2016 Solvang Knife Show - California hosting the world's finest

always great to read your show comments Coop. Looking forward as usual to seeing all the fine knives you photographed. Hope some others did some photos of the show and of knives you may not have been given to get the Sharp treatment. Glad you had fun.
 
Anything you report about, Jim, makes exciting reading as it flows
along and gets hold of your full attention.... Makes one check every few hours
to see the knife pictures you will post....And also makes me really wish I was there!
MUCH MORE than when an endless string of snapshots of dozens of tables and of
nameless makers are displayed, as quite a few photographers post
to "cover" a knife show....

You are a very special person Jim Cooper and an extremely important
one for the custom knife community in the Western World! (me included!! :)

Stay well,
David Darom (ddd)
 
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Here is the money shot I took of jim working.
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I think, of all the shows I've been to where you worked, this is the one show I saw you more than once. That nook off the side of the show had to have been so conducive to picking up, shooting and delivering pieces back to the maker. You're right, Dave really does it so well. The food, the layout - and now the photographer!

Glad YOU did the show, Jim.

Bob

ps: Between you and Steven, always the best overall impression one can get of a show, what with your skill with words.
 
I love reading your posts, you can write as much as you like, and I would happily read it! :) Thank you for sharing. :D
 
Hi Friends...

I am back after an extended few days and am sitting at my computer with a gazillion edits. I'm actually surprised you enjoyed my experiences.

After the show I spent two days doing 'stuff' and visiting 'places' and sharing with 'people'.

Here's the view FROM the Gainey Winery before the sun set. Ahhhhhhhh........

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Before I left I visited the Antique motorcycle museum in Solvang. About 100 VERY interesting bikes in a clean setting. So cool!

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Drove on the Highway 101 to the coastal highway to.....

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Venice and Santa Monica pier. The beautiful people and the nutty ones all gather. It's the Times Square of the left coast....

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Rented a 2015 Yamaha FZ09 triple and rode up into the mountains on the Angeles Crest Hwy. I had 50 miles of banked turns with almost NO traffic. A dream ride.

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Drove up to the Griffith observatory in LA to see the sign.

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Enjoyed a final dinner and beers with our member HSC /// (Harbeer), who was kind enough to meet me for a bite and chat. It's all about the GOOD PEOPLE, as you know.

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Back to work. Talk soon.

Coop
 
Great review so far, Coop. Looking forward to the rest.

Glad you had some time to unwind and enjoy yourself!
 
Charles Bennica brought this dreamy meteorite and san mai folder to the show. Lucky owner somewhere!

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One of my Favorite makers is Mamoru Shigeno, who's Loveless style knives are immaculate. (STeven, this is who I asked you to visit).

Anders Hedlund (maker extraordinaire) looked closely at the finish of his polished grinds and the sharpness of the middle ridge and simply said: "That's impossible to finish so perfectly. I have no idea how he can do this."

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He wanted individuals of all three. I suggested the pair and a solo, and THEN a group of all three. Win, win, WIN! He agreed ecstatically.

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Larry Fuegen and Linda made a delivery of this knife at the show for Phil Lobred. THAT'S how special it is. (I don't have others, but this is wonderful.)

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Detail shot:

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More soon....
 
I visited him, Jim.

The carbon fiber Hideout caught my eye....just too deviant(no collar)

Phil got that knife from Larry last month....the special part is how much he loves it, and wanted you to photograph it! I love it too!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Smartly the 'Dress Tactical' crew has been active in the worlds of ALL collectors. Kirby Lambert shows why HE'S so desirable!

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I don't have the info on this KILLER presentation box to tell you who crafted it. Kirby? Another? Help me out....

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Steve Hoel with captivating engraving by Brian Bridges.

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Dennis Friedly, Ray Cover Jr, and Gary Williams (Garbo), collaborate on this this upscale fighter.

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Curt Erickson and wife Julie Warenski remain at the VERY top of the ornate dagger world. None better.

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A closer look.

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Take a deep breath....

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...Now exhale. :)

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More later.
 
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Jim,

looking at your images is like eating a fine steak!

I feel well fed! Very nice work Sir.

Steve
---------
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation
ABS Apprentice
 
Bob Terzuola's escutcheon has a 'San Francisco Cable Car' image. That's the basis for this blade steel!

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The legendary Koji Hara hand stippled the stainless frame in his classic bamboo pattern, with his renowned abalone inserts.

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Just look at how beautiful this dagger is from past 2014's 'Best of Show' winner*** Ken Steigerwalt. The way the blade and handle match tapers is outstanding.

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We appreciate some knives because they are ALL curves. Antonio Fogarizzu steers that crowd away towards his geometrically-patterned folder. To say this is a BOLD knife is, well, a truth. Super!

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( *** 2016's 'Best of Show' was awarded to Emmanuel Esposito. I do not have an image to provide you of his work, sorry. It was deserving!)
 
Anders and Pernella Hedlund brought some of the finest examples of sole authorship work to the show. He crafts the knives AND does his own engraving.

His work is METICULOUS. (Yes, all caps.) Lots of little gold bits.

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A splash of Damasteel on this small folder. Coin added for scale.

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You can look as close as you wish.

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This 'tour de force' is this split-bladed dagger, with finger picks and alignment/support pins buried in the closing edges. I chose to show it as a triptych.

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Look at the detail. When it locks in, it LOCKS tight!

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I could not resist a group family shot once I was done. :)

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More tomorrow. Please feel free to comment.

Jim
 
Wow - the Hedlund knives are mind-blowing! Excellent pics as always.
 
You never cease to amaze my friend....[emoji106]


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