I've been a member of BF for quite some time but, as you can see, don't post a lot. Just like Mom said, I learn a lot more with my mouth shut than with it open.
A little history:
I have always lived in rural, small town areas where carrying and using a knife was commonplace. I lived on a horse/sheep/goat farm until my retirement several years ago.
My knife-toten began in the Eisenhower administration and don't remember ever not having a knife in my pocket. I clearly remember having my Cub Scout knife hanging from my web belt OUTSIDE my pocket in Mrs. Horning's second grade classroom and carrying all manner of knives throughout school including a Big 10 university.
As a kid, my knives of choice were always the scout type. I used my chore allowance and later paper route earnings to purchase several including cheap examples featuring Davy Crockett, Hop-Along Cassidy and others. Along came Cub and Boy Scouts and knives from both organizations. While I still have my Cub Scout model, alas the Boy Scout disappeared somewhere along the line. My penchant for scout styled knives continues to this day and a SAK of some sort has filled this role for 35 years or so.
In the mid 60's I purchased my first Buck Folding Hunter which was used extensively around the farm for chores and such. The Folding Hunter became my large carry knife and served that role during my law enforcement career. Mine was carried on my duty belt and later, while in investigations and on the street, under my suit coat in its original leather pouch.
Then along came Spyderco and the one-handed opening feature was appreciated on the farm. I dabbled in other high dollar modern, one-bladed knives and carried them until recently.
From my teens onward, I always carried two knives. The EDC combo was usually a larger knife (Buck 110, Endura, etc.) along with a secondary knife, usually a scout style of some sort. This practice continues today, albeit somewhat altered.
Currently:
Following our retirement and sale of the farm, I find myself in Florida living the good life. Like many of you, earlier this year I began to re-evaluate my knife needs and decided I no longer require a large, fancy, expensive, tactical type knife.
Thus began my personal experiment in carrying only traditional slip joints and SAK's. The tacticals have been put in the safe and will be sold off if I find that after one year, they are no longer needed. I will keep my three Buck Folding Hunters for hiking and/or fishing duties.
Current EDC's:
Below are my current EDC knives. The Pioneer is a beloved and trusted friend of 26 years and has been in my pocket the vast majority of that time. He was recently treated to a new blade and backsprings but is back on duty.
The Hen & Rooster has only been with me for five years and was purchased on a trip to the Smoky Mountains.
After a few weeks of my "experiment", I've found nothing that needed to be done knife-wise that one of these guys could not handle. So far, so good.
As others have mentioned, I'm enjoying the "return" to simpler, perhaps better times and savor using my traditional knives.
This seems to be one of the most pleasant, educational, and enjoyable knife related forums I've run across. I'd like to hang about a bit and perhaps contribute a few experiences from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, and 10's. Wow! I AM getting old.
dan
A little history:
I have always lived in rural, small town areas where carrying and using a knife was commonplace. I lived on a horse/sheep/goat farm until my retirement several years ago.
My knife-toten began in the Eisenhower administration and don't remember ever not having a knife in my pocket. I clearly remember having my Cub Scout knife hanging from my web belt OUTSIDE my pocket in Mrs. Horning's second grade classroom and carrying all manner of knives throughout school including a Big 10 university.
As a kid, my knives of choice were always the scout type. I used my chore allowance and later paper route earnings to purchase several including cheap examples featuring Davy Crockett, Hop-Along Cassidy and others. Along came Cub and Boy Scouts and knives from both organizations. While I still have my Cub Scout model, alas the Boy Scout disappeared somewhere along the line. My penchant for scout styled knives continues to this day and a SAK of some sort has filled this role for 35 years or so.
In the mid 60's I purchased my first Buck Folding Hunter which was used extensively around the farm for chores and such. The Folding Hunter became my large carry knife and served that role during my law enforcement career. Mine was carried on my duty belt and later, while in investigations and on the street, under my suit coat in its original leather pouch.
Then along came Spyderco and the one-handed opening feature was appreciated on the farm. I dabbled in other high dollar modern, one-bladed knives and carried them until recently.
From my teens onward, I always carried two knives. The EDC combo was usually a larger knife (Buck 110, Endura, etc.) along with a secondary knife, usually a scout style of some sort. This practice continues today, albeit somewhat altered.
Currently:
Following our retirement and sale of the farm, I find myself in Florida living the good life. Like many of you, earlier this year I began to re-evaluate my knife needs and decided I no longer require a large, fancy, expensive, tactical type knife.
Thus began my personal experiment in carrying only traditional slip joints and SAK's. The tacticals have been put in the safe and will be sold off if I find that after one year, they are no longer needed. I will keep my three Buck Folding Hunters for hiking and/or fishing duties.
Current EDC's:
Below are my current EDC knives. The Pioneer is a beloved and trusted friend of 26 years and has been in my pocket the vast majority of that time. He was recently treated to a new blade and backsprings but is back on duty.
The Hen & Rooster has only been with me for five years and was purchased on a trip to the Smoky Mountains.
After a few weeks of my "experiment", I've found nothing that needed to be done knife-wise that one of these guys could not handle. So far, so good.
As others have mentioned, I'm enjoying the "return" to simpler, perhaps better times and savor using my traditional knives.
This seems to be one of the most pleasant, educational, and enjoyable knife related forums I've run across. I'd like to hang about a bit and perhaps contribute a few experiences from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, and 10's. Wow! I AM getting old.
dan
You live and learn.