- Joined
- Jul 24, 2014
- Messages
- 328
Who can forget the third novel of Isaac Asimov's FOUNDATION trilogy? There was an "answer that satisfied" and later on in the novel an "answer that was true." We almost never have just one answer for anything we do and as I was getting my gear together for this morning's hike I picked up my BK2 and thought, "why am I taking this?" I have a number of much lighter knives; so why was I bent on taking this big heavy one? There was Rural Central Texas's answer of yesterday describing the BK9 as calling out to me but not capable of communicating properly until I was up on my second story roof. That was an answer that satisfied most people, but another one occurred to me this morning. I seem to need an extra incentive for getting down to the river when most hikes during this period of very hot weather are more of an ordeal than a pleasure. Perhaps my primary reason for hiking will always be because the dogs and I need the exercise. Another reason will be that a hike provides some sort of catharsis for me. I always feel as though I've done something worth while even if the hike turns out to be an ordeal.
So what was my reason for taking up photography seriously a few years ago? Was it because I really liked photography? Well yes I did. I like trying to capture different lighting conditions and the different look of the river when the weather changes. But I also appreciated the fact that my desire to rush down to the river to try out my latest lens had the added benefit of getting to hike on a day when perhaps I might otherwise have stayed home.
When my last Ridgebacks were old and not up to much hiking there was pressure to just stay home with them, but I took up the making of hiking sticks which involved hiking along until I found a likely looking bit of deadwood and then cutting it to length with my Buck saw and stripping the little branches and loose bark off with a knife. Then I'd carry this stick further along until I found another. When I had 4 or 5 I'd turn around and take them back to the Jeep; which we hadn't gotten terribly far from. After that I might go out after some more. The dogs would meander about while I was doing that. The got a bit of exercise and I did as well. But what was my reason for making these hiking sticks? Did I really like to do it? Yes I really did, but I also appreciated the fact that looking for these sticks got me (us) down to the river for some exercise when we might otherwise have stayed home.
So this morning in getting my gear ready I stood with the BK2 in my hand and remembered the photography and hiking sticks. I really do like Becker knives, especially the ones I've purchased for "hiking": the BK2, BK7, BK9 and BK10. But are they really the best knives for hiking in terms of weight? No, probably not, but I really like the idea of getting a selection of Becker knives that will be the very best and most durable knives to have in some scenarios that probably won't but conceivably might occur. Even if as time goes on I use my little Ka-Bar 1250 on more hikes than my BK2 or BK9 having these knives available is satisfying. I had floundered about in the past buying a number of knives that were not satisfying either for esthetic or functional reasons. A BK9 with a Skystorm sheath will be esthetically satisfying. I'm convinced of that before I get it.
As far as the functional reasons go they are more problematic. Take this morning for example: As we started on our hike I noticed a black pickup truck down near the river itself. The driver of the truck was just sitting there. I thought he might be sitting there with a bloody knife in his hand while his beloved but unfaithful girl-friend lay dead on the seat beside him. If we hiked near this guy he might provide the perfect opportunity to use my BK2. However, what if my dogs were hurt? I'd never be able to explain that to my wife. I can hear her now, "you wanted to try out your what????" So we veered away and took a different hike.
Lawrence
So what was my reason for taking up photography seriously a few years ago? Was it because I really liked photography? Well yes I did. I like trying to capture different lighting conditions and the different look of the river when the weather changes. But I also appreciated the fact that my desire to rush down to the river to try out my latest lens had the added benefit of getting to hike on a day when perhaps I might otherwise have stayed home.
When my last Ridgebacks were old and not up to much hiking there was pressure to just stay home with them, but I took up the making of hiking sticks which involved hiking along until I found a likely looking bit of deadwood and then cutting it to length with my Buck saw and stripping the little branches and loose bark off with a knife. Then I'd carry this stick further along until I found another. When I had 4 or 5 I'd turn around and take them back to the Jeep; which we hadn't gotten terribly far from. After that I might go out after some more. The dogs would meander about while I was doing that. The got a bit of exercise and I did as well. But what was my reason for making these hiking sticks? Did I really like to do it? Yes I really did, but I also appreciated the fact that looking for these sticks got me (us) down to the river for some exercise when we might otherwise have stayed home.
So this morning in getting my gear ready I stood with the BK2 in my hand and remembered the photography and hiking sticks. I really do like Becker knives, especially the ones I've purchased for "hiking": the BK2, BK7, BK9 and BK10. But are they really the best knives for hiking in terms of weight? No, probably not, but I really like the idea of getting a selection of Becker knives that will be the very best and most durable knives to have in some scenarios that probably won't but conceivably might occur. Even if as time goes on I use my little Ka-Bar 1250 on more hikes than my BK2 or BK9 having these knives available is satisfying. I had floundered about in the past buying a number of knives that were not satisfying either for esthetic or functional reasons. A BK9 with a Skystorm sheath will be esthetically satisfying. I'm convinced of that before I get it.
As far as the functional reasons go they are more problematic. Take this morning for example: As we started on our hike I noticed a black pickup truck down near the river itself. The driver of the truck was just sitting there. I thought he might be sitting there with a bloody knife in his hand while his beloved but unfaithful girl-friend lay dead on the seat beside him. If we hiked near this guy he might provide the perfect opportunity to use my BK2. However, what if my dogs were hurt? I'd never be able to explain that to my wife. I can hear her now, "you wanted to try out your what????" So we veered away and took a different hike.
Lawrence
