I was sitting around yesterday afternoon, sippin' a Whiskey and soda, with my Green river knife "Ol' Butch" hanging around my neck. the sun was warm on my chest, I began to notice a slight tainted fat smell.....I soon discovered the source of the Ambiance as the handle on my Green river Knife.
Unsheathing the blade, I took a long sniff of the handle, and was flooded with memories of past expeditions, wilderness adventures, countries, people,war zones, horses and Mules, skinned deer, elk and moose - the list goes on.
This knife has been with me for 23 years. I bought it in a junk shop in Moab, Utah back in 1989 for the ridiculous price of $6.00. Later on I made a sheath for it from some raw hide salvaged from a dead horse I discovered while on a trip in the Utah desert. The handle has always been used as the socket for hundreds of my friction fires(Bow & Drill).
My knife has been to 87 countries, and 6 war zones on 5 continents - "Ol' Butch is a comforting friend and a constant companion to me and will continue to be Just that for many years to come.
I have to kinda chuckle at the knife kooks I read about online that ask silly questions like "How do I force a patina on my new Mora?" - First of all - throw away the Mora, Get a Green River and USE IT. Get off of your computers,get out on the woods, deserts, jungles and mountains. Split some wood, cut some meat(and a finger or two),build some fires, defend yourself, and simply USE the Knife!
Stop Playing at being a woodsman or survival expert and actually get some experience.
Rant ended.
Tomahawk - Scouts (and Ol' Butch) Out!
I've used Mora's for over 10 years, especially my Clipper. I don't see why my knife is any better or any worse than your GRK. Might not be as traveled, but it's got memories - it's cleaned countless animals and fish, prepped many campsites, carved everything from pot stands to a little bear I gave my niece for Christmas - and it's favorite duty is slicing pepperoni and cheese while waiting on a fish to bite. Don't generalize people by knife choice or by forum use. Some of us get out just fine with what we got, thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, otherwise, Tom. I just sometimes get as riled up as you do - about something you say. That's all good, in my opinion.
No need to "Get riled Up" or defend your choice of a knife whiskersnitch.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your opinion, I dont agree with it but ill support your right to express it.
see you on the trail.
Tomahawk
Green Rivers are great. Then again, remember that this comes from a guy who swears by Old Hickory.
ReplyDeleteI carried an old hickory before I bought Old Butch. Well made good Ol American blades.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gorges,
Tomahawk
Reminds me of my first ever knife,,,, the venerable Ka-Bar. Doug it out of storage and started playing with it again.
ReplyDeleteWhat happy memories!!!!
yer BT, i had a few Kabars over the years. good functional blades.
ReplyDeleteTomahawk
Excellent knife. Stronger than Mora.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6RaFrT3kkWM
yer Vieuxbois, the GRK ,case ,and home made knives were the norm before Mors Kochanski introduced the mora to the survival industry back in 1990.
Deletepeople who use/love the mora have never tried a GRK.
Tomahawk
What steel is it Tom?
ReplyDeleteit looks like it has hardly been sharpend in the 23 years of use with you.
Piscator, I dunno what type of steel it is. you could possible contact green river knife company and make an inquiry.
ReplyDeleteTruth is, I have not sharpened old butch much over the years, this knife keep a good edge and lately, I have mostly been using my swiss army knife.
see you on the trail!.
Tomahawk