I was introduced to this brand about 5 years ago through internet searches and that eventually led me to this forum. Like many, I lurked for awhile but given my propensity to overvalue my own ideas and opinions, it wasn't long before I joined up and started posting. Over the last 5 years I have received the vast majority of my "Edge-u-cation" right here on this forum. I live a life that affords me some pretty fun opportunities to do some neat things with knives but were it not for this forum (and more importantly the people who participate here) I would never have had the knowledge base to actually design something worth using. So it is to you guys that I want to offer my appreciation. All of the members here. And not just for the wealth of knowledge that is on offer here, but for the kind and respectful atmosphere that is always on display. This forum is a rare oasis in the harsh desert that is the internet and I am grateful to have had the chance to know this forum and all of you who participate.
I don't think there is anyone here who hasn't given me something positive but I'm going to offer up a few specific thanks just to get the ball rolling.
EvilD- Thanks for the pm you sent me in my first couple of weeks here cautioning me to dial it back a few notches lest I get run off (true story). I was new to the internet and it took me a minute to figure out that there were actual people at the other end of all these names. :o
Bearfacedkiller- for always being the polite voice of reason. Thanks also for pretty much always posting exactly what i would have said and therefore saving me from having to type it all out.
The Deacon- Paul hit me up a couple of years ago and just gave me a 52100 mule. "For being a helpful member" he said. I found that really kind and it also led to the next thanks.
Xplorer42- for offering to make beautiful custom scales for the mule that Paul gave me. That relationship became another good friendship and Chad and I have now done a number of projects together. Some of which I hope you all will get to see in the near future.
Jim Ankerson- Thank you Jim for all the time you put into testing all the fun steels we get to play with. I have done just enough rope cutting to have a massive appreciation for the amount of work you put into compiling all that data
Cliff Stamp- I'd like to offer a huge thank you to Cliff for much of the information he offered here. Cliff, I know you don't post here anymore but I hope you read this at some point. You are not the easiest guy to get along with (I'm sure I'm the first person you've heard that from
) but you have offered some excellent testing and insight into this hobby. I wasn't always in agreement with every idea you had but I was smart enough to pay attention and learn a ton from what you offered. Elena86- Thanks for the friendship and conversations over the years and thank you for the many kind things you have done for me.
S.E.F.- For keeping things weird and interesting around here 24/7/365. :D
JDspydo- Thank you JD for your ALWAYS positive and polite attitude towards all around here.
Phil Wilson- Phil, thank you for the many conversations about steel, design and fishing. Your knowledge of knives, fishing and the intermingling of the two helped me build much of the knowledge I've used to make some of my own designs.
And last of all, I would like to thank Sal. Thank you Sal for making this place what it is. All the things that I love about this community are that way because it is what YOU ask of us. You are the one who sets the example around here. IMHO, the influence that you have on the world around you is as great as anything you have accomplished in the knife world. Thank you for allowing me to participate in a small way.
There are MANY MANY others, and I apologize to all of the great friends here that I left out, but you get the idea. Now, lets get to the giveaway part...
Ok, you guys know that I am not a collector and you know that everything I own has scuffs, scratches usually a little staining, so temper your expectations. I have a Maxamet native that I would like to gift to one of you that I will pick at random. It is not NIB. In fact, I don't even have the box. :rolleyes: I have carried and used it and I hope that whoever I pass it along to will do the same. There is a bit of staining on the blade because that's what happens when you carry and use this steel but aside from that, the knife is essentially in new condition. This is a fun steel to play with so hopefully, someone who doesn't own any or who has been afraid to use their "safe queen" will get this one and feel inclined to use it well since I've already knocked the new off of it. :cool:
All you have to do to enter is to name at least one person on this forum that would like to thank and tell us why. If you want to list more than one then go for it. I think I will let this go for a couple of weeks to give everyone time to offer their gratitude. How about we run it until Christmas. Seems like a nice time of year to be thankful. I'll run a random drawing on Christmas Eve and send the Native to the winner.
