Let me try

[unit]

I'll try my hand at story telling...

I have been fond of sharp things my entire life. I wish I could share a nice story of a generations-old knife being handed down, but it seems I'm the only one in several generations that likes these sorts of things.

I digress.

I have tried to enjoy traditional knives for several years, but the idea never festered. I bought a few and pocketed them for a day or two and shortly after went back to something far more modern, or fixed.

I have always had a hole in my soul for this notion of handing down a special (edged) piece of me, and have appropriately trained my boys for proper and responsible knife use, handling and care to that end.

I gave each of my older sons (the youngest is still developing his craft) a nice blade with a pocket clip and a lock. Actually, either one was much nicer than any I owned prior to my mid 30s. Alas, I still longed to receive that knife from my own mentor....

I'm sorry (very sorry) to say my father passed earlier this year. He never cared much for knives, and declined my offers of pocket knives over the last years of his life. I always wanted to share my passion with him and (perhaps selfishly) wanted him to have something that he could pass down to someone in the family to start such a tradition (perhaps one of my sons).

Recently, a member here passed a traditional to me. We have been trading favors for some time and I guess he thought I would enjoy a traditional.

I think this time it's festering.

I have heard tales of trades, drops, swaps, etc. and was always a bit intrigued. I know now that (even if its not a family member) gifted knives truly are the most special.

I have never been much of a collector (though, non-knife people would remark at the size of my "collection" and the money I have probably spent). I have always been drawn to a secondary interest in blades (generally associated with the modifications I add to gain performance...and sometimes aesthetic).

I now understand that a traditional knife that someone else used (well) and passed to me is a truly special knife indeed.

I'm not much if a story teller, but something pretty special seems to have happened here...and I'm not sure it would have happened with any other type of knife.

Thanks for reading...perhaps some of you 'get' what I'm probably failing to share eloquently.

 

[kamagong]

I know now that (even if its not a family member) gifted knives truly are the most special.

Quoted for truth. I've been fortunate to be able to pick up a few nice knives over the years. My most treasured are the ones given to me by my wife. They are not my best, but because of their history they are the ones I find myself choosing in the morning. The only knife I've bought that compares is the one I carried on my wedding day and the day my daughter was born.

- Christian

 

[Tennessee Dave]

I absolutely get what you are saying. Shared appreciation for an old pocket knife, fly rod, shotgun and whatever else provides an almost instant bond between the two enthusiasts. When you know that someone has gifted you an item that was much loved and appreciated because they knew you would enjoy and love it as much as they did that bond grows even stronger. You don't forget people like that.

 

[LeatherMan64]

Right there with ya. Most of my favorites are also some of the most inexpensive. The value comes from the person that gifted it.

 

[puukkoman]

Hi Ken,
Welcome to the traditional side of things! Glad you've felt the joy of sharing that experience with another. The knives in my collection that I treasure most are the ones I've been given by people I love & care about (or who care about me). The object (and it doesn't have to be a knife, it could be a watch, a piece of jewelry, a hammer or a wrench, a camping compass, an old fountain pen, whatever) becomes impregnated with the shared sentiment or goodwill, and carries it forever. Whenever you see or touch or interact with the item, you get another dose. :thumbup:
Alex