Virgil "Gus" Grissom's Survival Knife

matthewdanger

matthewdanger

Joined
Jan 29, 2003
Messages
1,568
I thought you guys would appreciate this even though it isn't an ESEE knife.

I was able to stop by the newly renovated Virgil "Gus" Grissom Memorial at beautiful Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell Indiana. It underwent a fantastic renovation that included several new exhibits since the last time I was there. Much of the new pieces are on loan from the Smithsonian.

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Among the new items was Grissom's Randall survival knife. It is hard to tell from the picture (it is hard to get good pictures of something under glass with bright over head can lights) but it is etched with "Virgil L Grissom" and has seen some serious use. The blade was scratched and the tip was rounded. The handles had some miles on them and the sheath had repairs made with tape. I don't know what model it is but some of you Randall experts might know. From now on, when someone tries to tell me that knives with large cross guards are no good for survival use, I will ask if they are calling Gus Grissom a liar. :)

It was extremely cool to see such a well loved tool that once belonged to an American hero.

On a related note, If you are ever in southern Indiana and looking for something to do, Spring Mill State Park is great. We love going there to hike the trails, explore the working pioneer village, stay in the old Spring Mill Inn which was built in 1939 using tons of the famous local lime stone, check out the caves, and browse the Grissom Memorial. You can even buy great fresh ground corn meal from the Grist Mill in the Pioneer Village and the dining room in the Spring Mill Inn (which is excellent by the way) uses the corn meal in a few dishes.
 
Great post:thumbup:

I love those style knives...they just have a great look and history.
 
I haven't been to spring mill since I was a kid! I need to make the trip this spring. That is a very cool pic and a awesome knife, Thanks Matthew.
 
R.A.T. said:
But Grissom died :confused:
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Jeesh man. The guy was incinerated in about 1 minute in a high pressure oxygen fire in a space capsule that was sealed as tight as a safe and which took rescuers quite a long time to get into. Neither that knife, an ESEE-5, nor a bulldozer was gonna get him out of that! Have a little respect. RIP Gus!
 
It was a joke. Sarcasm. No disrespect meant. Don't get wound too tight over this. I think we should kill all spoiled undisciplined children too.
 
R.A.T. said:
It was a joke. Sarcasm. No disrespect meant. Don't get wound too tight over this.
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Do you often joke about US military members who die in the line of duty? I lost more than a few USAF friends over the last 30yrs...perhaps you'd like to have a laugh at their expense as well?

But then, perhaps I'm just "wound up too tight.":rolleyes:

If anyone is interested, my ESEE knives will be in the Exchange in a few minutes.
 
R.A.T. said:
It was a joke. Sarcasm. No disrespect meant. Don't get wound too tight over this. I think we should kill all spoiled undisciplined children too.
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Well, as the step parent of two very spoiled now-grown children and the uncle of two very undisciplined, downright awful kids...I would have to fully agree.

Sorry for the rant man:foot:. Being loosely wound is not something I'll ever be accused of.

I'll bet one of your kinfolks actually made that knife? Am I correct?

QB
 
Wow. People take my dark humor and sarcasm way too seriously, often choosing to look past things I do for others, especially those who serve or in uniform. I have a deep and generous respect for anyone who has died in service of this country, as well as those who are alive and serving this country. But to make a simple joke about the use of a survival knife is just that. It was sarcasm not meant as a slight on the man but on the post.

I can only hope that should I be eaten by a crocodile somewhere down the line that someone will make light of it. Saying "well his ESEE "Survival" knife didn't save him."

You will have no problems selling your ESEE knives in the exchange.
 
HoosierQ said:
Well, as the step parent of two very spoiled now-grown children and the uncle of two very undisciplined, downright awful kids...I would have to fully agree.

Sorry for the rant man:foot:. Being loosely wound is not something I'll ever be accused of.

I'll bet one of your kinfolks actually made that knife? Am I correct?

QB
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I think somewhere down the line we could possibly related but all I know is they make a helluva good knife. Again, no disrespect meant or intended to the man who owned the knife, the sarcasm was fully intended as irony for the post. But, if you want to sell your ESEE knives, there is the exchange :D
 
SpookyDriver said:
Do you often joke about US military members who die in the line of duty? I lost more than a few USAF friends over the last 30yrs...perhaps you'd like to have a laugh at their expense as well?

But then, perhaps I'm just "wound up too tight.":rolleyes:

If anyone is interested, my ESEE knives will be in the Exchange in a few minutes.
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Wow, those are some mighty bunched panties.:rolleyes:
 
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