The 2008 W&SS Year in Review Thread

Brian Jones

Brian Jones

Moderator
Joined
Jan 17, 1999
Messages
7,560
I wanted to post this to first say a big THANK YOU to all of the members who post here. I have met some of the most amazing and generous people here -- and witnessed astounding acts of kindness and support for those who needed it, and often, those who didn't, but received gifts "just because."


Highlights for me have been:
--meeting so many new people and getting reacquainted with old friends
--bringing my friend Kevin Estela aboard as my outstanding co-mod
--the interaction with so many real, down-to-earth, and likeminded people.

Favorite threads:
The Official Outdoors Pic Sticky
--and many others.

What have been the most memorable moments and threads for all of you here this year?
 
The short while WSS was renamed...That was funny.

My gear replacement thread. Man I mean WOW!! Thank you all so much!

The CT gathering thread was great, made me wish I was closer.....

Watching so many Knifemakers evolve, and getting to handle so many of their great blades.

Meeting so many friends who share my passions, and the friendly ribbing we give eachother.

Just looking at all the generosity we have all seen this year. Amazing. Amazing threads by amazing folks.
 
Brian Jones said:
I wanted to post this to first say a big THANK YOU to all of the members who post here. I have ...witnessed astounding acts of kindness and support for those who needed it....
Click to expand...

You have acted in kindness and support.

THANK YOU.
 
It has definitely been a good year without too many controversies and great information all around. I think having Brian around and the newer addition of Kevin has provided a good balance of new content mixed in with a sense of humor and superb expertise. Kevin's reviews (e.g. whistles) and tutorials e.g. poncho shelters were great and reside as a printed PDF on my hard-drive now for future reference. This place has become a lot more lighthearted since Brian has arrived and I enjoy the atmosphere. Of course with characters like J. Williams and Tony around that makes things much easier.

This year, I've seen myself getting out and making a more conscious effort of doing stuff, practicing skills (mostly improved on fire but not yet at the friction stage, taking time to build my PSK and starting to work on alternative shelter options) compared to last year. These activities have totally been inspired by W&SS and all the great mentoring and encouragement that goes on in this place. I certainly have not become an expert in anything W&SS yet, but as my skills are developing in some areas I felt that I have posted more tips and tried to provide encouragement to others than in the past. At least they weren't all walking the dog (the french have another term about the dog) photos which is my usual schtick.

Some of my favorite threads this year have been the user bio's. We had one earlier in the year - post your photos, and now the introduction thread. I always like to put a face to a name. I enjoyed J's first aid sticky quite a bit and would like to see that continue and perhaps become more interactive (not sure what to do though when things have been so comprehensively covered).

My goals for next year are to reach out a little more to fellow forumites. There are a few of us in my vicinity who have agreed to meet up as part of a passaround and I would like to participate in one or more of the gatherings coming up. I also lent out a couple of knives to fellow formites and found that to be a lot of fun so I will like to continue in that tradition. It becomes a lot easier to do when your collection grows.
 
Thanks KGD.....I have been working on an exposure writeup, but its slow going b/c of my schedule, and other peoples I am petitioning for inputs schedules as well. It will be here though. The First Aid for wounds turned into a great thread IMO.
 
This was the first year I've spent so much time in this subforum and I am extremely glad. I now consider it my 'home' on Bladeforums. Lots of good hard-use knives, lots of beautiful, hand-made knives, cool gadgets, and most importantly, knowledge and techniques. Meeting Jake has also been a great thing for me since I don't really have any friends interested in hiking and camping. Hopefully 2009 will be even better.
 
This was a terrific year around the W&SS forum. It has already been said, but I'll repeat it - the regular members are the heart of the forum, and their knowledge and generosity really make this place special. There have been plenty of occasions to share a laugh, opine on gear and knives, and live vicariously through the adventures of friends. Mixed in with that fun stuff is some tremendously rich and educational content, which is great.

Highlights for me include:

- The recent batch of PSK-in-use threads, where brave souls have ventured out to test their kits and reported back on the experience.

- The "post your pictures" thread, which is a great record of outings from around the world.

- The "introduction" threads, which are much appreciated - people who spend this much time together (even online) ought to know who they are talking to!

- And the "just tried my hand at knife making" threads that pop up regularly. I really enjoy hearing about people's first forays into the hobby and seeing the sometimes rough but always practical users that result.

Here's to a memorable W&SS 2009.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Being a good guy starts at the top, Thanks to you and Kevin for your hard work this past year
 
It has been a great year for sure. Still the best group of folks that you could find, right here in this forum. I haven't posted as much lately, but I still try and stop in here as much as I can. Still great posts to read through and it always feels like I'm talking to old friends.
 
there has been sooo many cool memoriess in the past year... i thank each and everyone of you for making this place so enjoyable...:thumbup: here's to many more in 2009...................................:)

and a big thanks goes out to brian and kevin, for doing such a super job keeping all us yahoo's in line...:D
 
I echo most all of the sentiments already expressed.

I would like to meet some of the members and in 2009 I hope to take my son (who will be 4 soon) out and begin to seriously practice and teach him some of the things learned here.

I would also like to begin to contribute some meaningful content as those experiences expand.

Thanks to everyone. Happy Holidays.
 
Well,that has been my first year at WSS,but I can say,that you guys are great !
I hope to meet you guys,if I make it to the US or Canada one day !
I want to thank to 1_BIG_BUNKER and Wooden Chicken for being so generous :thumbup:
 
ahh memories....

Tony, Jake, Spooky, Mike, and many others....guys like that transcend the boundries of the WSS and make it fun to talk to off the site and we will get together sirs.
 
Thanks Brian - you guys sure help make it a fun place to hang out.
Favorite threads - man there have been so many -would not know where to start, but boy I've learned a lot here this year - many thanks to all :thumbup:
 
I feel like I have went from just a poster on some random forum to actually getting to know people. I've learned a lot in this last year and am raising my glass to another great year to come!
 
its been a great year, but i really have nothing to compair it to since this is only my first year here. right when i became a registered user, i was immediatly gravitated to this sub-forum, and it is really the only subforum i visit. although i dont contribute as much as alot of yuo guys, i think i have fairly well established myself in this area of the forum.

all of the members i have dealt with on here have been great people, and all of the knife-makers, sheath-makers and everone else has been great to deal with.

so far this year i have learned to start friction fires, learned to make string from grasses and leaves make knives (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=604658) and all sorts of other things. i also got my first custom knives this year, and i spent who knows how much on other knives and outdoors gear (thanks :D). i was also skepticle when i first got on this forum, and i wondered why you guys offer to send knives to people you have never met face-to-face and why you just gave stuff away to strangers. now it dosent seem so strange, because i know most everone on here is great to work with. people have sent me knives to test out, given me a knives, sent me gear, sharpened stuff for me all for free.also, everyone is pretty happy to share their knowlege, particularly mtnfolk mike, siguy, briangandrews and j williams. mike educated me on archery and helped me figure everything out, siguy has offered me all kinds of info( especially about making knives) and jake sent me a power point on friction fire which helped out alot and brian sent me some ray mears stuff, and educated me on axes a bit. christof also answered a few questions i had in knifemakingand was a great guy to do business with, again thank you all.
 
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