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 So I got into knives at a very early age. Being of Japanese/Filipino ancestry, how could I not get into them? I grew up admiring my grandfather's presentation bayonets from the Korean War. He retired as a Colonel in the US Army. Yes, I did play with his bayonets and his Xacto knives when no one was looking. I know, I know...
Was a competitive natural bodybuilder in the late 80's, and won my first overall title, and two class wins in '93. Last contest was in '99, where I won my class, best poser, and the overall title after a five year layoff! I was also featured in the May '94 issue of Ironman Magazine as a "Local Hero". Prior to all this, I used to race BMX, and was heavily into ramp and freestyle, i.e: "X-Games stuff", also miss doing "knee drags" like them GP motorcycle racers do, during the late night hours on the streets with my ol' 600cc Honda with a dear powerlifting buddy of mine. Of course, there was surfing and bodyboarding...when I moved to Hilo: Night diving!!!
I am currently a Corrections Officer, took the TOP GUN Award during my Basic Corrections Training, have had my share of takedowns and dealing with "hit the fan" moments (once is always one too many!). Now that I no longer lift weights, I have found that Kendo (whether in class or what I practice at home) keeps me in some shape, and is just "something" I truly enjoy...it's very different from other "stuff" that I have dabbled in MA-wise. I can't go to Kendo class as much as I used too, and I miss the training. I also miss training "un-traditionally" with my good "braddah", Keli'i Matson...he has unreal strength, speed, and a *real* heart. Just like my Kendo Sensei, 7th Dan Sensei Charles Narimatsu. I miss them dearly...I recently got back into riding freestyle on a 20" Redline. What I was thinking I don't know, but it's great exercise flinging around one of these things!
Never lost the "kid in me", and I hope I never do...otherwise I will just turn into a cranky old guy! I still love watching them Japanese samurai or Kamen Rider type shows, old MA movies, etc. I also enjoy "old movies" and TV shows from the "black and white era", like The Marx Brothers, and the original "Wuthering Heights". The recent flood of "super hero" type flicks I like also, since I was a part of the comic craze of the early '90's. I was also a part of the original Star Wars craze...call me a geek, but I am a huge SW fan! Especially of the Clone War era. :-)
I am blessed with a God given wife, a daughter with the greatest heart, a son whom I hear is doing well (kicking butt in Judo tournaments!), a supportive family, and a great bunch of KnifeBrothers. Kinda strange in that I am close to a lot of my "cyberspace" KnifeBrethren, yet some I have never even "seen", nor will ever met "face to face". It's cool though, as life on the physical plain is a fleeting thing. Hopefully, we will all meet in spirit one day!
*Special thanks to a buncha of my close knifebrothers for getting this site started, thanks also to Legendary makers/designers Ed Schempp, Mel Pardue, Fred Perrin, Michael Janich, Bud Nealy, Robbie Roberson, SwissBianco, John Bailey, and especially Carsten Felix-Dalichow and Dan Weidner of Boker, Sal Glesser and crew of Spyderco Knives, Rod Bremer of CRKT, and Mike Fuller of TOPS Knives for never forgetting "where they came from".
I will always be what Sal Glesser calls an "ELU", which stands for "End Line User" first, and a knife designer second. Once this order gets reversed, my time in the knife industry will come to an end.
"...at least believe upon the miracles themselves...
And I will do whatever you ask in my Name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father" - Jesus.
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