- Joined
- Oct 20, 2000
- Messages
- 4,453
Back in the 70s, Reader's Digest was one of my favourite magazines.
One day there was an article about the Swiss Army Knife, with a special focus on its top-of-the-range, The Champ.
After reading that article which was spiced up with SAK exploits in life-and-death situations and how it saved numerous lives, I was all fired up to buy and own one.
In those days, The Swiss Champ was known as a portable toolbox - always carried, never fails.
Flash forward to the 80s. I was holidaying in Lucerne, Switzerland. There was one obsessive thought in my mind, "get the Swiss Champ."
Everywhere I went, I walked into shops looking for the famous Swiss knife. In one shop, I finally saw tha mother of all Swiss knives. At 54 Swiss francs, it was certainly a bargain.
But I was then rather tight-fisted in fiscal matters, so I hesitated and even haggled.
After some tense moments with the shop assistant, he did me the greatest favour - he chided me.
"Look, you are not going to get this price anywhere. It is a great knife. Take it. Don't think anymore," he said.
Intimidated, I relented and coughed up the required number of Swiss francs. Back in the hotel, I quickly opened the big blade and immediately nicked my thumb. Instead of being alarmed, I thought: "Wow, what a sharp blade!" That marked the beginning of my love affair with knives.
From then on, everywhere I went I looked for the latest innovation in knives and other kinds of blades. It changed my life. It was a hobby that just wouldn't let go.
Others, I am sure, have had similar experiences with their first knife. This is my story with a knife that drew first blood, mine.
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Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.
One day there was an article about the Swiss Army Knife, with a special focus on its top-of-the-range, The Champ.
After reading that article which was spiced up with SAK exploits in life-and-death situations and how it saved numerous lives, I was all fired up to buy and own one.
In those days, The Swiss Champ was known as a portable toolbox - always carried, never fails.
Flash forward to the 80s. I was holidaying in Lucerne, Switzerland. There was one obsessive thought in my mind, "get the Swiss Champ."
Everywhere I went, I walked into shops looking for the famous Swiss knife. In one shop, I finally saw tha mother of all Swiss knives. At 54 Swiss francs, it was certainly a bargain.
But I was then rather tight-fisted in fiscal matters, so I hesitated and even haggled.
After some tense moments with the shop assistant, he did me the greatest favour - he chided me.
"Look, you are not going to get this price anywhere. It is a great knife. Take it. Don't think anymore," he said.
Intimidated, I relented and coughed up the required number of Swiss francs. Back in the hotel, I quickly opened the big blade and immediately nicked my thumb. Instead of being alarmed, I thought: "Wow, what a sharp blade!" That marked the beginning of my love affair with knives.
From then on, everywhere I went I looked for the latest innovation in knives and other kinds of blades. It changed my life. It was a hobby that just wouldn't let go.
Others, I am sure, have had similar experiences with their first knife. This is my story with a knife that drew first blood, mine.
------------------
Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.
