All About Pocket Knives

RIP Jerry. Condolences to family well as his family here at AAPK.

RIP Jerry. Always enjoyed your thoughtful comments.

Wow...I'm not the AAPK vets you guys are, but I remember seeing his posts all the time. So sorry for AAPK and condolences to his family.

I hope this is the right person. If not one of the moderators, please take it down. I thought others would like to read this.


https://www.wrul.com/obituaries/gerald-jerry-downen/

Back when I first joined AAPK Jerry immediately noticed I was retired Navy so we went back and forth about Marines vs Navy, all in good fun of course. Then in June of 2020 I bombed Jerry with a Challenge Coin depicting the USS Constellation aircraft carrier that I was on and a Granddaddy Master Barlow. It was a novelty knive representing "The Brotherhood" of Vietnam Veterans, and you know those knives don't cost much but to Jerry what it represented was priceless. I hope they both gave him a measure of enjoyment to have.

To your honor faithful Marine and to the Marine Corps, I Salute you. "Semper Fidelis"

just bob wrote: ↑Tue Feb 10, 2026 12:28 pm I hope this is the right person.

thank you, that will help many to move forward.

Oh no! God speed, Jerry, you were a great guy I wish I had met.

Shared many private messages with the old jarhead, great guy with a wonderful sense of humor. Condolences to his family and Ms.Linnea and friends.
RIP my friend.

The thing about the knife community and those that are active in the forums is that a bond develops between people. We may never meet but the constant give and take is as much of a friendship as any. I didn’t know Jerry personally but I felt his friendship. My sincerest condolences to his friends and family. RIP buddy.

The note I received from Jerry along with the box of POS knives in March of 2022.

djknife13 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 10, 2026 2:54 am Jerry added the little carpenter to my posts that identify me and said if I didn't like it that I could remove it, but I loved it and appreciated his kindness and because of this kind gesture, I think of him when I post stuff. I have made a number of good friends on this site even without ever meeting them in person, and that sure included Jerry.____Dave

Thank you, Dave, for mentioning that Jerry made your avatar. I had almost forgotten that my avatar showing a Case Wharncliffe Mini Trapper and my "flying Q" logo is also Jerry's handiwork. These little acts of kindness from jerryd (I always used lowercase letters to write his name exactly like he did in his AAPK handle, "jerryd6818") are further demonstrations of his selfless, giving nature and will serve as lasting memorials to his significant presence and enduring impression on the forum.

R.I.P. JerryD

Very sad news, He will be greatly missed.

I enjoyed the few conversations we had. Sad news indeed. J.O'.

Another member on here whom I have great respect for referred to jerryd as a mentor. I didn't have a close personal connection with jerry, but felt admiration and respect for the man for the impact he has had on the community. It's the actions of great men like jerry that ripple through generations.

Congratulations on a life well lived good sir

He was a fine man, and a great member of the knife community.
This is sad news, indeed.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Jerry. I have enjoyed reading his post for several years. Praying for Grace for his Family.

Harold

I had noticed Jerry had slowed way down on his posting, especially after he moved from Rockford. He was such a prolific poster on this site that his reduced level of participation was notable. If you go back and study his posts, you'll quickly see that not only did Jerry collect pocket knives, he also collected friends. He had that easy going way about him that made folks feel truly welcome here at AAPK. Jerry was a whiz when it came to computers, and he generously shared his knowledge on how to navigate this site. If you read the tips and tricks section, much of it was his contributions. He was always willing to help others overcome challenges.
I never got to meet Jerry in person. We had planned to meet at the Badger Knife Show back in 2020 but the Covid pandemic ruined that. Unfortunately, we were never able to reschedule. I regret that.
I'll miss Jerry, in fact I already do. He has been a good will ambassador for AAPK for many years and he set an example we would all do well to emulate.
At ease Marine. God speed my friend.

Wow, sad news indeed. I already miss him. I, too, noticed he hadn't been posting. RIP, Leatherneck!

Ray

Jerry was a fine gentleman with a great sense of humor!! He made me laugh, reading his posts, many a time! I will miss this fine gentleman. Sending my prayers to his family! He made me want a 72 really bad, and when I finally got one, I thought of him. I will carry this First Gen 72 for a while and think of him!!

Jerry taught me how to post YouTube videos properly, something I won't forget. And his post back in 2020 when I said I got married cracked me up. Something like, "I can't believe you gave in." I'll have to see if I can find it.

Very sad news indeed. RIP Jerry.

Dinadan wrote: ↑Mon Feb 09, 2026 10:53 pm Very sad news indeed. Jerry was one of those who welcomed me to this forum back in 2012. Like others here, I think of Jerry whenever I see a Camillus 72. I noticed that he had really cut back on his posting.

RIP, Jerry.

This could have been written by me. Even joined in 2012 as well.
Jerry followed up the public welcome by sending a personal email to me.
He sent me instructions on posting pictures and I believe we swapped military service details.
I agree, the Camillus 72 Carpenter whittler pattern will forever remind me of a very congenial person.

And I believe he may have coined the term " shrinky dink" for those nasty plastic scales