Amber Across America (AAA) – A Fitting Tribute To Ivoryman

[Sasquach]

Good to hear Amber is getting in the Christmas spirit. Those lights can be tricky.

[QTCut5]

Anyway, Amber helped me loose some hard to pull bulbs...

Careful there, Glenn....electrical burns do not make the best type of patina and I'd sure hate to see Amber's beautiful ACSB handle zapped into MASB (melted amber stag bone)!!!

[glennbad]

Amber has continued to be a constant companion throughout this week, despite not seeing heavy action.

She did accompany me, the wife, and my sister to breakfast this morning. We don't go out to breakfast very often, but we do like to go to Parker's Maple Barn. It is a restaurant in an old barn with separate gift shop and full maple sugaring operation. It's out in the sticks, so it's nice when it's snowing. It still has a dirt parking lot too. They usually have wood stoves going, and seasonal flavored pancakes...this month was gingerbread. I can't tear down the food like I used to, but they do serve a nice hearty breakfast with great old style atmosphere. Here's a pic of Amber with my maple flavored coffee!

[QTCut5]

Amber looks right at home in the restaurant next to your maple flavored coffee, Glenn Don't let her get too accustomed to that maple sugar environment, though, or else she might decide to run away and go live with Carl B. "Rookie"

[Sasquach]

Sounds like a fantastic place to have a family breakfast. The farther back in the sticks the better in my book. That's where you get real country cooking. I'm sure Amber will have fond memories of her time with you in your winter wonderland as she travels on across the country picking up a wide array of different experiences.

[BuckSharp]

Amber will get another dose of maple syrup country once she arrives in Northeast Ohio. I believe our county is the top producer in Ohio which is ranked as the 8th largest maple syrup producing state at around 103,000 gallons per year. This pales (no pun intended) in comparison to Glenn's area which accounts for over 3.5 million gallons per year. I'm not a maple syrup connoisseur, but I believe an "Amber" ranking is second only to "Golden" syrup which is the lightest in color. We've got some nice little restaurants off the beaten path and Amber will provide a good excuse to get out a couple times with the wife in January, weather pending!

[glennbad]

Amber will certainly get a chance to test her sweet tooth then!

I used Amber yesterday to help put together a new scratcher for our cat Coco. We're fortunate that she doesn't really rip up the furniture, but she sure takes it out on those scratchers. We have to replace them every month or so, LOL.

I think Coco approves!

[bestgear]

……for our cat Coco

after a couple of weeks with a real Sasquatch, Coco must be a welcome change for Amber. You’re a fine caretaker Glenn, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[glennbad]

I was sad to see Amber go, but I got her out the door today. She may not get to Ohio until around the 5th, so apologies for a few missing days Bryon!

However, she may have a traveling companion now!

[Sasquach]

Amber Alert! (pun intended)

Amber is on the move and traveling to a new destination. She's racking up the miles now. Tell Bestgear to crank up the global tracking and yell "incoming" at Bucksharp!

Hope your time with Amber was enjoyable Glennbad. I know parting is sad but Amber has new adventures awaiting. You are to be commended for giving her a great stay in your neck of the woods. I'm sure Ivoryman would appreciate it.

[BuckSharp]

I'm anxiously awaiting Amber's arrival and I have her on the USPS radar. Thanks for the tracking, Glenn...She's still in NH but with a little luck and a fight against the easterly headwind, it looks like a Monday 1/5/26 delivery!

[BuckSharp]

Amber has arrived in Northeast Ohio, right on time! Glad to have her secured from the USPS. She’s headed for the pocket to accompany me in the shop this afternoon for a few hours of sharpening. No, not Amber, but a big batch of kitchen knives that just arrived!

[Sasquach]

Amber has arrived in Northeast Ohio, right on time! Glad to have her secured from the USPS. She’s headed for the pocket to accompany me in the shop this afternoon for a few hours of sharpening. No, not Amber, but a big batch of kitchen knives that just arrived!IMG_7831.jpeg

Glad to hear that Amber has reached her destination safe and sound.

[glennbad]

Nice, give her the full Ohio tour!

[QTCut5]

Amber has arrived in Northeast Ohio, right on time! Glad to have her secured from the USPS. She’s headed for the pocket to accompany me in the shop this afternoon for a few hours of sharpening. No, not Amber, but a big batch of kitchen knives that just arrived!IMG_7831.jpeg

How are Amber’s edges holding up after spending time with three previous custodians (Tom, Charlie, Glenn)?

[glennbad]

Amber has arrived in Northeast Ohio, right on time! Glad to have her secured from the USPS. She’s headed for the pocket to accompany me in the shop this afternoon for a few hours of sharpening. No, not Amber, but a big batch of kitchen knives that just arrived!IMG_7831.jpeg

How are Amber’s edges holding up after spending time with three previous custodians (Tom, Charlie, Glenn)?

I did try to touch it up, it probably needs a little more love on the stones though IMO.

[BuckSharp]

Amber has been on the road today accompanying me on a trip to see my folks. They have both struggled with health issues with their age, and so I make the 100 mile trip just about every week for a couple days to help them out. My dad is the inspiration for my knife collecting for the past 40 years. He’s almost 87 and started collecting when he was in high school. I always show him my newest acquisitions when I visit, so I let him inspect Amber and as usual he declared her “a beauty”.

[bestgear]

Amber has been on the road today accompanying me on a trip to see my folks

Thank you for such an uplifting post Bryon, what a blessing to share with this community. Amber’s journey is richer for sharing her with your dad.

[BuckSharp]

Amber has been on the road today accompanying me on a trip to see my folks

Thank you for such an uplifting post Bryon, what a blessing to share with this community. Amber’s journey is richer for sharing her with your dad.

My pleasure, Tom! Dad always lights up when our conversation eventually turns to knives!

[QTCut5]

Amber has been on the road today accompanying me on a trip to see my folks.

Dad always lights up when our conversation eventually turns to knives!

That is just fantastic Always meaningful to get the octogenarian stamp of approval.....beautiful

Good on you for making the drive to visit your parents My dad turns 88 in March, but since we live 3,000+ miles apart, we can only do weekly Facetime visits which isn't quite as nice as real life, in person visits but it's better than nothing.

[Sasquach]

Amber has been on the road today accompanying me on a trip to see my folks. They have both struggled with health issues with their age, and so I make the 100 mile trip just about every week for a couple days to help them out. My dad is the inspiration for my knife collecting for the past 40 years. He’s almost 87 and started collecting when he was in high school. I always show him my newest acquisitions when I visit, so I let him inspect Amber and as usual he declared her “a beauty”.
IMG_7846.jpeg

What better endorsement for a traditional pocket knife than that of an old timer? It's good that you spend time with your folks. Time is valuable, it matters where you spend it.

[bestgear]

Dad always lights up when our conversation eventually turns to knives!

Bryon - I shared your post with Cindy (Ivoryman’s widow) last night and she was thoroughly delighted. These are exactly the kind of DNA chains we were hoping for when AAA was conceived. Bravo once again!

[QTCut5]

I know from the many years of our friendship that Ivoryman had a very fraught and difficult relationship with his own father and I believe he would get a real kick out of his knife being part of a father and son bonding experience. So cool

Mahalo for posting the photo of you father holding Amber, BuckSharp.....I think everyone can relate to the powerful emotions it elicits

[BuckSharp]

Thank you all for the comments regarding Dad and sharing Amber’s story and journey with him. I’ll try to get a pic of Amber with some of Dad’s knives before I head back home. My mom had an appointment with her cardiologist this morning, so Amber accompanied us on the trip. However, she had to wait in the car as I sensed she has a phobia with metal detectors. She didn’t have to wait alone as I have her paired up today with one of Brian’s knives…his Maher & Grosh 29 Texas Ranger, which is also a joy for me to carry and use.

[Corn Creek Cutlery]

Thank you all for the comments regarding Dad and sharing Amber’s story and journey with him. I’ll try to get a pic of Amber with some of Dad’s knives before I head back home. My mom had an appointment with her cardiologist this morning, so Amber accompanied us on the trip. However, she had to wait in the car as I sensed she has a phobia with metal detectors. She didn’t have to wait alone as I have her paired up today with one of Brian’s knives…his Maher & Grosh 29 Texas Ranger, which is also a joy for me to carry and use.
IMG_7858.jpeg

BuckSharp, Amber's time with your Dad is precious to all of you ... and now with your Mom, makes it more special! Many
And a superb Ivoryman pair! Very