Case Knife Outstanding

Coffee to go
Like the American coffee chain, Starbucks, which will close its branches in Israel at the end of the week, one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), which has 5,000 branches in the United States and 6,000 in other countries, also failed here.

Insane Ocean Swimmer: Your Knife is Your Only Defense

Finding different ways to exercise was really getting on my nerves. I just didn't want to go to a gym or go running or hiking. I needed serious motivation. Gazing at the ocean, realizing how much I missed it, I decided to have a short visit and a good swim, while I was at it.

Just like that, I was swimming three times a week. A vigorous swim without rest. And I could see, I could truly see new lines, new shadows on my body that I hadn't seen in so long. Then I decided. Ocean swimming was going to be my new way to work out. Two to three times a week, I'd swim for 20-30 minutes (of course, I timed it). And we'll see.

Soon after the first month, I watched Jaws on television one night. And then, right after in the same night, I watched "Shark Attack" on Animal Planet. Oh, baby. That was it. Scared me crazy all over again. But I've got to make my swim. I can't stop now. So what do I do? Uh-huh. Take out my very sharp dive knife and strap it to my right calf.

Now I'm standing on the shore once more, warming up for the swim. My dive knife is on my leg and I really don't feel much better. Come on. I know that I stand little chance against a shark. Shoot. The barest chance is more like it. Man, am I scared. I'm swimming for over 10 minutes straight out to the ocean and then again coming back. Just me. But I've got to do it. I can't just stop. Fear, well, in this case, just pisses me off! So I tie my hair back, take a few steps into the ocean and dive under. There's sweat to be had here in this blue water.

This beautiful U-shaped bay in the smallest southern village of a very small tropical island just on top of the equatorwhew!well, it's my very large swimming pool. On this rare occasion, the water is clear and blue. Visibility is about 30 feet. A very clear day today. Hasn't rained at all. Much drier days, these days (global warming anyone?). No recent influx of sedimentation and all kinds of muck and debris brought down from the scorched mountains and deposited into the ocean. The reefs and coastal marine life enjoy a few days of "clean air". It's painful to know that all it takes is one good rain to make this vibrant blue water dull and dirty looking again. And as much as I don't want that, the land needs more rain.

I've just come up on the halfway mark. Keeping the pace steady. Flip underwater and kick the wall that is the ocean and head back towards the shore. Make sure to keep a little push in my stride. I'm thinking, if a shark actually attacks me, I don't want to just go down. Oh, no. I'm not gonna let a shark take me away from my life, from my family. If I'm going down, baby, you're coming with me. Alas, the absolute requirement of my very sharp dive knife.

I stop swimming for a moment, fake an attack on me, hammering it into my head that I've got to remember to grab that knife no matter what. Pound his snout. Head butt if I have to. Jam my fingers in both his eyes. Ram my hands through its gills. Oh, yeah. It won't be easy. I'm all too aware that lone swimmers in the ocean have successfully survived a shark encounter. If it comes to that, so shall I.

Now I'm halfway home from halfway. The last few minutes of the home stretch. Made it again. I'll tell you, I've jumped off a boat into the clearest blue water way, way, way out in the ocean. Hundreds of feet deep on a bright sunny day with not a thing in sight, above or below the water. There's nothing like it and few things come close. And no matter how scared I getand I get scared quite oftenfear doesn't stand a chance. I won't allow it. The natural world holds so much beauty. Too much to experience for that. Truly, truly wondrous and amazing. I am so thankful that I know it.

About the Author

Len Q. is a knife sharpening expert and protector of the natural world. If you would like to learn about

logo Case Knife Outstanding

No items matching your keywords were found.

Move
-

Military Knives

Top Headline

Sword Crude

Letters to the Editor, August 1, 2010 Leaks better than ignorance I understand why Bradley Manning released the data concerning the war in Afghanistan. It is extremely frustrating to read news sources that are deficient… Crude oil which can be referred to as petroleum or black gold is a big business. The reason why I say it is a big business is because it involves millions of dollars. There are up to 2 ways to sell your petroleum. They are as follows: 1. Refinery operators: refinery managers are the end users of petroleum. Petroleum is always in demand by refinery owners. Demand is high when the price of black gold goes up. Almost all countries have refineries. Your black gold will...

Read More ...

Wwi Wwii

Nicholas Auctions Wed, June 23rd @ 6 PM WHITEHALL, NY FURNITURE INCLUDES: Oak cylinder roll desk w/bookcase top; Vict walnut table w/4 leaves; a pair of Modern Stickley corner cabinets in cherry; Kent Coffey chest of drawers; folding cane holder; pie safe; Mission oak desks; Thonet style youth chair; Victorian settee; wicker rocker & desk; one drawer stands; wheelbarrow in old blue paint; Victorian server; gun cabinet; porcelain sink w/fluted ... I just received an email story from a good friend of mine and published author Larry Shaak from Pasqua, Sask. This story is absolutely true and likely a good illustration of the power of unconditional love, and maybe even the power of will...

Read More ...

States Marine

China Marine Hosts Conference Call with Investors on June 23, 9:00 a.m. ET China Marine Food Group Limited , a manufacturer of Mingxiang seafood-based snack foods, "Hi-Power" marine algae-based beverages and a distributor of frozen marine catch, today announced the Company's management team will host a conference call with investors on June 23 at 9:00 am ET. Before You Buy Just Any Marine Phytoplankton Product, Read This Would you like to increase your energy and inner strength with a few drops a day? Marine Phytoplankton is a supercharged, ocean-based micro algae that is raw, live, and thus enzyme active. It contains every known mineral and all amino acids that our bodies need for optimum...

Read More ...

Camillus Mark

Published: 01:06 a.m., Thursday, February 4, 2010 Elio Betty Jr. Elio Betty Jr., of Old Saybrook, formerly of Darien, died Friday, Jan. 29, at home surrounded by his family, after a brave battle with cancer. He was 72. In Rescuing Sprite, Mark R. Levin tells us the heart wrenching but uplifting and inspirational story of his dog Sprite. Anyone who has gone through a sickness and eventual death of a pet should read this book. It expresses all the emotions that come along with the sickness of a pet. The book is very therapeutic if you are a dog lover. It will help you learn how to handle the situation by seeing what Mark went through with his beloved Sprite. In Rescuing Sprite, the author...

Read More ...

Garand Bayonet Scabbard

The sword was the samurai's most important weapon.  The samurai would never be without it, but it was bad manners to take it out so others could see it.  The samurai would never show a common person the sword.  If a high-ranking official asked to see the sword, the samurai would pull the sword out of its scabbard only a few inches.   The samurai sword, called a katana, was a marvel of engineering.  A master craftsman could take more than a month to make a samurai katana.  The craftsman would start by melting metal, even pots and pans.  The heat of a specially made fireplace created molten metal, burning away the impurities.  Then the craftsman...

Read More ...