[Rick Baum]

Well, it's been a long time coming... As it worked out, I had to loose my job, be "unemployed" for a year and a half, find a new job being paid half of what I had been, be asked to relocate to Boise, call my long time friend Bill Burke to see how he's doing, get invited to a weekend "Open shop" at his place, buy a 2X4, beg what turned out to be 10 inches of rope and some lanyard string and bring my test knife that I made over a year ago in order to get around to doing the JS performance test. Man, if the nerves I had at Bill's are any indication of what it will be like (times 50, I'm sure) when I submit knives for judging, I'm going to have to have a pacemaker installed just to survive...

Well, to make a long story longer, two attempts at the rope, what seemed like half an hour of chopping, a bald spot on my arm and some tense moments with a cheater-pipe on the handle of my knife, I can finally say... Whew! It's over, my test knife passed the performance test. Now It's time to start making 5 or 6 more knives for the judging portion of the test.

Enough of that though, because I really want this thread to be about those that have helped me along my way. If it were't for the internet and all of you here, Bill Burke and all of his selfless support and coaching over the years, I don't know if I'd have been able to have passed the performance test. My hat is off to you All... Thanks Everyone! It was nerve wracking, but a heck of a lot of fun yesterday! I wish I had some pictures to post... Maybe, when the camera gets unpacked I can post a picture of my crooked knife... About all it's good for now is cutting corners!

Thanks again Bill for having me over yesterday! The Quigley shoot was a great topper to a fantastic day!

[Lin Rhea]

Congratulations Rick!

[Dale Huckabee]

Congradulations Rick.

For me the test was more nerve racking than the judging at Atlanta. By then I was just ready for it to be over, regardless of the outcome.

Dale

[BrionTomberlin]

Congratulations Rick, well done! Just think you will have lots of company when you present your knives and they will be feeling the same way. Nerve wracking, yes, but what a feeling when you pass and float through the rest of the weekend. Congrats again.
Brion

[ABS Webmaster]

Congratulations Rick!

I agree with Dale.

[Steve Culver]

Congratulations Rick!!! We'll see you in Atlanta!

[Rick Baum]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement! I really appreciate it. I sure hope Dale and Dan are right because my old ticker needs a rest after yesterday.

Thanks guys!

[Bob Hartman]

I happened to be at Bill's when Rick tested. He, and his knife performed flawlessly. Congratulations again Rick. It was great meeting you.

[Dan Hockensmith]

Good job Rick! Congratulations! Dan

[Rick Baum]

Thanks Dan and Bob!

Bob, Likewise, it was great meeting you too. I hope we can get together again soon.