How to Make a Soldier Happy

[Bolster]

I spend a fair amount of time on military bases, providing training. I've discovered the most efficient way to make a soldier happy: give him (or her) a Spyderco. I've been examining soldiers' personal knives for some time and it seems to me that most of them are made of OK but not great steel. You see a lot of 440, 440C, and today I met a soldier carrying a 154CM switchblade (unknown vintage, so don't know whether 'good' 154CM or not), which was some of the better steel I've seen carried by a warrior. In the PX, there are a lot of S&W and Gerber for sale, which are mostly in the 440 range, although I have seen a number of Benchmade being carried by soldiers, too, of various grades of steel. But the warriors seem to go nuts for the Spydercos, particularly the Persians. And they love the high-end steel when they can get it. Remember these soldiers don't have princely salaries. I gave a soldier a Persian a while back and it went over so well I immediately bought 5 more to give to soldiers as the opportunities presented themselves--as a way to say "Thanks for serving," and, I admit, as a way to say "I'm sorry I'm not downrange with you." (Altho I have no military training and am way to old to be downrange with them! But it still bothers me that someone has to do my fighting for me.) I recently gave a Persian to a light Colonel and he was gracious but understated about the gift, and I left the room, but forgot something and had to go back, and caught him showing his new Persian Spydie around to his buddies with boundless glee, like a kid with a Christmas present. So if you know someone who is serving, and you can spare a blade, I highly recommend giving the gift of steel. Also I should add that these guys (and gals) don't necessarily use their folders in battle, sometimes they use them as barter for intelligence to find the insurgents. A soldier told me today that you can give an Afghani a pile of money to get info and he won't tell you a thing, but he will identify the location of a half dozen Taliban in trade for a Leatherman. So I say, if a warrior wants to give away his knife in exchange for info on the bad guys, and some Afghani ends up with a fine Schempp design, but my soldier is alive because of it, that's a good deal. Kudos to Ed Schempp for his excellent designs (I really admire Schempp's use of bolsters). There's no doubt about it, the soldiers downrange love their Spydercos. --Bolstermanic

[clovisc]

interesting to think about -- afghanis with spyderco persians!!! did the great persian empire extend that far, back in its hayday?

it's too bad some of the companies more "popular" with soldiers don't up the steel in their blades a bit.

i found in the peace corps in zambia, a knife of ANY kind (providing it was from a different part of the world...) was a popular gift amongst the locals. gave one of my neighbors a hawkbill opinel (with complimentary sharpening) in exchange for bringing me grass (cut by the same blade) for roofing. the guy was hauling enormous bundles on his shoulders for a couple days, and probably figured he got the better end of the bargain. (he did in the end, when i felt guilty and paid him really well so that he could feed his severely malnourished family better...).

also used a victorinox SAK to "thank" a fish farmer 50km away from my village who provided fish to stock our ponds. in addition, i paid him about $60 for the 1,300 young fish he gave us... but the knife went a long way in making it a friendly and appreciated deal. sure was a lot cheaper than the $3,000 price the zambian government quoted us on a transport. and easier than the free fish transport the peace corps said was logistically impossible. (man, it sure felt good cycling those fish back to my cachement area!)

i received a couple of spydies while i was there, as gifts from folks who knew i'd really use and appreciate them -- and i sure did. :D

in return, i gave a couple knives and tools away to other volunteers in my province -- you can't place a value on something so useful and inaccessible.

bolstermaniac, let me thank and applaud you for your generosity. it's hard to understand how much a gift like that -- and the gesture of giving it -- is appreciated by someone serving overseas... or at home, for that matter... :D it doesn't matter if it comes from a family, a friend, or a stranger -- it feels good to feel like your work is appreciated and valued, especially if it's as difficult and often thankless as a soldier's.

[SteelDragon]

Way cool.....Great post!!

[clovisc]

also want to say -- welcome to the forums. it's really a great place, with a lot of extremely interesting, knowledgeable, and talented people... hope you enjoy your stay as much as i have for the last couple years! :D

[jaislandboy]

Great thread, great gesture...welcome to the forums Bolstermanic.... :)
Clovisc, you're making me all warm and fuzzy inside....

[clovisc]

jaislandboy -- ha!

i might wax sentimental at times, but at least i don't still have my stuffed animals...

[jaislandboy]

heheh Clovisc, perhaps this is a clearer sign of maturity.... :)

[rescueseven]

"I'm sorry I'm not downrange with you."

Don't be sorry you haven’t missed a thing, unless you like having sand in your shorts, sharing your dinner with flies, and a shower once a month whether you need one or not.

... it still bothers me that someone has to do my fighting for me

It don't mind fighting for you, especially when you support our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.

I've discovered the most efficient way to make a soldier happy: give him (or her) a Spyderco.

You are so right, the last time left a unit that I actually had a staff, they all received a :spyder: in thanks from me for a job well done.

Bolster, THANK YOU for supporting our troops.

And even though I know they don't want to hear it I think a big THANK YOU also goes to Gail and Sal for this little project-

R7

[Jedi Knife]

I spend a fair amount of time on military bases, providing training. I've discovered the most efficient way to make a soldier happy: give him (or her) a Spyderco.

I think that would work for people other than soldiers, too. (Oops, just read the Peace Corps thread). Sorry :o

[LJK]

Bolstermanic: I enjoyed that story very much. Your a good man. In the general population good men tend to be in short supply, but here their are many. Welcome.

[Vincent]

the guys in the military in our family are in love with milk, so we sent Parmalat over to the middle east for them.

[DRod]

Ive stated several times that my twin brother is an Airmen and EST coordinator at McConnell AFB in Kansas. He was in Qatar until the beginning of this year and goes back to Baghdad sometime later this year. My younger cousin is currently in Baghdad behind the wheel of a Humvee. He requested to stay for a second tour, he loves it. Had I the means, I would send him and my brother a Mili each. But I guess thats what OT at work is for. :) After reading this thread, Im pulling extra hours this weekend to see if I can't pull the funds together.

Bolster, I, and Im sure other families of soldiers thank you very very much for your kindness to the guys over in the sand box.

[snuffaluff]

http://www.anysoldier.com/

If you can't send a knife... you can send something.
Thanks for reminding us all to support our troops the best way we can.

[Fred Sanford]

Good post man. I agree.

I have sent a couple knives to a few guys I know "over there". I sent a friend a Victorinox Ranger while he was stationed at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. He appreciated it greatly and said they would use knives like that daily for regular chores.

He also said they don't use their knive for "battle" but more for meals, mail, rope, etc. They use their guns for battle. And yes, they do use them to barter intel or other useful stuff. That's fine with me too.

Good thread Bolstermanic!

[Ed Schempp]

Thanks for the story Bolstermanic. Stories like that are the best side of making knives,,,Take Care...Ed

[Puyallupknifegu]

Bolster,

Thank you very, very much! Wonderful story and I'm so happy to hear that our men and women are receiving such quality tools from you. :)

Very interesting about the Afghanis trading tools for info...

You have inspired me to help the soldier's that I run into to get some quality knives.

I live in an apartment complex and my neighbor across the hall said that he wants to go see my local dealer when he gets back from a short "outing"? that he is currently on.

Take care,

Tim

[Jeff2112]

Bolstermanic that's great! God bless you my friend!

[liberty911]

That is very generous of you. It is good to know that there are people like you out there. Having done 2 tours in Afghanistan, I can tell you first hand the value of a good multitool when it comes to trade. My team and I were forward deployed and our generator broke. I had to give up my trusty Gerber to get the part we needed. Luckily for me Uncle Sam issued my another shortly after.

I know a lot of people who would realy appreciate a gift such as a Persian. It is true a lot of soldiers(Airmen in my case) carry some pretty crappy blades.

Bolstermanic, I think what your doing is a great way to serve your country!

Thank You!

[The Mastiff]

Bolstermaniac, class move. I'm very sure your whole attitude and appreciation was welcomed and made their day. I have, and will continue to keep doing it as well. When I'm working a show every soldier that stops by to jaw will get a free something up to and including spydercos. I also sell them their knives at my cost with no markup. I discount for cops too.

One guy getting ready to re deploy for his second tour bought 6 knives from me at cost, and I gave him a Native free to go along with it. These guys are worth it ( that guy was from my old unit no less when I was in way back when). Joe

[guntotin_fool]

I always found the easiest way was cold beer and women of suspect morals........



I too have sent a few shipments of Stuff over, from good flashlights, knives and other odds and ends.