Weekend Open Thread: International Geographic Edition

H. Clay Aalders
Weekend Open Thread
·34 Comments··170 views

Hello to our Edged Intelligentsia, and welcome to another exciting Weekend Open Thread.

This one might not be the most pulled together ever, in fact I was flirting with the idea of bagging it tonight, but I think I can fly through it. Or at least I will do my best.

I know I haven’t been keeping up with the newsfeed as much as I would like, but I have been spending a sizable chunk of my allotted work time writing emails and trying to get my SHOT Show meetings set up for the week after next.

While there might be some amusement to be had from our President Elect’s desire to annex Canada and Greenland…

I am having a hard time getting this post written at all. I am just sick at the scenes coming out of California.

Thankfully, WOT regular Stuart B reports that he is ok, though he knows folks who have lost everything.

But both Federal and State governments appear to be failing on every level.

 

So our thoughts and prayers are with the people of California.

We are all Americans, and it is time we looked out for our own.

If your favorite day includes knife shows, you are out of luck until the end of the month.

SHOT Show runs January 21-24, and this year I am going to be on my own. Mark is officially staying home, and I am flying solo.

Wilson Offutt will be there, and will probably be tagging along some. And I will see DCA, Joe Flowers, and a bunch of other friends. But it is going to be a ton of work. I have covered Blade Show on my own, including my first in 2014, but SHOT Show is a different animal.


I hadn’t given a lot of thought to musical guest tonight, but I guess a tribute to California is in order. Stay safe.

There are some other topical memes for this early January evening.

Britain might want to drop the “Great”

The people who covered it up for decades, voted this week to block an inquiry.

Those same people are now threatening Elon Musk for allowing people to talk about it openly.

 

Free Speechis a good thing, even if it makes people uncomfortable.

Serves him right.

Things didn’t work out so well when Tennessee invaded Ohio last month.

I am really nervous.  I am getting this done before the game.

Worse, it feels like this…

Terrible feeling. We must beat Texas.

Nothing else matters. Most of you will know the outcome by the time you read this.

 

 

At least I will always have the Browns.

Weekly drawing time.

The CRKT Teuto is on its way to Rick Corbitt, who made good use of his first time commenter bonus entry. I actually drew Hocky twice and Cmeat once, but the former had opted out, and the latter won last week.

Next up is a CRKT fixed blade Hunt ‘N Fisch, which we will be doing as a 2-token drawing. Which means that you need to be drawn twice over the course that the prize is available. First time you get a token, which rolls over until someone is drawn for a second time. If you are new to the blog, your comments will be held in moderation until I can approve the first batch.

Good Luck Everyone.

The more you know.

I haven’t seen my chin in at least 5 years.

Bonus points for good fish scouting.

Such a dumb strategy.

It is the circle of life.

Odd reference.

That seems familiar.Meme deja vu?

Wait, what?

The struggle is real.

He didn’t do it….

Innocent I tell you.

That was awfully considerate.

Never too soon.

RIP Teri Garr. I know I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago when she passed. Whod’a thunk that Mel would be the one still kicking when so many of his stable of actors have exited, Stage Right.

That is pretty funny. and as always we try to find humor in the midst of a dark situation. This gentleman explains things well, and assigns blame where the blame lies.

This war ends tomorrow if the hostages are released and Hamas steps down.

I will continue to use this platform until then to call for the hostages’ release.

Another song for California…


A couple of more before we hit the road for the evening…

“The Elon Trifecta”.

Not really.

It was like that this week, but now we have 4 inches of snow on the ground.

Looks like I am going to finish this on time before the kickoff.  I hope that the team that showed up in Columbus and Pasadena is the one who shows up tonight. I don’t think I could handle listening to the Skunk Weasel fans were we to get bounced tonight…

Have a great weekend everybody.  I am nauseously optimistic.

 

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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.

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34 Responses

  1. “Redding Auction Service” has an on-line knife auction active preceding their live auction on February 22, 2025 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I counted around “400+ lots” with a wide assortment of slip-joints and fixed blades by “Case”; “Ka-Bar”; “GEC”; “Queen”, et al. There are custom knives: Ken Steigerwalt (PA), Bob Derr (WV); and, there is a “Bill Moran” patch knife circa 1980’s. I am watching a “Napanoch” 4-pc tool-kit (Lot #8) and a “CASE XX “Whaler”, 9-dot, lightening “ZZ”. Bidding on-line has commenced . . . The two “Ka-Bar, Dog Head” vintage slip-joints took off into the stratosphere. The “Moran” was at $240 at the bell. Steve Nuckels and I plan to go to Gettysburg on 2/22 . . . first road trip of 2025!

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  2. Life is experienced in many ways. I thought of this as I wandered through the “Goodwill” store looking at “stuff”. . . when, a wood-handled ceramic sharpening rod marked “Eterna” poked out from a bunch of kitchen-type doo-dads. This neglected piece was in excellent condition. Its rod just needed some TLC! $1.50 and it was mine. On the way to the exit, I saw a rack of ballcaps. Thumbing through them, I found a black one with “U.S. Navy” over a spread eagle emblazoned on it. Checked the inside tag: “Made in U.S.A.” (www.hmchonors.com) $1.50. Alrighty, I love thrift stores.

    Almost forgot, I bought a “Triple K Brand, Model 310BP4” leather sheath for $2.00. Of course I realized this was for a long-barreled pistol of some sort. Me? I am thinking “knife sheath”, AAaarr-gghh!! Got home and looked up “Triple K” . . . “Cabela’s” shows this as a holster for a “1851 Navy Colt Black Powder Revolver” for the right hand ($32); and, it is American made! Hell yeah!! Now, I have to find an “1851 Navy Colt” . . .

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      1. “Blackhawk” . . . that is the Chicago NHL team, correct? Pro hockey is bedlam on ice to me . . . I watched a game on TV and never understood “icing the puck”. It appeared to mean, “Hit that thing as hard and long as you can.” Kinda sexy in that context. Anyways, a black powder enthusiast is interested in the holster. Currently, I have two naked fixed blades sticking in it along with the “Eterna” ceramic sharpening rod.

        Reply

  3. I am passing on the CRKT “Hunt ‘N Fisch” mainly because of its point of origin. The blade steel: 9Cr18MoV, is a no-go, too. Then, all those divots on the spine . . . I would think the Yangjiang knife factories would spray some non-skid on the spine.

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    1. I can’t wait til one of those knife companies get together with you and design the “HOCKY” knife Hocky!

      On another note, I forgot to congratulate you for your “Ravens” moving forward! They play the “Bill” on Sunday I think? Good Luck!

      Reply

      1. Since you brought it up, Del. . . The “Ravens” ground game should be the deciding factor in the cold frontier of Buffalo. Now, the “Chiefs” vs. “Texans” in Kansas City on Saturday may be an upset . . . however, QB Mahomes became a father for the third time recently. His children are named: “Bronze” (son); “Sterling” (daughter) and “Golden” (daughter). He and his wife must like the Olympics, though I believe the “Bronze” would have preferred “Golden” since he was “first”. Anyways, IF it comes down to the “Ravens vs. Chiefs” to represent the “AFC” at the Super Bowl, I will contact you.
        Regarding a “HOCKY” knife . . . I have mine which was forged by Shawn Hendrickson JS/ABS in 2013. “Barney” is finishing my “Navy” knife . . .
        I am waiting for “Rosecraft” (Andy Armstrong) to make the wharncliffe slipjoint.

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  4. Congrats to Rick C on the new knife!

    Thoughts and prayers for those affected by that horrific fire in California. Such a terrible tragedy!

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  5. “Schrade OT34; “100th Anniversary 1904-2004” at “J&S Pawn & Gun” bought Friday. Prior to “Schrade” (Ellenville, New York) going kaput in mid-2004 (mis-management), the knife factory produced a number of “anniversary” knives. The “34OT” was a highly popular mid-size stockman. My knife did not have its commemorative tin; but, that’s okay. I will contact my friend, Eric Albers (“Albers Cutlery Co”., Ellenville, New York), who was a master cutler at “Schrade”; and, who oversees the “Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum”. Perhaps, he has one in storage! I visited this museum in Napanoch, NY, in the summer of 2023. The knife history of the lower Hudson River valley on display is like a walk through the 19th and 20th centuries. I would have enjoyed meeting George Schrade!
    On another knife, my friend and outstanding knifemaker, Steve Nuckels, showed me a “D.H. Russell-Grohman, Belt Knife”. This is an impressive knife! Being curious, I looked this knife up and the world-wide-web took me to http://www.grohmannknives.com. This is an expansive and informative website for “Grohmann” knives located in Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. Steve’s knife is sold there, as well as many more knives . . . reasonable prices, too. I recommend that this website be visited as it offers insight into the tenacity of an immigrant from the Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia, pre-WW2) starting a knife company in Nova Scotia.
    One question that got answered as I cruised through the site, “Who is D.H. Russell”?. . . And, the answer is: He was the private secretary to the Canadian Prime Minister (“King” circa late-50s). He wanted a “Canadian-made” hunting knife versus the imported ones from Europe. He partnered with Rudolph Grohmann to produce the “Canadian Belt Knife” with the support of the Canadian government. This knife is displayed at the “Museum of Modern Art” (MoMA) in New York City . . . Steve lets me hold his knife when we sit on his front porch and have “show and tell”!!
    “Hocky”

    Reply

    1. Hey Hocky!
      Once again the research is fascinating, I did not know the history of Mr. Grohmann, never even knew his first name.
      These “Russell Belt Knives” or “Canadian Belt Knives” are collected all over the world. I have never owned one but do make a copy due to the high demand for this style.

      A well known editor & Meme-Master ordered one a few years ago, it was mirror polished and had mammoth scales! 🙂

      Steve knows his blades, say hello!

      Reply

        1. another one well worth visiting (massivetwoshits) especially for pricing although highly specialized, is r. murphy knives. you can get the xt2 taper point shoe knife for a cool $12.80 or a pretty kick ass looking ulu for $64.60. lots of carving and a decent wharny as well.

          Reply

      2. grohmann #3 carbon in flat grind with buffalo horn (stag is more, micarta less) is $181.
        the whale flensing knife is $516.25, probably a bargain. quit yer blubbering and write the check. the description says it is suitable for autopsies/ necropsies. sounds therapeutic.
        “hey, a narwhal (vs. unicorn) washed up on shore!”
        “great! i’ll grab my flenser.”

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        2. CMEAT: I visited the “Clearance” section on the “Grohmann” site. My pique was raised, . . . speaking of a narwhal** (the horned sea mammal), I thought I saw one in the North Atlantic on my last deterrent patrol in the summer of ’78. Might have been a finned unicorn or Pegasus. The cold salt spray obscured my vision as we approached Halifax, Nova Scotia.
          (**There is a nuclear submarine named “Narwhal” now de-commissioned.)

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        3. That flensng knife is gnarly! We don’t get many whales washing up here in north Texas…but I bet it would work well on alligator gar!

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      3. Hey Del: Thanks for the private viewing of the “knives in Del’s Shop”. I now better understand how a customer can visit you, look at the wall and say, “I want that one!” I remember that “Clay” ordered a ”
        Del Corsi “Grohmann Belt Knife” from you a while back. Steve’s knife was gifted to him by his close friend, Tom, several years ago. Tom passed away not too long ago.

        Reply

        1. Hey Hocky!
          Steve knew lots about knifemaker Lloyd Hale, I was amazed at Hale’s knife career, was Lloyd’s work familiar to you?

          I did go on the Grohmann site, they have a 65th anniversary Russell Belt knife out!

          Reply

          1. I am familiar with Lloyd Hale. He is quoted in your article, “Lloyd HALE / A LEGACY OF FINE KNIVES”, “Knife”, January 2025 . . . “I just didn’t really like banging steel”. He said this after he took a Bill Moran knifemaking course. As most knife enthusiasts know, Bill Moran made forged “working knives”; however, with the re-introduction of “Damascus” in the mid-70’s at the “Knifemaker’s Guild” show in Kansas City, Bill created a quantity of “art knives” which represented his lifelong interest in historical knives, e.g. Cinquedea. Lloyd Hale and Gil Hibben took their custom art knives to a unique level of creative complexity. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Was this “Bill” Shakespeare?

      4. Del-I remember that knife! I don’t recall where Clay shared photos(either the newsfeed or here). Quite the looker!

        Reply

  6. The fires in L.A. are horrible. The incompetence of City, County and State leadership being exposed will hopefully lead to the reforms that we need to turn this ship around. Prayers for all who lost everything, and I haven’t forgotten those affected by the hurricane in the south, even if the news cycle has. I will get down from the soap box.

    Reply

  8. Rick C-Congrats on the new blade!
    Stuart-Glad you’re safe. And that the Razzel is a used.
    CMEAT-I had a college prof giving a lecture in statistics. He talked about betting odds-his position was “the spread” was the number the house (bookies/Vegas) thought would generate the greatest amount of bets1 with the minimum risk of gross loss to the house. And the house always wins. I’ve been been wary of placing bets ever since!
    And I lagged hard at Ophelia and Gamlet!
    We’re warming up and snow and ice are melting quickly. No issues with the grid Stuart!

    Reply

    1. Mark – So far so good, 4 million people here without power and I am not one of them, so that’s a 12 point spread? 1 in 4.5 chance? 22% odds? 3 walruses over a possum?

      Reply

    2. it is safe to say that only a small percentage are not chasing losses. all i can tell you is don’t bet your heart. this is why i bet against the bears, sort of a hedge. between the spread and the over/ under that 1/ 2 point will kill it so many times that only a moron degen would continue. to eliminate the spread you can effectively make it zero zero betting the money line but a hundred dollar win is offset by a three or five hundred dollar loss. keep it in your pocket.
      traveling the country making a living betting successfully on horses is a pipe dream, like counting cards or these million dollar poker moes. nice work if you can get it. most of them are lying.

      Reply

  9. Classic Zeppelin song selection Clay, hard to beat that.
    Thanks for the shout out too, the fires are still raging, but they are slowly being drowned out by the rising onslaught of blame and recrimination, even from the Fire Chief! Maybe we shouldn’t have been cutting the FD budget at State and City level while spending $24B on homeless? People are starting to question our priorities, though, as ever, too little too late.
    I’m enjoying the mini Razel, its a user.

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  10. ah heck, just listening to the irish cry around here would make it worth it. 9.5 points? even with varicose epididimus i’d steer clear. murph is working at bruno’s, i’m going down there just in case of a meltdown, they can be epic. he threw a guy threw the plate glass once but it wasn’t over football.
    led zep is def near the top of the wdpt list. lovely drumming, rolling stone magz best new female vocalist of the year 1970 (?).
    howlin’ wolf (chester burnett) does a song called california.
    my guy j.p. used to tie off to his fishin’ partner and they would belly crawl from the shore near the tavern out to thicker ice. insane. moved in with his ‘rents in knoxville back aways after consumed by crack. gone now.
    there is something noticeable about the lack of a chin. there is a zappa song called trying to grow a chin. we have a lil nippon barkeep locally cute as a hunnert lb 5’ button can be. completely lacking chinwise. remarkable means it’s worth commenting on. today is her birthday along with her friend jeneen who has been famously ignoring me. meh, la. that used to be eh, la from a confederacy of dunces but i just spoke with my cajun buddy metoya who’s name is oddly pronounced incorrectly as montoya by everyone around here for some reason (maybe because of joe) who says his mom used to say it as meh. so there. as in whatever someone was talking about was crazy as opposed to c’est la vie.
    there is a point in the removing a jacket while driving process that can actually only be described as panic. with one arm free it begins to subside.
    there is an early episode of andy griffith where you can spot a super young teri garr in the grocery store as a checkout gal. yum.
    i’ve been carrying my sandvik/ d2 leek lately. been awhile, me likey.

    Reply

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