** Official : What'd ya get for Christmas Thread **

[ultraflo]

I got a port-a-tree!!!

I would post the pic, but it's awfully LARGE! ..so if you want, here's the link: http://members.mustangworks.com/ultr.../portatree.jpg
...now I can do some serious bench racing, lol!

Who wants some!?!?!?!

Other than that, some cash, a shirt (that's too small), and some... well... cash. That's it! Not a really all that exciting, I guess.

[ultraflo]

Uh-oh... looks like we've got another knife knut among us.

Bob Lum designed Spyderco Tanto fixed blade.
(I'm waiting on a custom concealex sheath from Mike Sastre for this knife)

Al Mar SERE Operator fixed blade.

Silver Pilate, you got any Benchmades in your arsenal? That's my knife of choice, but I've also got some Kershaws, Bokers, a Cuda, and some *gulp* Frosts that I bought at a weaker moment...

I plan on putting most of my collection on my webpage in the next few weeks (or months). I mainly like Balisongs, which Jenn seems to like as well, lol.

[silver_pilate]

Ultraflo,

You betcha, man. Good to find a fellow blade freak. I believe right now that the only Benchmade I own is a BM/Emerson CQC7, but I used to have an AFCK...one of the old one with the spidie hole. I loved that knife, but unfortunately, I lost it and now they are no longer made in that format. I have been pleased with the CQC7. Good hard use knife. However, so far I haven't jumped at any of their newer designs. I also have an Emerson Commander wave. Another great hard use knife.

Mostly, I carry a Spyerco Viele or Lum folder, and/or a Boker/Bud Nealy escort mounted for small of the back carry.

I think the Lum tanto will end up being my primary self defense carry, but I'll still carry the Viele or something similar.

Besides the Spyderco's, Benchmades, and Emersons, I've got some Bokers, Al Mars, Kershaws (love the Ken Onion speedsafe knives), and a whole bunch of various brands like Case, SOG, Gerber, United, and the like. Check out CRKT as well. I don't own any, but I've handled a good number of them. They are made in Taiwan, but have surprisingly good quality and a very affordable price tag.

Anyway, let me know when you get your collection up on the net. I'd like to see it. If you're interested, you might checkout www.bladeforums.com. Good clearinghouse for information. I'm sliver_pilate there as well, but I just lurk.

Happy cutting .

--nathan

[ultraflo]

Nathan, I've posted in the balisong section over at bladeforums a couple times ...good site, indeed! I also use the screen name 'ultraflo' there, and over at the BM forum too. Here is some of my collection: blades ...I have yet to make a page and format everything, as well as add some of the pictures off my hard drive. Most all of the pictures of my folders have yet to be uploaded... I should get around to it soon.

I've found that the BM 94x series Osbornes work as a wave-opener, as the thumbstud protrudes slightly above the handle's surface. Works great... I discovered this by accident, but found that others were already aware of it at the BM forum, as well as bladeforums.com. If you don't own an Axis-lock, I highly recommend one for your next purchase. The Axis AFCK with D2 blade steel comes to mind as a nice replacement for your previous liner-lock AFCK. I've got the updated version with the oval hole and simply love it! Smoooooth ...just like any of the other Axis-variety BM. I am a BM fanatic if you haven't noticed, lol!

I only own on CRKT, in the form of a tanto KISS money clip. I like it, for a 'foreign' made knife. I have yet to add any spydies to my collection... I do have a few varieties of the speedsafe Onions. Those are the knifes that actually got me started...

Later,
-Ryan

[silver_pilate]

Wow. Nice collection of balisongs you've got. I've never ventured into that area. Mostly I buy what I can legally carry. I may have to purchase one or two, however. You know....just to hone my madd butterfly skills. . I've got a number of older knives given as gifts or inherited, but I mostly go for tactical folders now days or fixed blades that catch my eye. Cold Steel is another manufacturer I forgot to mention, and I believe they also make a few balisongs in their line.

I'll have to check out those axis locks. I've never actually handled one. My first Viele actually had the smoothest action I've ever seen, however, the clip tore from the micarta as a result of a manufacturing flaw, and they sent me a new version with a revised pivot mechanism. Smooth, but not quite as smooth. The SERE 2000 by Al Mar is another seriously smooth operator, but a bit big and better suited for tactical and uitility work. I got the SERE Operator as a camp knife, but it actually conceals quite well, so I'll carry it on occasion.

If you're looking for a good source of knives, basically any brand, let me know and I'll send you some information on Knives Plus in Amarillo. They have a store in town that is retail, but their mail order division is where it's at. They have the best prices I've seen overall and actually serve as the distributor for many on-line stores. Let me know.

Good talking with ya.

--nathan