Posted on 07/29/2005 7:42:45 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
Other than military uses - are switchblades illegal in the US? Thanks in advance. Charlie
Terrific work winmag!
Our next donation shortly :~D
Although Camillus never said I couldn't mention the prices we pay, I'd rather keep it in "ballpark" figures. I suspect we're actually getting them at almost their cost of production, which even the wholesalers don't get. They're making almost no money on this deal, which is a tribute to their support of the Hobbit Hole, and their patriotism.
With that said, I can hint that our prices are about $10 per knife under the best online "street" prices out there. The best current prices, which don't affect Camillus' price drop, are $56 for the BK2, and $70 for the BK3.
As to switchblades, there is one federal law about shipping in interstate commerce, and a zillion state and local laws, which often contradict each other.
It really depends on where you live, and what some cop's mood is. Federal law says that switchblades can be sent by interstate common carrier to active-duty police, military, and first-responder organizations, or their members who are authorized to carry one. Federal law doesn't say anything about what happens when you walk into a store, buy one, and put it in your pocket. I have a signed document from Camillus stating that I'm an authorized dealer, so they can ship to me. I require a signed statement from a member of the military saying he's active duty, and has written authorization to carry as part of his duty.
That's about all I can say, because I'm not a lawyer, and that's all I need to get the job done. Your situation will vary by city and state. I hope I haven't fumbled my explanation. Thanks for asking.
That should be reflect, not affect.
Sheesh, this daylight savings transition must be reflecting my brain.
Charlie
The laws of supply and demand cannot be ignored for long. But we're also looking at the supply and demand of military people. At the very least, they're sacrificing a year, two, or three away from home and family. Many are also risking their lives for us.
There's a well-funded liberal drive to wreck their morale, and hinder recruitment and retention. Some of that is paid with our tax dollars, or tax breaks.
I can tell by the tone of the request that a tiny percentage want a knife simply because it's free. Just by wearing an American uniform, they've earned a Camillus pocket knife. Heck, I'd spend more money than that buying drinks for them if I took them to a bar.
But the overwhelming number of requests are sincere. And while not everyone writes back, some do, and the gratitude they express to us chokes me up. We're the ones that are supposed to be gateful for what are troops are doing to serve us.
So we walk a fine line, but we know that we make a real, positive, difference in troop morale, and in countering those scumbags trying to tear down our military. This is our part of the war effort, and we're volunteers in this, too.
The laws of supply and demand cannot be ignored for long. But we're also looking at the supply and demand of military people. At the very least, they're sacrificing a year, two, or three away from home and family. Many are also risking their lives for us.
There's a well-funded liberal drive to wreck their morale, and hinder recruitment and retention. Some of that is paid with our tax dollars, or tax breaks.
I can tell by the tone of the request that a tiny percentage want a knife simply because it's free. Just by wearing an American uniform, they've earned a Camillus pocket knife. Heck, I'd spend more money than that buying drinks for them if I took them to a bar.
But the overwhelming number of requests are sincere. And while not everyone writes back, some do, and the gratitude they express to us chokes me up. We're the ones that are supposed to be gateful for what are troops are doing to serve us.
So we walk a fine line, but we know that we make a real, positive, difference in troop morale, and in countering those scumbags trying to tear down our military. This is our part of the war effort, and we're volunteers in this, too.
Bumpity bump bump...
'nother bump.
Evidently, someone spread our website around at MacDill AFB, because we suddenly got a huge batch of requests from there a couple weeks ago. Luckily, things have quieted down again since then.
Here is a sampling of the responses...
You know, as a part of my job I need to know what is going on in the world. Often that involves watching the news. I must be honest, it is quite disheartening sometimes. We (military members) get to see an awful lot of our fellow Americans who just don't care, or worse, use our fallen Brothers as some kind of reinforcement to their cause.
I can't speak for all of us, but I know that most of us do what we do because we LOVE our country, and right or wrong she is Ours. We love being Americans and we love anyone who calls themselves American.
Sometimes there is so much negativity towards us and what we do, that it makes us wonder if what we do really matters. I thank you not for the knife. I thank you for being an American that cares about us just as we care about you, our countryman, our brother. So on behalf of those I know in the Profession-of-Arms, Thank You!
God bless America, God bless Our war fighters, and God bless people like you and your friends.
I was browsing the internet looking for a new knife, as the knife I deployed with is on its last leg, when I came across your website. Let me first say that, as a soldier, it does my soul good to see Americans supporting people that they, in most cases, dont even know. But then again, that is one of the reasons that I am over here, because that is one of the things that being an American means. I am proud of what we are doing over here and also proud of the support that we get from back home.
Its odd to ask this, because I dont like asking for help from other people, but if you could, could you please send me a knife. I debated for awhile to ask this, but my main reason for doing it is my son. I have a 1 year old son that I have missed major parts of his life so far. I have kept up a collection of letters and items that have been sent to us from people back home, so that when he is old enough I can tell him about what I went through and of the great people back home who made the hard nights easier with their support. If you cannot send me a knife, it is not that big a deal. What you have done, and what you are continuing to do, has been enough of an example of the great people that we have supporting us.
Please support our Hobbit Hole Pocket knives for the troops project.
Terrific letters.
ecurbh does not exaggerate when he says we got swamped with new requests. Please help out with the $$$ to make it happen, if you can. :~D
Winmag, we'll send our usual on payday! Don't get yourself in too much dutch, wait till you have help!
Bump and PayPal when we can.
A "Paypal will be sent tomorrow" BUMP!
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I am a shift leader now but the the knives we use well suck. The ones I used most are the 4in paring knife, 8in boning, 10in chefs, 12in serrated bread knife and kitchen shears and of course the infamous vegetable peeler.
I often try to sharpen the knives we use but our stones are not the greatest anymore and some of the knives don't take an edge easily. If you locate a set or separate knives they would be used by my crew, I think I would monitor there use to maintain the quality as long as possible.
As of right now we serve anywhere from 1400 to 1800 people a day. If I didn't say so earlier I work in the [redacted] Combat Aviation Brigrade DFAC. (Mess Hall) We are the only Military Mess Hall in operation in Afghanistan. All the others are run by the civilians of KBR or Kellog Brown and Root.
We have I think 40 personnel,cooks supervisors and supply, 8 of us are Army National Guard that have been activated to join the [redacted], out of [redacted]. But those of us in the N.G. come from units in Idaho, Wisconsin and Delaware. Our aviators went on to [redacted] while we cooks stayed here in [redacted] to help the [redacted] DFAC. We don't get much when your HQ and friends are 2 hours away by air. Oh well. That as they say is my story a small part anyways.
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I did some quick online shopping, and found the best knife value for our limited dollars. The result is this nice Victorinox chef's set.
Interesting letter, and a most appropriate find...
Good going Mister Mag!
Bumparoonie....
Paypal has been sent!
Boy if those aren't the keywords to grab a knife aficionado. This man knew who he was writing to :~D
Thanks for finding him just the thing, winmag :~D
Heh... quite. But chefs (and mess gunnies) do get kinda funny about their knives. That, and their frying pans. Don't ever fool around with his knives or his pans. :-)
And that's a good thing.
Bumpity bump.
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