2014 Canadian Knifemaker Guild Show Review..now with Murray's pics

[RL]

PLEASE NOTE: MURRAY WHITE IS THE OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE CKG SHOW..IN NO WAY DO I WISH TO USURP HIS FORTHCOMING REVIEW..THIS IS JUST MY INFORMAL REVIEW.



For those of you who have been following my CanadIan Knifemaker Guild Show reviews over the years, i think you are in for a bit of a treat this year. Simply put, the 2014 show was like no other CKG show! First of all, the show was open to international makers, attracting some of the best from Europe, the USA, South Africa, South America, and Asia. The big name makers who came to the show moved the selection upscale. Along with international makers came international customers. Indeed, i ran into lots of people who flew in from afar just for the show. For their convenience, the show was moved downtown, literally walking distance from my home!

As is customary, i took the day off work and arrived early at the venue. I immediately spotted Kirby Lambert, Peter Rassenti and forumite OZ.

The Friends of the Guild Pre-Show was a bit different than previous years as the focus here was on the social aspect as opposed to the knives. Typically makers would bring 2 knives to the pre-show but this time there was no such requirement. Of course, being a knife show you would expect to see a few pieces floating around. Here is the room being set up.

Wally Hayes welcomes us

Steve Vanderkolpf, Paul Savage, and James Emmons, makers of this year`s collaboration knife.

Here i a am checking out a nice big folder by Paul Savage

Some knife discussions

A decent size crowd for the pre-show

You can see Kirby Lambert in the foreground here...

And here is one of his stunning knives for the show

Peter Hammer, a very established maker in Brazil, is planning to move to Toronto and set up a
knifemaking school.

 

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On to the show! Registration

Set up

On the way back from the pre-show last night i ran into purveyor extraordinaire Dave Eliis of Exquisite Knives. I was excited to learn he brought an Emerson Rhino, Loveless knives, a Walker etc. so i knew he would have to be my first stop.

Tada, the Rhino! One of the rarest Emerson knives and a true grail. I think i was the first person to touch it..thanks Dave! And thanks again for the kind words Dave..i was very humbled!

A double nude logo Loveless with RWL marking!

My first time handling a Michael Walker as well!

I learned a lot about James A. Schmidt, hailed as one of the founders of the ABS and one of the best knifemakers of all time. Thanks to Christophe Derringer and Steve Vanderkolpf for showing me all the details of this knife...easy to see why he considered the best.

Also cool to see a book about him at the show.

I was also super anxious to meet Anthony Marfione and potentially score one of his classic designs that are on my grail list. I have always been a huge fan of both his custom work as well as Microtech knives.

Sadly he did not have the Socom i wanted but he did some incredible new designs, such as this Anax. Very cool how you can unscrew the cable lanyard. I also loved the Damascus variants.

The Matrix was also incredibly cool with its complex shapes and grinds.

Anthony showed me prototypes of new flasks that he will be unveiling soon. Note the spike on top with tritium vials!

These were not for sale but i did manage to get some shot glasses (out of machined titanium) and a numbered book on Microtech.

Great to meet you Anthony!

 

[RL]

As you all know, i prefer tacticals so i did try to hunt those out first. I was not disappointed at Tri-City Knifeworks table where dealer Bill Hall had a huge selection of Todd Begg knives as well as an incredible Tashi designed collaboration knife with Marsh and Fellhoelter

Knife Legends, another great dealer was right next to Bill`s table.

Ok now to check in with my friends...Wally Hayes...loved your big folder Wally! As usual, Wally`s folders fit my hand really well. The engraving work was also super cool!

The last time i met Robert Douglas was at the 2002 New York Custom Knife Show when he was part Battle Blades with Wally Hayes, David Dempsey and Michael Janich! Great to see you again.

Kirby Lambert, wow that marbled carbon fiber was STUNNING! Not surprised it sold in minutes...a good reminder never to put something down at a knifeshow because it will probably be gone by the time you get back.

Still in the realm of tactical, albeit dressed up, Brian Tighe

And some solid tacticals from Rod olson

Of course most of the makers at the show were more into art knives so time to look outside my usual preferences. I must say i was quite smitten with a little lock-back from Mark Daley

Although i don’t have any knives with scrimshaw, i have always been a fan. I was very tempted by a few of Gaetan Beauchamp`s knives

 

[RL]

Speaking of scrimshaw, here`s something you don’t see everyday...scrimshaw on pearl by Suchat knives

In all the way from South Africa, Des Horn! Loved your prototype tactical for G6.

CKG President, show organizer, and knifemaker extraordinaire, Wolfgang Loerchner

And knives by his daughter and son-inlaw

Shaun and Sharla Hansen

Jim Emmons

Owen Wood

Award winner Stephanie Lemelin

One of my favourite non-tacticals of the show, an oosic handled fixed blade by Steve Vanderkolpf

Another international maker who made a long journey for the show, Koji Hara

Eugene Shadley

Paolo Brignone

Matthew Lerch

Ken Steigerwalt

Peter Hammer

 

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Couteaux Bennica

Back to Canadian makers..William Nease

Christophe Derringer

Paul Savage

Alain ``Deso`` Desaulniers...good to see you again

Nathan Knowles

Mike Mossington

Ha last year i found a gold handled knife to match my gold shoes...looks like i got lucky again!

Thanks to these guys

Steady crowds

All in all a fantastic job by Wolfe and the CKG! I am very curious how the `numbers` looked for this new format of show. As a show-goer it definitely felt like a bigger show and it was great to see such high end offerings. Can`t wait for the next one.

RL

 

[Idlewild]

Thanks for this post! Sorry I missed the show...life keeps intruding!

 

[HJK]

Spectacular report, as usual.

 

[Dawkind]

Thanks so much for all of the shots of a great show....

 

[416isToronto]

Was not able to make it this time, so really appreciate your post & pics! Thanks!

 

[JamesPEmmons]

Robert it was great seeing you again this year. Thank you for taking the time and putting this review together. I think the new show format, location, and attendees was a great success. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

Thanks for all the pictures and the great review. Would have loved to have gone but it is in the middle of an extended family vacation. Next time.

 

[parfums95]

Thanks for all pics , a lot of beauty knives , love this knives

 

[severtecher]

Thanks for the great photos. Gotta be one of the best shows in the world. What great artists.

 

[JParanee]

As always great review

Thank you

 

[hoyer]

Thank you very much sir!

 

[Mike Mossington]

Thanks Robert - a nice post !! As always. Remember to let me know what shoes you're going to wear next year - I'll make a matching knife............

 

[Lorien]

this has become quite the Art Knife show, by the look of it.
Thanks for the report

 

[Doug C]

Thanks for the review, Robert.
Looks like a great show.

Doug

 

[Mark Daley]

Thanks Robert, as I had the opportunity to tell you in person I always enjoy your reviews. Its exciting to be in one, that knife of mine sure looks small in your hand.

 

[Kohai999]

Great job, Robert(as always)!

What did you get?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson