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2011 Arkansas Custom Knife Show - Pictorial Review
- Thread starter RogerP
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
JW Randall
Shown above holding one of the more impressive pieces from the show - a fantastic damascus hunting sword.
His bowies and fighters were quite memorable as well - check out the damascus on the middle piece below:
Brian Thie
Collector tip 3: - Don't forget to ask about the knives under the table.
Your favorite maker sold out before you got to his table? Or maybe the type of knife you were after isn't there? Well, don't mourn your bad luck until you ask about what's under the table. You see, invariably, the maker will not have finished every knife he planned / hoped to have ready for the show. And quite often, he will have brought a finished blade or near-finished knife with him, but not put it out on display. So ask! Sometimes you can step into a near-fnished knife and have it completed for just after the show. I can't tell you how many purchases I have made this way.
Case in point, Brian had a new damascus pattern he'd been working on - it turned out extremely well, but he didn't get a handle on it for the show. Well, some other savvy collector asked the question and got his name on this little gem:
Smart move.
Unfortunately I missed a number of Brian's knives that had sold, including the terrific Searles bowie that won best historical and best sheath. But there was still some really good stuff to see and handle:
Terry Vandeventer
Shown above holding a too-cool blade in a Maple leaf damascus pattern. Just the thing for a visiting Canadian. All I needed was a more leafy wallet.
Jim Walker
Jim had one of the absolute bargains of the show - that little pearl-handled two-bladed trapper was priced to move and moved so fast it made my head spin. Really well executed piece. And the amber stag hunter was quite dreamy. Jim's wife Anne was not enamoured with the spalted maple hunter, but I liked it quite well.
Gary Mulkey
This sword of Gary's is something I was really looking forward to. I got to the banquet early and had the chance to wave it wround a good bit before the crowds git dangerously thick. Man, what a delightful piece - so much lighter than you would think possible for such a long piece of steel. Some very nice damascus on his fighters and bowies, too.
Shown above holding one of the more impressive pieces from the show - a fantastic damascus hunting sword.
His bowies and fighters were quite memorable as well - check out the damascus on the middle piece below:
Brian Thie
Collector tip 3: - Don't forget to ask about the knives under the table.
Your favorite maker sold out before you got to his table? Or maybe the type of knife you were after isn't there? Well, don't mourn your bad luck until you ask about what's under the table. You see, invariably, the maker will not have finished every knife he planned / hoped to have ready for the show. And quite often, he will have brought a finished blade or near-finished knife with him, but not put it out on display. So ask! Sometimes you can step into a near-fnished knife and have it completed for just after the show. I can't tell you how many purchases I have made this way.
Case in point, Brian had a new damascus pattern he'd been working on - it turned out extremely well, but he didn't get a handle on it for the show. Well, some other savvy collector asked the question and got his name on this little gem:
Smart move.
Unfortunately I missed a number of Brian's knives that had sold, including the terrific Searles bowie that won best historical and best sheath. But there was still some really good stuff to see and handle:
Terry Vandeventer
Shown above holding a too-cool blade in a Maple leaf damascus pattern. Just the thing for a visiting Canadian. All I needed was a more leafy wallet.
Jim Walker
Jim had one of the absolute bargains of the show - that little pearl-handled two-bladed trapper was priced to move and moved so fast it made my head spin. Really well executed piece. And the amber stag hunter was quite dreamy. Jim's wife Anne was not enamoured with the spalted maple hunter, but I liked it quite well.
Gary Mulkey
This sword of Gary's is something I was really looking forward to. I got to the banquet early and had the chance to wave it wround a good bit before the crowds git dangerously thick. Man, what a delightful piece - so much lighter than you would think possible for such a long piece of steel. Some very nice damascus on his fighters and bowies, too.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
Roger, it was very good visiting with you there! Thanks man!
Great show! Great review!
Great show! Great review!
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
Kevin Evans
Got to meet Kevin last year just briefly, but more time to chat and look this year. Enjoyed both. This is a maker doing very nice work right here and now, and definitely dedicated to doing even better. Very solid fit and finish.
J. Neilson
With this maker, you can always look forward to a table of interesting knives that stand apart from the rest. J. did not disappoint. The bottow two were my favs.
Sam Butler
Good to see Sam at a show and finally meet him as we have corresponded and transacted over the years, but never met. Some very well executed working knives. That bottom one is polished sheep horn - very sweet.
Mark Nevling
Mark's signatures are the creative use of colour and texture, innovative combination handles and sheaths that closely blend the design elements of the knives they house. Most of his pieces that I have seen were in the medium to small range in terms of size, so of course, I asked him to pose with a biggun.
End, Part 7 of 10
Got to meet Kevin last year just briefly, but more time to chat and look this year. Enjoyed both. This is a maker doing very nice work right here and now, and definitely dedicated to doing even better. Very solid fit and finish.
J. Neilson
With this maker, you can always look forward to a table of interesting knives that stand apart from the rest. J. did not disappoint. The bottow two were my favs.
Sam Butler
Good to see Sam at a show and finally meet him as we have corresponded and transacted over the years, but never met. Some very well executed working knives. That bottom one is polished sheep horn - very sweet.
Mark Nevling
Mark's signatures are the creative use of colour and texture, innovative combination handles and sheaths that closely blend the design elements of the knives they house. Most of his pieces that I have seen were in the medium to small range in terms of size, so of course, I asked him to pose with a biggun.
End, Part 7 of 10
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2001
- Messages
- 1,394
Roger,
This was my first Little Rock Show. It was super!
It's big enough to attract world class makers and small enough to be able to relax and have interesting conversations with both the makers and other collectors.
Your review is great. It was nice seeing you at the show.
Jim Treacy
This was my first Little Rock Show. It was super!
It's big enough to attract world class makers and small enough to be able to relax and have interesting conversations with both the makers and other collectors.
Your review is great. It was nice seeing you at the show.
Jim Treacy
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,348
Best. Review. Ever.
Your 'boss' is losing his shirt, on the time you are spending here. Fire him.
Thanks!
Coop
Your 'boss' is losing his shirt, on the time you are spending here. Fire him.
Thanks!
Coop
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
Thanks again guys. Coop - I catalogued the pics while on the flight home, gave some thought to the fact that there were nearly 100 - with related commentary - and came to the conclusion that going in to work today would be a pointless exercise.
So I took a day off and I am enjoying re-living the show for you guys.
Roger
So I took a day off and I am enjoying re-living the show for you guys.
Roger
- Joined
- Dec 2, 1999
- Messages
- 9,910
Man O Man, Roger, this is like being there or at least the next best thing. You have a gift for a fine review.
this show certainly looks like one to go to. I'm sure missing out by staying home and sweeping the shop. Geez.
this show certainly looks like one to go to. I'm sure missing out by staying home and sweeping the shop. Geez.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2000
- Messages
- 7
Roger;
Fantastic review!!! You always seem to have the feel of a show nailed down pat in your reviews. Little Rock was an opportunity to greet old friends, make some new ones, and see some world class knives.
A great review from a true gentleman.
Mike
Fantastic review!!! You always seem to have the feel of a show nailed down pat in your reviews. Little Rock was an opportunity to greet old friends, make some new ones, and see some world class knives.
A great review from a true gentleman.
Mike
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
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- 4,421
I enjoyed the tour very much, some day maybe I will be able to attend more myself.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
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- 13,348
Steve Culver
Steve is shown above holding a type of knife I wouldn't have even known he made but for attending the show - one seriously mean working chopper. The piece I was looking out for, however, was the dagger that is presently the subject of a most awesome WIP thread in the forums right now. Didn't realize how big this thing was - wow - the blade is a foot long! It's impressive as it sits and it going to be REALLY something else when done.
John Perry
So hyper clean, so well finished, so finely balanced - I don't think John even knows how to make a clunky blade. That fighter was feather light and razor sharp. You could carry it forever and never know it was there, but rely on it completeley if you had to.
Charles Stout
Really. Killer. Damascus. Get your shades on then go see his table.
Don McIntosh
Missed Don last year but glad he made it this year. A solid selection of fighters, bowies and hunters of which the stag number he is holding was my top pick.
Dan Unger
Well this was a great surprise. I've never been to a Litte Rock show without my good buddy Danbo and was bummed to hear he wasn't coming. So I was pretty tickled to run into him mid-afternoon Saturday and pleased to join him and Mrs. Danbo for a nice quiet dinner Saturday evening.
Don and I gave him a good talking-to on the whole issue of handles. He's getting there.
End, Part 8 of 10
Steve is shown above holding a type of knife I wouldn't have even known he made but for attending the show - one seriously mean working chopper. The piece I was looking out for, however, was the dagger that is presently the subject of a most awesome WIP thread in the forums right now. Didn't realize how big this thing was - wow - the blade is a foot long! It's impressive as it sits and it going to be REALLY something else when done.
John Perry
So hyper clean, so well finished, so finely balanced - I don't think John even knows how to make a clunky blade. That fighter was feather light and razor sharp. You could carry it forever and never know it was there, but rely on it completeley if you had to.
Charles Stout
Really. Killer. Damascus. Get your shades on then go see his table.
Don McIntosh
Missed Don last year but glad he made it this year. A solid selection of fighters, bowies and hunters of which the stag number he is holding was my top pick.
Dan Unger
Well this was a great surprise. I've never been to a Litte Rock show without my good buddy Danbo and was bummed to hear he wasn't coming. So I was pretty tickled to run into him mid-afternoon Saturday and pleased to join him and Mrs. Danbo for a nice quiet dinner Saturday evening.
Don and I gave him a good talking-to on the whole issue of handles. He's getting there.
End, Part 8 of 10
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- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 13,348
Kenny and Cody Rowe
Collector tip 4: Your new knife didn't have a sheath? See these guys before you leave - they just might have something on the table that fits the bill, no waiting, walk out ready to hit the field. And there are some really cool custom knives on offer in the mix as well.
Of course, they can take a tracing of your knife and make you something real special to send along a little bit down the road.
And that's a wrap!
Sunday morning I had but an hour and a bit at the show before heading to the airport.
Just enough time to snag some more handle material and say a few goodbyes.
And then it was up, up and away.
If you get the idea that I enjoyed every waking moment of this show, then you get it right. My sincere thanks to all involved. See you all - and hopefully many more of you - next year.
End. Okay - I thought there would be 10 parts, but there are just nine.
Roger
Collector tip 4: Your new knife didn't have a sheath? See these guys before you leave - they just might have something on the table that fits the bill, no waiting, walk out ready to hit the field. And there are some really cool custom knives on offer in the mix as well.
Of course, they can take a tracing of your knife and make you something real special to send along a little bit down the road.
And that's a wrap!
Sunday morning I had but an hour and a bit at the show before heading to the airport.
Just enough time to snag some more handle material and say a few goodbyes.
And then it was up, up and away.
If you get the idea that I enjoyed every waking moment of this show, then you get it right. My sincere thanks to all involved. See you all - and hopefully many more of you - next year.
End. Okay - I thought there would be 10 parts, but there are just nine.
Roger
Roger,
That is one fine write up! And because of it, I figured, trip costs aside, you've saved me $$$$$$$!!!!
Seriously, I know I wouldn't have resisted at least two you pictured and I'm sure there were a dozen more that would have really twisted me up inside!!!!
And it was cool that you included Danbo in there - I haven't seen him since Blade two years ago...
Not sure if I'll make Blade this year, but if I do, hope to run into you!
That is one fine write up! And because of it, I figured, trip costs aside, you've saved me $$$$$$$!!!!
Seriously, I know I wouldn't have resisted at least two you pictured and I'm sure there were a dozen more that would have really twisted me up inside!!!!
And it was cool that you included Danbo in there - I haven't seen him since Blade two years ago...
Not sure if I'll make Blade this year, but if I do, hope to run into you!
- Joined
- May 14, 2001
- Messages
- 1,414
Great review, Roger. :thumbup:
I was glad to see that you could be there. It wouldn't have been the same without you.
I was glad to see that you could be there. It wouldn't have been the same without you.
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2005
- Messages
- 519
Great review Roger. It was great as always visiting with you and I as the other's really appreciate the work you put into these reviews. As you have well illustrated this was again another outstanding Arkansas show. To me it is arguably the best show around. I know it is fast becoming my favorite,
Jon
Jon
black mamba
Gold Member
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- Oct 21, 2009
- Messages
- 23,581
Many thanks, Roger, for the great review. I was really planning to attend and at the last moment something came up to prevent it.
But thanks to you, I at least got a taste. Great job! :thumbup:
But thanks to you, I at least got a taste. Great job! :thumbup:
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2006
- Messages
- 1,109
Wow!!! That sure was a great review. Thanks for taking the time at the show to take these pictures and for putting them on here with all the great captions.
I'm glad you were able to come and thanks for participating in the drawing for the integral. It was nice talking with you and thanks for the heads up on the great stag.
I had a great show and had a chance to talk with many familiar friends.
I'm looking forward to the 2012 AKA show.
I'm glad you were able to come and thanks for participating in the drawing for the integral. It was nice talking with you and thanks for the heads up on the great stag.
I had a great show and had a chance to talk with many familiar friends.
I'm looking forward to the 2012 AKA show.