- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,348
Hi Friends,
The ECCKS is one of the larger shows in the US and held in Times Square NYC at the Crowne Plaza hotel. I shoot at the NYCKS at the same venue in the Fall, but this show is handled by Eric Eggly/Point Seven. This year, we could not coach in Florida
, so it was the first time in a couple of years I had a chance to actually visit at a show. Id been looking forward to this for weeks!
I really felt a delightful relief to be able to simply visit and witness the show from the inside, and not have photography pressures or promotion in the forefront. In fact I really dissuaded conversation away from my work and tried to simply learn about others good projects.
That said, I had contacted Eric weeks earlier to see if he was interested in a few extra wallpaper books I have. I acquired over 40 in the Fall and had a bunch of duplicates. I know how it is with fresh backgrounds for our work, and this was a nice opportunity to share with a peer professional. They were well-received, and Ill go over this more later.
In lieu of taking a train and subway, I chose to drive in. Carrying around heavy books is a task. I knew that the Friday parking at the Crowne was relatively inexpensive ($29) and I could come and go as needed. Its a 70 min drive from door-to-door for me. Good choice. I arrived refreshed.
Id been offered an extra VIP pass from a maker, but I chose to pay for my one-day ticket. Steve DLack (the promoter) treats me well, and ticket sales help this boat stay afloat. Im a supporter. (I did use that ticket (thanks Keith Ouye!) to get in early as a VIP.)
In the Fall one of my photo clients had ordered and recd a wonderful small folder from Koji Hara. I shot it in November (See it here).
This prompted me to approach Koji to build me one, only I had different objectives and materials in mind: polished blade, white Micarta w/red liners and a SS bolster. Talking with Koji involves a lot of clear simple phrases and words. He agreed to make me my folder and I wrote down my wish list on my business card. He also promised me he would have it ready for this show (only 3 mos. Delivery!
)
I contacted him in January through his website and his son Ryuichi answered my email promptly, and we affirmed my order. I mentioned that I would do a nice photo and show it off (here) and send it in to publications. I asked him to do anything he thought beneficial to the appearance: Filework, escutcheon, whatnot. Go for it. Well, I was VERY impressed upon its unveiling.
Lets see why:
Koji added two pearl insets in the backbar and jeweled the inner liners. He also gave the bolsters framed stippling and cut some traction grooves in the swedge. The stippling removed my desire to have CJ Cai do his artful engraving (Ive been awaiting on a US maker to make me the same knife for two years, but hes not coming through. Maybe sometime?) The stippling helps divide the smooth visuals as well as the grip. This knife is small and slippery and those bolster give it some purchase.
He also delivered it in this fine cloth pouch with his logo. It is quite a delightful package. Koji was CLEARLY happy with my response--and his work. His ever-present smile grew another few centimeters.
I recommended he keep it on his table while I ran around the show. This pleased him. As I came back to pick it up and leave later in the afternoon, he was writing up a client who was willing to purchase mine right there, but was impressed enough to order one for himself. Perfect timing. Koji gave me a knowing wink.
I will write up more impressions later and add to this post. I have many small stories.
To be continued....
Yitz spotted me in the aisle. We always share a bit of a chat. This time he draws out a small wrapped figurine carved from ivory. It's a pair of Asian fighters; one on a horse and the other getting his arse handed to him with a spear. The detail is precise and there are hollows and cavities and thin appendages carved throughout. I remark that it appears to be about 100 years old, because NO ONE would spend this kind of time on a 'cheap' scupture nowadays. He agrees on both counts. It was a pleasure to behold this craftsmanship. Yitz is ALL about quality.
I saw Les Robertson and brought a small folder for him to consider on a trade. He said I'd do better selling it on the forums. Straight shooter he is.
Darrel Ralph had a tableful of goodies, and he chased me away with a midtech knife from a long overdue photo project--that I had forgotten about. He didn't forget and this knife was a pleasant payback. I'll report in with photos in the near future.
Darrel = Class A.
I spotted Josh Smith's table and coonfingered those delightful knives he'd posted earlier. I dont think I've ever opened and closed a smoother folder with no play. Crazy. The fixed blade and damascus were, umm, Mastersmith quality. Yup.
Jon Brand, Aaron (?), Lifter, and Stabber I saw. (Stabber was too busy chatting with a maker to interupt and shake hands with. Just as well. His grip is like John Henry's.
)
I chatted with Dan Favano in the opening hour. He was chuckling over that gorgeous push dagger he just bought from MS Larry Fuegen. I guestimatted the purchase price and I was high by almost 2k. This made him that much happier. SCORE!
Dave Ellis is always smiling and had his ever-present selection of highest-end works. Good stuff.
The Italians:
I saw a new ECCKS maker: Attilio Morotti and his gorgeous assistant. She did more of the talking and knew the knife terms well. Really smart folders. I bid them good luck and will shoot a pair of their knives soon, as Paul Shindler had bought some.
Tore Fogarizzu and Antonio Fogarizzu had separate tables (cousins) and have distinct styles. Antonio had sent me a magazine from Italy with his knives and my photos as displayed in a beautiful pictorial. He is a star to watch, too. I'll see him again in the Boston Invitational.
Emmanuel Esposito had a couple for folders available, and one was a lottery for $3800. It was a tablock with carbon fiber and gold pins. We discussed how this combo was a juxtaposition of old/new:
Old: gold and the knife as a tool.
New: Carbon fiber and CNC machining.
He liked my analogies. I wished I had brought cash to get in his drawing. I refused to enter knowng how uncomfortable it would be had I 'won'. I also know this knife would flip for substantially more. Pay attention here. I'm on his list.
Speaking of draws, Michael Walker did a draw with a pack of cards, and I was close to the action when he pulled out the 8 of hearts. Winner: Ed Wormser.
When I talked with Kevin Casey he had four of the eight knives sold already and the show was only 90 minutes into a three-day weekend. He's going to ROCK!
Another who I was impressed with, was new-to-me Scandinavian maker Anders Hedlund and his delightful wife. Good stuff.
Dietmar Kressler spent time showing me a new design interframe folder he has crafted--this time 100% of the design is his. It will have a cool back-lock pin.
Jot Khalsa and I go way back. He had a crazy dagger almost filled with diamonds and Julie's engraving. There were a few bare spots and he's going to cure that with more adornments. Some clients never say no....
I share a great relationship with Hawaiian Keith Ouye and his generous wife Amy. Keith makes a REALLY good folder and has his very recognizable style. (Monday he is going to a meeting with some mucky-mucks from Camillus to see about a design. I wish them the best!) Amy and Keith have given me gifts for my 7-yr-old son Trevor, and this time they bought him a Shark t-shirt and a doodle pad set. I asked about his mentor, Stan Fujisaka and he tells me he's doing OK, but simply getting older. Keith Ouye = Class AAA.
I finally got to meet engraverC.J. Cai, and he had already drummed up a bunch of new work in the show. I'm NOT surprised. I really like CJ's style: You can visualize it from five feet away. Very crisp. Much unlike the more detailed Italian and finer USA engravers. It's ALL good.
Neil Ostroff (True North Knives) had a tableful of goodies for the first time at the ECCKS. I was glad to see his smart offerings and his presence in this notable crowd. :thumbup:
I wandered over the the side room to chat with Eric Eggly. He was thankful for my gift and excited to explore them soon. Fortunately Phil Lobred was getting a knife finished by him: It was a 'credit card' auto by Jurgen Steinau, which was ordered about five years earlier. Incredible mosaics and gold frame. Phil let me work it and I opened it with the tab as a 'gent's auto which pops the blade out softly. Then you take a credit card and depress the spring in the well and lock it. Then it snaps open with authority. Dual-stage spring action.
Eric and I talked a little 'shop' and I left him to continue his work. He was alone and had much ground to cover. Impressed to see that he, too, is using strobes for some of his current work.
I had to get home to have dinner with my son, as my wife had an evening planned with her mom. I left at about 4pm and made it home by 6pm in rush hour traffic. I enjoyed being able to drive away ASAP. I miss that I couldn't stay longer, as I had an all-day shoot with a client today.
I missed noting conversations with about 1001 other makers and friends. I wish you all well!
Thanks for reading!
Coop
The ECCKS is one of the larger shows in the US and held in Times Square NYC at the Crowne Plaza hotel. I shoot at the NYCKS at the same venue in the Fall, but this show is handled by Eric Eggly/Point Seven. This year, we could not coach in Florida
, so it was the first time in a couple of years I had a chance to actually visit at a show. Id been looking forward to this for weeks!I really felt a delightful relief to be able to simply visit and witness the show from the inside, and not have photography pressures or promotion in the forefront. In fact I really dissuaded conversation away from my work and tried to simply learn about others good projects.
That said, I had contacted Eric weeks earlier to see if he was interested in a few extra wallpaper books I have. I acquired over 40 in the Fall and had a bunch of duplicates. I know how it is with fresh backgrounds for our work, and this was a nice opportunity to share with a peer professional. They were well-received, and Ill go over this more later.
In lieu of taking a train and subway, I chose to drive in. Carrying around heavy books is a task. I knew that the Friday parking at the Crowne was relatively inexpensive ($29) and I could come and go as needed. Its a 70 min drive from door-to-door for me. Good choice. I arrived refreshed.
Id been offered an extra VIP pass from a maker, but I chose to pay for my one-day ticket. Steve DLack (the promoter) treats me well, and ticket sales help this boat stay afloat. Im a supporter. (I did use that ticket (thanks Keith Ouye!) to get in early as a VIP.)
In the Fall one of my photo clients had ordered and recd a wonderful small folder from Koji Hara. I shot it in November (See it here).
This prompted me to approach Koji to build me one, only I had different objectives and materials in mind: polished blade, white Micarta w/red liners and a SS bolster. Talking with Koji involves a lot of clear simple phrases and words. He agreed to make me my folder and I wrote down my wish list on my business card. He also promised me he would have it ready for this show (only 3 mos. Delivery!
)I contacted him in January through his website and his son Ryuichi answered my email promptly, and we affirmed my order. I mentioned that I would do a nice photo and show it off (here) and send it in to publications. I asked him to do anything he thought beneficial to the appearance: Filework, escutcheon, whatnot. Go for it. Well, I was VERY impressed upon its unveiling.
Lets see why:
Koji added two pearl insets in the backbar and jeweled the inner liners. He also gave the bolsters framed stippling and cut some traction grooves in the swedge. The stippling removed my desire to have CJ Cai do his artful engraving (Ive been awaiting on a US maker to make me the same knife for two years, but hes not coming through. Maybe sometime?) The stippling helps divide the smooth visuals as well as the grip. This knife is small and slippery and those bolster give it some purchase.
He also delivered it in this fine cloth pouch with his logo. It is quite a delightful package. Koji was CLEARLY happy with my response--and his work. His ever-present smile grew another few centimeters.
I recommended he keep it on his table while I ran around the show. This pleased him. As I came back to pick it up and leave later in the afternoon, he was writing up a client who was willing to purchase mine right there, but was impressed enough to order one for himself. Perfect timing. Koji gave me a knowing wink.
I will write up more impressions later and add to this post. I have many small stories.
To be continued....
Yitz spotted me in the aisle. We always share a bit of a chat. This time he draws out a small wrapped figurine carved from ivory. It's a pair of Asian fighters; one on a horse and the other getting his arse handed to him with a spear. The detail is precise and there are hollows and cavities and thin appendages carved throughout. I remark that it appears to be about 100 years old, because NO ONE would spend this kind of time on a 'cheap' scupture nowadays. He agrees on both counts. It was a pleasure to behold this craftsmanship. Yitz is ALL about quality.
I saw Les Robertson and brought a small folder for him to consider on a trade. He said I'd do better selling it on the forums. Straight shooter he is.
Darrel Ralph had a tableful of goodies, and he chased me away with a midtech knife from a long overdue photo project--that I had forgotten about. He didn't forget and this knife was a pleasant payback. I'll report in with photos in the near future.
Darrel = Class A.I spotted Josh Smith's table and coonfingered those delightful knives he'd posted earlier. I dont think I've ever opened and closed a smoother folder with no play. Crazy. The fixed blade and damascus were, umm, Mastersmith quality. Yup.
Jon Brand, Aaron (?), Lifter, and Stabber I saw. (Stabber was too busy chatting with a maker to interupt and shake hands with. Just as well. His grip is like John Henry's.
)I chatted with Dan Favano in the opening hour. He was chuckling over that gorgeous push dagger he just bought from MS Larry Fuegen. I guestimatted the purchase price and I was high by almost 2k. This made him that much happier. SCORE!
Dave Ellis is always smiling and had his ever-present selection of highest-end works. Good stuff.
The Italians:
I saw a new ECCKS maker: Attilio Morotti and his gorgeous assistant. She did more of the talking and knew the knife terms well. Really smart folders. I bid them good luck and will shoot a pair of their knives soon, as Paul Shindler had bought some.
Tore Fogarizzu and Antonio Fogarizzu had separate tables (cousins) and have distinct styles. Antonio had sent me a magazine from Italy with his knives and my photos as displayed in a beautiful pictorial. He is a star to watch, too. I'll see him again in the Boston Invitational.
Emmanuel Esposito had a couple for folders available, and one was a lottery for $3800. It was a tablock with carbon fiber and gold pins. We discussed how this combo was a juxtaposition of old/new:
Old: gold and the knife as a tool.
New: Carbon fiber and CNC machining.
He liked my analogies. I wished I had brought cash to get in his drawing. I refused to enter knowng how uncomfortable it would be had I 'won'. I also know this knife would flip for substantially more. Pay attention here. I'm on his list.
Speaking of draws, Michael Walker did a draw with a pack of cards, and I was close to the action when he pulled out the 8 of hearts. Winner: Ed Wormser.
When I talked with Kevin Casey he had four of the eight knives sold already and the show was only 90 minutes into a three-day weekend. He's going to ROCK!
Another who I was impressed with, was new-to-me Scandinavian maker Anders Hedlund and his delightful wife. Good stuff.
Dietmar Kressler spent time showing me a new design interframe folder he has crafted--this time 100% of the design is his. It will have a cool back-lock pin.
Jot Khalsa and I go way back. He had a crazy dagger almost filled with diamonds and Julie's engraving. There were a few bare spots and he's going to cure that with more adornments. Some clients never say no....
I share a great relationship with Hawaiian Keith Ouye and his generous wife Amy. Keith makes a REALLY good folder and has his very recognizable style. (Monday he is going to a meeting with some mucky-mucks from Camillus to see about a design. I wish them the best!) Amy and Keith have given me gifts for my 7-yr-old son Trevor, and this time they bought him a Shark t-shirt and a doodle pad set. I asked about his mentor, Stan Fujisaka and he tells me he's doing OK, but simply getting older. Keith Ouye = Class AAA.
I finally got to meet engraverC.J. Cai, and he had already drummed up a bunch of new work in the show. I'm NOT surprised. I really like CJ's style: You can visualize it from five feet away. Very crisp. Much unlike the more detailed Italian and finer USA engravers. It's ALL good.
Neil Ostroff (True North Knives) had a tableful of goodies for the first time at the ECCKS. I was glad to see his smart offerings and his presence in this notable crowd. :thumbup:
I wandered over the the side room to chat with Eric Eggly. He was thankful for my gift and excited to explore them soon. Fortunately Phil Lobred was getting a knife finished by him: It was a 'credit card' auto by Jurgen Steinau, which was ordered about five years earlier. Incredible mosaics and gold frame. Phil let me work it and I opened it with the tab as a 'gent's auto which pops the blade out softly. Then you take a credit card and depress the spring in the well and lock it. Then it snaps open with authority. Dual-stage spring action.
Eric and I talked a little 'shop' and I left him to continue his work. He was alone and had much ground to cover. Impressed to see that he, too, is using strobes for some of his current work.
I had to get home to have dinner with my son, as my wife had an evening planned with her mom. I left at about 4pm and made it home by 6pm in rush hour traffic. I enjoyed being able to drive away ASAP. I miss that I couldn't stay longer, as I had an all-day shoot with a client today.
I missed noting conversations with about 1001 other makers and friends. I wish you all well!
Thanks for reading!
Coop
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