The Amazing Virginian
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2010
- Messages
- 9,881
It is with a heavy heart that I report that longtime collector and BladeForums member Jim Treacy (jjtjr) passed away in his sleep sometime Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
To me, Jim was an amazing individual who had an interesting and accomplished life. He honorably served this country as a true combat veteran in Vietnam and worked for many years in pipefitting in jobs around the world. And he had the hands for it. Some of the largest, most powerful, hands I have ever seen with tremendous grip power.
Of more relevance here, Jim was a "collector's collector." He did not just talk knives - he purchased, owned, and enjoyed many high end custom knives, and especially ABS forged knives. Are there even 100 knife collectors of his stature in this country? In the world?
Jim not only collected knives, but he contributed to the hobby in various ways, for example as an active member in CKCA where he helped shepherd the creation of two very fine knife calendars, manned the CKCA booth at Blade, shared his knowledge and opinions with me and others, etc. I "met" Jim first online through a knife purchase I did with him many years ago. I enjoyed "hanging out" with him at Blade, having breakfast, dinner, on the floor, etc. Jim was also a regular fixture at Jerry Fisk's annual show in Arkansas, something I know he always enjoyed attending.
There are others here who knew Jim much better than I did, and I am sure they will add more information about Jim and their thoughts and memories. I just want to say that from all I knew about him, he was a good, brave, and honest man and it is always sad when we lose such people as they seem to me to be more and more rare.
The knife collecting community has lost someone who was important to it, and will be missed by me and many others.
Rest in peace, Jim.
To me, Jim was an amazing individual who had an interesting and accomplished life. He honorably served this country as a true combat veteran in Vietnam and worked for many years in pipefitting in jobs around the world. And he had the hands for it. Some of the largest, most powerful, hands I have ever seen with tremendous grip power.
Of more relevance here, Jim was a "collector's collector." He did not just talk knives - he purchased, owned, and enjoyed many high end custom knives, and especially ABS forged knives. Are there even 100 knife collectors of his stature in this country? In the world?
Jim not only collected knives, but he contributed to the hobby in various ways, for example as an active member in CKCA where he helped shepherd the creation of two very fine knife calendars, manned the CKCA booth at Blade, shared his knowledge and opinions with me and others, etc. I "met" Jim first online through a knife purchase I did with him many years ago. I enjoyed "hanging out" with him at Blade, having breakfast, dinner, on the floor, etc. Jim was also a regular fixture at Jerry Fisk's annual show in Arkansas, something I know he always enjoyed attending.
There are others here who knew Jim much better than I did, and I am sure they will add more information about Jim and their thoughts and memories. I just want to say that from all I knew about him, he was a good, brave, and honest man and it is always sad when we lose such people as they seem to me to be more and more rare.
The knife collecting community has lost someone who was important to it, and will be missed by me and many others.
Rest in peace, Jim.