iKnife Collector
The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel
Special and Fun holidays to celebrate..............
When : Always August 18th
Bad Poetry Day is a day to create some really bad verse. But, why you ask? Perhaps, the answer is simply "because you can". Maybe, it exists to allow us to better appreciate good poetry. Or, perhaps it is to be written to irritate someone......
My Grandpa’s Pocket Knife
It lies here now before me,
A whalebone pocket knife,
Still sharp enough to shave with,
A cipher of his life.
The faded stamp of ‘Sheffield’,
And, ground to faintness: ‘Steel’,
Good scrimshaw on the handle,
A perfect heft and feel.
It speaks to me of Empire,
Which I was taught to curse,
Yet who would care to argue
That there are things far worse... No matter.
My old grandpa Long, long since left this life;
He served the Royal Navy,
And this here— is his knife.
An Encomium of the Drop-Knife.
No knife is so slick,
It is quick on its trick
And a joy that will last you through life.
There is none 'neath the sun
Just like it, not one,
It's the Schrade Safety Push-Button Knife.
If the button is pressed
The blade does the rest,
Opens out like a thing all alive;
You break no thumb nail
In your efforts--that fail--
If you're owning this Push-Button Knife.
It's the handiest yet,
It is everyone's pet,
And with all good knife merits it's rife.
Its blades are rare steel,
And really ideal
Is this notable Push-Button Knife.
It's the very quick pick
Of club, class, and clique,
Its equal they cannot contrive;
It's a true treasure trove,
And a thing you will love
Is this wonderful Push-Button Knife.
A. W. BELLAW, DeGroff, Ohio
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This blade was so sharp, yet now is dull.
Will it ever cut again, only with love and care.
Left alone for such a long time.
Dust gathered upon it and rust seeped it's way in.
The color faded as time ran away.
The knife still yearns for a piece of wood,
To carve a new life if only it could.
Yet no one will hold it and death come to soon.
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Many people have family mementoes that are special to them. For Audie Alexander in Pleasant Plains, it’s an old pocket knife that belonged to his father.
That knife has a story behind it.
It went to the Pacific in World War II with Audie’s brother. Audie took it with him to the Korean War in 1953. When he returned, he gave it back to his father, who kept it until his death in 1981. Audie inherited it and is presenting it to his nephew.
“I’ll give it to somebody who will take care of it and keep it,” says Audie. “I know he will.”
The story of the two-bladed Case pocket knife begins at the end of the 1930s, when Pleasant Plains farmer William Robinson gave it to Audie’s father, Henry Alexander. Henry had worked for Robinson on his 500-acre farm for about 10 years.
“Dad and he got along really well,” says Audie. “I think he wanted to show his appreciation.”
In 1944, Audie’s brother, Haywood, shipped out for the Pacific during World War II. He carried the knife through two beach landings in the Philippines. Haywood and the knife were on their way to Japan when the war ended in 1945.
When Haywood returned to Pleasant Plains, he gave the knife back to his dad.
Henry Alexander kept it until Audie, his youngest son, left for the Korean War. Audie kept it in his pocket during his time in Korea.
“I was a little apprehensive,” says Audie. “I wanted to make sure I didn’t lose it. I hung onto it pretty tight.”
After he came home safely in 1954, Audie also returned the knife to his father.
Henry held onto it for the next 27 years until his death in 1981 at the age of 83. His first wife, Audie and Haywood’s mother, had died. When Henry was about 80, he married an old friend he had known in his younger days in Kentucky. She became Audie’s stepmother.
“After Dad died, she gave the knife back to me,” Audie says.
He has kept it for the past 30 years, but says it is time to pass it on. It will go to his brother Haywood’s son, James Alexander. James is a northern Illinois district commander with the Illinois State Police.
“He should have it,” says Audie. “His dad carried it longer than I did.”
In preparation for the transfer of the knife to his nephew, Audie has written its history, affixed the knife to the history and framed it. As a final touch, he had his account of the knife notarized by a teller at the bank in Pleasant Plains.
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Whittling
The front porch was a very important part of Grand-dad Will's home. The house itself was rather small, and the front room – the living room – was used only during the coldest months or on very rainy days. Otherwise, if you were not in the kitchen then you were out on the porch.
On hot summer evenings, we often ate our supper on the porch. From it, we could look out over the cornfields and down the driveway to spot a visitor as they first turned into the drive. Visitors were always a welcome sight. Many a long summer evening was spent story telling and gossiping with friends and family who came to visit.
No matter how early I would awaken and run down the stairs, I would find Grand-dad Will sitting at the kitchen table or out on the front porch having his morning cup of coffee, always with a big smile and a "Did you sleep well, little sister?" greeting. If I found him on the front porch, there would usually be a surprise waiting for me, something he had whittled while waiting for me to wake up. These intricately carved animals, birds and reptiles were some of my most treasured possessions. I remember once finding a little turtle that he had carved and then attached a little head so that it moved back and forth when touched – a bobble head of that era. I was delighted with the turtle and can recall to this day how precious it was to me.
Grand-dad Will and I spent many wonderful hours on the porch, story-telling and whittling the hours away. One day I had a 'great idea' and approached Grand-dad Will about it. I was about nine or ten years old at the time. I had concluded that I must learn how to do this marvelous carving. After telling Grand-dad Will that this was what I wanted to do, he said: "Well, if you are going to learn to carve then you must have a carving knife."
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Sooooooo.........I found all these fun poems and stories surfing the net.....Does anyone have any to add ?
The Old Pocket Knife
It was 1910 in the train station in CheyenneAn old cowboy sitting with pocket knife in hand
Just an old knife he said had it for years
Seen plenty of laughs and many tears
I was thirty in eighteen sixty three
Rode with old Stonewall to see General Lee
Fought for the South to the end
Didn't want to give up but knew we couldn't win
Rode west in seventy two
Spent time with some Lakota Sioux
Traveled down to Texas but didn't stay
Not liking the way the land lay
I broke horses and herded some steers
Drank my share of warm stale beers
But I'll tell friend it's now my trails end
Truth being I have slipped a time or two to sin
I have strived to live my life
Like I keep this old knife
If you neglect it, it becomes useless and dull
And the blade becomes hard to pull
Keep it clean and always sharp
Then maybe you can collect a heavenly harp
The old Cowboy stood and gave me a grin
Saying here take this knife my young friend
As I sat looking at it laying in my hand
Thinking who is this grand old man
As I looked up he was no where in sight
With the gift he left he had shown me the light
Now too my years have flown by
Knowing I have found grace in God's eye
With the old Cowboys advice I kept it maintained
Now as he did I sit here waiting on my final train
Edwin J. Smith
The Old Cowboy Poet
Mar. 29th, 2008
Add a Comment
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Comment by Sue OldsWidow on September 8, 2012 at 13:24
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National Grandparents Day in United States
Many families in the United States observe National Grandparents Day on the first Sunday of September after Labor Day. This day honors grandparents
The official song of National Grandparents Day is “A Song for Grandma And Grandpa” by Johnny Prill. The official flower for the day is the “forget-me-not” flower.
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Newspaper Carrier Day is celebrated on September 4th
International Newspaper Carrier Day is observed on varying dates, and is established by the Newspaper Association of America. Future dates: October 15, 2011, October 20, 2012, October 19, 2013, October 18, 2014.
Newspaper Carrier Day honors everyone who is now, or once was, a newspaper carrier. The list includes thousands, if not millions, of people. Years ago, this job was primarily populated by kids, from pre-teen through approximately sixteen. At that age, many, but not all, kids moved to restaurant, grocery store and retail type of jobs.
About Newspaper Carrier Day:
This day commemorates the hiring of the very first newspaper carrier. Newspaper carriers date back to the early 1800s. On September 10, 1833, 10 year old Barney Flaherty became the first newspaper carrier. Benjamin Day, publisher of The New York Sun, hired Barney Flaherty to sell papers for his penny press. The only job requirement, was that he had to show that he could throw a newspaper into the bushes.
Now, few kids deliver papers anymore except in small towns. But, but the "Carrier Day" tradition lives. This job is now largely held by adults, many of them delivering the paper from their cars.
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When : Always August 26th
National Dog Day has two goals: to honor dogs, and to rescue dogs from homelessness and abuse. It's an opportunity for us to recognize and appreciate the value and importance of dogs in our lives.
This day is intended to honor dogs for all that they do for us. In addition to giving love and companionship, dogs help us out in countless ways. They are watchdogs for our safety. They lead the blind. Dogs aid in search and rescue, and they seek out bombs and drugs.
The second goal of National Dog Day is to rescue dogs in need. On occasion, dogs need us to save them from homelesness and abuse. The goal of the National Dog Day foundation is to rescue 10,000 dogs a year. Lend a hand to help a dog in need today, or any day.
Origin of National Dog Day:
National Dog Day was created by the National Dog Day Foundation. Their motto is "Saving 10,000 Dogs - One Day at a Time".
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Comment by Jan Carter on August 23, 2012 at 20:42
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Thats cool Sue. Great shot of the volcano
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When : August 24th
Vesuvius Day marks the date in 79 A.D. that Mount Vesuvius exploded.
August 24, 79 A.D. was an historic date for the world. This was the day that Mount Vesuvius erupted in a huge explosion. It was one of the largest volcanic explosions in recorded history.
This deadly volcano destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae. They were buried by volcanic ash and pumice. An estimated 3,360 people died in the volcano's eruption.
Mount Vesuvius also exploded a second time in 1631. At that time, it killed approximately 3,500 people.
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Anyone know what August 24th is?
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August 21st
National Senior Citizens Day honors our elderly population. On this day, we are encouraged to recognize and show appreciation for the value and contribution of elderly people to home, family and society.
In his Presidential Proclamation (August 19, 1988), President Ronald Reagan said "For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older."
On National Senior Citizens Day, we should:
- Spend some time with senior citizens
- Show our appreciation for senior citizens
- Do volunteer work in support of the elderly
If you are a senior citizen, enjoy your day any way you desire. After all, this is your day! Make sure to take advantage of senior citizens specials and discounts. There's bound to be plenty offers today.
The Origin of National Senior Citizens Day:
On August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5847 creating National Senior Citizens Day to be August 21.
There are many, many other "Senior Citizen Days" on various dates around the world. Many countries local communities and organizations have declared or held senior citizen days.
Just a fun pic, I found.........
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Comment by J.J. Smith III on August 19, 2012 at 18:39
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Tom T. Hall - Whittler Lyrics (From “Natural Dreams”)
At an old country store on the outskirts of town
He sat on the porch with his feet on the ground
With a stick of red cedar and a sharp Barlow's knife
He whittled and talked of a whittler's life.
He said when you whittle you don't make a thing
A whittle can't dance and a whittle can't sing
A whittle don't hurt and a whittle don't help
A whittle ain't nothin' but whittlin' itself.
One whittle's a whitt and two whitts a whittle
It's the same on both ends as it is in the middle
The same to the wood as it is to the knife
A whittle's a riddle it's a little like life.
Well, a whittle don't care about heaven or hell
Don't care how it looks and don't care how it smells
It's a thing you can't do if you think it's a thing
It's the end of a circle and the start of a ring.
Well he sits there and whittles and the shavins' pile up
Back to the earth and then back to the dust
He said what have I done if I've whittled all day
Time would have whittled itself anyway.
One whittle's a whitt and two whitts a whittle
It's the same on both ends as it is in the middle
The same to the wood as it is to the knife
A whittle's a riddle it's a little like life.
He said here watch me whittle and he whittled a whitt
He reared back and laughed and leaned over and spit
He said let me say one more thing fore you go
I don't even know what it is I don't know.
One whittle's a whitt and two whitts a whittle
It's the same on both ends as it is in the middle
The same to the wood as it is to the knife
A whittle's a riddle it's a little like life...
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Music about a pocket knife....found this surfing....kinda cool!
"I been livin' here all my life, All I got is a Barlow Knife,
Buck horn handle and a Barlow blade, Best dang knife that ever was made."
"Barlow Knife" (from the Traditional Music Library)
White River Knives
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