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Spyderco

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^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

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As many of you know I'm a prepper and even though I have bought two other knives and featured my Esee knife in my Bug-Out-Bag that is with me when SHTF, I had bought a Benchmade that I featured in New Pocket Knife. Unfortunately, my Benchmade busted and was an actual recall because of the safety.

Because the safety busted I returned it, I refused to have spent that much money to have a broken knife. Many dudes swear the safety always breaks, but I'm a bit superstitious when it comes to these things and just say no. Since I'm a girl, well this means that shopping for a new one becomes an adventure, if you don't know many of us love to shop.

The difference with me is that I love looking for a bargain. If you don't know by now, as I mentioned in my previous post I have been honorably dubbed a JAP, and I hardly ever pay full price for anything. Of course, I love quality so buying quality at a good price is not always easy to find.

One day, while shopping at my local gun and knife shop I met this wonderful man who admired a fun girl like me who wanted a specific knife. My specifications were:

• Something that fit in my hand.

• Not a dull black or gray color.

• Sharp edge but manageable.

• Excellent blade that could cut nicely.

• Preferably something to easily spring loose without cutting off my finger.

The kind salesman from the shop recommended I check out Spyderco, a local knife store in my local area. He mentioned the word "outlet," and that immediately got my curiosity. Remember Eagle Spirit is all about "good quality and will not pay full price."

Within the week, I headed out to Spyderco and was amazed at how American the store was constructed, presented, and the business ethic was simply wonderful.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

Regardless of what people may hear, there are many of us who still get that sweet American feeling when we see our home flag. We still love our country, and without getting political seeing the building with this beautiful flag waiving in the sunlight brought emotion to my soul.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

For quite awhile I sat in front of the store just watching the flag and enjoying the atmosphere. The day wasn't too hot and the sun was happily shining. This type of happiness is totally contagious.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

As I sat enjoying my surrounds the following poem My Country by Sarah Josepha Buell Hale came to mind:

America! my own dear land- O, 'tis a lovely land to me;I thank my God that I was bornWhere man is free!Our land- it is a glorious land- And wide it spreads from sea to sea- And sister States in Union joinAnd all are free.And equal laws we all obey- To kings we never bend the knee- We may not own no Lord but GodWhere all are free.We've lofty hills and sunny valesAnd streams that roll to either sea- And through this large and varied landAlike we're free.You hear the sounds of healthful toil,And youth's gay shout and childhood's glee,And every one in safety dwells,And all are free.We're brothers all from South to North,One bond will draw us to agree- We love this country of our birth- We love the free- We love the name of Washington,I lisped it on my father's knee- And we shall ne'er forget the _name_While we are free.My Land, my own dear native Land,Thou art a lovely land to me;I bless my God that I was bornWhere man is free!

Little did I know that this day would be filled with American memories.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

As I walked into the front doors, I was greeted by a front desk clerk with this symbol on the front desk. A door to the left guided me to the outlet section of the building.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

Immediately my eyes caught the Native American case of spearheads and artifacts. The room was filled with lovely photography, artistry, and memories.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

This case got me really excited for the prospect that I would definitely find my knife at Spyderco and the quality was evident.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

When my customer service specialist came to guide me through the store he started to tell me the story of one of the owners. Apparently, she was a firefighter and went to 9/11 during the few years it took to assist in the recovery process. She made friends with many and received many gifts that included the flags of lost loved ones.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

For some ungodly reason the recovering committee even gifted her with a piece of The Towers, and little did I know how this would effect me. The last thing I ever wanted to see after I left NYC was a piece of that day that I will never forget and always remember.

When I saw the piece I immediately stood still and asked the man "what is that doing here?" He must have thought I was cray but honestly I felt it was some sort of sacrilege. For a brief moment I forgot that people actually wanted to keep these pieces as some sort of memento and it made me stomach lurch with a sick feeling.

Without me realizing it I moved forward and touched the piece and said a blessing to all those souls that lost their life that day. My hand ran across that metal with a sadness but also of one letting go. Honestly, I had no idea I would encounter anything of this nature outside of NYC and it took me by surprise.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

One of the display cases featured a special series of knife made only for the NYPD with a piece of the towers on the the handle. If I wasn't so torn by the excitement of buying my own knife I may have been too sad by seeing this to continue my search for my EDC.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

An interesting piece of art was this image of The Towers made out of real pieces taken from the remnants and made by Syderco for the surviving 9/11 family members. Even though I loved this piece of art I wondered to myself how could anyone want a piece of that building? I wouldn't, then I had to quickly stop myself from judging. Personally, I lost a few close friends and lived in the aftermath and that was enough for me. "Always Remember, Never Forget" will be a part of my existence forever.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

The hanging of a fire person's hat was a common site back then, and this was no less surprising. My customer service specialist mentioned this was the owner's retired hat and I was happy to hear this belonged to someone from the living world.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

As I continued on with my tour and looking for my EDC a few pieces of artwork displaying Spyderco's creations caught my attention. This artwork with this knife in particular captured my attention. The flag and blade was kind of cool, I thought.

^{Photo taken by @eaglespirit}

There was even a fish tank with this awesome knife inside of it, the caretaker even came by and put in a new fish. This brought me some ease and peacefulness as I watched him clear the way and place the pretty fish inside the tank.

^{Photo by Spyderco}

When I came to the case with my particular specifications, I learned Spyderco was the first knife created with the clip, where it is easily accessible when its clipped to a pocket and does not interfere with other items. I have to admit the clip is very sturdy and has a great grip.

^{Photo by Spyderco}

There is even this weird looking hole on the knife that I was not sure I would like, but after learning it was made for easy opening of the knife and how to use it, this feature grew on me.

After perusing the case this was the one I chose:

^{Photo by Spyderco}

The DELICA®4 WHARNCLIFFE HAP 40 SPRINT with a $144.95 US/MSRP, but remembering that I do not pay full price, your Eagle Spirit got it for the outlet price of under $100 US. Score!

This is the description given by Spyderco:

This limited-edition Sprint Run combines the proven features and benefits of the popular Delica 4 Lightweight with a laminated blade crafted from HAP40 and SUS410 steels. The center layer of the full-flat-ground blade is made from HAP40—an advanced high-speed tool steel produced by the powder metallurgy process. HAP40’s generous amounts of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, and cobalt give it exceptional toughness and high abrasion resistance, both ideal properties in a high-performance blade steel. The HAP40 core is sandwiched between layers of SUS410—a martensitic stainless steel that provide increased strength and improved corrosion resistance.

All the other features of this unique knife are the defining qualities of the Delica Lightweight, including skeletonized stainless steel liners, a sturdy back lock mechanism, fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) scales with Bi-Directional Texturing, a Trademark Round Hole™ for easy one-handed opening, and a versatile four-position pocket clip. Like the other members of Spyderco’s HAP40 Sprint Run family, the durable FRN handle of this Delica Lightweight is injection molded in a distinctive burnt-orange color.

Specifications:

Overall Length: 7.15" (182 mm)
Blade Length: 2.90" (74 mm)
Steel: HAP40/SUS410
Closed Length: 4.25" (108 mm)
Edge Length: 2.55" (65 mm)
Weight: 2.4 oz (68 g)
Blade Thickness: 0.098" (2.5 mm)
Handle: FRNClip
Position: AmbiTip
Carry Position: 4-position
Lock Type: Back Lock
Grind: Full-Flat
Origin: Japan

^{Photo by @eaglespirit}

Here I am with my new EDC and believe it or not they say when the knife bonds with you it takes a piece of you by cutting you. There is a "bonding" process and this one cut me on the first day. I love the color and lightweight feel, as well as the blade being made in Japan. Japanese steel is one of the most sought after and the rest was made in America. Personally, I prefer to purchase quality American made products.

Overall, this was a good experience and I was fortunate enough to have had a little bit of a letting go process too. If you are ever in the Golden, Colorado vicinity make a stop to check this amazing knife shop out. Peace.

Greetings,
Thank you for stopping by to read my blog. I’m a First Nation member of the Hopi & Apache Native American tribes, Medicine woman in-training, first time blogger since November 2017, (right here on Steemit), paralegal, researcher, and writer based in the Mountains of Colorado, USA. I work closely with fellow planktons and minnows in a few groups by helping them adjust to Steemit and curate quality content. I’m especially interested in finding others who love natural medicine originating from ancient practices, gold and silver, energy work, and the spirit world. Additionally, I'm the creator of #MedicineCardMonday, so if you are interested in receiving a Native American blessing stop by my blog every Monday, or just say hello!
See you soon, @eaglespirit