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2012 Jimmy Chin Micro Show in Taipei, Taiwan
- Thread starter RonNewton
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 17, 1999
- Messages
- 2,914
excellent images Ron. looking forward to seeing more. What was the price on the Bow that the artist was holding? That I would love to have.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2010
- Messages
- 376
Ron, it looks you guys had a WONDERFUL time over there...what a beautiful place! Outstanding work my friend, I'm floored by every knife you took with you, but that two-tone metal handle just reached into my mind and grabbed a hold of my brain! Pretty sure I'll never quite be able to figure out how you do that
Maybe one day you'll take pity on me and teach me that little trick
I imagine that with Jimmy as a host, there were very few(if any) dull moments. His knives were every bit as amazing as I have come to expect from him...I just wish we could have seen all of them! I hope the trip was a wild success and the ultimate mixture of business and pleasure. When you next speak with Jimmy, please send him all of our best and congratulate him on what I'm sure was a VERY SUCCESSFUL show. You guys are definitely a cut above...Ok, pardon the cheesy pun...I'll show myself out
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Michael
Maybe one day you'll take pity on me and teach me that little trickI imagine that with Jimmy as a host, there were very few(if any) dull moments. His knives were every bit as amazing as I have come to expect from him...I just wish we could have seen all of them! I hope the trip was a wild success and the ultimate mixture of business and pleasure. When you next speak with Jimmy, please send him all of our best and congratulate him on what I'm sure was a VERY SUCCESSFUL show. You guys are definitely a cut above
...Ok, pardon the cheesy pun...I'll show myself out Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Michael
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2008
- Messages
- 281
WOW, I can't believe it, that fatty hunter is awesome and Paul sheaths are magnificent jobs. An extraordinary combination of artisans and beauty. Congratulations!!
The Amazing Virginian
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2010
- Messages
- 9,911
Thanks for the pictures and the report. I bet a lot of us wish we could have been there.
Murray, the blue limb bow was his most expensive bow. The cheapest one priced at $4,500 scared me so i did't even ask how much his best bow cost.
Another couple had laquer art. Hundreds of coats of Chinese laquer produced beautiful and durable finishes on their wooden specimens of chop sticks, bowls, cups and jewelry.
Another lady had pearl inlayed and laquered jewelry which my wife was fond of and made a couple purchases.
A couple other knifemakers exhibited which I failed to photo their work as the doors were about to open. One Japanese maker and another Taiwanese maker.
I tried to get a quick shot of Jimmy's full spread of knives. He had two huge 11 bar Turkish twist bowies that made me drool. They were pushing footlong blades. Jimmy has really mastered Turkish twist damascus.
Jimmy's two huge Turkish "Boat Paddles"
Another couple had laquer art. Hundreds of coats of Chinese laquer produced beautiful and durable finishes on their wooden specimens of chop sticks, bowls, cups and jewelry.
Another lady had pearl inlayed and laquered jewelry which my wife was fond of and made a couple purchases.
A couple other knifemakers exhibited which I failed to photo their work as the doors were about to open. One Japanese maker and another Taiwanese maker.
I tried to get a quick shot of Jimmy's full spread of knives. He had two huge 11 bar Turkish twist bowies that made me drool. They were pushing footlong blades. Jimmy has really mastered Turkish twist damascus.
Jimmy's two huge Turkish "Boat Paddles"
Free admission, drinks, fruits and finger foods plus an upscale Japanese lunch was ordered for about 100 collectors who rushed in the door at 8 o'clock that morning. The doors opened and it was a wild and crazy feeding frenzy and quite a sight to see such intense enthusiasm from these extremely serious collectors who hoped to get a chance at one of Jimmy's or my knives. In just a few minutes the knives were sold. I realized I had made a terrible error and failed to bring enough inventory. Many collectors walked away without a knife they had hoped for. Even though the knives were sold, I've never witnessd so many collectors still intensely viewing the knives for so many hours knowing they were going home empty handed. The ones that scored first, well they had some pretty big smiles on their faces.
Collectors from mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore intensely making their purchases.
Jimmy's mom standing behind his table got to witness the success. Jimmy's father passed away earlier this year and did not get to see Jimmy's big day.
To my side is Jimmy's long time supporter from Singapore.
A frequent poster on the U.S. bladeforum and the moderator of the Taiwan bladeforums, Professor Takulu. A military colonel and university metallurgical professor. Also a collector who scored well on purchases. My wife and I believe he's one of the nicest men on the planet.
Coming up next is the "Ceremony" that took place before lunch.
Collectors from mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore intensely making their purchases.
Jimmy's mom standing behind his table got to witness the success. Jimmy's father passed away earlier this year and did not get to see Jimmy's big day.
To my side is Jimmy's long time supporter from Singapore.
A frequent poster on the U.S. bladeforum and the moderator of the Taiwan bladeforums, Professor Takulu. A military colonel and university metallurgical professor. Also a collector who scored well on purchases. My wife and I believe he's one of the nicest men on the planet.
Coming up next is the "Ceremony" that took place before lunch.
At eleven o'clock just before lunch, there was a very unique ceremony that took place. Quite a big deal with a respectful Chinese flair.
Jimmy adresses the croud over the p.a. system to get their attention and calm the environment.
Then the president of the "Headquarters of Taiwan Collectable Arts" took the stage and announced a special recognition and presentation to Jimmy on behalf of the art society of Taiwan. Because of Jimmy's pursuit of knifemaking this past decade and the fact that he is the first Asian to ever accomplish obtaining mastersmith level, Jimmy was presented with a serialized certificate that has been recorded as Taiwan history through the Cultural Department with the government of Taiwan. The certificate has words about Jimmy's mastersmith accomplishment and his hard work promoting bladesmithing in his country. If that wasn't enough, then the president presented Jimmy with a solid 24 carat gold lapel pin weighing in a 1.614 troy ounces of 999.9 pure gold. You can do the math at today's current market price for gold. An expensive chunk of gold to wear on his chest. When placed in your hand it feels really heavy.
Then if that wasn't enough, the icing on the cake was that Jimmy received the complex steel mold that was machined to be used only once to strike the gold for Jimmy's pin.
Jimmy adresses the croud over the p.a. system to get their attention and calm the environment.
Then the president of the "Headquarters of Taiwan Collectable Arts" took the stage and announced a special recognition and presentation to Jimmy on behalf of the art society of Taiwan. Because of Jimmy's pursuit of knifemaking this past decade and the fact that he is the first Asian to ever accomplish obtaining mastersmith level, Jimmy was presented with a serialized certificate that has been recorded as Taiwan history through the Cultural Department with the government of Taiwan. The certificate has words about Jimmy's mastersmith accomplishment and his hard work promoting bladesmithing in his country. If that wasn't enough, then the president presented Jimmy with a solid 24 carat gold lapel pin weighing in a 1.614 troy ounces of 999.9 pure gold. You can do the math at today's current market price for gold. An expensive chunk of gold to wear on his chest. When placed in your hand it feels really heavy.
Then if that wasn't enough, the icing on the cake was that Jimmy received the complex steel mold that was machined to be used only once to strike the gold for Jimmy's pin.
I was asked to place the gold on Jimmy's chest. It was my pleasure. He deserved every penny of it.
Jimmy called my wife forward to receive 2 dozen red roses presented by Kathy the owner of Taipei's leading cutlery store.
Jimmy and his students also presented my wife with a 24 carat gold necklace. They seem to be big on 24 carat.
The part of the ceremony that had some Chinese culture involved was the way Jimmy receives new knifemaking apprentices. A lot of respect involved here. The students bow, serve tea to Jimmy and place a red envelope in Jimmy's hand which is their tuition. Jimmy gave them each a knife as a token of their friendship. This year Jimmy accepted 2 new apprentices.
Chris's wife takes a piture of her husband during the cultural bow.
Jimmy presents them their knife
Once official, the two new apprentices get a group photo with the other apprentices, Jimmy and my wife and I.
Jimmy called my wife forward to receive 2 dozen red roses presented by Kathy the owner of Taipei's leading cutlery store.
Jimmy and his students also presented my wife with a 24 carat gold necklace. They seem to be big on 24 carat.
The part of the ceremony that had some Chinese culture involved was the way Jimmy receives new knifemaking apprentices. A lot of respect involved here. The students bow, serve tea to Jimmy and place a red envelope in Jimmy's hand which is their tuition. Jimmy gave them each a knife as a token of their friendship. This year Jimmy accepted 2 new apprentices.
Chris's wife takes a piture of her husband during the cultural bow.
Jimmy presents them their knife
Once official, the two new apprentices get a group photo with the other apprentices, Jimmy and my wife and I.
Now that the recognition and apprenticeship ceremony was complete Jimmy served everyone an upscale Japanese lunch box. One of the collectors leaned over and whispered in my ear "This is not a cheap lunch". Jimmy served a high quality lunch all at his expense both days. The collectors didn't have to pay for a single thing. Except the knives of coarse. Jimmy believes in taking care of his customers even if it means money coming out of his own pocket.
The crowd got pretty quiet as they enjoyed the meal. Jimmy's mom in the blue jacket must be wondering why Jimmy is serving everyone.
The crowd got pretty quiet as they enjoyed the meal. Jimmy's mom in the blue jacket must be wondering why Jimmy is serving everyone.
The rest of the day and all of the next day collectors just looked at and admired the sold knives. Some glad that they got to make a purchase and many others hopeful for being first in line next year.
It was good to catch up with some collectors who have bought my knives throughout the years. These people are so cordial and kind. Special folks and special friendships.
They were really liking Paul Long's sheaths too.
My favorite knife of the show and it's not a good picture. Jimmy's huge foot long 11 bar Turkish twist integral bowie with amazing laquered ironwood.That damascus shimmered like crazy,
It was good to catch up with some collectors who have bought my knives throughout the years. These people are so cordial and kind. Special folks and special friendships.
They were really liking Paul Long's sheaths too.
My favorite knife of the show and it's not a good picture. Jimmy's huge foot long 11 bar Turkish twist integral bowie with amazing laquered ironwood.That damascus shimmered like crazy,
- Joined
- May 23, 2011
- Messages
- 1,640
Wow, they are all great. I really like the keyhole integrals. Great photos.
Roger and Bill, my pleasure to share the experience.
The show came to a close Sunday afternoon and Jimmy was one happy camper with a lot of cash in his pocket. Everyone paid for the knives with cash. I couldn't resist taking his picture with this poster we stumbled upon at night market.
I thought things couldn't get any better in Taiwan and we still had one full week to spend with Jimmy after the show. Jimmy was in "Party Mode" now, so some fun times with Jimmy is about to be posted. He is one heck of a party host!
The show came to a close Sunday afternoon and Jimmy was one happy camper with a lot of cash in his pocket. Everyone paid for the knives with cash. I couldn't resist taking his picture with this poster we stumbled upon at night market.
I thought things couldn't get any better in Taiwan and we still had one full week to spend with Jimmy after the show. Jimmy was in "Party Mode" now, so some fun times with Jimmy is about to be posted. He is one heck of a party host!