Sundown
10-08-2005, 06:00 PM
After reading and re-reading the "to use or not to use" thread, I was reminded of a moment in time that was very near and dear to my heart, and of course, involved a Spyderco.
Years ago (1998), My grandfather, having looked at my knife collection (mostly Spydies and BM's) decided to get me a "good knife" for Christmas. He told me he had seen enough ugly knives of mine, felt sorry for me, and wanted to get me a "real" knife. The knife he gave me was a Case slipjoint.
Of course I told my grandfather how much I loved it, which I'm sure he appreciated, and thanked him for it.
Now, my grandfather was a big man (6'3", 235) in more ways than one. He was a retired Pan Am pilot (Captain), a WWII, Army-Aircorps bomber pilot, and the most honorable man I ever knew. He was used to working (had grown up on a farm in Washington), and spent every day of his life after retiring out in the yard, out hunting, or working at his other trade, carpenrty.
I had tried to explain to him just how functional the "ugly knives" (Spyderco's) were. He just didn't get it. He was set in his ways. I figured the only thing I could do was to get him one. However, I realized that I'd also have to get him to use it. That would be the really hard part.
For his birthday, I gave him a Spyderco SS Hunter, which I had his name engraved on. He looked puzzled when I gave it to him, which was kinda the reaction I had expected. He thanked me, but asked me why it weighed so much. I told him that he have to use it to find out. ;) I told him that this knife was not to become a paper-weight on his desk, that he must actually use it.
My grandfather asked me what the heck the piece of steel was attached to the scale of the knife, and of course, I explained it to him. He was concerned that there was a hole in his blade, too. I explained that one as well.
I remember seeing the look in my grandfather's eyes after a day of working in the yard and in his shop. It was a look of pure amazement. I could tell he had finally "got it". He told me that this knife was the best one he had ever had, and from that day forward, I could see the clip of his Hunter showing outside his pants pocket. He was never without it. His slipjoints now decorated his desk.
Sadly, my grandfather died just days after his next birthday (80 yrs. old). I will never forget the look on his face, this man who had used tools all of his life, when he finally understood my appreciation (and his own) for that "ugly knife". One of my fondest memories. :) :spyder:
Best wishes,
Sundown
Years ago (1998), My grandfather, having looked at my knife collection (mostly Spydies and BM's) decided to get me a "good knife" for Christmas. He told me he had seen enough ugly knives of mine, felt sorry for me, and wanted to get me a "real" knife. The knife he gave me was a Case slipjoint.
Of course I told my grandfather how much I loved it, which I'm sure he appreciated, and thanked him for it.
Now, my grandfather was a big man (6'3", 235) in more ways than one. He was a retired Pan Am pilot (Captain), a WWII, Army-Aircorps bomber pilot, and the most honorable man I ever knew. He was used to working (had grown up on a farm in Washington), and spent every day of his life after retiring out in the yard, out hunting, or working at his other trade, carpenrty.
I had tried to explain to him just how functional the "ugly knives" (Spyderco's) were. He just didn't get it. He was set in his ways. I figured the only thing I could do was to get him one. However, I realized that I'd also have to get him to use it. That would be the really hard part.
For his birthday, I gave him a Spyderco SS Hunter, which I had his name engraved on. He looked puzzled when I gave it to him, which was kinda the reaction I had expected. He thanked me, but asked me why it weighed so much. I told him that he have to use it to find out. ;) I told him that this knife was not to become a paper-weight on his desk, that he must actually use it.
My grandfather asked me what the heck the piece of steel was attached to the scale of the knife, and of course, I explained it to him. He was concerned that there was a hole in his blade, too. I explained that one as well.
I remember seeing the look in my grandfather's eyes after a day of working in the yard and in his shop. It was a look of pure amazement. I could tell he had finally "got it". He told me that this knife was the best one he had ever had, and from that day forward, I could see the clip of his Hunter showing outside his pants pocket. He was never without it. His slipjoints now decorated his desk.
Sadly, my grandfather died just days after his next birthday (80 yrs. old). I will never forget the look on his face, this man who had used tools all of his life, when he finally understood my appreciation (and his own) for that "ugly knife". One of my fondest memories. :) :spyder:
Best wishes,
Sundown