Category: Manliness

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No easy day by mark owen

no easy day
Do You have YOUR copy??

If you wondered what really happened in the assault to kill Osama Bin Laden, wonder no more. Mark Owen ( an alias that I suspect is a combination of the names of friends or lost comrades) answers many of your questions. I found the authoritative pictures and the back story of becoming a Seal, Seal Team Six and various deployments illuminating. I am glad they are on our side!

Oh, there was some controversy out there regarding the writing of this book, but there doesn’t appear to be any national security secrets being leaked… after all, we already get a steady stream from the White House. There will be some disappointed readers, especially those who thought the commander-in-chief lead the mission and possibly flew in the first Apache Helicopter. You really can’t blame politicians, everyone likes to share in victory; however, if things went badly, I am sure we would have learned it was all poor Leon Panetta’s fault at the Pentagon. That’s the way things always go.

This book is well written and something that everyone should read. Buy it and you will enjoy it.

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Tinus Oelofse and the perfect hunting knife

My Custom Hunting Knife made by Tinus Oelofse

Before I go any farther, let me say that I have never given kudos to custom hunting knife makers. There are many reasons, but let me just say that a knife shouldn’t be no more dangerous for you to use than to look at. I also think a lot of knife makers produce products for the Lilliputian market rather than for Gulliver and although the materials are sometimes glitzy they don’t wear well, can’t hold an edge or too hard to sharpen.

This past weekend we were in Las Vegas attending the  Safari international Convention.  I visited every booth and came away with two items: a knife I bid on in an auction and a custom hunting knife by  Tinus Oelofse  that I bought from him directly. I consider Tinus’s knife worth the trip alone.

Although Tinus makes knives utilizing a variety of materials, I prefer the Swedish Steel referred to as AEB-L he used in mine. Some of my chef knives are made of this wonderful material, here’s how a friend describes it:

” AEB-L (also called 13C26 ) steel was designed for razors, which need corrosion resistance, high hardness and very acute edges. Once you try a knife that is made with AEB-L you will see why it is coveted by knife enthusiasts and professionals. The knife will take a very keen edge just like the best carbon steels yet you don’t have to worry about rusting. You will also find much better sharpening properties since AEB-L is less prone to produce wire edges that are so common when you sharpen most high end Japanese kitchen knives. “

Although a young knife manufacturer, Tinus has a good understanding of marketing and presentation.

Even the final presentation was a work of art!

This will be one of the knives I will be taking on my next hunting trip…. and many more after.

BTW, Tinus Oelofse will be at the  Blade Show  ( everything from hunting to kitchen knives) in Atlanta June 8th -10th , 2012.

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All we need to live heroic lives…


Rarely, do I take the time to read fiction. In truth, not a lot captures my interest. I read Thomas Thibeault’s new book  in two long sittings…. it ended far too soon for me. It had everything one might need for an action movie trifecta:  World War II, stolen treasure and Nazi’s. Although I bought a hard cover… you can buy a  kindle version  as well.

Another book is called the Monument Men from which an upcoming George Clooney  movie is based. Read both to get a feeling for the time.

As all great story tellers, Thomas Thibeault in  Balto’s Nose, weaves the lessons of history, personal conflicts and redemption in a tale told by an older man to his not-so-young grandson as both wrestle with modern life.

 

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the hunt for real food, big guns and safaris

CLICK on the picture above to read the full article on Cal Coast News

Boys and Girls, I am now going to tell you a story much like Chef Gordon Ramsay might do… but without the required expletives. Steaks do not come a steak tree, turkeys are not grown without heads and virtually everything that we prefer to eat once roamed, flew or swam somewhere. Oh yes, they may have also slithered or slimed there way along.

The article I wrote for a local on-line news service is on the joy of hunting for a great meal and how it can go from the wild to your dinning table. Although I am a hunter, I never thought I would have the opportunity to go on a Safari for really large game… but thanks to well timed events… here I go!

The link above will transfer you to the professionals of Likhulu Safaris who make taking a Safari Adventure-- whether photographic or Hunting -- to the next level.
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Happy Labor Day 2011!

Be thankful for the time you have earned and that others fought to give you and are continuing to fight for you each day!

Samuel Gompers  once said:

“Time is the most valuable thing on earth: time to think, time to act, time to extend our fraternal relations, time to become better men, time to become better women, time to become better and more independent citizens. “

Enjoy the day!