Posts Tagged → Irv
Are you into knives?
Are you into knives?
This is more of a question for men, most men, actually the vast majority of men, especially men who still identify as a man, and it is maybe a question for three women on the entire planet. It is not a question for the Western mincing limp wristed urban femboys of both straight and gay orientation, unfortunately.
A high-respect shout-out to the manly men in Africa and the Middle East, where tradition requires men to wear a real dagger at all times in public. That is heart-warming to see, especially in these days of artificially reduced testosterone and unnaturally lilting voices.
I am definitely into knives, and I have been so since I was about six years old. I received my first pocket knife at age six or seven, and I have never stopped enjoying using, carrying, and looking at well made knives on a daily basis.
Since the dawning of our species about a hundred thousand years ago, hand tools have had a particular appeal, especially hand tools with an edged or a good bludgeon at the end. Nothing speaks to a man like a well-made, well designed, purpose-made tool, and especially a knife tool. So much can be done with a good knife, like defending one’s self, acquiring dinner, making other tools, and just feeling prepared for whatever comes into the cave opening at night.
Hand tools are how our ancestors defeated much larger, hairier, and scarier beasts than even my buddy Irv, the stone and then bronze spear points drawing first blood and the following knife edges drawing delicious strips of fresh red meat to be roasted over fire and consumed. Sadly for our ancestors, they did not have cold beer to accompany their manly dinner combat and hand-to-hoof warfare meals, as we do today. But I digress. Maybe. Cold beer and good knives do go together. More on that later.
Point being that today about a zillion high quality knives are made and easily available to the manly men among us, and the adventurous women, too. This overflowing supply of knives exists because there is an unquenchable demand for them. Whatever desire we had ten thousand years ago for a good, well balanced, sharp blade in hand, has only become more and more acute as the knife materials have surpassed stone, bronze, and even anything high tech metal envisioned in Alien vs Predator movies.
Today, you can literally buy any kind of knife made of any kind of steel, iron, stone, copper or bronze, made in a dozen places around the world (Pakistan, Japan, America, Germany, China are leaders), for a decent price, and its quality will range from OK to unbelievably great. Like many knife aficionados, I enjoy watching videos of Pakistani and Indian families hand-make various knives from scrap steel of both poor and high quality. You can buy one of these knives and get a lifetime of service out of it. If you buy such a knife from an American or Canadian maker, you can get ten lifetimes of use out of it.
A quick search on eBay for outdoor, defensive, and recreational knives will yield a literal sh!t ton of variously shaped blades, handled in all kinds of wood, plastic, micarta, Z10, bone, ivory, mammoth ivory, and other creative materials. This surfeit of knives exists because humans the world over want them.
One of the challenges with acquiring as many knives as we want is how high tech is populated by mincing limp wristed femboys, both gay and straight. These sad eunuchs don’t desire a good blade in hand, they desire to put everyone else in their hand and control everyone and everything by way of deceit. Because they are intimidated by manly objects and words. And so neither PayPal nor Stripe will provide real-time banking services to online sellers of knives (or guns). Yes, you can buy some knives on eBay, but most of them appear to be cheap Chinese knockoffs of better quality designs.
Enter a new knives-only website, www.knifeenthusiast.com, that makes everything you like about shopping for and buying knives easier, more streamlined, more informed and informative, and just plain all-around better. The knives they have tend to be higher end, higher quality, custom made, and are for sale by guys like you and me. Disclaimer: I know the crazy guy founder of this website. Disclaimer: Yes, he really is crazy about knives. Despite being a genuine flatlander, he is a very masculine man, has fathered countless children just to prove his manliness, and likes guns n’ knives and hunting and war implements of all sorts, sizes, and historic periods like all other manly men. His house is a small museum or armory ranging from the 17th century until present day, as you might expect.
So go visit https://knifeenthusiast.com/ to satisfy your deep need for yet another edged weapon, and rest comfortably in the knowledge that you are supporting a small business run by people who think and experience life just like you.
ps Neither I nor this blog received or will receive any sort of remuneration for this essay. On this blog I write about what I like to write about because it pleases me. I like knives and I like small business entrepreneurs. I like my buddies. This essay combines these worlds.
Nice to see men wearing a knife, especially as a symbol of public necessity
My buddy Irv definitely has a knife thing
My electrician buddy Irv reflects on cold weather gear and life lessons
“We have been so fortunate (full sarcasm) to get some very cold weather recently well below freezing. Some days well below zero degrees Farenheight. Since i work out in the field, i was able to test the reliability of things i typically carry and use in my daily life. For testing purposes i left all my gear in the trunk of my car overnight.
I find that little details matter so much more when the elements of weather are involved.
The conclusions:
Cell phones freeze. Keep yours warm next to your body preferably inside layers. Sometimes pants pockets are not warm enough. Ask me how i know.
Flashlights:
i recommend covering metal handled flashlights with electrical tape or your hands will freeze quicker. Even with gloves.
LED bulbs are much more efficient, reliable and today have amazing light output.
I junk binned every incandescent flashlight i had. LED’s are that good.
Batteries:
AAA batteries. They all freeze too easily and drain too quickly in flashlights. They only have one third the capacity of AA batteries. So i now only use them in tiny devices and above freezing temps.
AA batteries have proven reliable in all my flashlights/headlamps. They usually freeze below 15degrees but if kept close to my body in a jacket pocket they will still work decently.
ALL batteries eventually freeze below zero degrees. But lithiums have been the most reliable. They are the only ones that still work below zero.
My cordless drill batteries are all lithium. I depend on it for my living. NiCad batteries just dont work below freezing.
Lighters:
My bic lighters did not freeze but i could barely get them to light around zero degrees. Because it relies on the liquid/gas changeover, it takes longer to become gas and light up.
If kept close to the body in a pocket it will light up more readily.
Forget torch lighters. I haven’t found one yet that will reliably light below freezing.
Zippo lighters are OK. They work but the metal is hard to hold when so cold.
Tools:
Tool handles become so important that i can’t stress it enough.
An old stanley utility knife becomes impossible to hold for any length of time. Simple Rubber overmolds make it an afterthought. And Electrical tape really helps insulate handles.
For cars/trucks:
Always have jumper cables in every vehicle. I suggest at least 10feet of #8 gauge wires or thicker. Preferably #6awg.
Keep basics like a small first aid kit in the glove compartment. I keep tylenol, advil, Anti-biotic ointment, Bandaids, a couple pieces of sterile non adhesive gauze dressing, and surgical tape. That will treat almost all basic emergencies.
Always have a bottle of water in the car. Always.
Did you ever have to change a tire in zero degrees in the dark? Make sure you are prepared. Keep a headlamp in the glove box. You will need both hands.
Clothing:
Wear breathable layers, but the outside layer should be water resistant. I dont like plastic/vinyl jackets unless its raining or snowing. Good boots are priceless. Dont skimp. I wear wool socks. Worth every penny.
If you need any advice on a particular product just ask. I have and continue to test all kinds of gear and will readily share the knowledge.”