Years ago, outdoor magazines, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Fur, Fish, & Game, and those types wrote about experiences, about being there. It was feeling, a sense of nature, being in touch with our more primal selves. Stories such as Jackknife has been blessing us with were a big part of those magazines. Regardless if it was a hunting or a fishing story, there was an emotional connection and the whole trip, the memories, the experiences, all these shared as much, often even more of the center of the story as the final bag, or what kind of equipment was used. Traditional knives are that kind of thing.
Look at most any hunting and/or fishing magazine today and the stories, when they aren't just barely hidden marketing material, are still all about high tech equipment and trophies. Nothing else really seems to matter. The same seems true of most outdoor shows today. This is the world of the "tactical" knife. It is about high speed, super this or that, and who has the coolest toys.
"Ya know, Bob. I couldn't have gotten that trophy if I hadn't been using my computerized range finder, this $2000 scope, this super custom, mega tuned, big dollar rifle with custom loaded, specialty ammo. Not to mention these space age pants, jacket, and boots with scent blocker and electro-phasic camouflage."
"Yessir, Chuck! Let's not forget how we couldn't have made it back in here if we without the Monster Bear, 1000cc, 4X4 ATVs with portable showers and jacuzzi on it! If we'd have had to come in on foot or horseback we'd never have been able to do this day and a half hunt. Those satellite locations of the herds we downloaded to our latest release GPS mini computers sure helped get us on a trophy fast. Can you imagine if we'd actually had to scout and look for game? Just impossible!"
"Sure nuff! Now lets get out a here so we can cleanup and have some of that gourmet cooking back at the lodge, then drinks and the game on their 54" big screen TV with surround sound!"
That's not our world or our flavor for the most part. Those who lean towards traditional knives tend to lean towards hunting shacks that often were just that. An old wood stove provided the heat, and often the cooking surface. Sanitation needs were met by a privy out back and a wash basin on a table. A fellow may have a few guns, but he basically had his "huntin" gun that went to the field with him. Some of the time in camp, after the chores were done, might be spent telling lies over checkers or a card game. If you wanted some naughty material it had to come in the form of magazines, that you naturally just looked at for the articles. That's if there was even a hunting shack.
For some of us, it was heading into the woods or across the fields on the farm, or maybe a neighbors farm. We knew each other and had no problem gaining or granting access to each others places. We worked together during planting and harvesting, combining resources here and there. There might be some regular folks who came out from the city who had gotten permission to hunt squirrels or bunnies. They always made sure they closed any gates they opened and crossed fences at the post, so as not to sag the fence. They also made a point of dropping by and sharing some of the bag with you if you wanted any.
As I mentioned in another thread. Different thinking, different views, and different desires out of life.
