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- Feb 15, 2002
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After 6 years as the official photographer for this Professional Knifemakers Association sponsored custom knife show, I retired. Hopefully someone else will emerge with the necessary skills, equipment, youth and vigor to take over that position. I have continue to support the organization and show. Each year I'll photograph the collaboration raffle knife for the website and raffle ticket graphics, the Best of Show knife and the group of makers who won each category.
So, I don't have a lot of PKA Show images to share and I can't give a thorough show report but I would like to share what I did this year.
First, the winners group shot:
This is always a major hoot and a tough shot. I've done it yearly, six times so far - the one above being my best effort to date. The guys were great to work with as I have most of them trained by now. One thing I will never do again is ask guys in the front row to get down on one knee. The pathetic moaning and groaning was too much to bare.
I used a brand new camera this year - the highly regarded Canon 5D3. It's low light capabilities are awesome. The funky ambient hotel showroom lighting didn't faze the 5D3 so I put my flash kit away.
Next, the Best of Show winner by Dave Ruana. Dave was taught knifemaking as a youth by his legendary grandfather, Rudy Ruana so the style cues are similar. This image is for the PKA web site and they specified a plain and simple side view.
I picked up the Best of Show knife for overnight photography and two other makers asked me to shoot their knives overnight in my studio at home. That sure beats hauling all my gear out to the hotel for the weekend!
Here's one by Don Ruana. I don't recall if Don and Dave are brothers or cousins but Don is also well-schooled in the craft. This 'convertible' outdoorsman model features a button-lock handle with both knife and axe blades depending on the chore. Fit is precise and the blades feel quite secure when locked in place. BTW, Don won the Best Hand Forged award for this one.
And finally, a beautiful knife by Guy Hielscher, who warmly welcomed me as the new PKA show photographer my first year and has been a faithful and appreciative customer (along with his scrimshander wife Vicki) ever since. Guy can't make an ugly knife and they are all very photogenic, making my job a lot easier.
The show this year seemed every bit as busy and successful as last year and I heard that all pertinent numbers were similar as well. This was their 20th year of putting on the Denver Custom Knife Show and since I've been involved Mike "Whiskers" Allen and his fireball wife Denise have run the show and they do a terrific job. I have really grown to like and respect this couple over the years. Notably, Whiskers has been a full-time maker forever, supported the family and put his kids through school - all by making knives. You gotta respect that!
The PKA Denver Custom Knife Show is every August, third weekend. It's certainly worth attending and if you can get the time off, take a few extra days and swing up through the mountains for a taste of Colorado's high country.
So, I don't have a lot of PKA Show images to share and I can't give a thorough show report but I would like to share what I did this year.
First, the winners group shot:
This is always a major hoot and a tough shot. I've done it yearly, six times so far - the one above being my best effort to date. The guys were great to work with as I have most of them trained by now. One thing I will never do again is ask guys in the front row to get down on one knee. The pathetic moaning and groaning was too much to bare.
I used a brand new camera this year - the highly regarded Canon 5D3. It's low light capabilities are awesome. The funky ambient hotel showroom lighting didn't faze the 5D3 so I put my flash kit away.
Next, the Best of Show winner by Dave Ruana. Dave was taught knifemaking as a youth by his legendary grandfather, Rudy Ruana so the style cues are similar. This image is for the PKA web site and they specified a plain and simple side view.
I picked up the Best of Show knife for overnight photography and two other makers asked me to shoot their knives overnight in my studio at home. That sure beats hauling all my gear out to the hotel for the weekend!
Here's one by Don Ruana. I don't recall if Don and Dave are brothers or cousins but Don is also well-schooled in the craft. This 'convertible' outdoorsman model features a button-lock handle with both knife and axe blades depending on the chore. Fit is precise and the blades feel quite secure when locked in place. BTW, Don won the Best Hand Forged award for this one.
And finally, a beautiful knife by Guy Hielscher, who warmly welcomed me as the new PKA show photographer my first year and has been a faithful and appreciative customer (along with his scrimshander wife Vicki) ever since. Guy can't make an ugly knife and they are all very photogenic, making my job a lot easier.
The show this year seemed every bit as busy and successful as last year and I heard that all pertinent numbers were similar as well. This was their 20th year of putting on the Denver Custom Knife Show and since I've been involved Mike "Whiskers" Allen and his fireball wife Denise have run the show and they do a terrific job. I have really grown to like and respect this couple over the years. Notably, Whiskers has been a full-time maker forever, supported the family and put his kids through school - all by making knives. You gotta respect that!
The PKA Denver Custom Knife Show is every August, third weekend. It's certainly worth attending and if you can get the time off, take a few extra days and swing up through the mountains for a taste of Colorado's high country.
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