Thru-hiker who ditched their water filter" reminds me of my buddy Dave who did the AT last year. He swore by drinking straight from springs too, even after catching giardia on day three. He said the next week of misery was worth not carrying a filter though, wouldn't change a thing.

Nah I get that but for me the time saved was huge on a big kitchen job too. I just run a sharp blade and take light passes on the table saw to keep chipping down. Has held up fine through assembly and install no issues yet.

Switched to a hand crimper years ago, never looked back.

Did you ever try writing a letter to him even though you can't send it? I did that with my mom's quilt and it helped me let go of the anger.

Yeah those cheap foam ones are basically garbage after a few uses. I grabbed a thick rubber kneeling pad from the hardware store that has those little raised bumps on the bottom, cost about the same but the rubber doesnt flatten out like foam does. Worked for me all last spring and still going strong, just give it a good shake and hose off when it gets muddy.