Weekend Open Thread: Play Ball Edition

H. Clay Aalders
Weekend Open Thread
·23 Comments··116 views

Hey there Sports Fans…How is everyone doing. It is Easter Weekend, and Spring has definitely sprung in East TN. We had the usual “Dogwood Winter” cold spell, but temps are hitting the high 60s and 70s. And Baseball is upon us.

To say I am extremely ambivalent about baseball right now would be an understatement. For the most part MLB is dead to me until and unless the Cleveland baseball team returns to the name Indians. I did not get in a twist when they jettisoned Chief Wahoo years ago, even though the image is associated with so many wonderful childhood memories. But I refuse to support Dolan and his meaningless virtue signal. The team was named in honor of two Native Americans, Napolean Lajoie and Louis Sockalexis whose names will be forgotten.

I still love baseball. I catch 8 or so Tennessee Smokies games each year, and that number will increase when they move back to downtown Knoxville next year.

I will always love baseball. It breaks my heart not to follow Cleveland. I have tried following the Cubs since the Smokies are their farm team, but it is just not the same.

 

MLB won’t kill their golden goose. But they will continue to give the shaft to Pete Rose.

Since it is Easter Weekend…

 

…it is fairly quiet Knife Show wise. Really just the NYCKS of note.

New York Custom Knife Show

Things pick up next week though, with 4 shows and events…

Greater Shenandoah Valley Knife Collector Show

Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show

Texas Select Custom Cutlery Event

and finally…

Batson Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show

Mark will be at that one. As I mentioned, he moved up Press Day by a couple of days.


Tonight’s musical guests are The Strokes. Described as a “post punk revival” or “new garage” in their early 2000s heyday, they were a band that I thought was going to have some legs. They came up through the NYC club scene, and therefor were pros when they went national, despite their relative youth. So many good songs off Is this it? that it is one of the rare albums I don’t shuffle past. I listen to the whole thing. Especially when driving.

You knew it was coming…

Our prayers go out to the families of the construction workers who were killed in the Key Bridge collapse. I never considered making it the theme of the WOT, but this one was funny…

 

And laughter is the best way to cope with tragedy.

Frankly, a lot more people have been killed due to Boeing’s mistakes, but we have all enjoyed these…

Chosen a new Dope?

Or this guy…

One of the best episodes of Twilight Zone ever.

Every row is an exit row if the bolts are loose enough.

 

Tax season is coming…

Or Maryland. Why are taxpayers going to pay to rebuild a toll bridge?

Shouldn’t the Toll Operator and Insurance be paying for it?

 

We don’t have a knife drawing for this week. As mentioned Hocky suffered a family tragedy, and it just seemed gauche to draw a winner from a sympathy note. So I punted.  But this week’s comments are back in the game. We are in the middle of a “2 token” drawing for the CRKT M14.

The way it works is the first time you are drawn, you get a token. Del joined Zach, Cmeat, and David M. last week. Up to 5 comments and replies are your entries to the contest. If you are new to the blog, your comments will be held in moderation until I approve your first one.

Good luck everybody…prayers to you Hocky.

Finally, the part you have all been waiting for, the non-theme memes…

Canadians earn honorary American status for that one. Using anything other than the actual metric system to figure out a measurement.

Took a minute, or II

My favorite meme of the week by far. There are several folks I text the link to for the WOT when it goes live, but I shared that one with folks early. It is too perfect.

Irony…

Really, who are these savages?

The perfect cornhole set does not exis…

Also music themed…

I actually met Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails once at Coventry in Cleveland Hts.

My wife, who works for Bush’s Beans, assures me that this is not how it works.

Life goals.

Indeed.

How generous.

Kill it with fire.

Looks like Seattle.

Shots fired.

The struggle is real…

Gettin’ fancy…

The McDonalds Muppet Movie glasses were my favorite.

There can be only one.

Good plan.  Life is full of tradeoffs.

As I have done every weekend since October 7th, I have used my platform to support Israel as it seeks to destroy the genocidal Hamas, and to push back, however insignificantly, against a chilling rise of antisemitism in the West.

 

“Never Again is Now”. Hamas openly declares in its charter that they seek the eradication of the Jews.

Release the hostages, and step down as the governing body in Gaza. It is that simple.

I look forward to being able to retire this post, but I will not abandon it. I will continue to try to find pieces that have a tinge of humor to provide, and once again PreOccupied Territory has come through in the clutch…

They are mostly Jordanians anyway, who were caught on the wrong side of the line when the maps were redrawn.

You can read the whole (satire, sort of) thing here.

Bringing back the Strokes…this video is like a time capsule to post college. I started listening to The Strokes right around the time I started dating my wife.

 

I am always a little surprised by how the WOT has evolved and grown over time.  It takes about 3 hours to pull together each week.


But it is worth it…

I would hate if that happened.

Have a wonderful Easter everyone.

Alleluia.

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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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23 Responses

  1. Anticipating the road trip to the “Shenandoah Valley Knife Club (SVKC)” show on Saturday. Double-checking the peddler bag and vacuuming the F150 today. My friends, Ron Null and Sid Barnhart, are taking the ride with me. “Sid” is a custom knifemaker who lives in Chambersburg, PA. He is a member of the “Moran Foundation”. He was my partner in September 2014 at the ABS “Intro to Bladesmithing” class at Haywood Community College, Clyde, NC. “Ron” is an avid outdoorsman, so he likes anything that is associated with Mother Nature.

    I bought a “Camillus 1990” at a local pawnshop yesterday. It was in a bargain box for $10. After a bit of TLC, it was shiny and oiled. Pretty much excellent condition with good “walk and talk” and no evidence of main blade wear or sharpening. Some day, “Camillus” may return to making knives in the USA. “Schrade” went kaput in 2004 and China bastardized that venerable brand. “Camillus” went bankrupt in 2007/2008, and China muddied this historic cutlery company. Word has it that both of these “Made in USA” brands are, or have, returned in some manner to America manufacturing.

    Hocky

    Reply

  3. had a nice short fat double maduro yesterday. a little 15yr asbach uralt and all the ones that said cask, i figured “he” was in a casket sort of. rebel cask strength, elijah craig cask strength, copper and cask. left the garage picked up mom (be 96 in june) tossed the lamb chops in the iron pan, threw some strips on grill, wifey made my sister’s spinach soufflet casserole. maybe the first year ever no eggs were dyed. eh, la. little girl came by, no boy this year.
    not much gets done when you’re on 16s, but somehow things orchestrate. and this friendly little cold keeps surfacing, got on and off snurgles and hack, but last weeks chills were crazy, couldn’t stop blivverin’ under blanket stacks for an hour. sheesh. fist bumps (trust pound) no handshakes, wash ’em.
    careful with that cubs thing. they’ve been breaking my heart “since i was a little child” (-ren hoeck, asthma hound chihuahua) and when they did win it it was the lamest victory in the history of the game, replete with a chapman choke and a two hour rain delay providing time for l*mp d*ck hayward’s motivational speech. at least when the sox won they just plain stomped everything in their way into submission. guillen calling for jenks by mimicking his girth was priceless.

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  4. The HIGHLANDER movies, my friend Jose de Braga made some beautiful Katana’s for those pictures. The carved ivory handles are so cool. Jose and I are making 3 folders for our second collab together. I sent him 3 profiled and ground blades, profiled all the titanium liners and backs. He is carving the blades and will assemble the knives, then send to me for finishing.

    The McDonalds wrestling glasses are coo, does anyone know if Don Leo Jonathon was featured on those glasses? He wrestled around the Pacific Northwest, used to watch him every Saturday morning on KVOS TV, he was my favorite.

    Fast forward to a knife show in Vancouver, B.C. around 18 years ago when this soft spoken bear of a man bought some knifemaking supplies from me. He was a bear of a man with the paws of a grizzly. He introduced himself and I was like a kid again, then Don asked if he could come to my shop for lessons, you know I said YES! He came a few times and would call lots when help was needed. I later learned that he was from Utah, Stephen (SRJ) Johnson knew of his dad who wrestled too I believe, dang – This knifemaking world is just the best!

    Reply

    1. As the French folks say, “Piss on d’Avril”. “Felines on catnip”; “Alien” womb cabbages; and 1960’s children “play fighting” made me smile.

      The March “Knife” has now been read and re-read. Del’s article on Billy Mace & Beverly Imel was enjoyed very much. The thrust of his writing centers on these people and their lives in the knife community. The folder with mother-of-pearl inlays on Page 34 keeps me going back to look at it. The “Lamb Foot Knives” by Neal Punchard is a good read. My friend, Eric Albers, “Albers Cutlery Co.”, makes custom lamb foot knives. Visit him at http://www.alberscutlery.com. “A Sharper Edge” by Brian Milinski is a must-have primer on putting a proper edge on a blade. Well done!! A shout out to Ron C. Pearlman for the “SHINSA” article. Ron is a “Moran Foundation” member and . . . Got to say it, “A real pearl, Man”. (I will probably get a “noogie” for that!).

      I got the April “Knife” on March 30th. Well Done, “Knife” staff. Still sealed in wrapper!

      I am driving the F150 to Harrisonburg, Virginia on Saturday the 6th for the Shenandoah Valley Knife Club (SVKC) show. Chipping in for 89 octane are my good friends Steve Nuckels Sid Barnhart and Ron Null. “Refreshments” are on me. I never leave home for a knife show without the 48-Qt. Igloo. Oh, the peddler bag is ready to go, too.

      I bought a Victorinox “Huntsman” at a local craft/knife/art/ shop in Smithsburg, MD. This SAK was pretty near mint and came with a leather belt pouch. This knife did not have that “bag hook”, which was okay by me because I do not understand why this “tool” is part of a SAK. All SAKs should have the toothpick, tweezer(s) . . . or, is that “tweezer”?; and, I like the corkscrew with the captive screwdriver.

      I always enjoy talking with all of you. Stay safe and with good health. Hocky

      Reply

      1. Hocky – sounds like a good trip. I once got a lift from Connecticut to New York with the actor Ron Pearlman, does that count?

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        1. that could go either way, he seems like he’d be pretty groovy off the set and he ~is~ hellboy. but he was terrible in everything else i’ve ever seen him in. plus i seem to remember him as spouting some libtardedness lately.

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          1. I mainly remember him from “Name of the Rose”, where he played a gargoyle type character! We were pitching for an entertainment and film school project. It was a surreal ride for sure.

      2. Did Ron used to write for KI Hocky, his name is ringing a bell but not sure where I have seen his knife writing before?

        Happy you enjoyed the Imel piece, almost a novel but so much knifemaking and knife history between Billy Mace and Beverly.

        Billy’s integral daggers are spectacular, I love it that his interest in knifemaking began while field dressing a caribou on a cold Northern B.C. mountain. This Pink mountain area that is referenced is such a popular hunting area, even so I was surprised that Billy travelled that far to go hunting!

        Reply

        1. perlman is a straight b actor, in seven guilermo del toro movies, some sons of anarchy, alot of voice overs. he suffers from acute tds and somehow finds redeeming facet in kameltoe.

          Reply

          1. I saw him in some of the “Sons” series, recently he is in several of those “B” movies like you said Cmeat.

        2. Del: Nice talking with you on the phone. Two thousand miles of distance covered in seconds. Electricity . . . where would mankind be without it.

          Re Ron Pearlman, I do not know much about his “knife history”. I believe he worked as a college professor. A fountain of knowledge and experience in numerous arenas. Easy man to converse with at the “Moran” meetings.

          Be Well and Enjoy Life, Hocky

          Reply

          1. I am doing well my friend!

            Nose has a “compress bandage” to control any bleeding after the sinus surgery to remove polyps, grind some off the septum, whatever that means? Some inner reconstructive work to boot!

            Wasn’t going to mention, but now that it’s done I am looking forward to spending the next 2 weeks getting the computer keys smoking with numerous Knifemaker profiles!!!!

            After two weeks I have a green light to fire the belt grinder up and finish a spectacular stainless bowie knife I started a few months ago. (For Mark Zalesky’s benefit I am pronouncing it – BOOWIE)

            I think Clay accepts it either way. Or maybe not?

            Hope everyone had a great week!

      3. Hocky-not doubting your SAK expertise, but are you sure it’s a Huntsman and not an Angler? That’s the only 4 layer SAK I can think of that looks like a Huntsman but doesn’t have a hook.
        I need to start saving up some extra cash- your friend Mr. Albers makes some beautiful knives.
        Travel safe and enjoy Virg! Sounds like a heck of a road trip

        Reply

        1. MARKR: The “missing hook” has baffled me. I went with “Huntsman” because I tired of looking at the “Victorinox” website. Humorously, I liked it without this “hook” which now begs the question, “Angler”? Aarrghh!!

          Hocky

          Reply

  5. Ok, so it’s Saturday afternoon I still haven’t figured out the Vikings…..a little help for a brother.

    I liked the catnip!

    Reply

  6. Clay – class act on skipping the draw for the week, and always appreciate the meme stream, thanks for these. That said, It seems that the comments list on the home page has been deleted, maybe just me, but it was a great function to keep up on people and navigate the site.
    Happy Easter to all the WOTers. We have more rain this weekend and the new seedlings in the bed are loving it.

    Reply

  7. Clay, I’ll echo Del-we appreciate you and the time it takes to make WOT happen every week.
    Opening day (yesterday) was a pretty big deal here. Lots af celebrating as the Rangers hoisted the World Champions banner. Then one of “those umps” mistook a foul ball for a wild pitch…Luckily the home team prevailed in 10! Exciting stuff!
    Trash can lid shields! My childhood! Love it-although the kid on the right looks to be swinging a rifle! I think that one and bird sanctuary are my 2 favorites.
    Happy Easter to all!

    Reply

  8. Happy Easter Clay & All the WOTers!

    Great job Mememaster, While both Hockey & Hocky are great, there is something extra special about baseball.

    So many great times playing Little League, like everyone else who put the uniform on, I pitched occasionally as well, didn’t we all? No greater position except for short stop & FB. (There, we took it back from META) Actually fielding was a terrific position, I never had the skills to play catcher.

    The first glove was so special, baseball cards were played for at lunch hour on the playground, had a Roger Maris but never got to touch the Micky Mantle a few lucky friends had.

    Clay; Thanks for answering how long it takes you each week to source the fun and laughs, we are appreciative, it is amazing how consistent and dedicated you are to the cause, so cool. Thanks, have a great weekend!

    Reply

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