08 Fisk Micro Show & The Small Show Format in General

I like the concept of the small shows too. For next year I plan on going to one US based show and besides Blade I'm considering Josh's show and the AKI. Blade this year was great but at the same time a lot of tables/makers weren't that interesting to me, so a smaller show with concentrated quality is very appealing to me.

Here is Jerome Anders' take on a Bowie with a shell guard.

Marcel
 

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Howdy Kevin - a bit OT but.......
amongst historians and collectors of the originals that particular style of knuckleguard is properly called a "shell" guard - note the shape of #2 and #4 in your pic of originals and the three original sword/gun combos below and you'll see why...
...

Hi Chuck
I certainly agree, if a guard looks like a "shell" then a shell guard is a logical name, however I believe the books generically refer to the hunting sword drop down style tab guards as "knuckle guards" because many times they were not shell shaped. But oblong or rectangular to accept the engraving of a family crest or even shaped like animals or animal heads.
Or as Bailey stated, sometimes designed to cover a knife & folk set on the more elaborate models (third example).

Anyway, back to the subject.

I believe one of the most difficult task for a maker/organizer of a small format show is to insure the show is entertaining and interesting enough to hold the collector's interest for the duration of the show. No small task for a 2-3 day show. They pretty much have to be multi-day, otherwise how many collectors are going to travel from all over the country or international for a 12 hour show.
This was not as much an issue with Josh's show as he already has a two day hammer-in to tie his one afternoon/evening show into. I plan to attend Josh's next year.
The Wickenburg show (promoted by a collector, I believe) takes place at a very nice Arizona resort with many resort activities to help carry the show.

Jerry's multi-year success can partially be attributed to his successfully filling the event with activities that are entertaining, interesting, educational and of course the knives don't hurt either.

The below is a typical Fisk Micro Show schedule of events:

Friday -
Trip to the ABS School in Old Washington AR to observe a class in progress.

Visit the James Black shop and tour the shop and attend very good presentation on James Black and the bowies associated with him.

Eat a fantastic lunch of local down home delicacies of catfish, fried okra, hamsteak, corn bread, apple cobbler (you get the picture) at the old historic Tavern in Old Washington.

Visit a local maker's shop.

Shoot the Bull for an hour or so.

Go back to Jerry's to view all the knives that will be offered the next day, enjoy desert foods and visit.

Saturday -
Light Breakfast foods, Fisk shop tour, seminars, forging/damascus/construction demonstrations, authentic Mexican lunch, makers present their knives, drawing for all knives, ABS certification testing if applicable, collectors buy/sell/trade knives, outstanding prime rib dinner, entertainment, then we convene to Jerry's porch to discuss anything and everything. We should have ALL the current economic problems figured out by next Sunday morning. ;):D

Sunday Morning -
More maker's demonstrations of various processes, collectors run knives through test of cutting rope/2X4s and such, more food, more knife horse trading.

Note; Expect to put on a few pounds. ;) :)
 
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This is a long Wedgie
micro-08-longwedgiefini.jpg

A few years ago, I would've lost consciousness trying to figure out why someone would wait several years and pay a lot of money for a wedgie. Now I'm just jealous.

Sounds like a great time to be had by all. Can't wait to see the pics of this year's knives.
 
Kevin I hope to attend sometime and thanks for posting those great knives. Big fan of the history of hunting swords/knives. Have you read any Samuel Baker did alot of hunting with dogs and blades.
 
Kevin I hope to attend sometime and thanks for posting those great knives. Big fan of the history of hunting swords/knives. Have you read any Samuel Baker did alot of hunting with dogs and blades.

Yes, quite intense. And hunting elephants with Swords. :eek:
 
Fiskmuk

micro-08-fiskmukfolderNLT-9.jpg

Jerry writes:
I still have the other side to do most of the engraving on so I will be working on this piece up till the night before the show.
This will be most likely the rarest of this folder pattern. A stag handle. Getting the right stag shape, and size is going to be a problem for me so the stag handles will be the lesser made of the Fiskmuks. This one has a ladder pattern damascus blade and back spring and stainless liners and bolster. The engraving appears to be what looks like Molasses poured on an ant bed. Yall just bear with me as I learn to improve my engraving skills. This is an old style slip joint pattern with a postive half stop. Really a fun knife to take hunting with you and just enjoy the day looking at your knife. Just don't forget to look up on occasions so you dont run into a tree.
 
Well just got back from the Fisk Micro Show. This year was great! Every year gets better and better. That just amazes me me to. The food was outstanding and the friends that I have met there are some of the best people that I have ever known. Plus you have knives:thumbup::thumbup:Daniel Winkler and Craig Camerer had some of the nicest knives that I have seen. Jerry's were outstanding. I can't wait till next year.:D;)
 
Re: "shell guards"-
I had always assumed they were a stylistic holdover from the knuckle guards on messers, falchion, cutlasses, etc. Likewise, the fluting that gives them their name- I always assumed to be a carry over from high gothic and maximillian armors- providing rigidity without extra weight.
 
I agree Chuck. The combination of seeing good friends, meeting new friends and being exposed to great custom knives is hard to beat.
Next year will the show's fifth year anniversary. :thumbup:
 
That's an excellent review, Jim - glad to see some pics. Congrats to John White and Matt Roberts on their selection for next year's show. :thumbup:

Roger
 
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