Sayin' Goodbye!

waynorth

waynorth

Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Nov 19, 2005
Messages
33,347
I am sitting in a medium sized airport in the Pacific Northwest, waiting for a private airplane to meet me. The plane is coming from Montana, and is headed here to pick up a collection of Empire knives, one that has won awards for me at the Oregon Knife Show! It has also graced my den and "knife room" for many years.
The Collection will eventually fly to Texas, where is will grace a new home!
I know the new owner will appreciate it immensely!
Mixed feelings here. . . . . . . .a little remorse perhaps. I remember fondly the hunt for knives worthy of a showpiece, a display that would speak to the skill and greatness of the Cutlery industry of over 100 years ago.
Empire was established in the 1850s! It made knives for many, many businesses. At times it may have been the biggest cutlery in America!
The money I received will fund a bit of our retirement, which was sort of the plan - sort of. . .
I will post pics when I get home, maybe write a little more. .
 
I enjoy the hunt as much as I do the owning... time to start a new collection. :D

I'll toast to it's new home and your honor after work.
 
Well I'm sure it's an awe-inspiring collection to say the least. The knives of yours that I've seen here are just incredible, so I'm sure these were nothing less. Congrats and bless you for your contribution to the knife collecting world.
 
Godspeed Empire knife collection! I always hate letting them go. Then a few days later something new comes along...and well, you know the rest. :)
 
I know your feelings must be mixed on this Charlie! I too let go of some of my prized knives over the last year to Duncan, but he didn't get them all. Knives have to move on sometimes, just the way it is. I'm sure they're going to a great new home if you're flying on a private jet to get them there!
 
Scared me there for a minute when I seen "Saying Goodbye" Charlie. I thought you were leaving us permanently....whew. Okay, well have a safe trip and I'm sure those Empire knives will be happily cared for even though it's tough to part with them. God Speed buddy!
 
Now it is time to start a new collection. Perhaps you should consider collecting Colt 1873 SAA revolvers?
 
I can only imagine how that would feel. I am sure there have been hours of joy from the hunt to the completion of this collection. Charlie, thanks for sharing all that you do in and for the knife community. I am sure the new owner will treasure the collection even if he did miss out on the hunt.

Chris
 
Charlie, to part with such a collection I'm sure is hard but I guess there's piece of mind knowing where they're going?

I too have parted with individual knives (not collections) and even on a much much smaller scale that your referring to it was still hard to let go. But knowing where they ended up took away the sting---New Zealand is nice year round I assume:D In addition to NZ many where dispersed here and abroad;)

Charlie, just think of the tremendous collections being built of your amazing SFO's;):cool::thumbup:
 
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Life is at times bitter sweet. Charlie! This sounds like one of those moments for you. I look forward to reading what you have to say when you get back. The memory of your Empire collection picture is forever etched in my mind.

I know it must be hard to let go of something that took so long to put together and that you love.

On a aside...

I hope the gentleman in Texas opens the collection up for viewing:eek::D
 
Wait a minute! I don't live in TEXAS!! :mad:

;)

I know what you mean, Charlie. I've recently let go of a couple that were toughies to find, but sometimes the hunt is the best part. Here's to hunting up some new treasures!
 
The new owner will have a display, you will always have the memories. Memories of the Hunt, memories of the Chase. Memories of a lifelong quest fulfilled! And hopefully you will also have some inspiration. Inspiration for another quest. Inspiration for another design. Writing perhaps? Or just being the one to inspire others on their own lifelong quest.
 
That's a tough one Charlie but it sounds like it will let you enjoy life a little more. Just think, a hundred years from now someone may be selling off a rare complete collection of TC barlows to fund their retirement!
 
Charlie, it sounds like you had a plan and stuck to it. Bravo! As others have already said, the memories will be with you forever.
 
Bittersweet to be sure. But you got a lot of enjoyment out of the experience and it sounds like the collection has found a worthy new custodian, so that lease the sting a bit.

Hope you took a lot of scans!

- Christian
 
waynorth said:
I am sitting in a medium sized airport in the Pacific Northwest, waiting for a private airplane to meet me. The plane is coming from Montana, and is headed here to pick up a collection of Empire knives, one that has won awards for me at the Oregon Knife Show! It has also graced my den and "knife room" for many years.
The Collection will eventually fly to Texas, where is will grace a new home!
I know the new owner will appreciate it immensely!
Mixed feelings here. . . . . . . .a little remorse perhaps. I remember fondly the hunt for knives worthy of a showpiece, a display that would speak to the skill and greatness of the Cutlery industry of over 100 years ago.
Empire was established in the 1850s! It made knives for many, many businesses. At times it may have been the biggest cutlery in America!
The money I received will fund a bit of our retirement, which was sort of the plan - sort of. . .
I will post pics when I get home, maybe write a little more. .
Click to expand...

Congratulations Charlie....I know it is mixed emotions parting with a collection you have had for a long time.
 
"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." - John Lennon
Sheesh...does anyone know what a heart palpitation feels like? because I think I just had one when I saw the title of this thread.
That would be a very difficult decision for a procrastinator like me to make.
Look-when all's said and done you have the memories attached to finding those old knives and getting that collection together.
That is something beyond price or value.
Now I know I had a dig about your postage and said Barry's postage is quicker but you don't need to start delivering each one in person by private jet.:D
Although I have a feeling that if you could you would.
Lets explore the positives.Eyes on the prize.
#1- MEGA brownie points from the Mrs. :thumbup:

Take it easy mate.
 
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