- Joined
- Jul 25, 2014
- Messages
- 11,240
It was late in the evening on Wednesday when I decided to browse the forum before I went to bed. I was looking through the usual threads and I started looking for recent posts in the "What Makes a Good Traditional Barlow" thread. I noticed some great photos of two new 14 Lick Creek TC's posted in comparison with a 15 TC Red Soup Bone Anniversary Clip Blade. These were posted by our friend from North Dakota, Paul Hilborn. The 14's consisted of a Smooth White Bone and a Black Cherry Sawcut Bone. Both 1B's of course. I replied to the post and offered up my comments about how terrific the photos and knives all looked. Nothing but genuine praise for the knives and photos.
I continued to browse other threads when a PM form Paul Hilborn popped up on my screen. I went to the PM to see what Paul had to say. He was asking my opinion on the two handle materials that were on his 14 TC's. He asked which one I liked the best. I offered my honest opinion to Paul as I would any member that asked for it. I stated that I felt like the Smooth White Bone and any of it's close likenesses such as Smooth Ivory Bone, Smooth Oiled Bone were some of the classiest handle materials that Great Eastern uses. Having stated that I owned many knives in many patterns with these choices. Then I expressed my opinion that Sawcut Bone was probably the most traditional handle material for a Barlow and was quite beautiful in its own right. To conclude I told Paul that both of these 14 Lick Creek TC's were winners regardless of handle material.
It was getting late and I decided to log off and go to bed for the night. Thursday morning after I had got ready to go to work I fixed my usual cup of coffee to sit down with and enjoy before heading out to work. As I often do I reached over and picked up my iPad for the end table. I logged on the forum to check to see if any bargains could be found on the exchange and check a few of the usual threads that I always read, when I logged on a PM notice from Paul popped up. I opened it up to see what my friend had to say and started to read the words. What I was reading opened my eyes far wider that the strong black coffee I had been drinking. This is a partial quote from Paul's PM in reply to my response to his original PM the evening before. Now my hidden agenda exposed...IF you'd allow me to I'd like to gift you the oiled bone my friend?. WOW! what an eye opener that was. Having been the recipient of gifts here on the forum before and having also gifted to fellow members this was a surprise and not a surprise at the same time. Paul's generosity is well known on these pages. This type of thing seems to happen here quite often. I think it speaks to the genuine feelings that we all have towards each other and our passion for Traditional Cutlery. But I also think it shows that the people here have a generous heart and and care for each other in a way that is far to uncommon in today's world. The comradery we all share here is second to none.
So I will close with a heart felt Thank You Paul Hilborn. And offer some pictures of the gift TC and also a shot with one of it's Lick Creek cousins. Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.
I continued to browse other threads when a PM form Paul Hilborn popped up on my screen. I went to the PM to see what Paul had to say. He was asking my opinion on the two handle materials that were on his 14 TC's. He asked which one I liked the best. I offered my honest opinion to Paul as I would any member that asked for it. I stated that I felt like the Smooth White Bone and any of it's close likenesses such as Smooth Ivory Bone, Smooth Oiled Bone were some of the classiest handle materials that Great Eastern uses. Having stated that I owned many knives in many patterns with these choices. Then I expressed my opinion that Sawcut Bone was probably the most traditional handle material for a Barlow and was quite beautiful in its own right. To conclude I told Paul that both of these 14 Lick Creek TC's were winners regardless of handle material.
It was getting late and I decided to log off and go to bed for the night. Thursday morning after I had got ready to go to work I fixed my usual cup of coffee to sit down with and enjoy before heading out to work. As I often do I reached over and picked up my iPad for the end table. I logged on the forum to check to see if any bargains could be found on the exchange and check a few of the usual threads that I always read, when I logged on a PM notice from Paul popped up. I opened it up to see what my friend had to say and started to read the words. What I was reading opened my eyes far wider that the strong black coffee I had been drinking. This is a partial quote from Paul's PM in reply to my response to his original PM the evening before. Now my hidden agenda exposed...IF you'd allow me to I'd like to gift you the oiled bone my friend?. WOW! what an eye opener that was. Having been the recipient of gifts here on the forum before and having also gifted to fellow members this was a surprise and not a surprise at the same time. Paul's generosity is well known on these pages. This type of thing seems to happen here quite often. I think it speaks to the genuine feelings that we all have towards each other and our passion for Traditional Cutlery. But I also think it shows that the people here have a generous heart and and care for each other in a way that is far to uncommon in today's world. The comradery we all share here is second to none.
So I will close with a heart felt Thank You Paul Hilborn. And offer some pictures of the gift TC and also a shot with one of it's Lick Creek cousins. Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.
:thumbup:
:thumbup: Great stuff Ron, well done guys 
