Back in the late 70's or possibly 1980, I was only 10-11 years old and worked a paper route. I had spotted a knife for sale at the local sporting goods store that I had to have, but it was very expensive. I don't recall the actual price, but it seems like it was around $50, which was a ton of money for a kid back then. My shiny new fancy BMX bike that I bought was $89.99.
So, I saved up enough money and bought the knife.
It was a KA-BAR USMC Fighting Knife. It was beautiful! My mom was concerned that a kid would own such a formidable weapon, but my dad said I would learn if I cut myself. I didn't. Cut myself, that is.
Then maybe a few months or a year later, we heard that there was a predator in the area that had tried to snatch a couple of kids off the street while they played. All the kids were freaked out, as were the parents. My solution was to strap on that giant USMC knife and ride around town on my BMX bike with my buddies, confident that no weirdo would try anything with such a weapon displayed.
Well, apparently that either concerned my mom even more, or my buddie's moms, or someone who thought it wasn't a great idea. So my mom took the knife and hid it away and told me I could have it back when I was older. I was upset, but soon forgot about it.
A few years later, I asked my folks if I could have my USMC knife back and they said sure. But they couldn't find it. I was crushed.
I never did buy another one, as I was heavily into muscle cars by then and every dime went into my car.
Years later, my dad revealed that they had hid it in an outbuilding that got a leak and the knife was completely destroyed by rust and rot.
Well, the other day, I ran across an ad for a brand new KA-BAR USMC knife, but they were $125. But it stirred some great memories, so I shopped around and found one NIB for $75. Bought it and it showed up today.
40 years later, I finally have my knife back...
Attachment 278487
Attachment 278488
Attachment 278489
Exactly like the one I had years ago. Only difference I can find is that the leather sheath is a tad thinner, but everything else is the same. Wonderful memories!
I'm keeping my mom away from this one!