Livin' Life

T

TwoDogs

Joined
Oct 9, 2008
Messages
492
In keeping with Jackknife's recent post "A Philosophy" which IMO was an excellent post and right on the mark, I would love to see pics of your knives that have "lived life" and have a story to tell....including all the bumps and bruises along the way.

I am happy to start it off with an old Remington that has lots of life left in it, still sharp as a razor, and truly a pleasure to carry.

This quote from Jackknife's post sums it up for me: "That bit of stain does not really mean anything bad. It's just life. Life leaves it marks on us in many different ways. A knife is no different. Show me a shiney spotless blade and I'll show you a knife that hasn't lived. It's never done anything, or been cared enough about to be carried and used. Kind of like some people. As we age, life will leave it's mark on us."

I can't wait to see what you guys have, I know there's gotta be lots of good ones out there!

PS: Any ideas on the age of this Remington are welcomed, please hit my email.

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Very cool knife. It looks like it has "history". It would also be interesting to hear (read) some of that history, along with the picture.
 
Great idea! If you know or have any history please share it with us!! This one has been in my Dad's stash, about 6 months ago (or so) he made me the new owner of a few. He can't remember when or where he got this one but he liked it because as he puts it, "it's got character." It's definitely got a story, I would love to hear it!
 
Very good shield on that example, those blades have done a sterling job but there's life left in 'em yet!
 
Thank you willgoy.....it carries very well too. I keep hoping others will post similar knives, I've gotta think there are some real treasures out there. I love seeing good traditional knives that have history.

Please post 'em guys, be proud of them, they have served well.
 
What a great old pocket knife yo have there TwoDogs!:thumbup:

Even back in the 1920's and 30's, Remington pocket knives were a cut above the run of the mill pocket knives on the market, and cost a bit more sometimes. Somewhere a very long time ago, somebody coughed up the little bit extra for that knife, and valued it highly. It was used hard, but not abused as both blades are there. No broken off stubs just ahead of the tang, no broken off blade tips. Nor does there seem to be large nicks in the blades, but both have been sharpened a lot. Maybe a little chip in the blade up near the point of the main blade if I'm seeing the photo right, or is it some lint on the bandana? With that main blade worn down to half of what it used to be in it's younger day, someone used it a great deal on the job. It takes a lifetime of sharpening to get it down there like that on a hand held stone.

Since it has not been deeply pitted and rusted, it must have seen almost daily use. It takes no imagination to guess that the original owner must have loved and valued that knife. The shrinking scales and tiny tip bolsters and general style smacks of the 1920's. The second owner may have been a bit harder on it thn the original buyer. Thats too bad.


I could see that knife cutting the strings off bundles of newspapers on a cold pre-dawn Chicago morning as a young man is trying to earn some money in some dark depression years. Or maybe in the pocket of a hard working older man carrying a tin lunch box as he files through the gate at a factory turning out war material in the 40's.

That knife has had a long full life, and has some very interesting stories to tell. It's been carried through the great depression, maybe a world war, and who knows what else. It's been around a long time, and from the looks of it, has been out and living during most of it. Do you have any idea of it's history?

It deserves to live again, being carried and used for easy cutting jobs. With respect and care, of course, it deserves that. If only it could talk, what could it tell us?

That knife has lived.


edit to add; I don't think Remington pocket knives survived the start of WW2.
 
Thank you very much Jackknife, I greatly appreciate your kind thoughts and dating of the knife......and most of all I'm glad you like it, I know you "get it" when it comes to a good used knife.

Wouldn't it be great to sit in front of a nice warm fire and listen to the stories this knife could tell, man I would love that! Based on the years you figure this one has been around, the stories would be an amazing piece of our history.

It does have a small chip on the main blade but still cuts smooth (no drag), another sharpening or two and it will be gone. :-) It's been a pleasure and honor to carry.

I know there's gotta be more like this one out there, I sure would love to see them.
 
TwoDogs said:
Wouldn't it be great to sit in front of a nice warm fire and listen to the stories this knife could tell, man I would love that! Based on the years you figure this one has been around, the stories would be an amazing piece of our history.
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That's what does it for me; the possable history of it. Wondering who carried it all those years ago, and what was he doing? Where did he go with it?

I remember when I stopped by the Lindberg home and museum in Minnisota. They had his VW beatle that he bought in the 50's and explored 4 continents in. On display was some of his personal things, like his little pen knife that he always carried, his Marbles sheath knife that was in his camping gear. You looked at the worn grey blades and it was a connection to the man. This was in his pocket when he was off doing his thing. If they could talk, what would they tell of?

When I look at a new knife all shiney bladed, with not a single mar on the perfect surface, I don't feel anything toward it. It's just a shiney piece of steel that has no personality. Sure, it's a pretty piece of metal, but it hasn't had a life yet. I'd rather look at a well used TL-29 that some old GI carried for a long time, and looks like it.

That old Remington probably traveled in an old Ford model A, was carried when trains were pulled by a steam belching locomotive. It's owner looked at the headlines telling of the search for Amilia Earhart. Was around when the Enola Gay changed the world forever.

I love those old knives and guns that were a part of history, even if they didn't belong to a famous person. Most of our grandfathers were common people who did uncommon things. These old objects are a conection to history. Too many of the greatest generation is gone now. The things they leave behind will make us think of what once was.

But sometimes, even Karen tells me I'm weird.
 
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