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- Feb 28, 2002
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Overview
The 2004 Spirit of Steel Show unfolded over three days (September 18-20) at the Hilton DFW Lakes Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas. This was a terrific location for the show, with first rate accommodations at the hotel for participants and attendees. There was ample shopping to be had at the nearby Grapevine Mall, and for the hunting / fishing / camping / hiking / general outdoor set the adjacent (and massive) Bass Pro Shop was, essentially, Disneyland.
This was a special show for me because my Dad accompanied me down to Dallas. It would be his first exposure to a knife show of any kind and I hoped it would provide him with an understanding of and appreciation for my long-time interest in the subject. I was not disappointed. Dad was fairly overwhelmed by the friendliness and hospitality shown by all. We were both treated to dinner on Friday night by Chris Carlson (organizer of the Central Texas Knife Show in Austin) and his lovely wife Nichelle steak and ribs no less my sincere thanks to them both. On Saturday he accompanied me to the show itself and got to see the cutting competition (which will be the subject of a separate review). He had the opportunity to speak with several of the makers and view their creations. Its fair to say that the experience was eye-opening for him and a total blast for me.
A few words about what follows. First, you will be forgiven if you think the title should read Forged Bowies of Spirit of Steel Im afraid the emphasis of the photographs reflects both my own interest and also the incredible display of big forged fixed blades - from plain working knives to ornate works of art. ABS makers were in abundance and the ABS itself was represented at (as well as co-sponsored) the show. Ill also apologize in advance for the poor quality of many of the pictures. The only slight draw back of the otherwise spacious and comfortable ballroom which housed the show was somewhat poor lighting, which made hand-held non-flash photos subject to blurriness. If youre hoping for Coop-like photo quality, run now while you still can.
Before I forget, Ill say a special thanks to Bruce Voyles for putting on an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable show.
AWARD WINNERS
Best Damascus - Jim Walker
Best Hunter - Jim Walker
Best Folder - Bill Ruple
Best Combat Knife - John Martin
Best Bowie - Brett Gatlin
Clyde Fisher Award - Brett Gatlin
Best Miniature - Richard Self
Most Innovative - Ron Newton
Best of Show - Ron Newton
THE MAKERS AND THEIR KNIVES
Jerry Fisk
Shown here holding a prototype design of a one knife does it all type bowie:
Jerry describes the bottom knife in the following photograph as The best Southwest Bowie I have ever made. It features a 12-plus blade of mosaic damascus, ivory handle and elaborately engraved fittings. The stag / damascus SW bowie at the top surely cannot be far behind. I was tremendously impressed at how well-balanced and quick these massive bowies were in the hand. Nestled between them is the prototype. I cried like a baby to learn that it was not for sale:
Ron Newton
Ron had an assembly of his typically amazing knives. My favorite was (unsurprisingly) the big clamshell bowie he is shown holding in the photo above. The stunning guard is almost enough to make you overlook the terrific stag handle and wonderful blade profile (Newton pic):
The knife that won both the Most Innovative and Best of Show awards was an exquisite Shootin Newton switch combo, which combined the elegance of an engraved and gold-inlayed gents latch release automatic folder, together with the punch of 17 caliber cap and ball. Outstanding!
Harvey Dean
It was a real pleasure to finally meet Harvey Dean, shown here holding a new fighter design that was easily in my top two favorite fighters of the show:
This assembly alone would be worth the price of admission for the bowie fan. The botton knife is that sweet stag fighter:
Mike Williams
Ive wanted to own a Williams bowie for a LONG time and have always particularly admired his river pattern damascus. The knife Mike is shown holding above (and the top knife in the photo below), with its gorgeous damascus blade, stag handle and wrought iron fittings, was a no-brainer purchase decision. I could not have hoped for a nicer knife from a nicer guy:
The second knife was my other favorite fighter of the show, with a sheep horn handle and wonderful hamon that my camera, regrettably, failed to capture. It was a lighting-quick blade to be sure.
Reggie Barker
Reggie is a fellow with two distinct personas. Knife Show Reggie is as friendly and affable as anyone else. Cutting Competition Reggie is serious and all-business (more on Reggie in the separate cutting competition review). He had a real nice selection of carbon steel fixed blades knives which will no doubt be in further demand as the reigning World Cutting Champ continues his winning ways:
Review will continue in part 2....
The 2004 Spirit of Steel Show unfolded over three days (September 18-20) at the Hilton DFW Lakes Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas. This was a terrific location for the show, with first rate accommodations at the hotel for participants and attendees. There was ample shopping to be had at the nearby Grapevine Mall, and for the hunting / fishing / camping / hiking / general outdoor set the adjacent (and massive) Bass Pro Shop was, essentially, Disneyland.
This was a special show for me because my Dad accompanied me down to Dallas. It would be his first exposure to a knife show of any kind and I hoped it would provide him with an understanding of and appreciation for my long-time interest in the subject. I was not disappointed. Dad was fairly overwhelmed by the friendliness and hospitality shown by all. We were both treated to dinner on Friday night by Chris Carlson (organizer of the Central Texas Knife Show in Austin) and his lovely wife Nichelle steak and ribs no less my sincere thanks to them both. On Saturday he accompanied me to the show itself and got to see the cutting competition (which will be the subject of a separate review). He had the opportunity to speak with several of the makers and view their creations. Its fair to say that the experience was eye-opening for him and a total blast for me.
A few words about what follows. First, you will be forgiven if you think the title should read Forged Bowies of Spirit of Steel Im afraid the emphasis of the photographs reflects both my own interest and also the incredible display of big forged fixed blades - from plain working knives to ornate works of art. ABS makers were in abundance and the ABS itself was represented at (as well as co-sponsored) the show. Ill also apologize in advance for the poor quality of many of the pictures. The only slight draw back of the otherwise spacious and comfortable ballroom which housed the show was somewhat poor lighting, which made hand-held non-flash photos subject to blurriness. If youre hoping for Coop-like photo quality, run now while you still can.
Before I forget, Ill say a special thanks to Bruce Voyles for putting on an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable show.
AWARD WINNERS
Best Damascus - Jim Walker
Best Hunter - Jim Walker
Best Folder - Bill Ruple
Best Combat Knife - John Martin
Best Bowie - Brett Gatlin
Clyde Fisher Award - Brett Gatlin
Best Miniature - Richard Self
Most Innovative - Ron Newton
Best of Show - Ron Newton
THE MAKERS AND THEIR KNIVES
Jerry Fisk
Shown here holding a prototype design of a one knife does it all type bowie:
Jerry describes the bottom knife in the following photograph as The best Southwest Bowie I have ever made. It features a 12-plus blade of mosaic damascus, ivory handle and elaborately engraved fittings. The stag / damascus SW bowie at the top surely cannot be far behind. I was tremendously impressed at how well-balanced and quick these massive bowies were in the hand. Nestled between them is the prototype. I cried like a baby to learn that it was not for sale:
Ron Newton
Ron had an assembly of his typically amazing knives. My favorite was (unsurprisingly) the big clamshell bowie he is shown holding in the photo above. The stunning guard is almost enough to make you overlook the terrific stag handle and wonderful blade profile (Newton pic):
The knife that won both the Most Innovative and Best of Show awards was an exquisite Shootin Newton switch combo, which combined the elegance of an engraved and gold-inlayed gents latch release automatic folder, together with the punch of 17 caliber cap and ball. Outstanding!
Harvey Dean
It was a real pleasure to finally meet Harvey Dean, shown here holding a new fighter design that was easily in my top two favorite fighters of the show:
This assembly alone would be worth the price of admission for the bowie fan. The botton knife is that sweet stag fighter:
Mike Williams
Ive wanted to own a Williams bowie for a LONG time and have always particularly admired his river pattern damascus. The knife Mike is shown holding above (and the top knife in the photo below), with its gorgeous damascus blade, stag handle and wrought iron fittings, was a no-brainer purchase decision. I could not have hoped for a nicer knife from a nicer guy:
The second knife was my other favorite fighter of the show, with a sheep horn handle and wonderful hamon that my camera, regrettably, failed to capture. It was a lighting-quick blade to be sure.
Reggie Barker
Reggie is a fellow with two distinct personas. Knife Show Reggie is as friendly and affable as anyone else. Cutting Competition Reggie is serious and all-business (more on Reggie in the separate cutting competition review). He had a real nice selection of carbon steel fixed blades knives which will no doubt be in further demand as the reigning World Cutting Champ continues his winning ways:
Review will continue in part 2....
