Newbie from Sweden

[treefarmer]

Welcome to AAPK from the Florida Panhandle !
I'm interested in your username , "sakoblade", does that by any chance have reference to Sako firearms made in Sweden?
It's sad to read of heavy restrictions concerning firearms ownership no matter where it occurs around the globe.
Treefarmer

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome here Jim, from Texas. I've always wanted to visit Sweden. Before I retired my job took me all over Europe, from Edinburgh to Athens, Porto to Budapest and points in between, but Hamburg was the closest I ever got to Sweden. I once had a trip scheduled to Stockholm but at the last minute I got sent elsewhere instead. Sweden is still on my bucket list.

Looking forward to seeing some Scandinavian cutlery!

Ken

[sakoblade]

Welcome to AAPK from the Florida Panhandle !
I'm interested in your username , "sakoblade", does that by any chance have reference to Sako firearms made in Sweden?
It's sad to read of heavy restrictions concerning firearms ownership no matter where it occurs around the globe.
Treefarmer

Thanks a bunch, Treefarmer!

Well actually, my handle has a lot to do with Sako rifles. By the way, they are Finnish, not Swedish.

I bought my first one some 15 years ago and it whetted my apetite to say the least.
I have been collecting the older civilian models and have owned many up to this date but eventually sold almost all of them.

Firearm restrictions make it way too expensive to keep rifles when you own over 40 rifles so I got rid of most. One has to invest in both a safe which weighs from 1800 lbs. and will cost some 3000 USD. When you reach 40 rifles you will also have to invest in an alarm system with seismic sensors etcetera and that can set you back some 10000-15000 USD plus monthly fees.

I'd rather spend that money on something fun so sold almost the entire collection.

I attach a pic of a Finnish made knife (hence my handle) which is Sako branded. These are quite rare and I will post more info in another forum at a later date.

What about your handle? In the logging industry are you?

I'm afraid I have never been to your part of Florida , only the southern parts from Ft Lauderdale to Key West. But I hope to do so eventually.

All the best!

Jim

[sakoblade]

Welcome here Jim, from Texas. I've always wanted to visit Sweden. Before I retired my job took me all over Europe, from Edinburgh to Athens, Porto to Budapest and points in between, but Hamburg was the closest I ever got to Sweden. I once had a trip scheduled to Stockholm but at the last minute I got sent elsewhere instead. Sweden is still on my bucket list.

Looking forward to seeing some Scandinavian cutlery!

Ken

Thanks Ken!

Seems you have seen a lot of Europe but not the best part!

I have good friends in the Austin area and have visited them several times. They have taken me to many places in TX and I just love your state!

All the best!

Jim

[treefarmer]

Good Morning, Jim.
Thanks for setting me straight on the Sako firearms . I've not had the privilege of owning a Sako, yet.
To answer your question about my username, yes, we are tree farmers but not in a very big way. In the General Off Topic Discussion section, you'll find a thread titled "Your User Name" that you might find quite interesting, a little peek into some folks lives.
Treefarmer

[sakoblade]

Treeefarmer, thanks for the tip!!

Will check that section ASAP.

Sako is a fairly common band here, due to the proximity of Finland of course and also due to the high quality.

I guess you guys have so many more domestic options when it comes to firearms, instead of choosing an imported brand?


All the best!

Jim

[CheckSix]

Well actually, my handle has a lot to do with Sako rifles. By the way, they are Finnish, not Swedish.

I bought my first one some 15 years ago and it whetted my apetite to say the least.
I have been collecting the older civilian models and have owned many up to this date but eventually sold almost all of them.

Firearm restrictions make it way too expensive to keep rifles when you own over 40 rifles so I got rid of most. One has to invest in both a safe which weighs from 1800 lbs. and will cost some 3000 USD. When you reach 40 rifles you will also have to invest in an alarm system with seismic sensors etcetera and that can set you back some 10000-15000 USD plus monthly fees.

I'd rather spend that money on something fun so sold almost the entire collection.

Hello Jim!
Welcome! I'm fairly new here also, I joined back in August. I've found that AAPK is full of very knowledgeable, generous members, that love to help us new guys learn about knives. By the way, I own two Sako 75's. Both are great rifles! ...and yes, they are from Finland. They are fairly expensive here, compared to our Rugers, Remingtons and Winchesters.

I see you are a professional chef. That's fantastic! and as I've learned, it takes some serious skills to be really good at it. I enjoy cooking too! and I get to use good knives!! but only in the last 5 years have I really upped my game. I've learned quite a bit and enjoy the challenge of making something from really good ingredients and preparing it carefully and getting the seasoning correct. Do you own or work in a restaurant? or do you have another venue? One of my very favorite chefs, is Joel Rubuchon. I live near Chicago, so we have a few good restaurants here.

Best!
Dave

[sakoblade]

Dave, thanks a lot for the welcome!!

Yes AAPK seems like a VERY friendly place to hang out! I have been lurking here for a while and decided to sign up as my interest in knives has increased over the last few years. And I hope to learn a lot and to contribute whatever I know.

I have been in the food business for over 20 years now and have been working as a cook, chef, manager and lately as a Head Chef on an offshore ship.
But for various boring reasons I am in-between jobs right now and might shift carriers? I have never run my own business but I have been close a few time to set up my an operation for myself. Might do that but it´s getting harder as I get older to do it since it´s a tough job, both physically and financially.

We´ll see what gives? I have a few ideas so....

I have never been to Chicago, only had overlays at the airport but from what I understand the restaurant scene is booming? I would love to eat at Alinea and xoco of which I have heard a lot of good. Alinea is extreme but seems like a fun experience even though I am more of a steak and fries kind of guy. Or BBQ!!

I bet you shoot straight with those 75´s!!

Jim

[CheckSix]

Jim,
I've read Anthony Bourdain's books on being a Chef. It gave me insight into how hard a job it is, if you do the daily ingredient sourcing at the early morning markets, then all the prep, then getting things in order for the service. It's like 18 hour days. Brutal!

In Chicago, I've done restaurants like... The Publican, Gibson's, Morton's, The Capital Grille, etc. The one I want to really try next, is David Burke's Primehouse.

Yes! my Sako 75's are superb in function and accuracy. I handload ammunition for them. One is a 7mm Shooting Times Westerner, the other is a 300WSM. Both are stainless, with synthetic stock. They both shoot sub 1/2moa. The 7mmSTW has taken 4 game animals for me. I haven't gotten the 300WSM version out to hunt yet, to blood it.

All the best!