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California to Atlanta and back again (I hope)

While on my way back east to help my ailing sister I happened upon this place along Interstate 40 in Arizona. I managed to not spend any money, but believe me it was hard. Knowledgeable staff with a wonderful inventory of US-made knives, many hard to find special editions from every US manufacturer, (and more). Unfortunately their prices were a tad high for my budget, but my wish list at least doubled that's for sure. Nothing matches seeing a knife in person, they never look the same online, no matter how fine of a photo. Got to hold a Case Seahorse Whittler for the first time, a knife I have coveted for some time, and it was all that I expected, (but more than I could afford; I continue to covet).. However, I need to get to Georgia and back again, so indulging my knife addiction wasn't something I could do just now. Oh well, at least I know where to go when I can indulge myself.

After I get my sister secured and stable I intend to go up to TN and visit SMKW also during this trip; I'll take some photos there too and will post them here.

Jan, I'll give you a call after I get to ATL and settle in. What I do and when I do it depends on her, but hopefully I'll see you soon.

The two photos below show Case Special Editions from past years, on...

Dunno about you, but I was impressed.Clean, well displayed sharp things, if you look closely you can see...

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Comment by Syd Carr on May 30, 2016 at 0:39: Thanks Ron, she is beautiful isn't she, that runs in the family. She has two other sisters, too so her dad is officially surrounded.

Comment by Ron Cooper on May 29, 2016 at 22:37: Congratulation, Grandpa!

And welcome into the world, Leilani!

Syd, you may already know this? But the name Leilani means "heavenly flowers" or "royal child" and is a combination of the Hawaiian words "lei" which is flowers and "lani" which can be heaven, sky, royal or majesty.

A beautiful name for a beautiful child!

Comment by J.J. Smith III on May 29, 2016 at 21:16: Congrats Syd. She's as cute as a button.

Comment by Syd Carr on May 29, 2016 at 20:25: Let's close this chapter of my life with a new beginning. God daughter Angela, who I stayed with in Alabama on my trip home after my visit with Jan & Donnie, just presented the world with a little 6ib 11oz gift, Leilani. Angela was almost ready to pop when I was there, but I am going to have to get to know this little angel from afar for now. Very happy for Angela & husband Diante. The "OG's", (ie; Other Grandparents), are getting there tomorrow, so my generation is present to help get her started out right. I'm already contemplating saving up for a trip back there so I can get to know her in person. I'm also going to buy a 2016 knife in her honor soon.

Comment by Jan Carter on May 15, 2016 at 18:42: Good to know you are home safe and sound! What an awesome trip for an awful reason, I am glad you had knives to focus on and friends and family to visit. May we meet again my friend!

Comment by Syd Carr on May 14, 2016 at 14:52: Home. What an adventure it was. Emotions from agony to ecstasy, and of course; knives. Below is a quick photo of the accumulation of knives from my excursion. Some new, some used, one made, one gifted and some-to-be gifted. Sources ranged from a gun show, army/navy store, antique store, estate sale, yard sale, thrift store, friends. I also left an appropriate gift knife for my god daughter in Alabama, an Alabama-made Bear & Sons small Stockman in Amber Bone, I gave her husband a Cold Steel Kudu, (world's best cheap knife?). So, it was a give and take trip in many respects.

My time with Jan & Donnie and my meal with Charles were wonderful highlights I will treasure forever.

Here's what I came home with:

Now I go straight back to being Dad & Grandpa. My daughter is moving into her first apartment, and waited for me to return to actually move in; guess who gets to move the furniture? You guessed it, Grandpa..........I think I'm in heaven!

Comment by Jan Carter on May 9, 2016 at 17:19: Syd,

It is nice to know your about half the way home and getting a little rest. What a whirlwind the last week has been for you. New knives/new friends/and the love of family. Rest well, Travel safe and know that one day you will look back on this trip and think WOW!!!

Comment by Syd Carr on May 9, 2016 at 16:46: And the knives keep coming. Went junkin' with my god daughter & family while in Alabama. Found a Geneva Forge kitchen knife for a quarter at a yard sale, (also got a 5" leather sheath for a dollar). According to research I've done the knife was made by the now-defunct company in 1934. Junkin' was fun, but of course hanging with my girls was the highlight of this visit, it was very hard to leave.

Then off to have a meal with IKC member Charles Sample. After dinner we stood in the parking lot and showed off our respective knife collections to each other for another couple of hours; a great way to spend an evening for a Knife Knut. Charles has some amazing knives with collections of Case, Rough Rider & more. He also had a Schrade Walden Mini Trapper in almost perfect condition that was truly spectacular.

So, the agony of past weeks was again temporarily replaced with joy and new friendships; I guess that's the way of things, but sometimes I wonder if my spirit can take all the ups and downs. Currently I'm sitting in a motel room in Texas taking a needed rest while working my way home. I wonder how many cool knives are waiting to be found here?

Comment by Jan Carter on May 6, 2016 at 7:17: Sounds like your having a good trip home, stay safe and enjoy!

Comment by Syd Carr on May 6, 2016 at 3:13: Made one more stop at SMKW before heading to Alabama, picked up an Import Buck X-Tract Fin multi-tool. a very innovative well built multi tool. It was an in-store-only closeout for $14.95. Couldn't pass it up, who cares where it was made, a good tool is a good tool.

Also took a stroll through Bass Pro Shops, all two stories of it including waterfall and a huge freshwater aquarium with equally huge fish. Only spent $10 there, so that wasn't too bad.

Going junkin' tomorrow with kid/grandkids, then off to meet up with Charles Sample on my way westward.