This ever happen to you?

S

Soloman

Joined
Jun 20, 1999
Messages
358
Do you ever have people you know (who generally disapprove of your knife habit) ask for you to sharpen/clean their SAKs or Uncle Henrys? This happens to me quite frequently, and I'm happy to help them out.

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"I'm out there Jerry, and I'm lovin' every minute of it!"--Kramer
 
I commend your diplomacy and generousity. I think it was J. Bruce Voyles who wrote somewhere that 'You and I live in a world where we can't mention knife in mixed company without somebody treating it like a racial slur' which I think defined the problem perfectly. Basically it is a problem with perception where the ignorant don't understand why somebody living in the city would buy a knife that wasn't a 'kitchen knife'

I've had to endure some funny looks from my office colleagues when they first found out I was ordering knives - probably thought I was a closet Rambo. Thank heavens my fiancee understands. Sort of - I haven't told her I just blew more than a months salary on a new small CR Sebenza
wink.gif


But after some time, when I showed them just how useful a small one-hand opening folder can be for everyday tasks, I've converted a couple of them into 'knife nuts'. As long as we do our part demonstrating that our knives and our knife-related skills (like you mentioned - sharpening & fixing) can make life easier we can show them that knives can co-exist peacefully with ordinary people.

Peace and fair weather
Redvenom

 
I have to remind myself that not everyone appreciates knives like me (us). Sometimes I spend so much time here that I assume that everyone will be enthusiastic regarding man's oldest and best tool but I am afraid it is not so.

I do like to help people out sharpening and refinishing their abused knives. Sharpening is definitely a lost art.



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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
 
I sharpen knives for other people all the time. Mostly for my family. My mom and brother don't know how, and my dad doesn't take the time to do it.
It does get kind of annoying sometimes though depending on who asks you. My cousin wants me to sharpen his knife for him, but at the same time he threw a fit last week on vacation because I had a delica with me. He started yelling at me about how your not supposed to have "Things" like that around lots of people. But I carried the knife any way and he just had to get over it.

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It'll feel better when it stops hurting.
 
Frequently, and I just have one of those Gatco Edgemate systems. But, people often borrow my AFCK from me and return it saying "Gawd, that's the sharpest knife I've ever seen!" when, in fact, I've been thinking that it's getting pretty dull and have been meaning to get around to sharpening it. Then, they'll bring me their SAK butterknife or whatever they happen to have and ask me to "make it like yours." Well, I'm always happy to help out. Maybe by showing them how good life can be, I'll raise their standards and encourage them to take more of an interest in their choice of pocket knife.

Often, borrowing my AFCK to open a box or cut a wild thread or whatever is a chance for me to introduce someone to better knives. They often return it saying "How do you close it?"
"Well, it's called a 'liner lock' and you close it by moving this part here. See?"

"Oh yeah, that's different. I've never seen one like that."

"Well, it's a newer design. It's very secure. So, you don't have to worry about the knife closing on you and hurting you."

"Yeah, I've had that happen with my old pocket knife. Say, where do you get a knife like that?"

"Well, it's made by Benchmade Corporation up in Oregon City."

"Benchmade? Never heard of 'em."

"Well, they've been there for getting on ten years. You can see their full line at George and Son Cutlery at 4th and Washington Downtown."

Sometimes, when I next meet that person, they'll proudly show me their new Benchmade and thank me for introducing them to better knives, to a great manufacturer, and to a great knife retailer. These are often folks who have bought all of their knives previously at K-Mart. They had no idea that better knives exist or where to buy them.

So, when people take an interest in your pocket knife or even ask you to help 'em out with theirs, perhaps by sharpening it, take this as an opportunity to share. You are all ambassador.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Soloman - just keep up the good work showing folks we are not all nuts .. I've been sharpening for 50 years now - My Grandfather taught me how he wanted his chisels.. even Dad used to have me go over his knives before deer season.. last year we had a "silent auction" at church to raise funds for a project - I offered to sharpen kitchen knives at 6 for whatever was bid all comers - not only did I get to sharpen for people but could talk to them about what is a "good" kitchen knife and how a sharp one is much safer! Even the "tactical" knives are still tools.. and lots of folks learn how handy it is to have one around that really cuts and works.
Keep on smiling and sharpening - that's what changes attitudes.


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Don't wrestle with the hogs - they enjoy it and you get dirty !
Jonesy
 
Guys,

If you think the knife bit is bad... tell folks that you are a member of IDPA and that you like to train with pistols in live-fire defensive situations.
They almost get ready to run....

Ben
 
I sharpen knives for people. Do it all the time. Hooked many people to high quality knives.
smile.gif


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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
 
Ya, I know what you mean everyone thinks you are nuts until you tell them how cool they are and then you have coverts like myself. I am a covert of a friend that has many post here and I have asked for some advice on purchasing and sharpening knives and thank him for it. So don't freak your friends out and you could make a knife collecting buddy.
 
Hi, I'm Max and I sharpen knives too. I can't help myself. I always carry a DMT pocket sharpener. Have for the past 15 years or so. Took me 10 years to wear out the first one.

I live in a small town and people know what I do and there are my 'regulars' that snag me every they see me to 'touch up' their knife. I've made lots of sales this way and lots of friends too. I'm pretty bold about it too. Because, when I see a dull knife in action, it does something to me way down deep inside. It's kind of like seeing a starving kid in the rain in the middle of winter. I just have to do something.

Yes, I'm a sharpaholic, and I'm not ashamed. And I don't need any professional help either. I'll go on sharpening everybodies knives in town and when I'm in the old folks home, I'll sharpen their knifes too. Heck, if you have a knife that needs sharpening, just send it to me post paid and I'll sharpen it for you.

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M.Ogg

"It's better to be thought a fool and remain silent, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
 
All the time even my X drops hers off every once in a while. I get in a lot of practice on "other peoples knives".
 
Yes, it happens to me all the time. Ive had to convert a few people along the way also. My Mother in Law thought that I was crazy. She had the dullest kitchen knives you have ever seen. One day we were over at her house and my Wife asked to borrow my AFCK so she could cut tomatos. My Mother-in-Law was watching my wife slice and dice those tomatos. She was amazed. When she first asked me to sharpen her knives she told me that she didnt want them to sharp, she said that she was afriad that she would cut herself. So, I talked to her about knife saftey and how a sharp knive it safer then a dull knife. Now years later, after she gives me a hug and says hello she askes if I brought by sharpening equipment. It took a long time to convert her to thinking that knives are a usefull tool instead of a weapon.


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Shawn R Sullivan
ICQ # 82562931
 
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