I got the "Blues".

[Clay Kesting]

Well my blue Centofante finally arrived (actually it came about 10 days ago but I've been too busy to post <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>). It was shipped before Christmas but the dealer sent it by uninsured surface mail instead of the insured airmail I asked for and charged me CAN$33 for the privelege. I'll think twice before I go there again.



Anyway it got here and it was worth the wait. The scales are quite a deep blue rather similar to the pictures of the blue Salsa. Also, like the Salsa the back scale seems to be a little lighter. The rubber insert is a very deep blue, almost purple. The surface of the scales is quite rough, although not as rough as the grey one but that has smoothed out with wear anyway. I really like the old model Centofante for EDC (for work of course, weekends it's the Chinese Folder <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>). The blade with it's thin flat grind, excellent edge geometry and fine point is perfect for &quot;gentleman's tasks&quot;, I wish there were more knives around with Wharncliffe blades. That reminds me, I wonder if there is a difference in heat treatment between th ATS-34 blades from Seki and Golden. I was never happy with the edge on my Wegner Jr but I get a superb edge on the Centofante, perhaps it's just the better edge geometry. I'm still going to carry the grey Centofante on most days and the blue one will be saved for special occasions. I didn't really like the latter G10 model as I found the SecurLock more of a hindrance than a help, but I can see I probably need to get another one to complete the set.



Thanks again to Jeff for tracking this blue Centofante down for me. I hope he gets as much pleasure from the 'roo pouch as I'm going to get from playing with the knife. BTW are you around Jeff, did you get my email?



Take care all,

Clay



&quot;The trouble is that you think you have time.&quot;



Edited by - Clay Kesting on 2/15/2002 2:09:09 PM

[Kahz]

Clay,

G'Day, Mate! Glad to know you are still alive and &quot;blue&quot;. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

How's the boat coming? *hug*

Kahz

[Clay Kesting]

G'day Kahz *hugging back* <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

The boat's coming along slowly but at least there's some progress, much more than there's been for the past few years. I don't expect to get the hull finished until much later in the year, but I'm slowly getting all the bits sanded and the foils are coming along nicely. How're things with you? You still moving to Canada?

Take care,
Clay

"The trouble is that you think you have time."

[sam the man..]

G'day Clay!

Excellent find mate! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[Kahz]

Clay,

Good to hear about your boating progress. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> I am still moving, in less than three months. My school term is halfway over, I will start applying for jobs in about two more weeks so I can get something at least to start with some money in my pocket (and get more Spydies!). I am so excited!!!! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Kahz

[SpyderNut]

Nice catch, Clay! Those are some fine looking knives, the Centofantes.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Way to go! BTW, who are you going to blame for this?!<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Hee hee

Kahz,
If you don't mind my asking, are you working on your Master's degree? Or, finishing up with a Bachlor's? (Business?). We just had finals this last week, so I am planning for the Spring term. I will be taking Accounting 1, Business Law 1, and Microeconomics. Sounds like fun, no?<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Anywho,just curious.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Take care with the move to Canada!

~Spydernut

[Kahz]

SpyderNut,

I have a bachelor's degree in business (equivalent to a &quot;major&quot; in marketing, &quot;minor&quot; in statistics/management) and an mba with concentration in market research (graduated in 1997). Since I am not completely passionate about these degrees, I am working on getting enough credits in anthropology/archaeology (my real passions) so I can apply to graduate programs at both the University of Toronto and York University and hope that I can enter into either (leaning towards the U. of Toronto, though). <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> I will keep you updated once I move to Toronto.

*jumping up and down in excitement*

Kahz

[Clay Kesting]

Kahz,

Good luck with the job hunting. You never know, I might get to meet up with you in Canada. I'm thinking of applying for a teacher exchange there in the next few years. I was going to do it this year but we realised we couldn't really afford it at this stage. Either that or I'll bring a group of students over to ski. There are these wonderful &quot;one teacher free for every ten students&quot; deals <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>.

Clay

"The trouble is that you think you have time."

[Kahz]

Clay,

That would be cool!!!! Let me know, we can have an Aussie SpyderParty. <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Which area of Canada are you considering?

Kahz

[SpyderNut]

**Bowing low**

Wow, Kahz! That's an impressive education you have! I feel like small beans now, I'm just a freshman.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Or &quot;preppy&quot;, as some say.<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
I hope all goes smoothly for you in your job/house relocation.

Archaeology buff, eh?<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Whenever I hear that word, I think of &quot;Raiders of the Lost Ark&quot; or &quot;The Last Crusade&quot;, with Harrison Ford.
Maybe you could get a part in a 4th film, if they make one.<img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Take care!

~Spydernut

[Pachucko]

I admire your plan Kahz. I just don't have the, hmmm...whatever you call it (I don't really want to be a &quot;poor&quot; student again!), to go back to school full time. I ended up with a BA in International Studies after I took a scholarship from a school that didn't offer anything even related to archaeology/anthropology. I had started working on my MBA last Fall, but had to drop out after the attacks. I'm hoping to start again this Summer. Exactly how &quot;useful&quot; have you found your MBA to be today?? Pachucks

I over-typed my original point; I had always wanted to be an archaeologist also...

Edited by - Pachucko on 2/17/2002 11:43:50 AM

[Clay Kesting]

Kahz,

The area depends on where there is a Canadian teacher who wants to swap jobs and houses. However I'd only be interested in the west. I mean if you can't go skiing what's the point of being there <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>.

Another place available for exchanges is Colorado. How good would that be, skiing <b>and </b> weekly visits to Spyderco <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>. However it's out of the question financially as I would still draw my Australian salary and the exchange rate would mean that I'd lose half of it. Still if the exchange rate improves......

Clay

"The trouble is that you think you have time."

[Jeff/1911]

Hi Clay,

I received your email about your having received the Centofante and replied, perhaps the message didn't make it.

Clay/Kahz...If either of you ends up anywhere near Alberta in your travels, please let me know so I can take you out for a beer. Alright?

Cheers, Jeff.

[Kahz]

SpyderNut,

Please don't bow, I am just a common SpyderGirl! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> It would be cool to be in a Harrison Ford movie, well... I would like him to be young again, of course. <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Pachuks, [prepare for ramble] well, the degrees were useful in getting my residence from the Canadian government. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> I think the MBA is a good cushion to fall on in times of trouble, having the background (and the papers) has helped me open some doors. Personally, I am not too thrilled with the area, but it was practical to have the skills and knowledge at the time I started studying my bachelor's, especially in Mexico. I ended up getting my grad degree in the U.S. and, once I was finished and returned home, it became harder to get a good job in Mexico since many companies prefer not to pay their employees too much (especially those with advanced degrees), unless you move to a large city, like Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Monterrey. In Chihuahua, where I am from, well-paid jobs are scarce (although not null). The last position I held was in a bank and, even though I made a decent living, I had to ask for much less than I wanted in order to not scare them away and lose the job opportunity (for some other interviews, I didn't even say I had a graduate degree, but they ended up offering marbles for the kind of job, so I stuck to the bank offer). Still, nothing is in vain in this life, I am sure I will find the MBA skills I learned useful once I get a job in Canada, while I plan my archaeological education. Remember, this is my own personal experience and opinion regarding the subject. I am sure that if I was legal to work in the U.S. I could get an excellent job and very well paid since I could flash that diploma around much more effectively. Get your MBA if you have the opportunity, it won't hurt to have it. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Also, if you already have work experience, it may reinforce whatever you do. I was lucky enough to have some work experience before I finished my bachelor's, and even luckier to work in an SBA (Small Business Administration) branch office while I was getting the graduate degree, I still do not recommend anyone to get an MBA w/o prior experience in the real world. There's nothing like the real world to teach you some good lessons. [end of ramble] <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Jeff, I will let you know when I plan to visit your side of the country. I will be towards the east, but hey, I need to travel throughout Canada sometime soon, right? <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Kahz

Edited by - Kahz on 2/18/2002 5:41:56 AM

[Pachucko]

Thanks Kahz, Pachucks

[Clay Kesting]

Jeff,

No I didn't get you email. I was starting to get a bit worried about you, I'm glad to know your OK.

Take care,
Clay

"The trouble is that you think you have time."