Who on BFC has influenced you and how?

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
8,969
Greetings all. I just got done reading Runs With Scissors' thread entitled "I quit", and it warmed me about him reminiscing about his "Pappy" and how he influenced him with knives. I'm sure alot of us have similar relationships in our lives, at least I hope. But, it made me think. Yeah, my dad originally got me interested, but BFC really exploded my knowledge base and thirst for more. There have been quite a few people here who have steered me in certain directions that I have been grateful for. I'm sure that I will unintentionally leave many out, but here are a few for me.
Buzzbait... I really enjoy his thoughts on what makes a knife important. I have explored the world of convex grinds because of him. Also he is one of the people who opened my eyes to the wonderful world of Bob Dozier... especially when he throws up those wonderful pics of "Doris"
Gus Kalanzis and Nifrand... when Spark started the slipjoint/traditional blades forum, these two were instrumental in putting up pic after pic of their amazing collections. I literally sat in a puddle of drool looking at their beauties.
Danbo... I was and continue to be in awe of his wonderful collection. He seems to have an eye for amazing blades and is a fountain of knowledge and taste as far as I am concerned. I had the opportunity to meet him at the last Chicago area knife show and got the privilege to relieve him of one of his collection.
The multitude of makers who frequent BFC, such as Terry Primos, Jerry Fisk, Dan Farr, Ron Leuschen, Rob Simonich, Ed Fowler, Jerry Hossum and others. These fine artists have interacted with me on questions that I have had. I really appreciate their time and knowledge. I already have some of their knives, but hope to add all of them and more to my collection.
I am sure there are many others that I cannot think of at this time, but I know you all out there suredly have your own BFC influences. I'm interested in hearing your stories...
Thanks for letting me tell mine.
Mongo

P.S. I gotta thank Spark too... after all, he's the man who makes it happen!
 
There are some folks around here that know me as "Pic Makin' Bastid", for the Photoshop manipulations I've done poking fun at some if not all of the people I know here. Those pics have made me more friends and added to my collection of knives more than any other thing I can name.

I would never have been able to post a pic here without the help of Kisu and Blackdog. Scanning skills, thanks to James Mattis and Bernard Levien.

Next would be my buddy Paracelsus, who showed me how to get into BFC Chat, and for introducing me to PJ Tomes.

For the first hand knowledge about knives and how to tour a show TomW. This guy has forgotten more about knives than I'll ever know, and an hour spent with a knowledgeable person is worth years of trying to learn on your own.

For the most belly laughs on this forum, Vampire Gerbil. His wit and imagination never ceases to amaze me.

For all of the talented makers that have allowed me to call them friends; Kit Carson, Darrel Ralph, Tim Herman, Ed Fowler, JW Smith, Rob Simonich, Fred Carter, Max Burnett, Mike Cooper, Brett Bennett, Bobby Branton, PJ Tomes...to name a few.

The list of members here that I've learned from or gotten a good laugh from would be endless. To name three that won't be posting here again; James Mattis, Bob Irons, Walt Welch. I hope I'll always have the BFC Archives to go back to to read their wit and wisdom.

Of course I can't forget the two people that made this place possible, Mike Turber and Kevin. Special thanks to Spark for keeping this place open.
 
Hey Mongo are you really afected by the Down Syndrome? So this explains the kind of shallow and brainless reading I'v made in this forum. By the way **** you!
 
I'm a Golok fan myself. Opinionated bastids like me need someone to ask our opinions. His questions always stimulate heaps of interesting discussion, although not always stricty knife related.

Otherwise the people on BF have saved me money and time because after a few hours of reading here I knew exactly what I needed and where to oredr it
 
Cheesedicks like you will never be an influence, at least in a positive way. May I suggest the Dale Carnegie course "How to win friends and influence people"? Sounds like you need some help.

Come on regular BFC-'ers, let's hear about your influences here. I originally wrote this while in a Thanksgiving kind of mind. I wanted people to know that they can make a difference here.
Thanks for looking,
Mongo
 
Cliff Stamp - for my destructive streak that I may unleash on my knives, for "testing" ;)
all joking aside, I found Golok and gollnick's posts have the most influence, even though opinions are not always on the same side, they seem to be more observant and calmer when discussing these opinions. And often they raise very good points.
 
Any list of BFC infuentials would have to include the late Walt Welch and James Mattis.

Personally, my list would include Don Rearic, Jim March for their wealth of weapons and SD knowledge and straight shooting style.
 
My most influencial BF brothers are Larry Brahms (Mr. Bladeart himself) for giving me my first great trade, Jaxurman (I think he dissapeared) for getting me great custom trades, Blilious for the great hour long telephone conversations, and all of my new Balisong Forum borthers. I am sure I left others out, but these guys were the best of the best.
 
I've been influenced the most by YITERP who has taught me more than he'll ever know, by giving a helping hand to one of our forumites who was having $$ troubles. We all could learn from him and his family, that in today's World, there's a few still left who are honorable and compassionate, they do actually exist. its quite refreshing to find people whose beliefs are of ones honor. He gave back to another in need what he received when he was in need. Very rare trait hard to find, not many have these values in our world. Has shown the meaning of kindness and generosity.
 
Les Robertson - Les pretty much introduced me to "serious" tactical customs (at a local knife show)...since then, Les has taught me A LOT about tacticals through his posts here and subsequent conversations and meetings at knife shows

rdangerer - Rob taught me about the pros/cons of various blade steels and other technical aspects of knives (e.g. distal taper, differential heat treat, satin finish etc. etc.)...if it wasn't for him, I'd still be buying knives based solely on aesthetic appeal ;)

Murray White - Murray is a fountain of knowledge about knives and he's a true ambassador to the hobby...I learned a lot just by examining Murray's collection, particularly to look for "grinds," but the best thing that Murray taught me is how to "examine" a knife e.g. how to check if grinds are even, the fit between bolsters and scales etc.

RL
 
I'll cast a vote for Joe Talmadge.:) His well thought-out and informative articles on steels and sharpening are "worth the price of admission".:cool:
 
I can't point to any members in particular that have been of great influence to me. It has been the accumulative effect of so many great posts by such a wide variety of members that has taught me so much.
 
Gus Kalanzis once said to treat a knife like a firearm and you won't cut yourself anymore. I had a few humdingers until then and none since (except for a small pucture wound recently testing out my MT Vector).
Danbo introduced me to a bowie maker who might be the best of all time and my knife is a few months away.
The incomparable Larry Brahams introduced me to custom knives and I've had emotional problems ever since.
Joel Pirela's designs are a wonder.
I love when people get pissed. I picture them yelling at their computer monitor sitting there in their underwear with a beer and bandaids all over their fingers. So anyone who flames is OK by me.
 
Well I have been influenced by this great group as a whole, but considerable mention must go to Keith Montgomery who was everywhere I went in the knife world and convinced me to settle back and enjoy this hobby/way of life. And JOHNNIET for posting a link on a thread that took you to this guy Allen Carrs website. That link actually helped me break a 11 year addiction. For that I am truely thankfull. Yiterp showed me that there are still people in this world that care about others, and the rest of you folks with your passaround, and trades have shown me that trust is still a value many people have now adays, you just have to know where to look. :)
 
Jim Six,Walt Welch and Gus Kalanzis for their wisdom.
James Mattis for his ability to defuse situations with a few well chosen words.
GigOne,Paracelsus,Ken Cox and Mongo for their different slant on things.
Jerry Shipman for sticking by his guns,and then for not leaving Bladeforums.
Gary Graley for being Gary Graley.
Wolfman601 for his attempt to right all the wrongs of the forums.
Vampire Gerbil for his insane ways at looking at the world.Love him and hope to meet him in Las Vegas this year.
Les Robertson for his vast knowledge of this hobby and addiction I have.Also for giving me tips on the "up and comers".
Gus Kalanzis for the friendship he has shown me.
 
Wolfmann601. For what he did that put him in such a painful place now, and what he continues to go threw. Plus, he's always looking out for the forum.

YITERP. What Lady Colt said.

Everyone evolved in the memorial knife/shield plaque project back in August. You guys really came together. It was inspiring.

Reagan
 
Countless people...Wolfmann601, G2, Gus Kalanzis, Bastid ;), Dex Ewing, Rearic, Keith Montgomery, Buzzbait, Blues, Code3, and Glockman.
Too many ways to even discuss,
Matt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top