All About Pocket Knives

Years ago, as a young boy like so many others, I loved to go fish'n. I had three local ponds that I stalked and was at them nearly every day just as soon as I could get off the bus after school. Went at the break of dawn every Saturday and if Daddy said we wasn't go'in to church on Sunday morn'n, I was runn'in for my pole and tacklebox . I felt so proud to bring home a mess of fresh bass for dinner and relished the feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment deep inside when the reports from the dinner table echoed of it being the best meal ever. In that little red and white tin tackle box, I had two things that I loved more than my favorite Mepps spinner and lures and that was my pocket knives. They were the dime store kind that cost me what seemed like an eternity of allowance savings,(At 25 cents a week for chores it almost did). As a good o'l country boy in the sticks of Prince George Virginia, I camped in the woods, made pine needle forts, road my horses, found or caught every kind of God's wild creature that I could to take home to Mama with the hopes that she would let me keep 'em as a pet, and for the most part, she often did. Of course, I always carried my trusty knives, one in the back left and one in the front right pocket. Man, those were awesome times! As a man past the 50 cent mark now, I have rediscovered a boyhood love. With the same passion and enthusiam as I did as a young boy I have rekindled a relationship for the vintage knife. In part it's the joy of going out on a beautiful crisp morning excited with the anticipation of a successful scavenging hunt for ol' knives. Finding those real diamonds in the rough from the most unlikely places. It's the amazing people you meet, discovering new friendships, sharing a common passion and the telling of stories,(factual and embellished) of long ago adventures or about some amazing new adventure that you are busting at the seems to share, even if it is with someone who is a total stranger that really dosn't remain a stranger for long. Enjoying a real deep, healthy belly laugh that's shared with someone, you know the one that makes you feel like your going to soil yourself in some ungodly embarassing way! Once knives are found and purchased, I race home, (trying not to get a ticket that would certainly pay for another good knife) with what feels like the find of a lifetime. Cluching my treasures, I jump from my truck and run for the house. At breakneck speed stumbling through the doorway, tripping over the rug, the dog, the cat,(all who are innocently trying to say hi) and the shoes I've just kicked off because my wife insist that I take them off before entering her just cleaned floors. Like a greedy miser I look over my shoulder to see if anyone is looking at my new cash of knives. I rush to the sanctuary of my work bench and spread out my knives, seperating them in groups like a kid after a great haul on Halloween night. Here comes the joy of joys, cleaning and restoring the knives. It's almost like an artist and his sculpture, chipping away at the rust, dirt and years of use, unveiling that special gem I knew was lurking, hidden inside. There's alot to be said about the satisfaction that one achieves from a restoration job well done, it feels an awful lot like those sweet emotions from the comments at the dinner table long, long ago. It's the quiet snickers that you keep to yourself over the screams and howlings of envy from your buddies for finding such and outrageous score. Yes, I have knives that are mint/near mint condition that I love and are for investment purpose, but I think the knives in my collection that I hold dearest to my heart and that bring the fondest of memories are those old'e but goodies that tell a story similiar to the young boy from the back sticks of Virginia. Thanks for lettin' me share a thought.
-LBW

Great post, thanks for sharing! I too grew up with multiple knives in the tackle box, still have a few of them and they are treasures for sure. I can relate to that feeling of excitement when you make a new find, I can spend hours going through tables at flea markets and come away with two or three 10$ knives and feel like a kid at Christmas!

Thanks Mike, it's awesome to know others share the same passions,feelings and memories.

-LBW

Hey that was a great read. Thank you for sharing it with us. I really enjoyed reading what you had to say. It even stirred up a couple of old memories for me as well.

Phil

Thanks Phil,You guys are the best and so is AAPK. I am often reminded when reading the threads and posts on the forum of how blessed I am. I am very proud to be a part of such a well respected group.

-LBW

In addition to all the feelings that ROCKY1122 expressed, there's that sick feeling you get when you get home and check out some intresting knife you saw and weren't quite sure of and you find it was indeed a bargain or a very rare piece then knowing it won't be there if you go back! Seems everyday on AAPK, I read about something that is new to me. Trouble is I can't remember all this good stuff. Treefarmer

Ya know whats really great about not remembering things like ya use to...uuugh..wait a second...No really, hang on fer a bit...Yeah, What were we talk'n bout? LOL

-LBW

Thanks Rocky. Great read.

Your welcome Chief, It's my pleasure.

-LBW

Great read Rocky!



I think we could start a forum in Off Topic for stories told by members.
Many would no doubt be related to knives, hunting and other outdoor endeavors, but they wouldn't have to be.
Some of the stories could be about funny or serious events that took place in our lives, stories with a moral, or just stories that entertain us.

What do you all think?
If you like the idea, I will bring it up to Bryan & see if he can make it happen.

Sounds like a winner to me Dale. I second the motion and would look forward to the reads. And thanks!

-LBW

Great read Rocky, seems we`ve walked the same woods, crossed the same streams, fished the same ponds and are now recollecting such similar memories. It`s nice to know that others cherish the same kinds of things that I do and yes, I too so enjoy bringing that old tarnished, dirty(and sometimes mudpacked ) knife back to glory with a toothpick, cotton swab,a surgical steel, some 500 grit , a little elbow grease and a lot of imagination of what shes gonna look like when shes all shined up again. Man, you just made my day!Have a good one fellas....been a long day at work and I`m off to bed to dream some more.....

Bob

Love the old stories of days past. Could sit around the campfuire and listen all day and night.

Thanks for sharing ROCKY

I too, love, cleaning and polishing knives. LOVE it.

Remember back when we were kids, and had no cares in the world?

Now, it seems like I have to make an appt. just to sit down and do some reading.

Can't remember the last time I wetted a line.

If it weren't for the little time I get to spend in workshop, I'd probably go mad.

Thanks for bringing back some memories.

(And yes, Dale, I think that would be a cool idea)

Glenn

orvet wrote:Great read Rocky!



I think we could start a forum in Off Topic for stories told by members.
Many would no doubt be related to knives, hunting and other outdoor endeavors, but they wouldn't have to be.
Some of the stories could be about funny or serious events that took place in our lives, stories with a moral, or just stories that entertain us.

What do you all think?
If you like the idea, I will bring it up to Bryan & see if he can make it happen.

Dale, what did Bryan have to say related to your idea? I still like the concept and would look forward to the stories from other members.

Rocky

I have a PM into Bryan on this topic.
I forgot if I sent him a PM before or not. I think I got busy and forgot to PM him when I first mentioned it.

No problem Dale, Thanks!

Great post, Rocky.

Dale, this thread should be a "Sticky" just to keep it at the top of the list.

Charlie Noyes

glennbad wrote:Remember back when we were kids, and had no cares in the world?

Now, it seems like I have to make an appt. just to sit down and do some reading.

Can't remember the last time I wetted a line.

If it weren't for the little time I get to spend in workshop, I'd probably go mad.

Thanks for bringing back some memories.

(And yes, Dale, I think that would be a cool idea)

Glenn

Glenn - As we get older, our priorities change. Childhood lost or is it just displaced.