The Story Of Sumgai By Bill Riepl
Ammended by Andrew J. Gnoza, III (aka: polishsumgai)
The name Sumgai has by now become synonymous with the dread
nemesis of all collectors, the cause of "the one that got away".
Of course, the real dark secret of Sumgai is that we all get a
chance to be Sumgai ourselves sooner or later. As a wise fellow
once said, "we have met the enemy, and he is us"
Well, it has finally happened, yet, as I relate this tale, be
warned! In true Lovecraftian fashion, I am certain that It is
still out there, somewhere, biding it's time, awaiting the moment
in which to strike again.... It had been a poor couple of days,
lots of looking, stopping every few blocks or so, to root through
malls and shops, only to hear the same sad story. It had
been here..... The dark and malignant presence of the evil demon
of pen collectors, Sumgai. I heard the same terrible story from a
hundred dealers.
"Oh, yes, we had a bunch of multitools , one big old one in a box, and
one was all silver one. But Sumgai was here yesterday and bought them
all." It was truly horrible, the devastation that had been wrought
upon this area. I quailed under the knowledge that I was too late,
I had missed my chance to save these pens from the grasp of
Sumgai. It was as if It was everywhere at once, through some awful
porthole to another dimension It came, snatching up the pens,
never to be heard from again.
I began to despair of finding anything, so as I turned towards
home, I was of a mind to pass by the new pawn show.
But then a sixth sense warned me. A vague feeling of something
calling to me, deep within the recesses of my mind. I stopped and
pulled into the parking space that was suddenly there, right in
front of the door. I went in, and for the first ten minutes, it
appeared as if "IT" had been here, or if there had just never been
any multitools o begin with. Then suddenly, I saw them! A case with
about fifty in it! I looked wildly around for a clerk, certain
that It had already gone to find one and was on It's way back to
buy them all! But no, I found one, and she opened the case and
laid them out on the countertop! two Leatherman Sideclips, and a
couple Original PST’s and a Flair.
The multitools were all priced the same, $49 with the original price stickers.
This was the time for action, swift and certain action! At any moment
Sumgai could stroll through the door, and there was no telling
what It might do when It found out I had beaten It at It's own
game! I offered $245 for the all minus 10% Grand Opening Special. No
doubt glad to have helped in the defeat of Sumgai, the dealer
agreed! I had triumphed!
As I drove away, I thought I saw an awful form materialize and
slink into the store. It seemed that there was an horrible cry,
but I couldn't be certain, I had the radio turned up....
Back to reality....
Yesterday a gun dealer I had ordered a LE Glock #19 called to say my Glock had just arrived and I told him I would be over first thing Saturday AM to get it. Out the door at 0930 and I arrive at the store at 1030 ready to do business. Filled out the ATF form and while the clerk phoned in for the background check I asked if they had taken any multitools in ( the place is also a Pawn Shop ). No was the reply but there are 2 glass cases in the back with knives in them. So I stroll back to take a look and they are loaded with new knives, Cold Steel, Bench Made, Spyderco's, etc and then a box gets my attention. The box is grunge blue and yellow with "LEATHERMAN" on the end in small yellow letters. I call a clerk over and ask to look at what is in the box. Close inspection of the end shows it's a PST with leather sheath( looks like mid 1980's version - no US Patent #, only LEATHERMAN TOOL, PORTLAND) . Let me see the other box next to it ( same color ) it's a PST II with nylon sheath. Here is another the clerk says " a FLAIR " with a nylon case. Oh ' There are 2 more PST's here without any boxes or sheaths - you want them also? Now I'm sweating as they are all priced with tags that have turned yellow with age. Now the owner, who I know, says " He's a cop give him 10% off the prices marked !" OK thanx, the search revealed no more older Leatherman tools. I may go back in a week to double check the other knives he has in the case for oldies.
As I drove away, I thought I saw an awful form materialize and slink into the store. It seemed that there was an horrible cry, but I couldn't be certain, I had the radio turned up....
On the way home I stop at the Co-Op feed store to get a soda ..... sign reads " 50% OFF all Schrade cutlery " a close look reveals one lock back LB7 ( Schrade Folding Hunter 5" closed ) with leather sheath, no price shown. Clerk says " give me $10 and we can get that display case out of the way." Not that great a find, but a nice lockback with brass bolsters.
polishsumgai
Donations
Community Links
