekends to help out. During the week he made me cut yards.
Old Ford 8N tractors, knives, 22 rifles, single shot shotguns, farm raised Catfish, horses, cows, dirt paths in woods, grandmother wacking the heads of Catfish so she could clean them, night so dark you it felt like black was thick like molasses and closing in, Coyotes howling in the distance, dogs running across the front porch at daybreak, sound of bacon poppin in the skillet, the best naps I've ever taken under the window unit AC, the snap of my daddy's LB7 or Sodbuster jr. black handle ready for the days chores.
13 miles back toward town my mom's dad and mom lived. He was a d-day on the beaches vet all the way into Germany soldier. To this very day, he is one of my biggest heroes. He was a knife nut. Sat in his recliner with sharpening stones and knives just holding and admiring them. He would sit out under the tree on a picnic table chair and wittle and spit Levi into the pile. He taught me to sharpen by hand, to keep them clean, how to wittle long thin curly slices of wood, and gave me my first chaw of tobakkie.
He gave me my first knife at age 6 or 7. Small Imperial pen knife that was old when I got it. I still have that knife in my collection.
I'll stop with my memories now, because I could literally go on and on and on. How did they shape me? ...tremendously!!
I work outside for a living. Mowers, tractors, trucks, knives, snuff can (shhhh, everyone thinks I quit), muddy workboots, cap and blue jeans.
I carry a traditional knife ALL the time. 99.9999998% of the time its a yellerhandle CV Case Sodbuster jr. Smith and Wesson is always in the truck, my garden gets bigger each year, and my wife thinks I'm a redneck.
People think I only own bluejeans, t-shirts and flannel shirts for the winter...they would be correct. I never try to be "in", I'm just me...the only me I've ever been. Nothing fancy. Oh, except I have a Blackberry now, the coolest thing is I have the weather radar at my fingertips while out working. haha.
Everyday my past touches my today. Whether its climbing on my old Ford tractor for some grading or bushhog work, mowing 100+ acres of grass every week, black CV blades and grabbing my cap.
If I won the lottery tomorrow, you would never know it. I would be at work the very next day doing the exact same things in the exactly same way.
Old Ford 8N tractors, knives, 22 rifles, single shot shotguns, farm raised Catfish, horses, cows, dirt paths in woods, grandmother wacking the heads of Catfish so she could clean them, night so dark you it felt like black was thick like molasses and closing in, Coyotes howling in the distance, dogs running across the front porch at daybreak, sound of bacon poppin in the skillet, the best naps I've ever taken under the window unit AC, the snap of my daddy's LB7 or Sodbuster jr. black handle ready for the days chores.
13 miles back toward town my mom's dad and mom lived. He was a d-day on the beaches vet all the way into Germany soldier. To this very day, he is one of my biggest heroes. He was a knife nut. Sat in his recliner with sharpening stones and knives just holding and admiring them. He would sit out under the tree on a picnic table chair and wittle and spit Levi into the pile. He taught me to sharpen by hand, to keep them clean, how to wittle long thin curly slices of wood, and gave me my first chaw of tobakkie.
He gave me my first knife at age 6 or 7. Small Imperial pen knife that was old when I got it. I still have that knife in my collection.
I'll stop with my memories now, because I could literally go on and on and on. How did they shape me? ...tremendously!!
I work outside for a living. Mowers, tractors, trucks, knives, snuff can (shhhh, everyone thinks I quit), muddy workboots, cap and blue jeans.
I carry a traditional knife ALL the time. 99.9999998% of the time its a yellerhandle CV Case Sodbuster jr. Smith and Wesson is always in the truck, my garden gets bigger each year, and my wife thinks I'm a redneck.
People think I only own bluejeans, t-shirts and flannel shirts for the winter...they would be correct. I never try to be "in", I'm just me...the only me I've ever been. Nothing fancy. Oh, except I have a Blackberry now, the coolest thing is I have the weather radar at my fingertips while out working. haha.
Everyday my past touches my today. Whether its climbing on my old Ford tractor for some grading or bushhog work, mowing 100+ acres of grass every week, black CV blades and grabbing my cap.
If I won the lottery tomorrow, you would never know it. I would be at work the very next day doing the exact same things in the exactly same way.
kamagong
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2001
- Messages
- 10,939
My maternal grandfather always had knives, but I don't recall ever seeing him use one. He did carry them however, and I remember thinking that when I grow up I'm going to carry a knife just like him.
As long as I can remember I've always liked guns and knives. Don't know why that was, I guess I just feel a natural affinity towards them. Every time a character in a movie or tv show had a blade I noticed myself inching closer to the tube in order to get a better look at that beautiful steel.
I guess it's in my blood. Earlier this month I had family visiting from abroad to attend my wedding. During one of our many (but still not enough) conversations my uncle (dad's brother) asked about a clip on one of my pockets. He had seen me using my Sebenza and KHnutbuster several times and asked me if I always carry a knife. He chuckled when I mentioned that I usually carry two. He then informed me that I take after my great-grandfather (his grandfather) who I never had a chance to meet. Apparently great-granddad loved a sharp knife and could often be found touching up the edge of his bolo on a whetstone. I found the story quite humourous as my wife often complains that I spend way too much time sharpening my knives.
As long as I can remember I've always liked guns and knives. Don't know why that was, I guess I just feel a natural affinity towards them. Every time a character in a movie or tv show had a blade I noticed myself inching closer to the tube in order to get a better look at that beautiful steel.
I guess it's in my blood. Earlier this month I had family visiting from abroad to attend my wedding. During one of our many (but still not enough) conversations my uncle (dad's brother) asked about a clip on one of my pockets. He had seen me using my Sebenza and KHnutbuster several times and asked me if I always carry a knife. He chuckled when I mentioned that I usually carry two. He then informed me that I take after my great-grandfather (his grandfather) who I never had a chance to meet. Apparently great-granddad loved a sharp knife and could often be found touching up the edge of his bolo on a whetstone. I found the story quite humourous as my wife often complains that I spend way too much time sharpening my knives.
Ain't those old guys great? I've come to the conclusion late in life that there is no college, trade school, or teaching program of any kind that is as educational as working with one of those guys. They've been down the road and back, and they know what they are doing.
Can you imagine the fantacy of having your don Ochoa, and old Bill Harding the trapper/poacher with his little finn knife, and maybe Mr. Van, all gathered together with some cold beers, and listen to the conversation? It maybe would be the best educational experiance of your life.:thumbup:
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2006
- Messages
- 4,677
My father carried a Sabre brand Japanese made stockman. I still have it. He smoked a pipe too so he had a Richards tobacco knife. I might have that somewhere too.
One of my first was a Cub Scout knife, Imperial probably, and then there were my grandfathers knives. In his machinist box he had a couple of Imperial Shrade tortouse celluloid switchblades one 3 1/2 and if I remember there was a smaller one.
Two blades too. I would die for those now. In the shed with his fishing stuff, ( he lived with us in his later years, there was an Imperial, most likely because he was from Providence, a two blade easy opener and one with an axe, maybe a kabar. At the time they didn't interest me, or so I thought. The switchblades I loved, and the others, well, my grandfather used a wheel to sharpen his knives, and being a kid looking at a "junky "old knife was low on the totem pole.
My sisters first husband was into horses, and guns. He had a good collection of guns, and I remember him having some Remington knives among others. He was into skinning so he had a few.I remember going into the gun shop and looking at a Jimmy Lile bowie and revolver pair in pearl, so I had a good apreciation of knives in general growing up.
I really didn't start collecting until my early twenties, although in my biker days I veered from the norm,(Buck 110) and went with an Uncle Henry, and in the Navy a Rigide with finger grooves.
When I started collecting my first knife was a Gerber boot knife, then a couple of customs, and Al Mars, and Roloxes, Browning,Hens, and has morphed into old knives., and a few choice stockmans. You guys know the rest...
One of my first was a Cub Scout knife, Imperial probably, and then there were my grandfathers knives. In his machinist box he had a couple of Imperial Shrade tortouse celluloid switchblades one 3 1/2 and if I remember there was a smaller one.
Two blades too. I would die for those now. In the shed with his fishing stuff, ( he lived with us in his later years, there was an Imperial, most likely because he was from Providence, a two blade easy opener and one with an axe, maybe a kabar. At the time they didn't interest me, or so I thought. The switchblades I loved, and the others, well, my grandfather used a wheel to sharpen his knives, and being a kid looking at a "junky "old knife was low on the totem pole.
My sisters first husband was into horses, and guns. He had a good collection of guns, and I remember him having some Remington knives among others. He was into skinning so he had a few.I remember going into the gun shop and looking at a Jimmy Lile bowie and revolver pair in pearl, so I had a good apreciation of knives in general growing up.
I really didn't start collecting until my early twenties, although in my biker days I veered from the norm,(Buck 110) and went with an Uncle Henry, and in the Navy a Rigide with finger grooves.
When I started collecting my first knife was a Gerber boot knife, then a couple of customs, and Al Mars, and Roloxes, Browning,Hens, and has morphed into old knives., and a few choice stockmans. You guys know the rest...
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- Feb 7, 2005
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Amen, brother Jackknife! Don Ochoa has been a big influence in my life, not only through the skills he taught me, but because of the way he behaves. He's tremendously honest and hard working, really inspiring.
I don't have any kids of my own yet, but my girlfriend has a 9 year old boy who I enjoy spending time with. He's a city kid (he didn't even own a pocket knife before he met me!), I'm trying to pass down everything I've been taught to him. A sort of living homage to the people who took the time to educate me.
Nice thread, Jackknife. It brought back some nice memories. I'm having some "cordero a la cruz" (lamb, slowly cooked on an iron cross standing next to a big fire) with friends, I'm going to use one of grandad's knives to prepare everything. A 5" Herder with stag handle and nickel silver pommel, razor sharp.
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- Jan 17, 2004
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Franciscomy,
It would a pleasure to see some of the knives that you use in your part of the world. Especially, Don Ochoa's french kitchen knife. We would be honored to see you post a thread about the traditional knives of Argentina, such as the verijeros. Maybe even some action shots about how they are used in everyday work and chores. It would an education experience for all of us.
God Bless
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- 2,892
I'll try to post some pics of a couple of mine, including some modern customs, later today.
In the meantime, if you're interested in traditional Argentine knives, you can find a short article about them at my website. The site is in Spanish, but that article is in English since it was originally written for an American mate of mine. Here's a link: http://malloryoutdoors.com/content/view/16/1/lang,english/
In the meantime, if you're interested in traditional Argentine knives, you can find a short article about them at my website. The site is in Spanish, but that article is in English since it was originally written for an American mate of mine. Here's a link: http://malloryoutdoors.com/content/view/16/1/lang,english/
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2007
- Messages
- 950
My father's father always had a knife or three around. There was a ton of cutlery to clear out when my uncle took care of the house after grandma died. I got several pieces of kitchen cutlery, including some my dad had made, and some ancient, humongous butcher knives. Of grandpa's large pocketknife collection, I ended up with two. He had about fifty grandchildren, and every boy and some of the girls got a pocketknife. He was a 79th Infantry Division vet, from Normandy through Germany and on into Czechoslovakia for the occupation. He had a huge folding trench knife that he used to carry to church every so often and clean his nails with during meetings, just to tweak grandma's nose. But he usually just carried a small, 3" or so long, folding lockback -- he had several of those.
Dad made his first knife when he was about eight years old, got his first pocketknife when he was three. All he remembers about it was stabbing a horny toad with it, but he's always had one or more on him since.
He bought my first pocketknife when I was eight. It was an Imperial jackknife, clamshell and celluloid handles. I've been through a lot of them since. Somebody asked me the other day how many I have. Honestly, I don't know. I usually carry three pocketknives on any given work day, and have one or two sheath knives in my bag.
Dad taught me how to make knives, how to take care of them, how to sharpen them. He used to get very upset if someone did not wash, dry, and put away a knife immediately after it was done being used, whether it was kitchen cutlery or a pocketknife. I told myself that I would not be that way with my kids, but ... I still have a gutcheck reaction every time I see a knife on the counter with dried, crusty junk on the blade. Or all of the paring knives from the block stacked up next to the sink, waiting for me. I sigh, pick them up, and wash them.
Funny thing about that -- my kids clean up their own knives without prompting, but the kitchen knives? Forget it!
I learned to whittle from dad, and a lot of other things besides. Grandpa taught me how to drywall, and they both had a hand in teaching me how to cut lumber without binding up the saw.
Jackknife, you are definitely not the only guy around who fiddles around with the knife in his pocket. Memories are tied up with them. I have a blue bone handled Case copperhead that I bought when I was on leave from Afghanistan. It made me remember that not every tool in the world is black, utilitarian, and made for violence. Some are just nice and attractive and made to ride around in your pocket to whittle or snip strings or cut up apples.
I could go on all night, but I have to work in the morning.
Dad made his first knife when he was about eight years old, got his first pocketknife when he was three. All he remembers about it was stabbing a horny toad with it, but he's always had one or more on him since.
He bought my first pocketknife when I was eight. It was an Imperial jackknife, clamshell and celluloid handles. I've been through a lot of them since. Somebody asked me the other day how many I have. Honestly, I don't know. I usually carry three pocketknives on any given work day, and have one or two sheath knives in my bag.
Dad taught me how to make knives, how to take care of them, how to sharpen them. He used to get very upset if someone did not wash, dry, and put away a knife immediately after it was done being used, whether it was kitchen cutlery or a pocketknife. I told myself that I would not be that way with my kids, but ... I still have a gutcheck reaction every time I see a knife on the counter with dried, crusty junk on the blade. Or all of the paring knives from the block stacked up next to the sink, waiting for me. I sigh, pick them up, and wash them.
Funny thing about that -- my kids clean up their own knives without prompting, but the kitchen knives? Forget it!
I learned to whittle from dad, and a lot of other things besides. Grandpa taught me how to drywall, and they both had a hand in teaching me how to cut lumber without binding up the saw.
Jackknife, you are definitely not the only guy around who fiddles around with the knife in his pocket. Memories are tied up with them. I have a blue bone handled Case copperhead that I bought when I was on leave from Afghanistan. It made me remember that not every tool in the world is black, utilitarian, and made for violence. Some are just nice and attractive and made to ride around in your pocket to whittle or snip strings or cut up apples.
I could go on all night, but I have to work in the morning.
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- Aug 18, 2008
- Messages
- 3,681
I can remember seeing a knife on my dad's dressor, an Uncle Henry Stockman if my memory is correct as a boy. I can also remember seeing my grandfather and uncle sitting on the front porch on a warm summer's night whittling with their stockmans after having home churned ice cream for deseart in Athens, Al.
One day while playing in the back yard I dug up a white and black delrin stockman it was kind'uv small no more the 3" closed. My mom said as soon as I showed it to her that I couldn't have it. With in 24 hours of that I came down with a bad cold, and the next day she said I could keep it. It was really dull anyway! I think I was about 7 yrs. old because less then two yrs. later my dad purchased me a Camillius Cub Scout knife. I remember asking him if I could have it while we were at a Service Merchindise in North Roebuck shopping center, in Birmingham, AL(I think it was 5$ then). He said yes since I had recently become a Cub Scout. Now I had a sharp knife, and it had my respect from the get go!
I have always had knives, but in jr. high I lost interest all the way until I really got into guns at about 26 yrs. old. Through high school in Knoxville, TN I would usually carry an old delrin carbon blade granddaddy barlow.
Now to keep the tradition going with my nephew! He has already been given my replacement for the Cub Scout Knife I foolishly traded to two brothers back in Birmingham for a delrin novelty knife
. Live and learn the hard way!
One day while playing in the back yard I dug up a white and black delrin stockman it was kind'uv small no more the 3" closed. My mom said as soon as I showed it to her that I couldn't have it. With in 24 hours of that I came down with a bad cold, and the next day she said I could keep it. It was really dull anyway! I think I was about 7 yrs. old because less then two yrs. later my dad purchased me a Camillius Cub Scout knife. I remember asking him if I could have it while we were at a Service Merchindise in North Roebuck shopping center, in Birmingham, AL(I think it was 5$ then). He said yes since I had recently become a Cub Scout. Now I had a sharp knife, and it had my respect from the get go!
I have always had knives, but in jr. high I lost interest all the way until I really got into guns at about 26 yrs. old. Through high school in Knoxville, TN I would usually carry an old delrin carbon blade granddaddy barlow.
Now to keep the tradition going with my nephew! He has already been given my replacement for the Cub Scout Knife I foolishly traded to two brothers back in Birmingham for a delrin novelty knife
. Live and learn the hard way!- Joined
- Jan 7, 2003
- Messages
- 1,131
This tread is sooo nice!!!
I remember a summernight a long time ago.
It was when I did my military service and lived in a city for the first time. There where a large hunting store in the city and I have bought my first american slipjoint. It was a Schrade 77 ot muskrat. They had a good selection of the schrades, better than I have seen eversince.
This sommernight was the midsummers eve and I was out flyfishing with my brother and two cousins. The fishing had went nice and in the middle of the night, when it was to dark to fish even that close to the midnight sun of the polar circle, we sat down to fry some fish and tell a story or two waiting for the light to come back.
This was sheatknife boys and sheatknife times but there in the middle of the night I used my new slipjoint to eat with and the other boys wanted to see it. I know I was known as a little peculiar in the way I carried folding knifes and I had more than my share of silly coments when I brought a Gerber folding sportsman 1 to moosehunt.
That midsommernight they looked at the new knife and they liked it, even talking about getting one of their own and I can still remember the feeling of joy that gave me. A little later I gave my brother a Buck stockman. He liked the knife but he reminded a sheatknife man all of his life. The Buck is now together with his huntingknife some of my most treasured things.
Bosse
I remember a summernight a long time ago.
It was when I did my military service and lived in a city for the first time. There where a large hunting store in the city and I have bought my first american slipjoint. It was a Schrade 77 ot muskrat. They had a good selection of the schrades, better than I have seen eversince.
This sommernight was the midsummers eve and I was out flyfishing with my brother and two cousins. The fishing had went nice and in the middle of the night, when it was to dark to fish even that close to the midnight sun of the polar circle, we sat down to fry some fish and tell a story or two waiting for the light to come back.
This was sheatknife boys and sheatknife times but there in the middle of the night I used my new slipjoint to eat with and the other boys wanted to see it. I know I was known as a little peculiar in the way I carried folding knifes and I had more than my share of silly coments when I brought a Gerber folding sportsman 1 to moosehunt.
That midsommernight they looked at the new knife and they liked it, even talking about getting one of their own and I can still remember the feeling of joy that gave me. A little later I gave my brother a Buck stockman. He liked the knife but he reminded a sheatknife man all of his life. The Buck is now together with his huntingknife some of my most treasured things.
Bosse