New Years Open Thread: Farewell 2021, you won’t be missed.

H. Clay Aalders
Weekend Open Thread
·37 Comments·

Howdy Folks…

What a slog it has been. But 2021 is leaving the building. Hopefully, in aggregate 2022 will be better, but it isn’t like the world magically changes when the calendar turns.

Better be prepared.

This year has been strange. The WuFlu pandemic has been in the background the whole time, but in the Free State of Tennessee, things have been mostly back to normal. Just suckier. Those areas that aren’t are exclusively negative, whether it is inflation, service issues, shortages of stupid but necessary things, and the non-stop berating from the “Branch Covidians”.

No such luck. And Omicron likely won’t pass you up either.

It looks like the best way to get through this is to be vaccinated and then acquire natural immunity by catching it with your immune system primed.

So take some Nyquil. Odds are overwhelming that you will be fine.

That said, I am bowing out of SHOT Show this year. Mark will still be there, but it seems like the 3rd week in January is going to be a really sketchy time to join 40k of your closest friends for a Trade Show in Vegas. My in-laws live with us, and my MIL is undergoing chemo. So no SHOT for me. I don’t much feel like golfing in a lightening storm.

Speaking of me. I am that dad…

How was everyone’s respective Christmas or holiday analog? Anyone have any big New Years plans? Anything happening at the Brewery Jason?

I am staying home and watching Football. And Die Hard, our family’s New Year tradition.

Mark R. gets a “token” from last week’s drawing. He joins Cmeat, Steve T. and David McCarty as “chip holders” in our Spartan Blades knife giveaway. You must be drawn twice to win the knife. Or once more in the case of our lucky 4.

Usual rules apply. Up to 5 comments or replies are your entries. If youa re new to the blog, your comments will be held in moderation until I can approve them. After that, your comments will be posted immediately.

Since there are no knife shows this weekend, I will get to our off topic memes.

 

Are you one of them?

So that’s where they come from…

 

Anyone watch the launch?  I missed this one. I try to stream launches whenever I can. I was an astronaut-junkie as a kid.

Derp…

Since we are done with Christmas movies.

Ghislaine Maxwell didn’t kill herself…

 

And on that note, I am going to wrap things up for tonight. I wish all y’all a wonderful and safe 2022. Thanks for reading.

Actual photo of me gathering memes for the WOT.

 

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H. Clay Aalders

H. Clay Aalders is a lifelong edged tool user. He spent the past 20 years as a woodworker and fishing guide in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Tennessee. While guiding in Idaho, Clay worked part-time writing for a local newspaper, and upon moving to Tennessee began writing for the blog The Truth About Knives - spending his last 5 years there as Managing Editor. His background is in fixed-blade hunting and bushcraft knives, but has jumped into the world of vintage slipjoint collecting with both feet since coming to work at Knife Magazine. Clay’s primary role is as Digital Editor, curating and creating new content for our website and blog, as well as maintaining the Knife Magazine social media accounts (FB/IG: @theknifemag, Twitter: @knifemagazine). He is also a contributor and Associate Editor of the print magazine.

37 Responses

  1. You had me at Ben Nevis, brilliant!
    Here is a knife related question to the informed masses (you): do you bring an edge ‘touch-up kit’ for your knives when you go hiking/camping? Maybe a Falkniven DC4, or some thing similar? Or just buy a knife with better edge retention and hope it keeps its edge long enough for the trip? Asking for a friend …….

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  2. May I ask blushingly, since I’m NEW, to the blog & adult content is such, “please hold my comment in commemoration a little longer than you do in moderation”?
    If so, I will plan to find more good knife stories here this year.
    My story to start my belated new year right & see if I’m among kin folks: I remember my first knife was a fixed blade. Found in the backyard of our new home in Georgia. I was 11. The knife was bone handle, hand made by the Indians! I discovered it myself and told my brothers when I found it, where it came from and I’d be careful with it. So, of course they let me keep it and Dad did too.

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  3. had mom over for xday dinner. got the pot roast and lamb leg to even out at 275 degrees.
    took thurs for fri overnight shift, then 16hrs on friday starting 14:00. got with my ex and her kid for much of that “on call” duration. uneventful. little hotpot and some bookers.

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      1. i know one with glow in the dark fingernail polish, but i’m not sending pix.
        that does sound like a better night than i had.

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    2. CMEAT, your ability to “turn a phrase” into something un-intelligible amazes me . . . keep up the good work “WOT” buddy! Oh, I would like to see a “pix” of those “glowing fingernails”. Now, regarding knives, your comment indicates that you are a fan of Ethan Becker, e.g. BK14 inclusive of the “dumb black crinkle . . . “; and, BK24. Ethan’s collaborations with Ka-bar have produced a number of satisfacory designs. I think his “Kephart (BK62)” most closely adheres to the original “Horace” knife. I like those captive “hex nuts” in the walnut handle.

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      1. i will send a lo quality image to our illustrious editor to forward.
        the becker stuff is appealing. i have a big fighting one i bought locally off of harmfist in a parking lot cheap, unused gift no box. i buy the 14’s and 24’s used when they auction reasonable.
        the kephart is neat; i went bk6 instead, i think it’s his best design.
        i have old ass kukhris i brought back from nepal pounded out of tatra leaf springs with sal wood handles (termite proof, there is an entire town called bhaktapur carved out of the stuff) and buffalo skin over wood sheaths. but to preserve them (i canoe camp) i bought the reinhardt bk21. it. is. a. beast.
        the only one with notable steel (they’re all crovan1095 as far as i know, with the 24 in d2) is the short run bk98 tuko in sv35. sort of an outdoor santoku?

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  4. No “Totally Overhyped New Year”s Eve Party” here. One small, one punch fight was the only excitement. Heard the neighbors wasting ammunition at midnight from beneath a pile of warm blankets. Been an exceptionally shi**y last few weeks to close out this shi**y year. Hoping to finally find that front pocket fixed blade this year. I know it’s out there somewhere. The thrill is in the hunt. Sincerely hoping everyone has a better year, let’s all try being cool to each other, see if that helps. (Sam Kinison scream)

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      1. One of the reasons I want to carry a fixed blade in my pocket is that I mostly wear bib overalls these days. No belt, no belt knife. That does give me a lot more pocket space though. The 3 I occasionally carry are ESEE Izula, Bradford Gaurdian 3 or a Northwoods Fall Creek. The sheath is as important as the knife here. Deep carry leather sheath with a deep carry clip seems ideal. I’m dreaming up a custom knife.

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        1. Well, those pockets open up a lot more possibilities! I have no doubt you can find a craftsman who can set you up. Look forward to details of the hunt.

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        2. wow that bradford looks killer, m390 goodness, me likey.
          the fall creek is a little too wharny for me… give me a tiny sweep o belli.

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    2. I suggest that you consider a custom knife for that “front pocket” (. . . are you talking the “5th pocket”?). You might research the Knifemaker’s Guild as some of their members do “miniatures”: Also, some bladesmiths associated with the “ABS” (American Bladesmith Society) produce small fixed blades that would carry well in a “watch pocket”. I have a Dan Warren, MS/ABS, miniature Bowie w/sheath that works in my “coin pocket”. (This knife was gained when I was a “nub” at the ABS “Introduction to Bladesmithing” class at Haywood Community College, Clyde, NC, in 2014. Dan Warren, Jim Crowell and Bill Wiggins made this two weeks of hammering steel an unforgettable adventure!). I will send Clay a photo of the “Bowie”.

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      1. Agree on the custom knife suggestion. As mentioned above to Mark, I’m looking for a slightly larger than average “miniature”. I’d love to see a photo of that “Bowie”.

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        1. i’m on the lookout for a used white river backpacker.
          i’ve gifted some bk14’s; an early polished 1095crovan and the newer dumb black crinkle finish version.
          the 24’s are d2, dicontinued and more elusive.

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  5. I have a Cold Steel Golden Eye with carbon fiber handles and TriAd lock.
    It’s a great knife. I carry it often.

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  6. Hello “2022” . . . Last year, on December 31st, I visited my favorite pawnshop: Washington Street Pawn, Hagerstown. I had not been there in all of December. It was like “knife candyland”! So many “new” knives, multi-tools; and, there was “junk from China”. I landed a “ColdSteel 4MAX Scout” and a “Boker Plus” (Bill Coye design). The “Scout” at 10 oz. and AUS10A plain edge is a hefty folder! The Tri-Ad lock is fascinating! Andrew Demke aced that configuration. Normally, I would not buy this type of knife. I was curious . . . Made in Taiwan (Our Ally). I will not use it, so I will put it in the “2022 gift bag”. The “Boker Plus” in 440C is a sturdy fixed blade. I do not like the Kydex sheath. Again, goes into the “2022 gift bag” . . . or, I use it and the “Scout” for trading up to a custom knife . . .

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  7. I guess trends for me will be to keep buying knives.
    I only made it until 6 o’clock today before I bought my first knife of 2022.
    I bought 2.

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    1. That meme made me smile too. NyQuil and chicken noodle soups (not mixed!) have seen me through many bouts of the winter crud!

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    1. I guess trends for me will be to keep buying knives.
      I only made it until 6 o’clock today before I bought my first knife of 2022.
      I bought 2.

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  10. Anyone else not stay awake until midnight last night? I tried, but best guess is I fell asleep in my recliner around 10:30 watching WW2 in color on Netflix.

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    1. Grandkids crashed at 10. We stayed up to watch the ball drop in NYC (an hour ahead of us) then turned in. Our adult kids texted at min night our time. So, we didn’t make it to midnight, but were sorta awake at midnight!

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  11. Happy new year everyone. Took my family to the zoo here in Knoxville before the rain moves in later since it’s In the low 70s today.

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    1. It hit 70 today before the cold front came through. It’s currently 33 heading to 19 with projected wind chill of 4! Weather here is not for the meek!

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  12. I am out in the Mojave Desert, so good to get away, I just wish you could all enjoy the sunsets here. Let’s hope 2022 cuts us some slack

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  13. No big plans here. Wife and I are babysitting the grands (15 and 11) along with the grand dogs. Played some games. Fried chicken dinner! A rousing round or 3 of Uno. Kids went to bed at 10. Daughter and son-in-law were going to a Stars game. It was cancelled-Covid. They had booked a room at a hotel downtown to watch the firework and drone show. No idea what a drone show involves.
    I hope you all have a blessed and safe New Year. Good riddance 2021!
    The Bernie pic seems like a lifetime ago! Let’s go Brandon!
    And prayers for you MIL

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  14. Appreciate all you effort doing these threads Clay, as for missing the SHOT show, ask Mark for some goodies! After shoveling snow in 25 and 35 below weather all week I’m tapping out early tonight. Grabbing some snacks and a beverage, Carolyn and I are “binging” on Cobra Kai, episode one is done, the other nine by midnight I imagine. Then nothing left but to say goodbye to 2021 and wish everyone a Happy New Year! As for 2022, hopefully we will be sitting at our favorite spot in Kona next New Years Eve! See you there!!!!

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      1. Cobra Kai was certainly better than watching the News all night! I watch anything martial arts or like eighties movies. Grew up training, a good friend became World Kickboxing champion in 1984, so brings back some good memories.

        Reply

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