The 2008 W&SS Year in Review Thread

I've got too say, my favorite threads were those containing the gory photos, reminding us that knives are not toys. Thanks Brian for letting me post my mishaps.
 
Highlights of the year for me...

1. The "post your gear" threads. You guys have so much cool stuff, and you know how to use it!
2. The pictures of injuries. Not trying to be gross or anything, but it's a good lesson to learn that you've got to be careful in the outdoors or else <this> can happen.
3. The photos of you guys outdoors with your families. They're probably my favorites.
4. The many debates about Les Stroud versus Bear Grylls, no matter what the specific topic was.
5. The "Pay It Forward" thread. A great idea, and many members were able to get something useful just for trading in their old stuff.
 
Thanks to all of you for keeping me somewhat sane this year. I haven't been home much and you guys have kept me company all year.
Thanks Brian I know how hard babysitting is. Thanks to Spark for giving us this playground. Thanks to Kevin for all the knowledge and patience you've shown.
Most of all, thanks to all who have answered all the questions, identified the plants and critters and Mrs Pit for making Pitdog put his clothes back on!
 
Hard to know where to start in a thread like this! But thanking Brian and Kev for keeping this place to cool and easy-going is an easy first step. You guys are exactly what I feel 'ideal moderators' should be.

I spend a lot of time here (waaay to much according to my wife!) and it's entirely because of the people at WSS. It's been my great pleasure to be surrounded by so many good-hearted and intelligent folk. I learn something every day from this place. I've made quite a few excellent friends here, and plenty of weirdos like Jake and Mike and HD and... takes all kinds I guess... ;)

WSS really helps me keep my sanity amongst some very insane circumstances!

Top aspects/threads? Hmm.. I love all our 'resident makers', they really put out some great work and it's great to talk with the man who made your blade. I also love all the pics of gear getting put to genuine hard use. I love the 'how to' type threads on making shelters and firecraft, etc. The spirited giving that goes on is tough to beat, too.

The best advice for a WSS newcomer is this: if Pitdog has an oddly titled thread, for the love of god, don't open it!!!
 
Glad To be apart of W&SS circle of friends....To many guys to name have helped me learn so much to pass down to my son....
my favorite threads are any with gear in them,they give me ideas and make me spend my money on things I never thought I would ! LOL..Thanks Guys !!!
 
Though I’ve been active on this forum for a couple of years, it was the Connecticut Wilderness Skills Gathering, and hooking up with Brian, Kev and the Connecticut contingent of Woodsbums Anonymous that lead to my involvement here on the W&SS sub-forum.

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More photos to follow.
 
I definitely consider this my home away from home. I look forward to jumping online every day and seeing what's cookin' on "my website" as I tell others.

I get some good natured teasing from friends for being a weirdo with my knife talk and preparedness books, but it's all in fun. I can't put a price on the fun and knowledge I am gaining from the members here, so I upgraded my membership earlier this year to show Spark my appreciation for spending so much time on his website.

I have begun to reach out and actually talk to some guys here and hope to continue to do more of that, time permitting, in the coming year. I still consider myself a newbie until I can get my lazy arse out to take a class with Kev. there is soooo much I don't know! Knots, navigation, net-making with DOC, knife sharpening with Simon, injuries with Jake, etc...

Thanks to all and here's to a great 2009!
 
Hell I just joined several months ago, I can't begin to tell you how much I learned from everyone on here.

The 1st CT gathering was what really got me hooked. It was amazing how helpful and friendly perfect strangers could be. Brian, Kevin, and Marty made everyone feel at home and were amazing hosts.

I have met some absolutely great people at gatherings and made friendships that will hopefuly last a life time.

There are several members here that I have never met, but it feels like I have known them forever.

Thanks to all of you that welcomed me, and for all the advice I got along the way.

Like Rockywolf said, its my home away from home.
 
2008 has been a great year. As most of you know, I spent a lot of time on the other forum as a mod and slowly made my way back to this one. In less than a year, I've posted more than I have in the 7 years I've been registered on BF. In that year, we hosted a crazy CT gathering where I met up with Brian Jones after probably 8 years from meeting him for the first time at Eastern Mountain Sports in Fairfield, CT. Still just as crazy of a conversation now as it was then.

In this past year, I've met some great new folks that are now regulars on the campouts. The two "rival" or "complimentary" forums are slowly starting to have more overarching members. We've had some great threads started here on the forums and the knifemakers have really come here to show off their latest practical knives to an audience that truly cares and knows what they're talking about.

We've seen the pay it forward thread take off, more gatherings than you can shake a stick at and overall great demonstrations of a brotherhood in outdoors pursuits. I was fortunate enough to step up as Co-Moderator here and I can't tell you how (at the risk of sounding like a softy) my heart felt to hear all the kind words others had to say about me in that role.

I know 2008 was a big year for the forums but I bet 2009 will make it pale in comparison. We're doing more, showing more and learning more with each day. Just think, in fewer than 11 months, we'll have another one of these threads and even more to talk about. Until then, thanks for making this place the most fun forum on the internet!
 
I've enjoyed the challenges this year. Specifically the recent "use your psk" challenge, and others like Mentor's 3 blades for one year thread.

I've also enjoyed seeing all the generocity and support of members. Several members have had big things come up this year, and people here have really stepped up.

I recently upgraded my membership to show my support, and I encourage others to do the same!

L!
 
Any thread where we get to poke fun at Brian:D Actually this is a great group of individuals and even though my wife makes fun of my "on-line" friends, we have some excellent cyber-friendship bonds...and I'll eventually get around to meeting several in person.

Best thread was seeing how quickly forum members came together for j williams when his stuff was stolen...just a good reminder that even though we don't really know one another, there is a real bond of kinship; a true testament to the generosity and willingness to help a brother out.

Couldn't ask for a better thread at this time of the year! :thumbup:

ROCK6
 
This is my first year here, but what a place!

I have been an internet user for many years now and have never found a place like W&SS that I *must* visit (almost) every day. It's clear that many of us have different ideas, backgrounds, interests, etc. but the atmosphere stays positive.

The pay it forward thread and the J Williams gear replacement thread were great for me because I have taken away so much more knowledge from you guys than I have been able to contribute. Participating in those threads gave me a sense of contributing albeit in a small way. I also love the trip reports and pics that all of you share.

I bought my first two knives on the exchange -- a JK Kephart and a Camillus Becker Necker (I love both). I'm sure there will be more. I also found out what a truly sharp blade is after I sent some knives and my axe to Siguy for sharpening. Finally, based on tips here, both my 8 year old son and 6 year old daughter can successfully light a PJCB with with a ferro rod (still working with the 3 year old);):thumbup:

For the next year, I want to get out in the woods more and therefore be able to contribute more here (even if it's just trip reports). Though it may be tough based on geography, I'd also like to participate in a gathering in the future (I was drooling over the Adirondack canoe trip)

Thanks Brian and Kevin for all that you do here.
 
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this has been a pretty big year for me online and offline...

i started making knives, upgraded my membership, and sold a few online. i started offering sharpening services and i have handled at least 200 (probably more!) unique knives in the last 6 months.

i attended the CT gathering in april (seems so long ago...) and even though i didn't know a single person i still felt very welcome and felt that i learned alot, and had alot of fun.

this year has seen my blade collection grow quite large, but in the last month or two i have been whittling it down mostly by trading it away or giving it away. i figure since i'm not using it i'm not really getting anything out of it sitting in a box. i do still have far more knives than most people would consider sane...

the second (very small) CT gathering was great too. it was much smaller, with only 4 members attending at the peak (3 people overnight) it was really nice to just sit by the fire at night and relax with a couple of WSS buddies and talk about everything, as well as do some fun stuff with fire (like melting glass bottles).

online...i have become far more active, mostly here in WSS. it has been great learning and teaching when i can.

i really appreciate all the help i get whenever i post a story about a campout, a hundred tips and tricks that help me be 100% more comfortable on the next one. i feel like i am really getting somewhere with both my gear and skillset.

thanks to TFin for inspiring me to get out in the winter for some overnighters. i have discovered that they can be comfortable if you do it right.

for next year i hope that i can make it to some more gatherings, and possibly do some larger gatherings. i would love to get out to some of those chopfests over in California, or get up to Canada to meet with some of the members up there.
 
Rockywolf said:
I definitely consider this my home away from home. I look forward to jumping online every day and seeing what's cookin' on "my website" as I tell others.

I get some good natured teasing from friends for being a weirdo with my knife talk and preparedness books, but it's all in fun. I can't put a price on the fun and knowledge I am gaining from the members here, so I upgraded my membership earlier this year to show Spark my appreciation for spending so much time on his website.
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Yeah what he said.

Is it cliche' to think a website can change your life? I think this one and this group has mine, rekindling interests and sparking a desire to get out and experience more things. I've broadened my knife collecting interests learned a ton from the people here. Thank you all, and here is to a great 2009!
 
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