A tale of two canoes

[58chevy348]

Back in 1976 my father decided to buy a Case Canoe knife. He left to buy one knife but came home with two knives exactly the same. I was only 7 years old at the time, but I remember him telling my mother he bought one to carry, and one to store away. The result is what you see in the pics. Dad was a construction worker so his "carrying canoe" saw some rough heavy use. He carried that knife for about 20 years before finally tossing it in a drawer. Even after the bone scales chipped and cracked, he kept carrying the knife. This is another pair of knives I will likely never part with. In some ways, I like the worn version better--but that's just me.

[Old Folder]

Great story chevy, thanks for sharing.
Wonderful that you can share these beauties with us and your future generations.
Good job.

[58chevy348]

Thank you! Dad had about 25 pocket knives in his collection which he has already given to me. I didn't start collecting until a few years ago. Most of Dad's knives were Case with a few others in the mix. I'll cherish these and the few my grandfather owned more than any I could buy. I actually have a crude butcher knife my great grandfather made as well.

[edge213]

Good story.

[danno50]

Great story, great knives, very nice to have those heirlooms.
Dan

[deo-pa]

Man that is a great story. Many folks have a knife their father or grandfather carried but to have a "before" and an "after" is fantastic. You can see exactly the 20 years of serious use in the pocket wear, the blade loss, and the damage.

You might consider a pride-of-place shelf display with the two knives and a photo of your Dad. It would bring a smile every time you walked by.

This is also a great reminder that pocket knives started out as simply a practical tool and we have elevated them into something else. A very old mint condition knife may be beautiful but in one sense it failed its mission in life.

Dennis

[58chevy348]

Dennis, I couldn't agree more! While I love a mint vintage knife, I also appreciate and respect the well worn examples. I always wonder what stories they hide.

[garddogg56]

Nothing like a working mans knife Dennis especially when it's your Dads