2002 Blade show toys!

Danbo

Danbo

Joined
Nov 28, 1999
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As usual, the Blade show was an experience that a person cannot miss! I had a blast and got to meet a lot of people, and finally put some faces to all those emails. I got to hug Danelle, and that was worth the price of admission alone. Finally met Dexter Ewing; that boy carries enough metal on him that I felt unarmed. Got to meet Nick Wheeler and see one of his bowies. Great work! He definitely has more of a future as a knifemaker than I do. Audra Draper actually touched me on my arm. Not only have I not washed that spot on my arm, but I am considering having the DNA extracted from that spot so that I can have a clone made! :)

Here is a pic of the first knife that I bought. One of the Vanguard series knives from Les Robertson's site. This knife is a pure fighter made by R.J. Martin called the Mayhem. The blade is about 7" of razor sharp double edged S30V with a needle sharp point. Stainless double guard and black micarta handles. You really have to hold this knife to experience the superb balance! Next time I encounter a menacing Mall Ninja, I sure hope I have this one with me.

(edited because I needed the pic elsewhere, and it wouldnt let me post it twice.)
 
One of my good friends named Russ Andrews was going for his Journeyman Smith stamp at the Blade show. This man is one super knifemaker, and is actually taking time out to teach me a little about making knives. Not that I will ever reach his level of expertise, but I am trying. No surprise to me, since I had seen a lot of his work, but Russ not only got his Journeyman stamp, but he also was awarded the George Peck award for the best knife submitted by an applicant for Journeyman! Pretty prestigious award, since there were a lot of people awarded Journeyman at this show. Each of those people had to submit 5 knives, so to have his knife picked out of all those knives must have felt pretty good. Anyway, I just had to buy the bowie that won the award. Actually, I had already bought the knife beforehand, but that's another story. The knife that won the award is a bowie with a 9" blade of forged 5160 with a very visible temper line(this picture does not show it well), nickel silver oval guard and collar and gorgeous cocobolo handle. The blade is handrubbed to probably 1200 grit.
 
Here is another of the 5 knives that Russ submitted for judging for his Journeyman stamp. Carry size fighter bowie with 7" blade of forged 5160. Again, a very visible temper line, but my crappy picture doesnt show it. Guard is stainless and the handle is stablized walnut. B.R. Hughes just about fell in love with this bowie, and I think I actually like it better than the bigger cocobolo show winner bowie.
 
Running around Saturday afternoon, I noticed a few small fixed blades sitting in front of the guy with the titanium damascus material. I was amazed at the work in these small knives. I ended up buying one. The knife itself is a utility carry backup knife with about a 3.5" blade of forged 1084. Guard is nickel silver, I believe and the handle is green canvas micarta. The grinds on this knife are perfect. Top edge is sharp also. Came with a nice kydex sheath. To be honest, I had never heard of the maker, but I bought the knife based upon the work. It turns out that the maker has been making fancey mosaic folders for the last several years, and that these were the first plain carbon steel knives he has made in years. The man's name is Tom Ferry. Most impressive work indeed!
 
One of the last purchases was this Criswell sword. I needed this thing like I needed another hole in my head, but it was/is just too cool! Now, all I have to do is wait for the local farmer to harvest his corn, and I can go out and play "Urban Samurai"!
 
Danbo,

Those are just awesome. I need to see more of Russ Andrews' work. Does he have a website? Is there a place I can see more examples of his knives? Those two you got just look so clean and well made...

Oh, and next year, don't you dare accept any of my excuses for not going to Blade!
 
Boy, what a great haul! I love that 7" bowie. Looks like it has afiddleback maple handle. The big bowie is nice, but I definitely like this one more.
 
Man, what a great collection! I have been eyeing one of those Martin's on Les' site. They are a really cool blade IMO. The bowies look very nice as well, just a little more refined. Your choices here have done nothing to diminish my respect for your taste in knives. Just excellent :cool:

I really need to make an attempt to get down there for next years show :(
 
I was fortunate enough, that Danbo let me fondle the 7" Andrews fighter/bowie at Blade. It was very nearly a sexual experience.
And Danelle is just as hot as you would imagine her being :p. Racer Roy :D
 
Danbo,

You got yourself a great knives there. The Tom Ferry piece is awesome. I have seen a few of his damascus pieces and am always floored. Good score big time.


Liong
 
Danbo,
You are a lucky man ! The big Bowie is drop dead beautiful !
Good collecting !
Jocko
 
Good Golly!!!

Dan is a really great guy and he showed me a bunch of his knives....man oh man, he has great taste in knives!

That knife by Tom sucks though ;) Tom is my good buddy and we were all at the same table. The guard on all three of those small knives by Tom were Titanium Dan.

As my work improves, I hope to find my name in Dan's collection...what an honor that would be to be put in amonst such great makers.

Thanks for posting these Dan!!!
Nick
 
I remember reading on these pages that for a great eye for bowies, look to Danbo. Don't remember who posted that line, but it should be etched in granite. Wonderful, just plain wonderful. I've seen many of the posts (so far) from Blade, and these are by far the most impressive. (still searching for adjectives, but nothing comes, just wonderful)
MTMike :)
Did I mention wonderful?
 
They're all good. Great choices.

My fave is yours too--the walnut 'carry Bowie'. Thanks for the report and fine pics!

Wulf, Keith and I are all hitchhiking there next year!!!!

Coop
 
Danbo,

Get a look at UW Mitch's knife(s) made by TF out of Timascus. Dude! I think the thread is around here somehwere.
 
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