Sentimental knives

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Penetration

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Feb 12, 2014
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My first knife was a Winchester utility knife that my step dad gave me after he found it buried in the backyard. It's all rusted and most of the tools are broken and the blade is so dull it probably wouldn't cut butter. But I still keep the knife because its the knife that started the obsession. Also their are so many stories the knife could hold. For example me and my step dad like to believe that it belonged to the previous owner of the house who moved out because of a small explosion that caused a big house fire and we moved In when it was just rebuilt, so that knife could have possibly landed in the back yard and was eventually buried or It made its way there some other way. But the point is what are some sentimental knives you own? And if there is one, what's the story?
 
My first knife was a Buck 110 knockoff made by Pakistan. The blade was shiny, the bolsters were tarnished, and the scales were some weird blue mother of pearl imitation or something like that. It even came with a leather belt sheath. A real POS type blade, I know, but I got it from an elderly neighbor we cared for who's long since dead. I wouldn't get rid of it for anything.
 
I got a case canoe from my dad for my 8th birthday. It had the etch of a canoe on the main blade, which was ruined by my frito lay chip fingers on a camping trip. My dad took it back from me at some point and had it refurbished, kinda made me sad. Either way, I'd never get rid of it. It's been my main whittler for 20+ years.
 
I have my great grandpa's case stockman from the late 70's. I remember when I was a kid my mom was very stern about me using it because it was his. She also understood that I didn't have the respect for knives that I have now. It's in my knife drawer and as sharp as a razor. I don't carry it though for fear of loosing it. I have enough other knives and I have my own case stockman I carry when in the mood. And I still have my first knife. I'm not sure of the brand but it's a little yellow peanut folder. Old school carbon steel blades will still take a great edge. :)
 
Here is a couple pictures of some knives that could not be bought from me for any price. My Grandfather was born in Germany in 1900 and passed away in 1975 when I was 14 and just getting to know him. These are knives that were handmade by him. These knives aree very interesting in that most of them have hidden in the scabbards some matches and firestarter which has than been sealed in wax only to be dug out in an emergency situation. The one in the 1st picture that is just right of center at the bottom which has the name "JAMES" written in it was the only one he made especially for me and given to me just a couple months before his passing. he named it "The Dannel Boone" at least that is how he spelled it. And hidden in the wooden scabbard is 14 matches and 1 firestarter and has a sharpening stone on the back as well as a personal message. "With lots of good wishes to James from Grandpa G. Good hunting from John Gedlich 1974 Gales Creek Or. The others were given to me by my Father and my Uncle within the last few years. Just writing this and looking over these knives brings back good memories and tears to my eyes. I look forward to handing them down to my 3 boys someday. He made many others that are still in the hands of my father and uncle. He sure liked to paint them up. Looks almost Native American but he was 100% German.

I now have become a knife collector with well over 1000 in my collection and the only ones that I would never consider parting with at any price are the ones handmade by my Grandfather.

A special thank you to Penetration for starting this thread and giving me the opportunity of posting a couple pictures and sharing the story of my grandfathers knives.

My Sentimental knives.

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I have two SAK, one from my Grandpa on my mom's side, one from my dad's side. Those are the most valuable knives that I own, period.
 
A Scrade Muskrat my dad gave me back when we started trapping together. It's all worn and the patina was sanded off, but I still love it. He told me it used to go with him everywhere. He doesn't carry a knife now. He's a sheetrocker so his Stanley EAB is his main.

I also have my Victorinox Pioneer. I bent the scale outward being a bit too mean on a screw, but I carried it everywhere for about a year and a half. I really grew to like it. I'll get a replacement soon.
 
For me, it's a cheap Chinese folder I received as a gift when I was a boy, and a Japanese Explorer tanto my dad bought me on a family trip. I later bought an identical Explorer, and my fascination with tantos continues to this day.
 
My first knife ever that I bought based on my friends recommendation which is a benchmade 520 (?) Presidio ultra. I knew nothing about knives when I picked it out. I just wanted a benchmade, it looked cool and was in my price range. I actually still really dig it...its almost perfect, I just know a little more about steels and wish it was either 154cm or s30v. I carried that knife for about three years straight before I decided to buy a replacement... stumbled on this site and the knife addiction bug bit. Ive worked out over a dozen knife trades this past year but still have that first BM. It desperately needs some TLC but I haven't brought myself to sending it to Benchmade yet.
 
I have some of my grandfather's knives that he carried all the time, he always used them to cut his fruit everyday. I can still see him sitting at the picnic table cutting up an orange. Also my kids got me a Buck Vantage for christmas so of course that is a sentimental blade. It is the first knife they have given to me.

This is the one my grandfather carried the most. I carried this as good luck through all my testing and selection process for the fire dept.



This is his other, he would beat on it. It has chips in it still haven't been able to get out.



Here is my gift from my kids!

 
I have several. I have my granddads Schrade from forever ago that was recently given to me by my dad. He said he remembered the knife sitting on my granddads nightstand. I cleaned it and sharpened it up, but don't carry it because I would be very upset to lose it!
More recently I have an older used and abused emerson 7 that was the knife I carried for years while I was a camping leader. I bought it because I wanted to have one good knife that would last, and it did!
Finally, I have two special CRK knives. One is an Sebenza that is from the birth of my daughter. She knows about it and takes it out sometimes, and likes the idea that it will be hers when she graduates! My final contribution is a unique graphic Sebenza that has the same bday as my wedding.
 
My Dad's stockman. Literally in his pocket when he passed on. The second knife is in very poor condition but was the knife that Dad was issued by the Merchant Marines in WWII.

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A little selfish I guess, but one of my most sentimental knives was the first quality blade I got. In around 1975 my parents told both my brother and I we could have $25 to spend at the local mall, if we bade a B+ average on our report cards. Well I got straight A's and my brother scored good enough in my parents judgement. I never received a 'prize' for grades again, but with the proceeds from that first one, I got a Gerber with a mirror polished blade and Burgundy Micarta scales. Still have it today, and it started the obsession. Seems like Gerber doesn't make knives like that one anymore, in fact I haven't bought a Gerber in many years.
 
Any knives my wife to be has given me, especially my BM 940 which was the first knife she ever gave me. But the most sentimental are the first knives I was ever given, a small Case stockman and mini Case stockman on my 6th birthday, one from my grandfather and one from my dad. They're sitting in the safe today with the original edges still on them. Just wish I had the boxes.
 
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