- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Messages
- 69,249
Round Yorkshire With A Knife: The Wizard's Quest Part 20 - There's No Place Like Home
Background: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1132966-I-hereby-issue-a-challenge-to-Jack-Black
Previous instalments -
Part 1: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rd’s-Quest-Part-1-Bad-Knight-In-Knaresborough
Part 2: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-2
Part 3: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-3
Part 4: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-4
Part 5: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-5
Part 6: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-6
Part 7: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-7
Part 8: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-8-Here-There-Be-Monsters
Part 9: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...e-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-9-Lost-in-Yorkshire
Part 10: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...d’s-Quest-Part-10-Vikings-and-Thieving-Varlet
Part 11: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...shire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard-s-Quest-Part-11
Part 12: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-12-–-Don’t-Tell-Titus!
Part 13: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-13-–-Settle-Down
Part 14: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-14-Withering-Heights
Part 15: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Wizard’s-Quest-Part-15-–-The-Marmalade-Barlow!
Part 16: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...he-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-16-–-The-Week-That-Was
Part 17: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...’s-Quest-Part-17-–-What-A-Way-To-Spend-Easter
Part 18: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...d’s-Quest-Part-18-–-By-the-Banks-of-the-River
Part 19: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...zard-s-Quest-Part-19-Of-Car-Boots-amp-Castles
As I've told you before, my friends, despite its popularity, my local market has been under threat for decades. The greedy eyes of greedy property speculators have long had it in their sights, scheming to turn yet another historic building into one more up-market shopping mall. The destruction of Europe's biggest market looks likelier than ever as building work has finally begun on this increasingly swanky city's latest megastore. The market car-park has already been swallowed up, adjacent businesses compulsorily purchased, and a large section of the market itself is due to be demolished to make way for the new interloper - Butcher's Row is about to be butchered. Most of the traders in the outdoor market know it is only a matter of time before the well-heeled customers of the new mall start demanding adjacent parking, and the City Council make a fast buck selling them the land where many of the town's populace have shopped for generations, and the traders' livelihood and way of life comes to an end.
While it lasts, I'll continue to shop in this bustling, interesting, colourful place. Each day the market has a different theme, and on Thursday, while many of the regular stalls remain, space is also let to small traders who sell second-hand goods, everything from restored old gramophones to vintage British and American tools, and every type of junk, antique, and collectible in between.
Over the past few months, the market hasn't been very kind to me in terms of The Quest, and indeed in terms of my pocket-knife collecting in general, but I keep on looking of course, realising that it's been the wrong time of year. With spring finally here, I'm hoping for better things, but of course the Wizard must have his prize.
Each Thursday I make my rounds of the stalls. Misery Guts is rarely here these days, probably at home counting his money, but his wife is much more pleasant, and she stands each week, or rather she SITS - and on an electric blanket to keep warm! I've had one or two nice finds on the stall, but not recently. Still, I always stop for a chat with Mrs MG and chew the fat for a while.
The Odd Couple 'knock' frequently these days, and when they're there, there doesn't seem to be much on their stall. It's a long time since I had a knife off them.
Close by is Phil, a friendly chap who sells old coins and pocket-watches, various antiques, and occasionally a knife or two. He used to tell me he had a whole box of penknives 'lost' somewhere at home, but they've never turned up.
A couple of young lasses have recently started doing a stall next door, selling reproduction antiques and a few genuine ones. No knives yet, but they know of my interest.
Further along, Blondie, an ageing glamour girl, runs a couple of stalls with her friend. They sell all sorts of junk at low prices, and I've occasionally had a kitchen knife off them.
The Italians are a lovely couple, but a little out of place in the market, with stock that is a bit fancy for most of the punters. I've had some nice flatware off them in the past, and I generally have a chat with them.
Chris the Fireman's stall is always my main port of call. He sells loads of weird and wonderful old things, from Vesta boxes to straight razors, old tools to coins. Chris looks out for pocket-knives for me, and while times have been lean recently, I've had a few nice ones off him in the past.
Another chap used to sell pocket-watches next to Chris, and he always promised me that he was going to find me a nice penknife. For now he's moved onto the market at Chesterfield though.
Paul and Ray, The Two Teds, have become firm friends over the past six months, and I always spend at least half an hour chatting with them. Paul specialises in vintage tools, of which he has an encyclopaedic knowledge, and he occasionally has some nice sharp stuff, including the odd folder. Ray sells beer memorabilia - glasses, pub ashtrays, trays - and he also sometimes has a pocket-knife for sale.
The weather was good this week, and the punters were out in force, buying their veg and hunting for bargains. I was doing my rounds early, and was at the tool stall even before Ray arrived. Paul, still unpacking his wares from the steel ammo boxes he transports them in, was pleased to see me. "Have you seen that big kitchen knife Chris's got on his stall?" Paul asked, in the broadest of West Yorkshire accents. "It's a real beauty", he continued. "Needs a bit of cleaning up, but you could really do something with it. I was tempted to have it myself. You want to get down there before it goes."
Needing no further urging, I hurried along to Chris's stall and quickly spotted the knife Paul was talking about. It was flecked with paint, with a bit of rust, but I could see that what Paul had told me was true, it was a nice bit of steel for sure.
I negotiated a fair price with Chris, and after another half an hour of jokes, banter, and gossip with Paul, and Ray, who had now arrived, I set off home with my sole purchase of the day.
Having gently cleaned off the dried paint and rust, I imagined that the totally blunt edge would need to be fully re-honed. However, despite it apparently having no edge at all, half a dozen swipes on my granny's old Rodgers steel, and it was slicing paper like a good 'un. I don't know what they put in that old Sheffield steel, but it certainly worked!
Well, it isn't quite like what I had in mind when I embarked on the Wizard's Quest, but it certainly fills all the given criteria. I think a Wild Colonial Boy would have been very glad of a big piece of steel like this, and properly looked after it could serve a domestic kitchen for generations. So here you have it Meako, hope you like the look of it, and that this old Sheffield knife will serve you and your family well for a long time.
And so The Quest has come to an end, which after six months of running about all over the place, is going to take some getting used to, but of course there are still knives to be found and new places to visit. Inevitably...
The Hunt Continues!
Jack
Background: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1132966-I-hereby-issue-a-challenge-to-Jack-Black
Previous instalments -
Part 1: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rd’s-Quest-Part-1-Bad-Knight-In-Knaresborough
Part 2: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-2
Part 3: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-3
Part 4: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-4
Part 5: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-5
Part 6: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-6
Part 7: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kshire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-7
Part 8: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-8-Here-There-Be-Monsters
Part 9: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...e-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-9-Lost-in-Yorkshire
Part 10: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...d’s-Quest-Part-10-Vikings-and-Thieving-Varlet
Part 11: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...shire-With-A-Knife-The-Wizard-s-Quest-Part-11
Part 12: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-12-–-Don’t-Tell-Titus!
Part 13: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nife-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-13-–-Settle-Down
Part 14: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-The-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-14-Withering-Heights
Part 15: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Wizard’s-Quest-Part-15-–-The-Marmalade-Barlow!
Part 16: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...he-Wizard’s-Quest-Part-16-–-The-Week-That-Was
Part 17: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...’s-Quest-Part-17-–-What-A-Way-To-Spend-Easter
Part 18: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...d’s-Quest-Part-18-–-By-the-Banks-of-the-River
Part 19: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...zard-s-Quest-Part-19-Of-Car-Boots-amp-Castles
As I've told you before, my friends, despite its popularity, my local market has been under threat for decades. The greedy eyes of greedy property speculators have long had it in their sights, scheming to turn yet another historic building into one more up-market shopping mall. The destruction of Europe's biggest market looks likelier than ever as building work has finally begun on this increasingly swanky city's latest megastore. The market car-park has already been swallowed up, adjacent businesses compulsorily purchased, and a large section of the market itself is due to be demolished to make way for the new interloper - Butcher's Row is about to be butchered. Most of the traders in the outdoor market know it is only a matter of time before the well-heeled customers of the new mall start demanding adjacent parking, and the City Council make a fast buck selling them the land where many of the town's populace have shopped for generations, and the traders' livelihood and way of life comes to an end.
While it lasts, I'll continue to shop in this bustling, interesting, colourful place. Each day the market has a different theme, and on Thursday, while many of the regular stalls remain, space is also let to small traders who sell second-hand goods, everything from restored old gramophones to vintage British and American tools, and every type of junk, antique, and collectible in between.
Over the past few months, the market hasn't been very kind to me in terms of The Quest, and indeed in terms of my pocket-knife collecting in general, but I keep on looking of course, realising that it's been the wrong time of year. With spring finally here, I'm hoping for better things, but of course the Wizard must have his prize.
Each Thursday I make my rounds of the stalls. Misery Guts is rarely here these days, probably at home counting his money, but his wife is much more pleasant, and she stands each week, or rather she SITS - and on an electric blanket to keep warm! I've had one or two nice finds on the stall, but not recently. Still, I always stop for a chat with Mrs MG and chew the fat for a while.
The Odd Couple 'knock' frequently these days, and when they're there, there doesn't seem to be much on their stall. It's a long time since I had a knife off them.
Close by is Phil, a friendly chap who sells old coins and pocket-watches, various antiques, and occasionally a knife or two. He used to tell me he had a whole box of penknives 'lost' somewhere at home, but they've never turned up.
A couple of young lasses have recently started doing a stall next door, selling reproduction antiques and a few genuine ones. No knives yet, but they know of my interest.
Further along, Blondie, an ageing glamour girl, runs a couple of stalls with her friend. They sell all sorts of junk at low prices, and I've occasionally had a kitchen knife off them.
The Italians are a lovely couple, but a little out of place in the market, with stock that is a bit fancy for most of the punters. I've had some nice flatware off them in the past, and I generally have a chat with them.
Chris the Fireman's stall is always my main port of call. He sells loads of weird and wonderful old things, from Vesta boxes to straight razors, old tools to coins. Chris looks out for pocket-knives for me, and while times have been lean recently, I've had a few nice ones off him in the past.
Another chap used to sell pocket-watches next to Chris, and he always promised me that he was going to find me a nice penknife. For now he's moved onto the market at Chesterfield though.
Paul and Ray, The Two Teds, have become firm friends over the past six months, and I always spend at least half an hour chatting with them. Paul specialises in vintage tools, of which he has an encyclopaedic knowledge, and he occasionally has some nice sharp stuff, including the odd folder. Ray sells beer memorabilia - glasses, pub ashtrays, trays - and he also sometimes has a pocket-knife for sale.
The weather was good this week, and the punters were out in force, buying their veg and hunting for bargains. I was doing my rounds early, and was at the tool stall even before Ray arrived. Paul, still unpacking his wares from the steel ammo boxes he transports them in, was pleased to see me. "Have you seen that big kitchen knife Chris's got on his stall?" Paul asked, in the broadest of West Yorkshire accents. "It's a real beauty", he continued. "Needs a bit of cleaning up, but you could really do something with it. I was tempted to have it myself. You want to get down there before it goes."
Needing no further urging, I hurried along to Chris's stall and quickly spotted the knife Paul was talking about. It was flecked with paint, with a bit of rust, but I could see that what Paul had told me was true, it was a nice bit of steel for sure.
I negotiated a fair price with Chris, and after another half an hour of jokes, banter, and gossip with Paul, and Ray, who had now arrived, I set off home with my sole purchase of the day.
Having gently cleaned off the dried paint and rust, I imagined that the totally blunt edge would need to be fully re-honed. However, despite it apparently having no edge at all, half a dozen swipes on my granny's old Rodgers steel, and it was slicing paper like a good 'un. I don't know what they put in that old Sheffield steel, but it certainly worked!
Well, it isn't quite like what I had in mind when I embarked on the Wizard's Quest, but it certainly fills all the given criteria. I think a Wild Colonial Boy would have been very glad of a big piece of steel like this, and properly looked after it could serve a domestic kitchen for generations. So here you have it Meako, hope you like the look of it, and that this old Sheffield knife will serve you and your family well for a long time.
And so The Quest has come to an end, which after six months of running about all over the place, is going to take some getting used to, but of course there are still knives to be found and new places to visit. Inevitably...
The Hunt Continues!
Jack
