2018 Blade Show Knives - SEE the ENERGY!

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

Enjoying the discussions
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 8, 2001
Messages
12,336
Hi Friends,

It was my/our 11th year in service and attendance. What a Show it has grown into! We drove down from Connecticut to Atlanta and arrived for setup at 1pm.

By 3pm Thursday, till 12pm on Sunday I was booked with projects. Most of you NEVER saw me, and that was by design: I HAVE to stay focused and working behind closed studio doors. I tell all it's the HARDEST working four days of my year.

My staff is family: My wife Susan, my 15-yr-old son Trevor, and 19-yr-old Maggie Randall has been working with us for five years now! They are my 'front persons' and I could not have better. (Those who stopped by, or we visited, please share your experiences.)

large.jpg


I have MUCH to share and much editing to do. I will start the Blade Show thread with work which arrived JUST BEFORE at my home studio, getting a head start on the show. Thanks to them for being proactive.

(I'll add in comments and other notes as I go along. In the meantime, I'm going to give these makers work the visuals I promise to all.

A few makers sent me important work AHEAD of my departure. These are all going to Blade, but got finished in the week prior.

Matt Parkinson, JS brought me these four beauties!
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


Stephen Fowler, JS makes a STONG statement with his work--betting better and better!
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


Eugene Solomonik from Olamic Tactical sent me this impressive and clever hand-carved framelock
orig.jpg


more....
 
Last edited:
Brian Tighe never fails to please and SELL! This set of his latest works also feature steel from @DamasteelAB
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


A premonition of what's in store from Anders Hogstrom. Later you will see another one which won the BIG PRIZE!
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg
 
Last edited:
I actually get to see Coop every year.........But I am very mindful of his back breaking schedule and make my visit early in the day and VERY short. Susan is gracious enough to let me through the door and and Coop always greets me with a big hug. It just wouldn't be a Blade show if I didn't get that minute with Coop.

Paul
 
Jim you and your family are the best

We have all watched your son grow into a fine young man

Here are two that sold quietly and should of been captured by you

I snapped pics when they were handed to me to see





This is an example of how important Coops services are in capturing

The Lake SOLD for over 40k

It should of had a professional image done for prosperity
 
Paul and Joe: You guys are in the 'A' team in Susan's mind. You pass the gatekeeper.... :rolleyes:

Good news: I DID shoot that Lake. Ron just got off the phone with me. I have a photo from it's original rough beginnings in November to this final piece. :)
 
There were some amazing knives at the show and I can't wait to see which ones you got your hands on, Coop! Your son Trevor certainly earned his keep over the weekend, constantly running knives back and forth, all day long. Every time I saw him he was almost out of breath, and smiling.
 
Of course for 99% of the attendees, including ME, the PEOPLE are the biggest source of enjoyment. The knives alone, in an empty room with no one to talk to, would be disengaging.

So it was HARD for me to drive there, set up frantically, and then have to remain behind closed doors for most of the duration. I have become popular through my work, and my presence is wished for. Sigh.

I announced to my staff if someone wanted to talk to me, please let them. It's all part of good business. (And I enjoy the occasional break!)

One thing I can count on, besides Joe and Paul, for instance, is a visit from iconic A.G. Russell. he came by on Thursday on his scooter, and we chatted. I introduced him to my son Trevor (who was our 'runner' among other tasks), and AG did what he has done in the past. He pulls out his renowned 'one-handed' knife and gives it to him. But not without explaining how to work it, and how it's designed, and how it takes PRACTICE to be nimble with it. That was Trevor's charge: To learn how to open and close it with one hand (and several fingers).

He left and I realized I missed the opportunity for a 'selfie'. Late on Saturday, I requested Trevor and Susan to visit his booth and GET that shot. Goldie Russell actually took the photo:

large.jpg


You can tell how pleased he was to do this! We are always in gratitude that the great AG would be so kind to us. Thank you!!

Me? I have to work. Work HARD. Stop socializing. I literally had a running timer taped to my light tent. I'd time each project, with a goal of one image every 15 minutes. I had my staff spend time cleaning the knives before and after, and my task was background selection, shooting and good lighting. Finished: You guys take care of the rest..... Next!

As son as we arrived on Thursday Trevor and I walked over to Chuck Ward's studio and chatted with him and his staff. We amicably wished each other well and offered assistance if there was an equipment need. All was well and there were no grousing feelings. They were as busy as us all weekend.

BTW: Chuck Ward, Cory Martin, and SharpByCoop were the only ones listed as legitimate Blade Show photographers.

I have more to show, and it's been a slow start as I have to feed my IG as well as this thread in between actual edits. Here's a sampling of some more I finished:

orig.jpg



orig.jpg


Thanks for reading and viewing!
 
Last edited:
Besides the annual "Best Bowie" thread, this is my favorite. Thanks for all you do Coop. It is appreciated.
 
Always such a treat and privilege to view your stunning images, Jim. Thanks for bringing Blade to all of us.:thumbsup::cool:
 
I can ALWAYS count on my buddy Vincent Tseng @UnknownVT to swing by and take a shot or two of the inside studio. My son happened to be with me this time. I am VERY proud of him!

41813488634_fc293ccfc1_b.jpg


He took a boatload of cool images of people. (Look closely: he photobombed himself!) I suggest you visit HIS thread in the Gallery to see more.
 
Holy smokes. Phenomenal stag. Impressed by those Hogstrom pieces too. All of the craftsmanship and creativity is mind blowing. Thanks for sharing Mr. Coop!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top