Winners selected: 3,000 post giveaway for Traditional Forum members

Not to get all sappy or anything, but...

My heart. To someone that I knew would never be able to give me hers back, and in all likelyhood would probably stomp mine flat, which she did (but I don't blame her; she did what was best for her and hers). This was pretty recent, and the pain is still fresh, but I don't regret it, and would do it again, even knowing the inevitable results and heartache.

I don't really have much in the way of possessions with sentimental value, and those few that I've had I've never given away.

Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.

Edited:

Bob's generous giveaway reminded me of something I gave away. Not sentimental, but something that was hard to give because of the time it took and the pride I had in making it. In high school, for a school project, I did some sort of report on Vietnam. I can't remember what class it was for or why I chose (or got chosen) for Vietnam. I interviewed a guy my dad knew that was a Vietnam veteran about what life in the country was like (meaning the culture, not war related). One of the things he brought back was a crossbow that the locals used for hunting. It was made entirely from some dark hardwood - no metal. So as part of my project, I carved a miniature replica out of pine wood (using a rubber band as the string). I wasn't in to knives at that point in my life, so all the carving was done with kitchen knives and utility blades. My mom's kitchen knives were always dull has hell, so I had to sharpen them up, which started me on my path of being a knife enthusiast.

As for the crossbow, this thing was cool as hell, at least for a 15 year old. I made a bunch of mini bolts for it, which would puncture and soar right through a sheet of paper. I remember shooting it my hand and laughing when the bolt stuck into my skin. My cousin, who was also a classmate of mine, thought it was even cooler than I did. I ended up giving it to him on his birthday. Seems kind of silly now, but back then, it was a hard thing to do, and I know he appreciated it. I bet he still has it.
 
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Doug,
thank you so much for your generosity, and for your great contribution to this forum.
Years ago, I was not the kind of person who would give away much...then I learned better. I owe this to one special person, who made me become a better person...and a more generous one for sure.
So, in the last few years, I've given away things that meant something for me, but since this is a knife forum, I will refer to a knife.
A knife that was given me as a gift when I graduated from university. A traditional knife, of course...a resolza. Which I loved from the beginning. I had handled and used these knives since I was young, but they were always my dad's knives, and finally I had one of my own. And I carried and used it for some time, even though it was a bit bulky for my taste, but it was special for me.
Years passed, and many things in my life changed...and the man who had gifted me the knife basically disappeared from my life, due to personal matters...and for some reason, at the same time, I stopped carrying the knife. Not that I didn't like it anymore, I just didn't feel like carrying it.
Time passed, and the knife spent more and more time in the drawer of my bedside table; I pulled it out now and then, played a bit with it, then put it back there. It hadn't lost its meaning, nor I had changed my mind about it...it's just that something inside of me told me to keep it there.
Then I joined this forum. I started learning lots of things about American traditionals, I "met" and exchanged opinions with many great people, and one day I thought it was high time to give something back to this community. That very knife. I knew that, for much that I loved it, its time with me had come to an end, and it would be fair to give it away.
I still thank Dan (LKJW) for winning my giveaway, and for sharing with me pictures of his family and kids, and his first impressions on the knife when he received it. We all know the joy of giving away a knife; finding such a great recipient made everything even better for me. In that very moment, I knew I had done the right thing, and that, no matter how much I liked that knife, or what it had meant for me, it was better off under the California sun.
Thanks again for your giveaway Doug. I'm in.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Doug Add said:
The winner (chosen by your post number in a random draw) can select one of my pocket knives as the prize. You don't have to indicate which knife you want in your post, but you may. The only one I am withholding is my Grandad's Schrade 708Y (for obvious reasons).
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Doug,

I'm astonished that you didn't write, "The only two that I am withholding...". :eek:

And, I just can't do it-- choose one of your knives. I just know I'd end up sending it back to you (because I'd feel bad about taking "your knife," even though I know you're asking us to, and so love your heart behind the offer), which sorta isn't the idea. :o

Thanks for doing this. I love hearing the stories and seeing the pictures your generosity has already prompted, and look forward to seeing how your kindness in this giveaway impacts us all going forward. Thank you.

Doug Add said:
This is only open to regular participants in the Traditionals Forum....
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MDQBox said:
By the way, thank you for this opportunity to WIN!
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Yours is a fine story of generosity, but with six posts here in Traditional, four of which are to enter giveaways, perhaps you missed the first part of Doug's first qualification for entry, and its spirit?

Stick around, become involved here, and you can be sure there will be many more opportunities to give and receive as a regularly-participating member. :)

~ P.
 
Not quite ragler 'nuff to enter, and entered far too many gaws already. I do love reading how people've given up what's near and dear. Thanks all for giving young guns like myself an example to follow. Keep on keepin on.
 
pertinux said:
Doug,

I'm astonished that you didn't write, "The only two that I am withholding...". :eek:
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Well, if I started down that road it would be "the only two, no the only three, wait, the only four . . ." You get the idea.

BIG NEWS: Once again, glennbad has generously offered to sweeten my giveaway. You may recall he offered to put new handles on the Camillus pony jack I gave away at my 2,000th post, transforming this:

Camillusgiveawayd.jpg


Into this:

ponyjackrehandleda_zps7e252b8e.jpg


He has graciously offered his (in my estimation considerable) restoration skills. So, here is how this will work. I will select two post numbers at random. The first person selected will have the option of picking one of my knives or having Glenn work his magic. He said "I could mod something of theirs, or do something on my own." The second person selected will receive whichever option the first person did not take.

Wow, aren't the people here wonderful?! Thank you Glenn, for once again demonstrating what makes this place so inviting!
 
I met my half brother for the first time last summer. I gave him a handgun that had belonged to my father, and a bunch of photos of my father and my brother together; my brother didn't have any photos and I am sure it meant a lot to him. He didn't know he had died, though it had been ten years already.

We haven't really kept in touch but it was good to sort of piece together the puzzle that was our father.

Thanks for the giveaway.
 
I had a Smith & Wesson #2 from the Civil War that came through a grand-uncle to my dad to me. Last Christmas I gave it to my son. It's a nice family piece with a lot of history and handing it down when I died seemed sort of sad. So I knew he wanted it and it would mean a lot to him and I passed it down early. Had the satisfaction of seeing tears in my son's eyes for the gift before I died. :)
 
Ok here goes. I should give fair warning this is not a shiny happy story. Might want to skip this one if you don't like sad endings.

My mother gave me a St Anthony of Padua medal to wear when I graduated high school. This is my middle name and I was given it in memeory of my grandfather. I come from an Italian Catholic family and religion was a large part of my upbringing. Anyway, I wore that medal around my neck for the next fours years, rarely if ever taking it off. It was safety blanket of sorts. I felt safer and more grounded with it around my neck.
In late October 1996 I went to a party with my cousin. I remember it was near Halloween and one of the first cooler nights that year. He and I were like brothers since a young age. We grew up together and forged a friendship beyond any I've ever had past or present. Earlier he promised to come home with me and crash on the couch at my house since it was close by. When it was time to go he opted to stay, promising me he would not drive until he sobered up. I knew he wanted to stay because the girl he liked was also staying. Later he tried to leave and the girls took his keys. He got angry and started breaking up the joint. He eventually got the keys, left in a huff and died less than a quarter mile away when his car struck a pole.
At the funeral home I removed that medal for the first time in a long while. I remember asking my mothers permission before placing it in the casket. People pray to St Anthony for help finding lost things. I knew Herb lost his way with the drinking long ago. I hoped the medal would help keep him safe and help him find his way wherever he was headed.
I haven't told that tale in quite some time. When I read the post it immediately brought this story to mind. So please forgive me for sharing. I guess it was time.
And please do not count this as an entry. I have more than I can use.
 
Wow Doug, this is a terrific, and heartfelt giveaway, I am moved...this place, I'll tell ya...

This story might not seem special on the surface, because most who have children gives them pretty much whatever they need, but here goes.

You folks may know that I am a watch collector who recently stumbled onto Bladeforums while looking up some info on Case. I had spent most of my Internet time on a watch forum where I am a moderator. As such, I always look for deals and special watches, and one day I found a fantastic deal on a fairly rare Citizen automatic diver's watch. I bought it and when I wore it, my older son who was around 12 at the time though it was cool. Especially when I showed him the back which has a dolphin in relief carved into the steel. He asked to try it on, which surprised me because he hadn't shown any interest in watches before. About the same time my wife and I booked a trip to Orlando, to take the kids to Disney and to a place where you can swim with dolphins, because at the time the kids were fascinated with them.

The night before we were leaving, I decided that my son should have the watch, so I put it on his nightstand. When he woke up excited that morning he saw the watch and asked me why I left it there. I said, "You mean your watch?" He pretty much went crazy and wore it the entire time in Florida, and has worn it quite often since, though he has gotten a bit of the watch collection bug himself. I posted the story and pics over on the watch forum, and took a little ribbing about giving a 12 y/o an automatic watch. Then the offers to buy it started coming in, which I politely declined. Fast forward a couple years and I found myself out of work in a terrible economy. Another offer on the watch came in, more than double what I paid and I was very tempted, as we needed the money and my son has plenty of watches. But I remember how special that moment was when I gave it to him, and declined again.

I realize that it is only a "thing", and things themselves aren't special, but the memories and feelings around those things are. I could have kept the watch in the first place and gave him a BK digital special, then later sold it to help pay the mortgage. But I could never do that to my son. Every time I see him with it on (usually in the summer at the lake or other special occasions) I remember the joy that he got when he first put it on his wrist.

Thanks again Doug, you are one of the folks here who make this place my favorite to visit and participate in a small way.

All the best,
Griff
 
Doug,
I think I will follow in Aaron's footsteps, and speak to something valuable and intangible that I gave away. I hope that it doesn't sound silly, but if it does, that's ok. I'd give it away again in a heartbeat under the circumstances. My gift was my time to someone who had very little of his own.

A few years ago, someone on BFC needed to sell approximately 15 high-end non custom knives very quickly in order to raise some money. You see, his sister (and only living blood relative, who was also the single mother of a young girl) had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given a very short time to live. He was trying to raise money so that he could take her on one last road trip to their favorite vacation spot in a neighboring state for a week of peace and relaxation. He needed about 5K for the trip immediately and was willing to sell the knives as a lot for that amount even though they were worth closer to $7500. Time was not on his or his sisters side and he needed to move quickly. Yet, he did not even have the time to properly list the knives FS here or take pics of them.

I contacted him off the board and told him that I could help. I told him that if he would send me the knives, I would pay him 5K for them so that he could take the trip with his sister they so desperately needed. I told him that upon receipt of the knives, I would photograph them and list them FS here on BFC at prices more in line with what the knives were worth, and attempt to sell all of them. I also told him that any money I got over the 5K I just spent on the knives would be returned to him and that he could use any extra money as he saw fit, be it for medical bills, his niece's needs, etc.--whatever he wanted.

Long story short, this gentleman and his sister were able to take the trip they had dreamed of before she passed away. I did sell every knife except one, I think, which I returned to him a few months later after I found that I was unable to sell it for a reasonable price. I also was able to send him a check for about $2K as extra proceeds from the sale of his knives.

It took many, many hours photographing, listing, and selling all of those knives. I tried to get every penny I could for them--not at inflated prices, but at fair market value prices--knowing the $ would eventually get back to him and his niece. To be honest, it was exhaustive trying to manage that much with the other things going on in my life at that time, but I knew that what I was going through for him was nothing compared to what he and his sister and niece were going through. Nevertheless, it made me feel great that I was able to make a difference for this person, his sister, and niece. In the grand scheme of things, I suppose what I was able to give was really only very little, at least to me, but to him, I no doubt gave him very much. As the song goes, "In the end, only kindness matters."

Thanks for the contest.
 
First of all, this is not an entry, but what a wonderful gesture by Doug. I was moved to contact him after reading the stories posted here. I didn't want to step on his thread, but I hoped maybe I could sweeten the pot a little. That was his decision, and I am humbled that he included me, so thank you Doug for letting me participate once again in one of your giveaways. I guess my most prized possession is my time. Sounds kinda silly, I know, but as anyone with family knows, anything you do that is not "family-related" takes away from your family time, and that is pretty precious time. So, any time I am spending working on someone's knife is precious, but depending on the knife, that time can be just as precious.

Anyway, I guess I have not had to face some of the issues that other have here. I have not been tested to the point where I have had to make a decision like the ones related in this thread. I did have an experience a few years back, not sure if it meets the spirit of the topic, but I will share it with you anyway.

Back in 2007, my mother-in-law passed away at 66 yrs old due to complications from some fairly routine surgery. Her husband and daughters really never got to say goodbye to her face to face, as she was not conscious. It was all so sudden, and everyone was devastated, including myself. She was such a great person. My sister-in-law's husband and I did the best we could to help our wives and their father with all the arrangements that go along with these terrible events, but we just were kind of in the way, and really did not know what to do. It was hard to express what I was feeling at the time. Now, I have never had a problem with the gift of gab, and when the rare situation presents itself, I have been known to weave a decent word or two together. I worked for a couple straight days during the quiet evenings putting my thoughts about this woman down on paper, trying to do her memory justice. When the service came, I knew nobody would be able to get up and say anything about her, as we were all just a mess. I do not like speaking in public, but I got up and held it together long enough to get through my written words. I'd like to hope that my words gave some comfort to my wife and everyone else there. I know it made me feel better to get it all out, and let everyone know what they already knew regarding this wonderful woman. RIP Judy...
 
Doug, you are one of our really great regulars here, your posts and photos always bring pleasure.

I've always liked to give things away, but sometimes you struggle to find the right person for a particular thing. When I was a professional outdoor gear tester, I even piled the postman high with presents, but that was just 'stuff'.

I've given away a lot of knives over the years, but some of the special ones were the serial number 2 of my own Jack Black Knives U1 knife, sent to a friend in Sweden, a battle-hardened and well-trusted Gerber Mark 2 I'd owned for 30 years, and given away to a good pal here, and one of a pair of very special handmade Skean Dhus given to me by a well-known, but sadly deceased, Sheffield cutler, and given to a friend on their 40th birthday.

Another friend received the final prototype of a classic climbing smock I designed 20 years ago, and which is still in production and regarded as a bit of a classic in some circles.
 
There has been no activity on this for two days, so I am modifying the ending parameter. Since it will likely take me a long time to (if I ever do) reach 3,000 posts, I will close this at 12:00 noon Eastern Time (U.S.) Sunday, April 21. That afternoon. I will select two post numbers in a random draw and contact those members. Thanks to all who participated.
 
My sisters just left for their return trip to Ohio following our annual siblings weekend getaway. Before they departed I had them each pull a number out of a bag to conclude this giveaway.

The first was 31. Congratulations Griff (zippofan), you get first choice!

The second was 14. Congratulations Mark (TotalDbag), you get second choice!

I have sent both of you private messages.

My deep appreciation to all who shared wonderful stories with us.
 
Doug Add said:
My sisters just left for their return trip to Ohio following our annual siblings weekend getaway. Before they departed I had them each pull a number out of a bag to conclude this giveaway.

The first was 31. Congratulations Griff (zippofan), you get first choice!

The second was 14. Congratulations Mark (TotalDbag), you get second choice!

I have sent both of you private messages.

My deep appreciation to all who shared wonderful stories with us.
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Oh, wow. Thanks man. PM replied to.
 
Congratulations fellers. Great stuff Doug, a very thoughtful and generous giveaway :)

Jack
 
Wow!
Thanks so much Doug, this is a terrific giveaway, and I've been blessed a number of times here on the Traditionals forum. As Sarah mentioned, I'd have a real hard time picking one of your knives, and I just so happen to have a Camillus that could use new handles.

I am much obliged to you and Glenn for this giveaway. Thank you again!
Griff
 
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