2009 CKG Fall Open show review...75+ pics

[RL]

After a hiatus of a few years, the Canadian Knifemaker Guild Fall Open show has returned! As a refresher (it has been a while), the “open” format allows for both custom and production knives to be shown / sold by knifemakers, dealers, and collectors. I was very happy when I learned the CKG was resurrecting this show!

Of course, as a one-day event (plus pre-show) the Fall Open show is smaller than the Spring show. Simply put, it is not quite as economically feasible for distant knifemakers to travel all the way to Toronto for a one-day show as it would be for a two-day show. That having been said, there is a lot of talent in the area and the selection of knives and the turnout were impressive!

The “open” theme extended to the pre-show insofar as makers were allowed to show as many knives as they desired (unlike the Spring pre-show where they are limited to 3).

Paul Savage showed a diverse range of knives including hunters, a folder design made in collaboration with Randy Doucette, and a monster bowie (headed to a member of another forum)

A closeup of his collaboration with Randy Doucette

I love the spalted maple scales on this one

Matching folder and fixed blade

Rick Frigault showed a nice Damascus Victory bowie (small size) and a take-down bowie that disassembles into 51 pieces!

Here I am holding the Victory bowie.

And the knifemakers, Rick Frigault on the left, Paul Savage on the right

I was not too familiar with Eric Kuhn’s work before this show but I did like what I saw

I also really like Eric’s logo, representing his other passion, canoeing

 

[RL]

Steve Linklater also had a cool way to mark his sub-hilt fighter

And a shot of Steve’s knives

Rick Todd showed some variations of his GetaGrip design (sadly I did not get the details)…the blue G10 was my favourite, especially the way he smoothed out the scales

A couple of fancier pieces from CKG President Eric Elson…the dressed-up tactical folder was a lot lighter than its beefy frame would suggest

Ed McRae, all the way from the Northwest Territories

Again, dealers and collectors are allowed at this show…Tom Novak had a nice mix of custom and production pieces

Never know what you will find at a knife show! I finally got to handle a Bark River, and a prototype no less!

Last but not least, a few pieces that collector Murray White was selling

The size of the pre-show crowd was bigger than I was expecting

 

[RL]

Now on to the show!

I heard that Mike Mossington had some pink G-10 so I made a dash to his table…sure enough, I got one of the two sheets that he brought! On to James McGowan for some special projects I picked up some moonglo G10 as well

Mike had a staggering array of knifemaking supplies

As I made my way around the room, a few interesting pieces on Eric Kuhn’s table caught my eye. First, what turned out to be one of the more interesting knives of the show (to me), a woodworking “draw” knife...with handles made out of toy train parts.

Another interesting knife on his table was made from a .50BMG casing!

 

[RL]

A table shot

Next I head over to see a fellow collector Scott Butler’s display. Scott and I have a lot of the same tastes…and he did not disappoint with THREE Brends!

Scott also had some incredible bowies from Broadwell, Dean, and Hancock

[

As well as some cool toys like these all titanium hammers

Randall knives accessories like this belt buckle as well as books, DVDs etc.

Tom was at the table right next to Scott, again with a nice mix of custom and production knives.

Time for the first of hourly draws…the CKG had lots of stuff to give away

Let’s see if lightning strikes more than once…and it does, as I win a knife donated by John Benoit! This is the third time I win something at a CKG show! (past wins include a Chris Reeve knife and DVD)

 

[RL]

Here I am with John Benoit and my new knife. As it turns out, the knife that I won was one of the first knives he ever made way back when.

Some more recent work…

Nice detailing to match the pins to the shape of the inlay

And on the lotus sheath pull

Sitting right next to John was his son, Andre who started knifemaking at age 10…always nice to watch knifemakers from their earliest days

Speaking of newer knifemakers, here are Todd Denstedt’s first folder and second fixed blade

along with some more recent pieces

The CKG is very important for giving exposure to newer makers…such as Paul Bold

 

[RL]

As well as to more established makers such as Rick Todd

Ed McRae

Paul Savage

Murray St. amour

and Jim Downie

who had this incredible carved piece on display

 

[RL]

It was also nice to see George and Carol Tichbourne back at the CKG show

As I mentioned before, a nice part of the Open show is that collectors can sell their knives. So right next to George’s table was Murray White’s display. Most people do not have a collection this size, yet this is just what Murray is selling off!

Murray’s Craig Camerer bowie

A couple more from Murray’s display

Stan Forrest, another collector thinning the herd

Back to knifemakers…a closeup of Rick Frigault’s take-down bowie, now partially disassembled

and the rest of his table

Steve Linklater

 

[RL]

Some very functional hunters from Ron Post

I especially liked his filet knives

Last but not least, CKG President Eric Elson

This one had a cool carry rig with rearward deployment and piggy-backed firesteel and sharpening rod

Of course, catching up with friends is an important part of the show…here I am (holding my Steve Ryan M1 framelock) with Tig (holding my DDR Mad Maxx Gibbs Trident)

Knifemaker James McGowan and his son (again, holding my Mad Maxx)

Quite the turnout

Finally, my haul from the show.

See you all at the Spring show!

RL

 

[stabber]

Nice pics RL!! Congrats on your win!!:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[peterinct]

RL - Congrats on the raffle win and THANKS for taking the time to post the pictures.

Peter

 

[KnifeMaker.ca]

Thanks for the detailed review of the show and the great pics RL

Preobably the best review I've seen - and special thanks for posting the link in the Canadian Connection. :thumbup:

It was a pleasure meeting you.

Rob!

 

[BernM]

RL -
Great review and pics of the show. I was sorry that more of the makers from out west didn't make it in for the show, but the custom bowies Murray White was displaying for sale from his collection took up any spare time I had. I saw international makers' work there that I'd have never had an opportunity to see firsthand otherwise.

 

[Lorien]

your show reviews are AWESOME!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[RL]

thanks all.

knifemaker.ca, nice to meet you as well..if you have access to the search function, you can look up my other reviews of all the shows for the past few years on this forum.

RL

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi RL,

Excellent review, thank you.

 

[RL]

hey les...thanks, i remember visiting your table at the first CKG show that i attended years ago...should have bought that Al Polkowski urban khukri and Crawford KFF...lol

RL

 

[xaman]

That was fun, thanks so much for taking the time to post all those pics and thoughts.

 

[kgd]

Great pictures! Wish I could have made it out this year, but not in the cards. Nice to live vicariously through your shots and thread!

 

[T.K.C.]

I always enjoy these tours of shows that you do!!! Thank you for all your hard work in posting this. That was fun!!

 

[Paul Savage]

Thanks for the great review Robert. I always look forward to having a second peek at everything as well as another impression of the show. Well done. Paul