• AAPK Forum: gravan

Phone: 404-452-2553

I have liked knives since I was a little boy on the farm in upstate South Carolina.  My family were poor share croppers but I always managed to tote one in my pocket and relished the times when I was able to muster funds to add to my collection. I spent my entire youth and working years in the upstate area, leaving only to serve my country with the US Army for a period of three years.  Upon retirement from industry, I along with my wife of 44 years, Frankie, moved to Marietta, GA to be near our two daughters and three grandchildren. 

 I have been a member of the Palmetto Cutlery Club since 1976 and I am a life member.  I served as business manager of the club for 25 years and currently as newsletter editor for the past several years.  I am the recipient of the coveted Palmetto Award given by the club to members who make outstanding contributions to cutlery.  I have been instrumental in the etching design of the blades of the club issued knives since 1980. I designed, created, published and maintain the official website of the club, www.palmettocutleryclub.org.  I authored and published the book, "Palmetto Cutlery Club History and Knives", A complete history of the Palmetto Cutlery Club and a summary with photos of knives issued to members.

 I am a Born Again Christen and have been involved in missionary work with “Carpenters for Christ” since 2000.  I have traveled with the organization to Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Peru, Germany and Trinidad to assist missionaries and other mission oriented organizations primarily in the area of construction.