Kinda the opposite

 I was having a conversation at dinner the other day with some family, and the topic of the Ukraine conflict came up. It seems most people, including the family, agreed that they have pretty much stopped following it at all lately. I on the other hand, was not overly interested when it started but I seem to get more and more interested in the details as time goes on. 

In related news, I am totally not a fan of the Ukrainian government, but I absolutely love the land and the people over there. So, I not surprised by this at all:

Destroyed Armored Vehicle In Ukraine Gets The "Wolverines!" From 'Red Dawn' Treatment

Like I said, love those people. They got good taste.

Which of course spawns this little gem as seen on twitter:

Nice.

I know taste is subjective, but...

Kind of a neat folding mechanism, so I had to get it. 

Because I am a sucker for cool knives, I recently bought a folding "paratrooper knife" for kicks and giggles. However, the particular type of knife I got was EXTREMELY hard to find.  Why you ask? Because it seems that it's extremely rare to find a version of the knife that doesn't have a huge freaking swastika emblazoned on the side of the damn thing!

Now, being someone who hates nazis, be they traditional, neo, Illinois, or any other kind, this confuses me. Why the hell would you want a new build ANYTHING with a mother effing swastika on it!? 

'Nuff said

Now, don't get me wrong, here. Although it doesn't interest me at all, I would still be understanding of other people who have a penchant for collecting various WW2 historical items, like knives, helmets, uniforms, etc, even if it is nazi in origin. I would also be totally understanding of people who cannot afford to do so and prefer to buy reproductions of historical items, be it for reenactments, collecting, or any other amusement. 

What I don't understand is buying something that did not even exist in 30s or 40s and then slapping a big 'ol I "I hate teh Jews" label on it. Hell, from what I understand these knives weren't even invented till the 60s or 70s. I mean, I'm at a loss for words and just I don't get it. I don't think I ever will. 

The gift of a blade

I am blessed to know some really cool people.  People who are so cool, they know that the gifts I appreciate the most are the utilitarian ones.  I like trinkets and toys, they're fun, but I think everyone will agree you'll get more use out of a tool, clothing, or some type of supplies and those are the gifts I enjoy the most.

So I got to say that I have quickly become inseparable with one gift I've gotten this year, that has entered the realm of EDC nearly immediately.

when other people show me their knives I want to say, "may your blade chip and shatter!"

Didn't even realize the Boy Scouts of America have their own licensed knife, but I got one.  Like any other knife it has it's pros and cons, but this has quickly succeeded my Gerber as my go to pocketknife, and that's not just cause I misplaced it again.

Granted, the downsides include a grip that's just slightly too thick to be discreet, the finish was rather cheap and is beginning to wear already, but that's the worst I can say about it.  The blade itself is nice; I've been a big fan of tanto style blades for pocketknives.  It's also a thick blade for a knife of it's size and it comes with (comparatively speaking) an excellent edge from the factory.  That same edge seems to hold quite well, the screws don't seem to have any problems staying in place, the grip feels quite natural in the hand, and it's rubbery coating ensures a firm grip even when hands are slippery.

As much as I do like the BSA, I'm not too keen on it being written on the blade, but I very much enjoy the old-style logo on the grip.  I am genuinely surprised at how may people who I've shown it to that were in the scouts that have no idea what that logo was and that I had to explain it to them.

Nonetheless, a very good knife and I'm very appreciative for such a fine Christmas gift, courtesy of:

Just cause I don't' think I've made enough Shaun of the Dead references yet.

needs and wants

Everyone in the office has been going crazy recently over the latest fad from last year.  All day, everyone's been debating among themselves about those SOG "tacti-cool" tomahawks and what bloody model they all want to get.

Personally, I find it kind of silly.

As for me, I dunno what it is, but for some time now I've been consumed with the desire to find a really nice, sturdy, and (above all else) usable butterfly knife.  Yeah, it's about as useful as that stupid tomahawk, but I just want one, okay?

Of course, you can just get those cheap Phillipino or Chinese specials you find at the gun show, but I'm looking for one that can actually function as an actual, well, knife.

Like this Benchmade model.  Nice, but still nearly $200!

After doing a good amount of searching, it's slowly becoming more and more apparent that I'm not gonna find one that's worth it's salt for under $170.  I'm beginning to think that the world has failed me; any other type of knife, and you can find some pretty serious quality for $50-$100, but it's now the 21st century and nobody is making a halfway good balisong for less than what it costs to buy a gun?  I smell an opportunity.

s-words

Not two seconds into the day, and I'm already deciding to jump on T-bolt's meme of the day.  So, here goes:

I've had a pretty good number of pocketknives over the years, but this one seems to always come out on top.  I got it sometime in 2003; and I actually came across it by chance.  I was working at a hotel at the time, and it was left in the lost and found for over 90 days.  Every time I look at it, I feel bad for the person who lost it, because it has served me far better than any other folding knife I've ever purchased or owned (and that includes some well-respected brand names). 

I'll admit, I probably haven't taken overly good care of it, but this thing just keeps soldiering on.  I even made it a point to buy some jeweler's torx screwdrivers and a sharpener recently, just to make amends for all the years of 'domestic abuse' to the piece. 

As a side note, I was having a conversation with a friend earlier in the week about James Hetfield, and it went like this:

Friend:  I really like his voice.
Me:  Yeah, you don't hear many like it these days.  I wish my voice was like his.
Friend:  He sounds like...his voice is like a dragon's.
Me:  Holy crap.  That is by far the coolest description for a voice I have ever heard in my entire life!