Who/What/How got you into knifes?

[Mighty1]

Dear BeckerHeads,

I looked for thread like this and could not find, at least in this particular forum...

At the dawn of building an official pack (Go BeckerHeads!!:thumbup I wanted to share who/what/how got me started with this not so secret affair with knifes, and was hoping you could all do the same.

For at least half my life I lived on and grew up on at least 10 acres in the central coast of California, and for a small time both Bossier City Louisiana and Murfreesboro Tennessee (The2 latter locations less than a year each). We had horses, pigs, chickens, etc.. – literally everything aside from Cows, which were in the next field over. My Dad was an avid outdoorsmen, the D.I.Y guy. Traditional. He had a slew of goodies that I wanted to “play” with much before my time. When I was 6 I was given 2 very special things, 1: An old knife that he built (scales and long since destroyed sheath) in boy scouts. As well as a hatchet that was ground flat (no blade) so I couldn’t hurt myself and /or any of the aforementioned livestock. Both are my sole remaining possessions of a house fire that took place a few years after. I’ve recently moved and unearthed these gems and wanted to share.

The Hatchet has been attacked by rust and needs a new handle (electric tape, I know….abuse!) and the knife (now over 50 years old) still holds a decent edge. These literally carved a special place in my heart for knifes and the like, hunting, chopping, building, cuts, bruises, accomplishments, loss, and just general living, these babies were along for the ride. Learned A LOT from them/with them.

My Plan is the retire ol’betsy and hang her up somewhere in the man cave, while the Hatchet needs a little CPR, I put an edge on it when I was a teen and took it camping EVERY TIME. Would like to clean her up too. I let them (New Beckers and the old guard) chat for a while and they (O.G’s) were willing to give up the mantle. Wasn’t easy mind you, but those Beckers……they have a way about them.

While I haven’t been in the “game” (knife game) in a fair amount of time it slipped back on like a nice worn glove.

To conclude: I know there are some great knifes out there, but I am proud to own and continue to buy these knifes. These Beckers, I will be happy to give to my kids when the time is right….or buy extra for them…..at any rate, hope it’s not too cheesy but that’s my story.

 

[Mighty1]

Now next to their replacements (BK11 is actually in place of the BK14 I just ordered today....shhhhhh)...

 

[Moosez45]

I had always had small slipjoints since I can remember, but I was going hunting with my uncle. He asked if I had good knife, so I showed him my Case sharkfinger. He said a REAL knife. After I told him no, i guess. He handed me an old Kabar. I was hooked for real after that. I'm on my 7th Kabar now, and have added many to the pile since then. I met my first Becker over 10yrs ago, I can't honestly remember if it was a Blackjack or Camillus. I've owned alot of knives but Kabars and Beckers have always been my favorite "go to" knives. Moose

 

[dcbowtecher]

I remember having and shooting guns, before knives were even a priority. Now of course I had pocketknives of various sorts, but knives were really a given. It was just part of life and of partaking in the great outdoors with likeminded souls. I guess I never took notice because it was normal part of life, like breathing and eating. Older men that I hunted and fished with had this particular habit of 'checking you out' to find if you were a neophyte newbie. They would say something along the lines of, " Sonny boy, lemme see your knife." Of course you would hand it to them. Then they would scrutinize it with keen interest. This act served two purposes. First, it informed them of whether or not you were equipped (really to even be in their presence) and secondly to see if your knife was sharp. Sharpness was definitely a subject of contention with them. If it wasn't sharp, you probably got scolded. They felt that you were not meticulous enough in your preparation and somehow, to them, this inattentiveness probably bled over into other aspects of your life. It was as if they were measuring you. This made a memorable impression on me. It's analgous to having on dirty shoes with a suit [not that I wear them very much anymore]. It didn't really matter what type of knife you had, but it had better be sharp or you may be thought of as somebody who didn't know how to shoot, dress game, or perform any number of important tasks. These were serious men that didn't cotton to incompetence. In their opinion a dull knife equated with a potentially dull mind. Kind of gives special meaning to the adage, "He ain't the sharpest tool in the shed". These days when I am around the few that are still around, they are likely to still say,"Hey Son, lemme see your knife." This is because they know that I keep my blades in laser-like condition. After the 'you know the drill' perfunctory pass-around, I am usually greeted with a smile and a all-knowing nod of approval:thumbup:. I feel honored and am appreciative to have known such men.

 

[Moosez45]

I remember having and shooting guns, before knives were even a priority. Now of course I had pocketknives of various sorts, but knives were really a given. It was just part of life and of partaking in the great outdoors with likeminded souls. I guess I never took notice because it was normal part of life, like breathing and eating. Older men that I hunted and fished with had this particular habit of 'checking you out' to find if you were a neophyte newbie. They would say something along the lines of, " Sonny boy, lemme see your knife." Of course you would hand it to them. Then they would scrutinize it with keen interest. This act served two purposes. First, it informed them of whether or not you were equipped (really to even be in their presence) and secondly to see if your knife was sharp. Sharpness was definitely a subject of contention with them. If it wasn't sharp, you probably got scolded. They felt that you were not meticulous enough in your preparation and somehow to them that this inattentiveness probably bled over into other aspects of your life. It was as if they were measuring you. This made a memorable impression on me. It's analgous to having on dirty shoes with a suit [not that I wear them very much anymore]. It didn't really matter what type of knife you had, but it had better be sharp or you may thought of as somebody who didn't know how to shoot, dress game, or perform any number of important tasks. These were serious men that didn't cotton to incompetence. In their opinion a dull knife equated a potentially dull mind. Kind of gives special meaning to the adage, "He ain't the sharpest tool in the shed". These days when I am around the few that are still around, they are likely to still say,"Hey Son, lemme see your knife." This is because they know that I keep my blades in laser-like condition. After the 'you know the drill' perfunctory pass-around, I am usually greeted with a smile and a all-knowing nod of approval:thumbup:. I feel honored and am appreciative to have known such men.

Thats funny. I do the same thing to my new employees (installers), I'll ask them, "Lemme see your knife". Seems like now adays, "I don't carry one" is the answer. Not for long, LOL. I have bought 3 of my guys knives, and MADE them carry it. Now, they say they "feel naked" or "don't get dressed without it". My preferred knife for the beginner, Gerber Paraframe. Lowes-19.00 plus tax. Moose

 

[blade1981]

my dad for many years carried an uncle henry with real stag handle slabs and he always had a knife for me when i was a kid and wed go to the woods,hunting ,fishing,and camping.my first real knife was a usmc kabar he gave me.i remember batoning the heads off of 12 lb catfish that we caught in my uncles pond on a sunday morning.ive still got that old kabar,though its a little rough looking now,its still razor sharp.

 

[GingivitisKahn]

I'm sure there was a time in my life before I carried knives, but I'll be danged if I can remember it. I was always the goto guy at Christmas for opening the tough packages and so forth. How anyone can be dressed and not have a knife on them is beyond me.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

This thing's what started my love affair with all objects sharp. Grandpa (Dad's side) was a guard in an Alabama state pen and one of the trusties made this knife for him out of an old file. He gave it to dad a few years later and Dad gave it to me when I was 9 or so. Still my favorite knife of all time, along with my other grandpa's yeller Case Trapper. Neither one gets used anymore. Not replaceable at any price.