Weekend Open Thread: Busting Brackets Edition (Updated)

H. Clay Aalders
Weekend Open Thread
·13 Comments·

Howdy folks.  Now I know that most of our readers are not as dedicated to watching sports as I am, but even casual fans often get into the NCAA Tournament. Me, I could inject it straight into my veins. I even went as far as scheduling elective surgery for the morning that the tournament started several years ago, just so I could lie, guilt-free on the couch all weekend and gorge myself on college basketball.

In spite of Sean Bean’s assertion above, I have actually been fairly productive today. Then again, I plan on leaving the office before lunch, and turning on the games as soon as I get home. In case you missed it:

Bobby Branton shares the Tru-Balance Knife Story

I always have said that I never know what rabbit hole I will end up down on any given day, but it was an interesting one.

I am off to a fairly ignominious start. I was 0-4 in the play in games last night. Luckily, I had all four losing in the round of 64, so I should be back on track once they all play their next games. Just in time for the rest of my bracket to come off the rails after the chaos of the first full day.

Anyone else care to opine on the Tournament? Or anything else for that matter –  have at it in the comments. Up to 5 comments or replies will be your entries for this week’s drawing. This week it is for a new Browning Hunter Series Folder, a nice jigged wood, liner-lock flipper.

A fusion of tradition and innovation. Our Hunter Series knives combine modern design with the classic materials you love, resulting in a family of beautiful, functional hunting knives. Fusing modern looks and classic materials like 440C stainless steel blades, two-tone jigged hardwood handle scales and polished brass colored accents, these blades will become a staple in your kit. The straight back blade profile provides a nice, smooth curve for general hunting duties from field dressing to boning and skinning.

Thanks Browning!

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I actually found a knife meme this week, so completely off topic, or on topic if you prefer…

Seems like a valid strategy to get yourself killed. 🙂

Last week our drawing was for a print back-issue of the winner’s choice, subject to availability. Stuart B – you are the lucky winner. Have a look through the KNIFE Magazine archives and pick an old issue you would like us to send you. Oh, and btw Primus, your knife is on its way. I just am slow.

Finally, I leave you with the sentiments of the dearly departed Grumpy Cat, King of all Feline Memes:

Have a great one folks. Go Buckeyes! O-H!

 

Whelp….  this is about all I have to say about that…

My daughter, who picked based on mascots is leading our family pool.

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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.

13 Responses

  1. Hahahaha, Clay did you update the thread? I really like that last meme!
    My FIL fills out a bracket every year… this year he put way too much stock in the Big 10 teams.
    Loyola Chicago made sure his bracket was a complete bust.

    Reply

  2. The Terps survived the Huskies. Will they survive ‘Bama? Rooting for the “Homeys” and the “U-Dogs” . . . God? Mother Nature? Whomever . . .Thank you for Springtime!

    Reply

  3. i’m glad for sister jean, but those jesuits are nutty.
    illinois made some noise; not sure if they’re still in it.

    Reply

    1. Oral Roberts, UNT and Ohio!!! This has already been a wild ride! I love this tournament!

      Stuart- I’m not seeing a knife shortage around here. Now, we don’t have a lot of high end brands at the local sporting goods, hardware or big box stores. However, there are significantly more knives than firearms or ammunition! .

      Reply

      1. Mark – good to hear, and knives don’t need feeding. So its me being picky, and it seems Hocky’s suggestion may get me sorted. Thanks guys for the sage advice as always.
        Go Trojans!

        Reply

  4. Great weather in my area. Perfect for the first day of spring, getting the kids outside to throw the ball, and watching some March Maddness.
    Scrolled through the website on Hocky’s suggestion, wondering if there are any custom makers that might be nearby.
    Under the Events section I found a knife show that’s not too far away (and hasn’t been cancelled!). I’ll put it on the calendar and see what happens.

    Reply

  6. Everybody: Look in “THE VAULT” at the “WORLDWIDE KNIFEMAKER DATABASE and DIRECTORY”. Sixty-one pages of alphabetically listed people and companies which make knives. Let your fingers do the walking!

    Reply

  7. Underdogs. Underdogs. Underdogs. I root for the underdogs as they are the meek and they shall inherit the Final Four! How else can one explain the O. Roberts victory? STUARTB: What type of knife are you looking for? Do you want the instant satisfaction given by adding a production knife to your arsenal? Does a custom knife, e.g. slipjoint, fixed blade, gain your attention? Many sole authorship custom knifemakers may have inventory; or, you can place an order and wait a couple of months. I suggest you take a look at an annual “Knives” as edited by Joe Kertzman for its extensive list of knifemakers. In my myopic opinion, “Nothing is as unique as a custom knife”. Happy Spring . . . bring on the knife shows! Hocky

    Reply

  8. Clay- no worries! I’m on your time, sir. I just appreciate the chance the opportunity.
    I do love this time of year but I try not to throw away to much money on March Madness brackets – that said, the pot in the office pool has been getting pretty high over the last few years…
    personally, I prefer the football pools.
    I saw the end of the Ohio game – sorry for your loss, Clay.
    That Browning is a handsome blade. I like the stonewashed finish and profile.

    Reply

  9. Clay- I, too, love March Madness! I especially love the the round of 32 and the Sweet 16. Lots of great, exciting games! Bracket busting Cinderellaupsets. There is a
    Most always a number 3 seed getting knocked out.. Kids playing on emotion and adrenaline! It’s just great!
    I’m pulling for Gonzaga. In the late 90’s they were a Cinderella who went deep in the tournament. And again the next year. And they’ve been in the hunt ever since!
    And you gotta love UNT knocking off Perdue! I have them advancing to the sweet 16. And Oral Roberts!,! Who saw that one? I hope they hang around for another game or 2. That Abbas kid reminds of a kid from VALPO years ago who scored from downtown!
    I’ll be bouncing between games and planting the vegetable garden this weekend.
    Life is good!
    Stuart- congratulations. And I hope you find a great knife.

    Reply

  10. Not betting on the Madnesses, I had my palms read in HK many moons back and was advised never to gamble, and its true I never win anything….. except here it seems! I’m too blessed to pick up more stuff, but wont pass up an offer of a Knife Magazine; do you still have the Feb 2019 issue about the Kephart?
    I’ve been looking at splurging some of my hard earned stimulus refund (its my tax money they are graciously giving me back) on some nice new steel, but nearly every knife I want is on back order/out of stock. Any one else coming across the knife scarcity of 2021? It seems to be mirroring the gun industry just now and probably for all the same reasons, or am I just being way too picky in what I am looking for?

    Reply

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