10th anniversary CKG Show Review...70++ pics!

[RL]

Welcome to our review of the 10th Anniversary Canadian Knifemakers’ Guild Show!

Given that this is an anniversary show, we decided to go all out with the review and post over 70 pics, beginning with pre-show dinner and both days of the show itself! The pics were taken by RogerP, Murray White, and myself.

First stop, the hotel lobby…always a fun time to meet people you have not seen for a long time and to meet new knife knuts

Greg Lightfoot, Kirby Lambert, and Thomas Haslinger

Brian Lyttle and Rod Cook

Phyllis, Brian Muscat-Tyler, Cathy and Matt Stocker, RL

After hanging out in the hotel lobby for a bit, we headed down to a local buffet for dinner. Attendees included knifemakers Greg Lightfoot, Brian and Leonnie Lyttle, Matt and Cathy Stocker, Kirby Lambert, Thomas Haslinger, George and Carol Tichbourne, Mike Mossington, Donald Bell, Brian Gilbert, Eric Elson, Garth Thompson, Brett Martin, and knife knuts Murray and Phyllis White, wyrm, Brian Muscat-Tyler, and RL

Going around the tables…

Donald Bell, Matt Stocker, Brian Gilbert, Brett Martin, Garth Thompson, Brian Muscat-Tyler and Cathy Stocker

RL, Kirby Lambert, Mike Mossington, Thomas Haslinger, Carol Tichbourne, George Tichbourne, Phyllis White, Leonnie Lyttle

 

[RL]

After dinner, we headed back to Murray’s place for a little pre-show…we were joined by knifemakers James McGowan and Bud Weston and knife knut RogerP.

Apart from the sneak-peek of the show knives (and Murray’s collection, of course), forged bowies were the theme of the day thanks to RogerP and Brian Muscat-Tyler…

Filicietti and McIntyre, both hailing from Australia

Donald Lange

A whole collection of stag bowies!

And an Obsidian knife!

Here’s RogerP with one of his fantastic bowies

Here’s Murray with an “I just bought two knives” grin

And here I am chatting with Greg Lightfoot and Brian M-T.

 

[RL]

And now, on to the show itself!

First we had to get by the tight security…

No problem for me…I was there to buy not sell

Speaking of buying…I have started previous show reviews by reporting that I bought a knife from Greg Lightfoot… may as well stick with a formula that works! Yup, another show, another Lightfoot! How could I resist with these beauties? Can you “spot” the one that I chose?

Here I am with Greg

And here is Greg’s latest folder creation, the Catch Dog

One of the highlights of the show for me was meeting newcomer William Nease. While it was William’s first CKG show, he caused quite a stir with crowds around his table for the better part of the day. His knives are definitely unique, made of unconventional materials (e.g. planer blades, saw blades, high speed steel etc.) and extremely functional, as attested to by the videos and thick pieces of severed rope on display. In fact, William was trained by Wayne Goddard, a master of cutting competitions. Here’s a pic of William with a severed piece of rope and the knife he used to cut it.

And here we are…the sword that I am holding is .585” thick!

I especially “liked” these two

Another highlight of the show was the True North Knives display. Hailing from my home town of Montreal, a fashion capital of the world, TNK proprietor Neil Ostroff was sporting a “tres chic” black suit with running shoes (nice touch Neil!). Here he is setting up the tables…

Another shot of the tables…filled with tacticals such as RJ Martin, Carson/Obenauf, Wally Hayes, Jeff Hall, Bob Terzuola, Allen Elishewitz, and Marzitelli along with art knives such as Prinsloo, Kious, Hogstrom, Osbourne, Pardue, Moulton, Nishiuchi and dozens of others!

 

[RL]

The Duaine Carillo Airkat knives, with their tricked out survival sheaths, (e.g. built in compass, fire starter, and sharpening rods) on Neil’s table (see foreground of first pic) attracted a lot of attention…so much so that fellow knife knut Tig took one home! Here he is with Guro Jun (holding an Airkat) and Tony, a fellow FMA practitioner.

And another shot with Dee and me.

Back to knives…James McGowan was directly across from TNK…James has continued to develop his MAC1 fireman’s tool, now featuring a “shove knife” and Rescue Hook integrated into the sheath. He also designed a new fighter for Rogue, makers of tactical gear. You can se these knives, along with James’ cord-wrapped pieces in the pics below.

Brian Lyttle had something for everyone including this piece that he calls “the Superlative Hunter”…note that the handle is finished in newspaper…Brian says that he can also do it in Maclean’s magazine, Road & Track or any other magazine…the man is talented!

And something more typical from Brian…a dressy folder…

And some of his dressy fixed blades, including one with real enameled glass!

 

[RL]

Last but not least, a shot of Brian

Kirby Lambert had a great selection of Japanese cord-wraps (my favourite type of knife) including neck knives and belt knives

Thomas Haslinger had some “new generation” kitchen knives on display along with dressy folders

George and Carol Tichbourne…looking especially happy since opening their new knife store (stop by for a visit!)

James Wade has really progressed as a knifemaker, in my humble opinion…this was the best work that I had seen from him…I especially liked his powder coated knife and another piece with a multi-grind.

 

[RL]

Moving around the room…

Matt Stocker…with some beefy tactical folders

Mike Mossington (busy checking up some info for a customer)

 

[RL]

Sean O’Hare, all the way from the Northwest Territories…glad you could make it to the show! My favourite knives were the tactical with lash holes and the skeleton neckers.

Brett Martin looks at the camera while knifemaker Garth Thompson talks to Brian Lyttle, Wolfgang Loerchner, and Brian Tighe in the background

Donald Bell’s gent’s folders are artistic yet very functional…a careful balance that he strives to achieve

Donald with George Tichbourne

Perhaps a slightly different direction for Randy Doucette with some Karambits and more utilitarian pieces…I like it! Congratulations on the recent birth of your child!

Lloyd Fairbairn with bowies, daggers, and hunters

 

[RL]

Fantasy knives by Tom Hart

Steve Vanderkolpf

Brian Gilbert

Paul Johnston

Walt Stockdale

Steve Stuart

Smith and Bolton

 

[RL]

Rick Frigault with a large selection of Shodans…enjoy yours Tig!

Jeff Diotte…had an incredible “etched Damascus” bowie (or two) on display…too bad they don’t show up well in the pic

John Freeman and Paul Savage, who’s business card reads “I make ‘em, I use’em…call me”

Jim Dorrell

And last but not least, the 10th Anniversary CKG Show knife…made by Wolfgang Loerchner, Brian Tighe, and Brian Lyttle!!!!

Thanks again to Roger and Murray for the pics! See you all in October!

RL

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Thanks RL, this is the best show report you have done so far; in my opinon awyway.

 

[Lambert Knives]

RL, Roger, and Murray...Thank you so much for the amazing photos and show coverage. It is greatly appreciated. See you in Oct.

 

[RogerP]

Fabulous report Robert - now I get to see some of the knives that I missed at the show - like Llyod Fairbairn's awesome bowies and fighters and such. It's time to see the optometrist - only a half-blind knife knut could have missed those.

I do wish someone had got a close-up pic of that awesome stag D-guard bowie on Geroge Tichbourne's table. That was one impressive piece. You can catch a glimpse of it in the photo of George at his table.

My thanks again to Murray and Phyllis for their hospitality. The post-dinner gathering at their place was a real blast. Brian's McIntyre bowie and awesome obsidian blade were quite memorable. As always, it was great meeting up with all the good knife-folk - makers, collectors and enthusaists alike.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Sean O'Hare]

Wow awesome review as always!

I think we should farm you out to every knife show just for the reviews.

Thank you to both you and Murray for the review and taking some great photos to cap it off.

Sean

 

[Joss]

Great work here! Thanks for sharing.

 

[patrickb]

RL,
Great, great stuff. Thanks much for all your effort. The reader feels like we are right there beside you

-pb

 

[dylan_d]

Awesome job RL, I love seeing this stuff. The knives from William Nease sure do look cool, I'd love to see some more.

Roger, I want that Bradshaw!

 

[wnease]

Great job RL, let me know how those knives work for you.

 

[HJK]

Outstanding review and great pictures, as usual!!

 

[RL]

Awesome job RL, I love seeing this stuff. The knives from William Nease sure do look cool, I'd love to see some more.

Roger, I want that Bradshaw!

Which Bradshaw...he has like ten of them

Ask and ye shall receive...more Nease pics...and glad to see you on the boards William!

Keith...it's all the forged bowies, isn't it

Kirby...my pleasure...great seeing you (and your knives) again!

Roger: Not that I mean to rub it in...but do you remember when we were talking at the TNK table? Yeah? well, Lloyd was 2' behind you

Joss, Patrick, HJK..thanks!

RL

Sean...great idea! I am even willing to travel business class to Blade!

 

[Don Hanson III]

Great job guys. Alot of effort went into this show report.
I enjoyed.

Thanks, Don Hanson