OK,OK i know i said i wouldnt participate in any more knife tests conversations but that was technically knifetests.com so after consulting with my lawyers we have decided that it will not be a breach of contract for me to participate in this destruction of perfectly good steel...lol.

Falcon:

The Space Shuttle? Really? That’s a story I’d like to hear. What happened?

Well, I had worked on the Space Shuttle for over 10 years when we were told of our demise in 2010, so I decided to leave the company for a job that is closer to the house and will be around for a while. When I was leaving they were averaging about 13 people per week quiting. Before I had left I had procured 3 knives into the shuttle endeavor (1 Dog father,1 dog mutt and one swamp rat knife)just to know in my mind I can say these were actually aboard a live shuttle and the newest and fastest one at that. The bad part about the cape was there is no photography in the bay except during open houses and if a QC had a camera. Unfortunately getting pictures was next to imposable. I was allowed to use the dog mutt for normal work around and on the exterior of the shuttle but only approved tools were allowed inside. So on a day to day routine I would cut rope and various material with it (quartz, Kevlar, kapton, lumiloy, etc.. So technically it was used ON the shuttle and has been in there once but very few knives can claim that. There were a few knives by astronauts carried on orbit but not a lot, all in all it was a good job and I hate to see the program go down like that but sometimes you have to move on. My current job is a little more secure and keeps me really busy a lot so I don't get the time I like to do things.
I try to come here as much as I can but usually don't have the time I like to post or experiment. Looking back at the days, I had wished I could have got a picture of them in the ship but the risk was not worth it. Dan and Jerrys knives has worked for me in some harsh environments working around a lot of hazards around and on (key word on) the shuttle. I'll try to dig up some open house pictures if your interested in seeing the working area.

Falcon, That must have been really great, to be able to work with the Shuttle! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Sorry to hear that you had to leave though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Great story, Falcon. Thanks.

Of course Randal Made Knives developed the Astro for the Mercury 7. I never quite figured out why you’d need a 5 ½” sheath knife in a space capsule. Except for “Just in case.” Or “You never can tell.” That’s also why I carry knives.

It is an environment in which, should things go bad, you might need a sharpened pry bar. If I had to pick I’d take the Dumpster Mutt rather than the Astro any day.

Wonder how Dan is doing with the pics..

I wonder why we haven't seen Eric's yet even though the tests were supposedly already done several weeks ago

Thanks Jeff and Implume, It was a great ride working out there for as long as it lasted. One down side to that industry is it's always unstable out there. When the economy takes a dive, so does that place. Our company will not be the prime contractor on the next program and they weren't sure of us having a job after 2010, so instead of taking a chance on not having a job then, I decided to start looking for another job and had found one closer to home (less gas) and a little more job security (hopefully). I learned a lot while working out there and it's frustrating watching our technology go down the tubes because of politics. But what can you do. Any how, here are some pics I dug out to give you an idea of the place. (I'm the red headed fat one in the pictures) I also got to meet some stars while out there filming Armageddon, Apollo 13 and Space Cowboys. Here's a pic of John Travolta and Clint Eastwood that was shot, I was over by the eye wash station when John was checking out the nose.

WARNING PICTURES AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!












[img]http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/falcon5000_/rollout1033-28-05028.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/falcon5000_/IMG_0008.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/falcon5000_/IMG_0024.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/falcon5000_/05pd0053.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/falcon5000_/IMG_1153.jpg[/img]

Cleanest Landing gear in the world. You can eat off this surface.

I saw that space shuttle they have at the new Air&Space museum on the Dulles grounds. I had no idea how gigantic they are. It just dwarfed the SR-71 right in front of it. I wish I had my camera on me..

Cool pics! 1000,000 parts- all made by the lowest bidder! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

lol that sure sounds safe. I love my 3-part Scrappers!