My buddy's starter survived a house fire once.

I mean, it's just a number though, right? You made some knives, which is cool, but it feels like you're reading way too much into it. A hundred of anything sounds like a lot until you break it down over five years. That's like, what, twenty knives a year? It's a side gig. It's not like you built a whole company or changed your whole life. It's a hobby that got a little out of hand. The tools probably work fine, but it's still just making knives.

Honestly, that's a better outcome than him buying you a telescope and crushing your whole world view at once.

Ugh, that's a shame. Maybe they're just super nervous about theft and it's coming across all wrong.

Ever feel like you need a botany degree just to pick out a rose these days? I can barely keep my own garden alive, let remember all these new names.