2015 East Coast Custom Knife Show (ECCKS) • Knives in living color!

[SharpByCoop]

This is an important show for many high end collectors and makers. The tableholders are really some of the best in the world, from all OVER the world. :thumbup:

I shot knives made by makers from: Russia, France, Finland, Czech Rebublic, Canada, Italy, South Africa, Japan, and the United States.

It's also got a familiar selection of local favorites and prominent USA makers.

The Fifty/Fifty Productions postcard advertisement for the show claims to celebrate the 'Artistry, Complexity, and Camaraderie of Custom Knives'.

I'll start with the Camaraderie:

For reasons I am thankful for and only because they are such great people, Rob and Bill Bennett have visited Susan and I for years at these shows. Rob's wife, Carol, is renowned for her baked goods. YUMM!

Look at this gift they brought us for the honor of a welcoming chat (Susan taking the photo) :

Thank you guys! (Bill is a Usual Suspect, and doesn't frequent this playground too often, yet he's Class A.)

Let's see some Artistry and Complexity. Take a deep breath....

Stephanie Lemelin has won 'Best Art Knife' at the 2014 Blade Show. See why...

Charly Bennica with his signature clean model.

Rick Eaton does it all: steel, maker, engraver.

The late Phil Boguszewski with his classic 'Mini Cobra'

Classic clean Jess Horn

KING Classic Bob Loveless with signed sheaths

More....

 

[SharpByCoop]

Let's shift gears to a harder look:

Duane Dwyer makes them tough, grippy, and ready.

R.J. Martin shows excellence in style and mechanics

A Todd Rexford knife commands top dollar these days

Pay close attention to the extreme machining from the Shirogorov brothers from Russia

My good friend Neil Ostroff says Andre Thorburn is 'The best kept secret in dress tacticals!"

He has a collaboration going with Andre Van Heerden:

More....

 

[SharpByCoop]

The Italian makers deserve a post all their own...

Antonio Fogarizzu and his lovely wife Donatella were there all weekend.

This one is an inescapable classic design.

Here is his 'Cube Evo' model

In two flavors...

Emmanuel Esposito continues to impress. Squeeze those two tabs on the bolster to release the blade.

Tore Fogarizzu stuns us with his three bladed folder with gold accents and side button auto releases. The center blade opens carefully.

With watchmaker precision, Corrado Moro dazzles our senses with this incredible mechanical folder. See the little back tab lift to release the blade.

Fabrizio Silvestrelli uses a combination of modern materials and old world beauty to please the eyes and hand.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Tim Johnson Is a BF member. Such a well built kitchen knife.

Jerry McClure with his '50's 'Moon Equipped' Bonneville hubcap folder

A more traditional look with gentlemanly engraving by Jody Muller

I have known local maker Jim Merola for years. He is ready to show the world his work. It deserves watching!

The traditional Sheffield Bowie with pearl and nickel silver

His folders are well done and share two flavors of pearl

Pekka Tuominem with a pair of traditional quality Scandinavian blades.

More...

 

[Cliff Parker]

Some fantastic stuff but Rick Eatons work really does it for me.
Coop, As always your work is top shelf for sure.

Cliff

 

[SharpByCoop]

Bill Tuch has a really good eye and sense of 'flow'. You will agree.

Elizabeth Loerchner has REALLY stepped up her game. Crisp finishes and sexy lines.

Keith Ouye offered the Grand Prize donation knife for this show. Below is another version of his recognizable work.

We had dinner with Keith and his charming wife Amy on Saturday. We took the P.A.T.H. train to NYC, then a cab to Little Italy, then to Buena Notte for entre's, then to Palermo's for Canolli desserts, then back. GREAT company and we shared plenty of laughs. (Keith is SO happy that I misguided them and we ran a couple of subway stops long. "I'm not the only one!!!") LOL.

New Zealand engraver Andrew Biggs added elegance and mystery to this folder

Lastly, I opened with an art folder and I close with one from the patriarch of Art Knives. The unmistakable Wolfe Loerchner.

I work quickly at the studio and relentlessly at my computer with edits. I have worked non-stop for two days, and still have many more to show you.

Susan says hi over my shoulder. Thanks for viewing my colorful displays.

Coop

 

[kareng]

Some fantastic stuff but Rick Eatons work really does it for me.
Coop, As always your work is top shelf for sure.

Cliff

+1 - Although the Thorburns were pretty nice too - Karen

 

[Lorien]

With watchmaker precision, Corrado Moro dazzles our senses with this incredible mechanical folder. See the little back tab lift to release the blade.

\

holy freakin indexed fasteners!

 

[HTMD]

Coop, you've been doing this ECCKS show for a while and every year you put out a beautiful body of work in the form of your knife images from the show. You capture and reveal these beautiful knives in sparkling detail - master of the shiny surface! Excellent :thumbup:

 

[Jon Brand]

Wow that last dagger....! Thanks for the show

 

[paneraica]

Beautiful knives and photographs Coop

I think Wolf had that knife at the Toronto show along with two others and a half done model to how one was partially done

DON

 

[felizalde55]

Unbelievable pieces!!!

 

[Jon Brand]

Coop you should start shooting in 3D. You can send a pair of glasses with your prints.

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

Jim,

Thanks so much for sharing these pictures here for those of us who were not there. Some amazing knives . . . but Wolfgang Loerchner and Emmanuel Esposito really stand out to me.

 

[Cliff Parker]

holy freakin indexed fasteners!

I hear all the time some one post my screws and some others should be indexed I hardly ever agree . Now if ya look at these Italian makers work the are showing all of us just what type of knife truly fits it and exactly the way it should be. They are perfect gentleman. My hat is off to you . Very nice.

Cliff

 

[Kohai999]

I hear all the time some one post my screws and some others should be indexed I hardly ever agree . Now if ya look at these Italian makers work the are showing all of us just what type of knife truly fits it and exactly the way it should be. They are perfect gentleman.Cliff

If it's a slotted screw, it should be indexed....end of story....if a maker cannot seem to make that happen....I do it for them...every time.

Coop, I don't share your general love for non-American makers.....for one thing it is absolutely too damn much hassle when something goes south...ESPECIALLY with some of those fancy Italian folders.....So I leave that enthusiasm to you.

Wolfe Loerchner is in a class by himself....he is a wonderful person and fantastic knifemaker and I look forward to chatting with him whenever the possibility presents itself.

I think Mr. Merola has a ways to go yet....that Sheffield clip grind line looks washy.

There are trends in knifemaking that I don't care for and trends in the Forums I don't care for, and as I move past middle age, I'll leave it to the "kids" to figure out, and focus on the business aspect of it. They are easy enough to sell to, not even that hard......keep up the good work my friends, and stay thirsty.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[SharpByCoop]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your input. It's ALL good.

STeven, How about this? I'm going to add a new tag line:

'Studio Kumbaya, where the camera has rose colored lenses, and the glass is always half full--often with Kool Aid...!'

Some of my most favorite interactions and acquisitions are from International friends. I'll continue to wave the UN flag! :thumbup:

Later tonight or tomorrow I'll continue. I have to work outdoors today (thankfully!)

Coop

 

[RogerP]

Great pics so far Coop - and an impressive turnaround! Man - that last Loerchner - somebody's knife dream came true.

 

[stezann]

I bet Coop, others and myself share a general love for fine knives, regardless their Maker's hometown...
Sometimes when i see some of your comments, STeven, i wish you spend more time indexing other makers slotted screws than hangin' out on the internet

 

[drrickso]

My good friend Neil Ostroff says Andre Thorburn is 'The best kept secret in dress tacticals!"

The secret is out! Those folders he had at the show were awesome. I've been looking for them online and kicking myself for not pulling the trigger on one when I was there.