Rascal2
Really A Simple Curmudgeon Life
hso, I appreciate the kind words.
MaterDei, yes, I grew up with these simple kitchen knives being used for hog killing time, butchering deer, used for game and fish, working the farms, ranches, and properties.
I know folks that used the Old Hickory, Case, Chicago Cutlery, carbon steel knives for 30 years in the BBQ joint they owned, or 45 years they spent in the Mexican food business, or 51 years in the family diner, serving the best damn steak, and homemade desserts one could dream of.
They used the same knives afield.
I have personally used these up in Canada canoing and portaging for weeks at a time.
Down in Jamacia for weeks at a time as well.
In Canada, I have cleaned Pike longer than my arm, made fire, spread peanut butter, and it was a spare Old Hickory I gave to the Guide of Outward Bound Ladies.
Storm hit them, and supplies lost,
Later, in Deluth, MN, she shared how the Ranger at a station gave her a toothbush holder for that knife .
More locally, we were canoing, technically in a area flooded.
Some folks in a jonboat, took a "route" that was not the river, by mistake and the johnboat was wrapped around a tree...
Folks on a bank not sure how to assist them, Sheriff dept called.
We tossed a canoe in a truck raced up river and rope tied to me, and the canoe, and one other rope.
Dicey, still I got my canoe to them.
Scared, one of the 3 persons was only 8 years old and holding onto a branch of tree, in total fear.
I got the boy in the canoe first, and he held onto another life vest, besides the one he had, I got his mom in next, but his aunt...fighting against current and when she got into the canoe, I went into the river.
The truck hit the gas and that canoe was jerked out, and onto the bank...
I was going under, as folks would not let go of the rope, and I was yelling "let go", because them holding, the force of the current, was pulling me under, despite the life vest I wore.
Old Hickory, one I had drilled a hole in, and attached a "boat buoy" key ring was on my person.
Same knife I had used in Canada...
I cut the rope, and rode and fought the current.
I managed to get to "shore", actually the property, where the river really did not run, best guess, every bit of a 1/2, heck it could have been a mile.
Now the search was for me...there I was adrenlin still pumping, stumbling back with rope dragging behind me.
I looked up see folks, raised my hand fell down...
"Did...."
"Yes, they made it".
That knife for "river chore" was sharpened with the tip portion sharp, the area nearest tang, hit with a file only, next coarse Norton, and the the rest Norton India. Four "edges" if you will.
Same knife, I used to poke holes in coconut, slice red bananas for a banana split, and open a few Red Stripe beers in Jamacia, assisting with a big shin-dig, like a BBQ.
Lots of Jerk Pork, Jerk Chicken and the side dishes.
That knife was the 5" Steak Knife.
I had shaped the handle to fit me better, drilled two lanyard holes, to do allow me to use a old trick with lanyards.
Filed a finger guard, if you will and the handle fit me, well.
The blade, I had used a file to make it just about 3 1/2 long.
I do better with a shorter blade. No power tools, as I have skills sets doing things by hand, so I used a triangle file, to cut a notch, and not lose any temper of the blade.
Hand filed the blade to finish the shape, or geometry.
Free hand sharpened with Norton India combo, coarse /fine stone.
Then I decided , being "new" to show off a bit, and went on to a Case Moonstone.
It was scary sharp!
A lady that worked with tack, made me nice leather sheath.
She incorporated into that sheath, some things I wanted.
I used that knife during search and rescue, tornadoes, floods, and fire in timber country.
It was a small shotgun house in a rural area...
Lightening struck a tree, and set the house on fire.
We knew a elderly lady, that had lost a leg , lived alone ...
I cut the screen on the window, then busted the glass with a rock, got the window unlatched and went in, and handed the lady out...
then her faithful mutt.
Then out I came forgetting all about the knife...I had just stuck the whole thing in my back pocket and ...it burned with the house.
She kept what was left of that knife after the fire.
Electrical, just a electrical fire, and she wanted the knife that got her out of that back bedroom.
I share, not for me, instead for those that were not raised as I was, that did not have parents that parented, or mentors that mentored to them, as I was.
Sad, it is really sad.
Anger is another emotion I get, as these folks really want to have things passed onto them.
Marketing, takes advantage of them.
Buy a handful of Old Hickory paring knives and some Norton combo coarse/fine stones.
India, or Crystalon, use the stone dry, and teach someone how to free hand a knife - please!
I am just a dumb old southern boy, but I got heart, and it means a helluva lot to me, to see folks learn correct basic fundamentals.
I promised my Mentors & Elders some things, and I promised myself some things.
Why?
It might be someone's daughter away at college, that has a tornado rip through, and she can sharpen a Delica to keep her safe...
It might the only son in Iraq, or A-Stan, than needs to get a edge on a knife, as he and his are boxed in one night.
Maybe the knife is nothing more than a SAK Tinker, or a custom knife someone sent them.
It might be 3am, dark, on a farm, where tornadoes have ripped through and all one has is small stone, to touch up a Buck 110, a Chicago Cutlery, a Shrade Sharpfinger, a...
Reality is real, and comes at one hard and fast.
Correct basic fundamentals, can and will keep one and others safe.
Get a handful of these knives and stones .
Each one- Teach one.
Get another handful of these knives and stones, and when a disaster strikes, as Mother Nature dishes out, these can be passed out, to those in need.
Proven, trust me on this!
Can't buy it, gotta earn it.
Steve
