Knives are tools. Not weapons.


The knife below was made by Murad Sayan and Don Fogg. A gift from a very special person. It is kept it in a safety deposit box. It was custom made for me, and I treasure it more than almost anything. It's a reproduction of a 9th century Viking Dagger.

Mild, peened steel. Ebony hilt carved to simulate leather. Five-lobed pommel. Personal runes. Highly figured curly maple sheath. In a word, Intense. You can read more about this piece here.


I have been collecting knives since I was a Cub Scout. That's right, I was a Cub Scout. AND a Boy Scout. And even that in-between thing called Weblos. My Mom actually gave me my first knife. An A.G. Russell Stinger. Long gone, unfortunately. She had the Ka-Bars that my uncle had used in the Service, as well. Here is an image of some of my collection.

I use knives everyday. From opening mail to cutting up the recycling. There is an old saying:
*An American man is not fully dressed without a pocket knife*

Unfortunately, in this day and age, carrying a working blade is illegal in many jurisdictions. You can carry a hammer, though. Like I said, it's a tool. But I'm a law-abiding citizen, and use my knives on my premises for the chores that require them. Or while hiking or fishing.

Ultimately, knives are symbolic of the choices we make between good and evil. In the right hands, they can save lives. In the wrong, take.

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