Weekend Open Thread: Spirit of the Steel rises again

H. Clay Aalders
Weekend Open Thread
·12 Comments··1 view

When I started writing these Friday Open Thread posts, one purpose was to plug our Events Calendar. Needless to say, knife shows ended up going the way of the dodo, but the reports of their demise might be at least a little exaggerated. While SHOT Show has cancelled for this coming January, the Spirit of the Steel show in Pigeon Forge, TN is underway this weekend. I am not going to make it, but KNIFE Publisher Mark Zalesky is already there, and has sent the pictures in this post. It also happens to be the last “traditional” knife show that he went to last year, so maybe we are on the road to normalcy. Or at least a good step in that direction.

Spirit of Steel Pigeon Forge Knife Show

As I said, I am not going to make it down. With lacrosse winding down last week, I have a list of things to take care of that have been piling up. I also sent my MacBook in for service. I am writing this in the Office this morning, and it is an uncomfortable grind using this old computer. So I am going to keep this short and sweet.

Anything happen this week? I am going to refrain from getting political, but you don’t have to. Tell us your thoughts on the election or anything else in the comments.

Stop in and see Knife Magazine if you are in the Pigeon Forge area.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Previous ArticleWeekend Open Thread: Tricked Out Edition
Next ArticleMyths, Legends, and Falsehoods: The Truth About Certain Fairbairn-Sykes & Other British Military Knives
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.

12 Responses

  1. Geesh, I must be getting old. I should proofread. November 11, 1918 to November 11, 2020 is “102 years”. Another Hockian moment.

    Reply

  2. I wonder what was in the minds of the people of the world on November 11, 1918? One hundred and two days have passed since that moment in history , , , the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day has become Veterans Day in America. Most of us know somebody who has served our nation through their military service. Many veterans advantaged their military training to pursue and achieve successful careers. I am a U.S. Navy veteran who didn’t know much of anything when I was 19 years old. I enlisted in the Navy because my draft number was “7” and ‘Nam was still a big issue. My older brother was in the Navy at this time and my father was a WW2 sailor on a ammunition ship in the Pacific. Joining the Navy seemed appropriate. Well, the recruiter told me that I was pretty smart and convinced me to sign up for the Nuclear Power Program, a six-year hitch. I did ten years active duty, 1972-1982, extending my enlistment for four years to get some bonus money which I used to buy a VW Scirocco (Anybody remember that car? Basically a flying wedge). I was adventurous in 1972 and getting out of Hagerstown was a big moment in my life. I used my Navy training and experience throughout my life. So far, those ten years of service have given me many rewards. Today, I wear my veteran’s hat with a USA flag on it with pride.

    Just sharing, Hocky

    Reply

  5. What a great post Clay, so great to see Mark’s photos from a show, absolutely terrific looking Knife Magazine table!

    Reply

  7. We just had our first rain here for 173 days, feels fresh and the garden just loves it. I am a long term Raiders fan, so profound disappointment is not new to me, so two items this week proved to be fairly disappointing. Firstly, the smug fawning of the media as the count continues, and secondly the fact that my squirrel has beaten my bird table’s slippery pole defenses, again. I try not to waste time worrying about what I cannot change, so its time to declare war on that bloody squirrel! Any top tips from the peanut gallery?

    Reply

    1. Here’s how I defeated all of the squirrels at my place trying to get to the bird feeder. Drill a hole a larger than the diameter of the pole holding the feeder in about a 14″x14″ thin piece of slick metal, like aluminum. Drill a small hole in the pole higher than a squirrel can jump. Slide the piece of metal to just above the small hole in the pole. Put a nail or piece of wire thru the small hole below the piece of metal so it can’t slide down the pole but it is completely loose otherwise. When the squirrels climb the pole and grab the piece of metal it just tips and they can’t hang on to it. Perhaps even the plastic lid from a 5 gal bucket would work instead of aluminum.

      I leave in SW Colo, the 4 Corners area. Like you, we’re in the extreme drought bullseye and we’re getting our first decent moisture here, too, today in many weeks.

      Reply

      1. Rick- outstanding idea, and you get hours of entertainment into the bargain watching the little buggers slide off. I found a curved glass lightshade that I have inverted and stacked beneath the feeder, no doubt they will work out a way round it and it looks odd, so I can see myself next week working on the ‘Ricky-Wobbler’ – cheers

        Reply

  9. Who is the lonely-looking guy standing at the “Knife” table? Nothing political from me regarding the recent on-going election(s). IF Biden prevails, THEN Americans may see his administration chart a course towards socialism. I hope that all Americans will remember that in the Pledge of Allegiance it profoundly states, “. . . and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God with freedom and justice for ALL.” The United States of America is a Republic that is governed by its citizens through democratic principles. Geesh, why is that so difficult? Hocky on a Saturday morning.

    Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *