THE may SALE IS CLOSED

Today’s Pay It Forward Giveaway benefits Books for Keeps, an organization in Athens, Georgia that provides children and families with open, equal access to books in order to increase literacy and school readiness, as well as lay the foundation for a love of learning and joy in reading for children from ages 0-13+.

David, Luke, and I are all big readers - for me, reading was a life-saver when I was a kid and teenager, and I love reading to this day. I even got my Master’s and completed four years of a PhD in Literature before realizing I didn’t want to traipse around the United States for years trying to get a tenure-tracking professor position. Now I happily garden, raise my daughter, work for Bloodroot, and read for fun. But, I am very aware of the beauty, joy, and communicational acuity that reading provides - it has set me up for success, satisfaction, and pleasure in many areas of my life. So, I am a huge fan of any organization that increases book access for kids and works to increase not only literacy skills but also instill a sense of joy and accomplishment in the reading life. You can read about the excellent literacy programming at Books for Keeps here, and if you aren’t selected in today’s Pay It Forward knife giveaway, but still want to donate to Books for Keeps, go for it.

Fun facts:

My favorite reads from last year were Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff, and Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (can’t believe I waited so long to read that book - good gracious).

David’s favorite reads from the last year: War and Peace (FLEX), the Skyward series by Brandon Sanderson, and Rebecca Roanhorse’s Between Earth and Sky series.

Luke’s favorite reads from the last year: Moby Dick (these boys are showing me up), Snuff by Terry Pratchett, and Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series, including Master and Commander.

When Luke and David are working on the grinders in the shop and have their headphones in, they are most likely listening to audiobooks.

If you would like to participate in our Pay It Forward Giveaway, enter your information in the submission form below. If you are selected, you will have 24 hours to send us your shipping address, and we encourage you to make an undisclosed donation to Books for Keeps - any amount that fits your budget. Our Pay It Forward offerings are our attempt to get knives to our customers who may have more restricted budgets (but anyone may participate!) and also give back to our community. Thank you for helping us do this!

210mm Redbud Gyuto

Blade: Roller Bearing @HRC 64.

Handle: Westernized octagonal integral redbud handle with leather and brass spacers.

Notes: 208g. 48mm deep.

Sources: Steel - Roller bearing, machine shop, Birmingham, Alabama.
Redbud - Athens, Ga.