All About Pocket Knives

This month’s knife donation is amongst the most special that I’ve seen in the six years that I’ve been a member here for a multitude of reasons. Familyforge (Jessica) has graciously agreed to donate a small Case 92033 with cracked ice scales but it wasn’t her first choice when deciding what knife to donate for the September giveaway.

I normally contact the donor about 2-months in advance of the start of the giveaway to confirm that they are still willing to be a donor and if so, could they send along pictures and a description of the knife they are donating. Such was the case with Jessica when I contacted her on June 28th and she promptly replied that she was still going to make the donation and that she would go through her collection and pick out something nice for the occasion. It was left that she would get back to me with the information sometime in July or early August because she was attending a couple of shows and wanted to see if she come up with something better.

After numerous attempts to reach Jessica during the first three weeks of August, I finally heard back from her on Sunday August 26th that she had some very unfortunate events happen this month that brought sadness and has also affected her knife donation for September. I then reached-out to the October donor (Ribbit - Brett) and the November donor (Kennedy Knives - Gary) to see if they’d be willing to move-up to help because of the situation and both graciously agreed, that’s the kind of community we have here at AAPK.

On Wednesday August 29th I heard again from Jessica and what she wrote brought tears to my eyes as I’m sure it will to you too. Without going into all the details, Jessica and her family were on a camping trip when their house was broken into and their safe with their knife and firearms collection were stolen along with some coins and small electronics. Her children the most devastated as they have grown up with knife collecting and trading and are right there to inspect every knife that comes into their possession. The story doesn’t end there as their 2 dogs that were present were somehow lured away or tranquilized while it took place and when her Granddad heard what had happened, he was highly upset and had to be hospitalized.

Jessica had something much nicer in mind than a small Case 92033 with cracked ice scales, but it is literally all she has left besides a couple of EDC's. In her own words, “I gave my promise to donate, I hope that it is acceptable. Please give my best to the wonderful and loyal men of this organization, who are always ready at a moment’s notice to step up and help a fellow in time of need. Please let them know that I would do the same for them. Thanks again for the prayers, we can certainly use them at this time. I will pass them along to my granddad. God bless you and all the wonderful people at AAPK. Kind Regards, Jess”

Jessica told me that during times like these she remembered a saying her Grandma shared with her;"When your the hammer, strike. When the Anvil, bear".