Weekend Open Thread: One day we will all wear the red shirt

H. Clay Aalders
Weekend Open Thread
·17 Comments·

I always thought that saying belonged to a Star Trek actor who has passed, but it might just be apocryphal. I couldn’t find it in a quick Google search. But I did find this one, so I am doing better than Ensign Ricky.

Going back to the first meme, I think it is a little exaggerated, but I think that fear of reentry is a real thing, and even I am feeling a little squeamish about Blade Show. I doubt I would go to an indoor sporting event yet.

If only our expert class could get out of its own way…and ours.

Speaking of social gatherings, this is the first weekend where we have multiple events back and taking place. The Oregon show cancelled, but there are several hammer ins and such taking place this weekend.

https://www.knifemagazine.com/event/spring-great-smoky-mountain-hammer-in/2021-04-08/

ABS Piney Woods Hammer In

Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show

And a shout out to KNIFE Magazine Staff Correspondent Bryan Wyszkowski who helped take the helm of next weekend’s Lehigh Valley Show when the previous organizer passed away last year.

Lehigh Valley Knife Show

Only 5 comments last week. Kinda slow. Cmeat wins the backissue of his choice, having made the lucky comment. This week we have a Browning Large Primal Folder:

It is one of the new knives from Browning for 2021. I wish the detent were a little crisper, as it would improve the action, but the ergos are good for a light hunting/heavy edc.

 

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Now, back to our memes…

Speaking of eating unpleasant things…

And finally, for no reason whatsoever…

Have a good one folks.

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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.

17 Responses

  1. I say to hell with it.
    I’m ready to get out and do things.
    I have been going to shows.
    Another show this weekend and a bowling tournament next weekend.

    Reply

  2. I have a wedding to go to in May, the first ‘social’ event I will attend in over a year, and yes, it feels weird, even with a shot or two of the ‘derna in my arm.
    The other social explosion here in CA is the boom in “over landing”, or what was previously called “car camping” in pre-YouTube times! Owen’s valley is swarmed with tricked out Jeeps with roof top tents, 4×4 vans, etc. Still, apart from the not-quite-so-dispersed camping and the litter of selfie sticks its a healthier fad than most covid inspired issues, but for the love of god leave the dam drones at home!

    Reply

  3. Dandelion . . . vegetable, weed, . . . source of wine? “Food” for thought. “BOOM”!!!! and “BLOOM”!!!! I love Spring. Really Do.

    Mark: Yes, I have bought, sold and traded a few knives these past few months. It kept me from going too “Looney Toons”! Yes, I usually buy from the custom knifemaker because I know they need to survive too! I may need to wait a few months for my knife to arrive; and, when it does it is like my birthday all over again. I am very fortunate to have gained the resources, e.g. the Moran Foundation, “Knife”, “Blade” and the many knife industry people met at knife shows, which enable me to keep learning about the knife community. For me, the “knife life” is a ton of fun. Every knife I own is a memory of a connection made through the knife community network . . . Example, I found the “Canal Street Cutlery (CSC)” swell center jack at an on-line auction because I was looking for a Fallkniven* . . . I researched “CSC” and found a “Knife” article . . .eventually, this led me to Eric Albers, formerly of Schrade and “CSC”, who is the proprietor of “Albers Cutlery Company”. I now own an “Albers” Jack knife! ( *Note: I bought the Fallkniven HK9. Really nice. Not a keeper. Sold it. Kept the “CSC” .

    Jason K/All: Check out http://www.alberscutlerycompany.com. In my opinion, Eric’s slipjoints, “fit, finish & materials”, are A-1. He is a sole authorship maker so his knives sell fast. I suggest placing an order and being patient.

    Hocky

    Reply

    1. Your friend, Eric Albers, makes a beautiful knife! Next time you talk to him mention 5 From the Grinder!
      Oh, and Hocky, I have an irrational hatred for dandelions! I have accumulated more than a few tools over the years to assist in their removal.

      Reply

      1. MARK: I certainly will inform Eric about “5FTG”. I reckon you visited his webpage because Clay has not “yet” shown many of the knife photos which I have sent him including my “Albers” jack knife. If we do “garden photos” again this year, then I will hang some of my knives on the tomato cages, bean poles and corn stalks !! (Aargh, Hocky Humor).

        Dandelions . . . As “Seuss” would say, “I do not like them in my yard or flower bed; I only like them when they’re dead.” My major tool in the on-going battle are my trusty garden knife as I crawl through the yard circumcising the yellow-haired devils. Close quarter combat if you will! I resort to “Weed-B-Gon” on those broadleafs which have not bloomed. (Note: I seldom use chemical warfare). With respect to our planet and Mother Nature, everyday is Earth Day for me.

        I hit a yard/estate sale today and scored some nice vintage ‘stones’ and some edged tools including a ‘Primble Hickory’ full tang w/brass rivets in EX/VG condition. Also, some forging hammers and a “rock rake” for ten cents! Yee Hah! There was a nice 150 lb. anvil with a unfamiliar hallmark BUT the farmer was undecided about selling it.

        That ALL for Now . . . going outside. Hocky

        Reply

    2. Easter was terrific, thank you. Text from child #2-after spending the week here, her plane just touched down in LA. We hadn’t seen her face to face in over a year. It was wonderful seeing her!
      CMEAT—first time I saw the phrase “vaccine passport” I said “great name for a rock band!”
      Hockey- you seem to be acquiring a lot of new steel of late! Glad to see you’re doing you part to lift the economy!
      Anyone seen Jason of late? He’s been quiet for awhile. Hope all is well in the Pacific Northwest.

      Reply

      1. Still here, Mark. Moving forward. Got people sitting inside my pub for the first time in over a year, feels strange. Orchards are blooming and we’re still getting snow flurries, that means frost fans (un-muffled V8 engines on a 50′ pole) run all night, hard to sleep through. No new knife news here. My obsession with Great Eastern Cutlery has curbed my knife purchases as it’s a lottery to buy the damn things and I want to make sure I have the funds when they drop. I’ve only managed to purchase one so far and I’m hooked on the amazing fit and finish. Hocky, thanks for sharing the story of the “WFM” knife. I’d love to see that and the Ed white custom.

        Reply

  5. Got back from “field day” at the Moran Forge in Middletown, MD. Follow-up from two weeks ago when we busted ass clearing the land. Today, we made sawdust (Chipper time!) from the piles of brush and limbs. Your choice: Bush knife or machete for lopping limbs? I took time to look at Ed White’s custom knives. Ed is a longtime knifemaker and a member of the Moran Foundation. I am very fond of Ed’s “file knives” which are forged from Nicholson “Black Diamond” files (. . . the vintage ones made in U.S.A.) Well, I bought one today which he had just completed. Man, it feels so-o-oo go-o-oo-dd to buy a one-of-a-kind custom knife!! I will send Clay a photo and perhaps he will post it for everyone to see. Here’s an inspiring story: A older man came to the Forge while we were working and talked with Robert Wilson, President of the Moran Foundation. He donated a Bill Moran knife stamped “WFM” to the Foundation! The “WFM” stamp dates the knife to the 1940’s (Reference: “Master of the Forge”, 1996, by C. Houston Price and B. R. Hughes). The man told Robert, “I could sell it; BUT, he felt its rightful place was with the Foundation.” Clay: That “Kleen Kanteen”, 8 oz., is going to my grandson, Axel, as a sipper cup. I am a grown ass man! I need a minimum of 16 oz. Thanks for the gift. That’s It For Now, Enjoy the day Hocky

    Reply

  6. vaccine passport was my glee club barbershop quintet’s name.
    “the first in line is tied to a tree and the last is being eaten by ants.”
    welcome to the big banana.

    Reply

  7. Every time I read Bruce Voyles’ “Bruce On The Loose” reminisces in KM, I more and more wish he’d create an “Old Knife Lover’s Anthology” book. He doesn’t even need to write it; just assemble it from all the one-page BOTL articles he’s already written over the years!

    I’d be forever grateful to have a copy of the BOTL story where he buys an old timer’s large folder while perusing the man’s country roadside fruit and vegetables stand. Later, Bruce returned to visit the old timer’s home and gift the man’s knife back to him for the price of hearing it’s story in the presence of the man’s grandson. I love that story, and think of it every time I buy a used knife with “character” on eBay, or read the latest BOTL!

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    Semper Fortis,

    Marc J. Owins, USN(Ret), PM-32°
    El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz, Spain (GMT+1)

    Reply

    1. MARC: El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz, Spain. Your residence? Last century, circa 1975-78, my submarine’s home port was Rota. A best memory was buying “Jerez” sherry near Cadiz. (I sent crates of sherry back to Charleston, SC). I see that you are USN(Ret). What is PM-32? (. . . and the “degree symbol”); GMT+1 is ??? I agree that Bruce Voyles is an extraordinary person who embraces the knife industry. Without him, C. Houston Price, B.R. Hughes, Mark Zalesky, Steve Shackleford et al our knife history would not endure. “Hocky” (aka Rick Hockensmith, Hagerstown, MD, USA) MM1(SS) USS George Bancroft SSBN643 Blue Crew

      Reply

  8. Subject: TTP FOR DYNAMICALLY EMPLOYING OPFOR WEAPONS & WEAK-HAND DEFENSIVE FOLDING KNIVES

    Please feel free to forward to appropriate decision makers for merit consideration:

    1. Training, Tactics and Procedures (TTP) for Dynamically Employing Opposition Forces’ Weapons. With the 13 November 2015 Paris Bataclan Theater massacre on my mind again, I’m still dumbstruck that the terrorists were able to fire till “dry” and reload their AK-47 rifles three to four times, without at least one brave Frenchman, off-duty police officer, or former military member charging one of the terrorists with a folding knife and taking a shooter down. At that point, if knowledgeable, the resistor could have then used a now liberated rifle to return fire against the other shooters and disrupt their tragically deadly assault.

    This calls for a new way of thinking regarding pre-deployment and in-garrison small arms qualifications, so that our Armed Forces in general, and Security and Special Forces in particular, not only annually qualify on US issued small arms, but that every member of the combat arms AFOSI, MOS, or NEC also have a working knowledge of, and obtain the minimum qualifications for, the infantry weapons (pistols, rifles, MGs, grenades, RPGs, etc.) they may most likely encounter, recover and need to immediately and dynamically employ in a pitched firefight with potential opposition forces.

    2. Weak-Hand Defensive Folding Knife Employment. Presented with a 50/50 percent possibility, amazingly, mankind is approximately 90 percent right-handed. That means most in combat arms will carry and shoot their rifles and pistols from their “strong” right side. Additionally, in close quarters hand-to-hand combat, they will have to defend and retain their weapon(s) from a determined foe with their right hand, as well. In such a deadly scenario, the trained warrior who can quickly draw, open and employ a large-sized auto/spring assist folding knife from their weak (left) side front pocket will be able to injure, or kill their attacker, while still retaining their own firearm(s).

    Therefore, all current/future military ground fighting and martial arts training should include individually equipping and training for this last resort-type knife scenario. Manufacturers of excellent left-handed, or ambidextrous knives include Emerson, Kabar, Kershaw, Spyderco, and my personal favorite; the discontinued CRKT M21-02GL. Regardless of make, there should be an issued quick opening folding knife clipped inside the weak-side front pocket of every American service member and law enforcement officer serving in harm’s way.

    Semper Fortis,

    Marc J. Owins, USN(Ret), PM-32°
    El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain

    Reply

  9. Clay,

    I see on page 40 of “Knife Magazine‘s” August 2020 issue that you, like me, are left-handed. Therefore, you should completely understand the frustration lefties feel by the complete shunning of left-handed folders by knife manufacturers. Dual thumb studs and relocatable scale pocket clips would go a long way to rectifying that, although a reversible liner lock kit would the ultimate nod. To date, only Kabar and Spyderco “get it,” by having ambidextrous lockbacks on their modern folders. There is a real story (and market) here for the 10-percent of us that are left-handed.

    Semper Fortis,

    Marc J. Owins, USN(Ret), PM-32°
    El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain (GMT+2)

    Reply

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