A Day at the NY Custom Knife Show...

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Nakano 2

Joined
Jan 1, 1999
Messages
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I' ve recouped a bit from yesterdays almost 9 hours of standing and roaming on the ballroom floor. I didn' t realize it til the PA system announced" 5 minutes til closing time". It was almost 8:00 PM !

I was about 13 (unlucky
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)on line at the door and headed strait to the table of Al Polkowski but my most desired Kasper Scorpion was literally snatched from my reach by another show attendee who was a few places behind me on line! He must be quick for sure. Hmmm... it was RJ Martins fault
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for I stopped at his table to say hello before reaching Al Polkowskis table, and asked for a Bladeforums sticker which he didn' t have!
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Darn.

But Al, Linda and I did have a nice chat. He is a former native New Yorker before heading out to New Jersey. Heck we talked about guns as a matter of fact and he told me how happy he was about his recent new toy.

I ran into the table of LDC Custom and Les Robertson. What a dazzling selection! Top shelf stuff. I had to get out of there quick!

Went back to say hello to RJ again. As usual he had an exquiste display of his tanto renditions. Real nice stuff. I had to get out of there too! Oh, he did have what I believe to be ONE of his rare folders lying on the table...

Then I bumped into BCaffrey. We chatted a bit on separate occasions. Nice guy and appeared exactly as described on the forums!

While chatting with Sal Glesser, fellow forumite Scorpio stopped by and said hello. Sal is a true gentlemen as we chatted about a few upcoming models and company plans. Too bad about the rolling lock plans. All the goodies were displayed and 4 sale, although not at bottom dollar prices, not meant to be for this show anyway. No more Spydercards for sale and no wrenches either! Sal Glesser even went out of his way to get the last Spydercard from his hotel room for a purchaser.

I stopped by the Busse table and the Basic line was displayed along with an INFI custom which I believe fellow forumite grnamin obtained. Sorry Greg, didn' t catch you but I thought that was you standind close to the door entrance at opening time. Busse rep Andy Prisco was attending and took some time to chat business with me although it was unrelated but what a great guy. Hey Bobby Branton, Andy sends his regards and was happy to hear you' re alright. Hunting boars, huh?

Well, what can I say about Bob and Linda Dozier. What a friendly couple. They will answer all questions and explain their philosophy behind their knives. And as usual a great assortment of his top quality D2 bladed hunters/ utility models. Look for his new motorcyclists rig and a few new folders. One of which is a prototype version of the Buck 110 in Ti/ D2! The current D2 Kabars are not of his design. Whew! I didn' t think so. I' ll continue this on a next post for fear of losing connection.
 
What a lively conversation going on at the end of the isle! It was Darrel Ralph and on his right fellow forumite JohnO I believe. Darrel gave some tips on getting rid of that white dusty looking appearance that results from checkering micarta and G10. I showed a few of my checkered blades and they were quite impressed. No, not executed by me but by CHECKERMARX@compuserve.com. Who' s this with the camera? None other than Anthony Lombardo in a flashy dress suit! Make sure to post some pics soon Anthony. Darrel showed me a nice specimen, an exotic looking folder. How does it open? Go to the show and say hi to Ralph.
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He also had a few of his Outdoor Edge impulses available and at a nice price to boot. I used it in the shop today and it really cuts well. Super sharp, comfortable due to the recessed pocket clip, secure with its rubber inlays and yes a nice blast finish on the Al handles. The liner locking mechanism is on the money, tight and no play. Smooth thumb opening or wrist flickable with little effort. Could serve as an impromptu protective piece. All in all, a good quality working knife you wouldn' t mind abusing. Get one! Thanks Darrel.

Masecraft supplies had a host of stag, horn, micarta, bone, damascus, G10 (Yes, blue!) and other makers supplies available. Frank Recupero, where were you??

Maker Tom Anderson saved me from fainting as I spooned myself some of his tactical grey and black M& Ms he had in a large bowl. Don' t eat too many as they appear to be coated with Ti and G 10 dust.
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I hadn' t had a bite the entire day and it was close to closing.

Then there was the tables of Pat and Wes Crawford. Both always friendly and greeting me with a big smile. What a selection on hand. Wortacs, Carnivores, Assasins, KFFs, Sharks, and plenty of them 4 sale. There were a few new T- Lock Ti models availble in bead blast grey which weighed almost nothing.

Back to Al Polkowski to see if magically another Scorpion appeared on the table!
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Kevin Gentile was ther also. His specialty is the juiced up AFCKs that are reviewed by MD Poff on these forums. Then fellow forumite Rugger stopped by. We chatted for a bit and he showed me an interesting IWB kydex sheath made for what appeared to be one of those 1095 lapel daggers or "tiny terrors". Thanks for the Tuff cloth purchase Mike!

Now for those guys at the far left rear of the floor. There were an abundance of mixed items at his table. Anything from those double 8 traders knockoffs to a Benchmade Delta Raider! Yup, I got that and a Spyderco Q at an attractive cost. There were a few older steel handled Spydies, Blackjack Condor skinners, Blackjack grey scaled folders, and CS Trailmasters at only $129! Too many to name but check this table out. You may find something you may not expect. I did. Next post...
 
I had a great time at the show ! Got there at about 12:30 pm friday and it was already packed. I mean packed. I have been going to this show and the one in spring at the Crowne for about five, six years and I dont recall ever seeing crowds like that especially on a work day. I went with my girlfriend. As I posted before she said my xmas present was to be found there. COOL!


I went with a nice gentlemans folder in mind and possibly a Randall. Since this was her first knife show I wanted to get her something as well. Stopped at the dozier table and looked at the folders there again this year and again for some reason passed. The action on these are wonderful and they are light and had he had one with a natural handle material I would have been in trouble. I looked hard at the yellow to red one he had for my girlfreind but she thought it was to big.


Made my way to the Busse table. I have never seen the customs up close and in person so I was anxious to check them out. OH NOOO !! They had a steel heart variant with a clip point and super sexy lines. I asked to pick it up and then it happened LOVE ! My girlfreind saw the look on my face and asked andy how much. $400 !!! I couldnt let her spend that kind of money so I put it down and walked away. Went through the whole show and came back about 15 minutes later and it was still there. I told andy I hoped you would have sold it by now. I picked it up again and had to have it. At the same time someone was picking up another proto busse that was about 9-10 inch in blade with a blade catcher and finger choil and man oh man it was some knife. I hope he posts a pic because it was a honey. Cant imagine what he paid. So I am now the proud owner of an exotic busse and have been playing with it all day. What a hunk O knife.


There were two south african folder makers that had absolutly beautiful folders with rhino bone and exotic woods in the 300 and 400 range. Actually a nice deal when you saw the beauty and funtion. Nice action. I would have snatched one up had I not feel in love with the busse.
Ricky Fowler and his wife are so pleasent. Still way to much black tactical folder stuff around at the show IMHO. I went through the show five more times after I bought the busse. THe Randalls I had only seen in photos. The model 1 is alive in your hand and you can see why it has a following but the other models left me flat.


My girlfreind finally decided on a benchmade 330 with mother of pearl scales for herself so I picked that up for her. We were having a hard time deciding between that or a small fowler trade knife with girafe bone scales and a nifty tribal looking neck carry sheath. After we bought the benchmade I wanted her to have a handmade since it was her first show so I bought her the Fowler as well.


As always the people who attend these shows are tops. As crowded as it was everyone strives to be polite. Every time I bring a newbie to the knife show they are struck with how well everyone behaves and interacts. I hear more excuse me and pardon me there in a day than I do in months of living in NY.


I must say the stand out memory for me was the gentleman at the busse table. I understand from other posts that his name is andy. What an abolutely friendly an energetic person. Infectious. Ten minutes with him and you feel like your old freinds. I felt like I knew him forever and we could easily hang out somewhere for a cold one or six. Asked me to come back to the table before I left. He said he just wanted to say goodbye. When I came back from that evil ATM machine in the lobby with the balance of the money he stated that he had made a mistake and quoted me a price with the wrong tax figured out. Without so much as a blink he followed that with " THat is the price I told you though and Im a man of my word" More stuff you get to hear more often at these events than anywhere else.


My girlfreind left the show positivly buzzing she had such a good time and I have a one of a kind busse thanks to her. Wonderful show. Maybe they will find a bigger space next year.
Alex

[This message has been edited by Boriqua (edited 06 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Boriqua (edited 06 November 1999).]
 
Roberta De Asis greeted me with a big smile. All of their products were on display. We had a very friendly chat on the Pardue Axis and some of those controversial M2 Afck folders. Yes, that and most of their products are available for purchase ($$$)
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We both examined my newly obtained Delta Raider and it was the real thing for sure. Although Les took a look at the somewhat basic leather sheath it came with and verified that to be the genuine article as well. Oh, thanks to the "Automatic" gentleman as well. Roberta was very helpful and helped me obtain a Pardue Axis. 2 words, great knife. Thanks Roberta. Les as he' s always done greeted me with a big smile and a strong handshake. It was a pleasure talking to both. Really friendly folks.

That rugged looking guy, no other than Newt Livesay with a complete assortment of his wares. Some composite neck needles to what appeared to be a micarta handled shovel! Actually it was a beavertail shaped blade that could be used as an anchor. No kidding, he makes some hefty using blades. Watch out for that guy (a disributor) next to Newt. He likes to draw those big blades from their sheaths. Just don' t let them bounce on your toes!
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Newt and I talked a bit of "history"
about Arkansas knife makers. He noted Bob Dozier, AG Russel, Harry Morseth.

If you' re a Star Trek fan, be sure to stop by Gil Hibbens display. Anything from folders to fantasy blades, he had them there.

I greeted TK Knife Editor Stephen Dick with a handshake at the TK Magazine table. He was a bit busy with others so I didn' t get to talk much with him. Don' t forget the complimentary mags.

The REKAT booth had all there wares displayed. Escalators, Escalator trainers, Sifus (now that' s a folder!), Pioneers, Hobbits, Carnivours, neck knives, etc.

I then stopped by the table of Emerson Knives. Ernie was particularly busy with quite a few attendees. I didn' t get a chance to say hello. But Mary Emerson took some time out to talk business and was very helpful. Thanks Mary. Most of the factory stuff was available for sale as well. The G10 folders had a nice textured finish and the edged were nicely rounded for a secure and comfortable grip. I really liked the Commander but shucks, didn' t get to take one home.

Last but not least was Chris Reeves. Please don' t ask if those canes on display are sword canes!
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Sorry Chris. Actually they were fine walking canes made of top shelf materials. Chris only had a few folders left for sale but plenty of his one piece range. Chris and I enjoyed a nice converstaion together. I hope to get one of his Sebenza one day.

Other exhibitors on hand were Bud Nealy, Bob Terzuola, Koji Hara, AKTI, Alan Elishewitz, Len Fowler. It was a great but long day but also a very enjoyable experience as it is every year. I enjoyed meeting all of our fellow forumites and perhaps we can plan early for the March show and get together for a few (steaks).

L8r,
Nakano

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"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
 
yeah, i was able to cycle a few of the REKAT Pioneers, but wasn't looking for the usual production stuff. wife gave me a few dollars to "do with what i want" so i looked at a few custom blades. picked up a wicked modified tanto point micarta handled work of art: 4 in. blade, overall 7 3/4 in. Mr. Ricky Fowler made this piece. nice kydex sheath, looks bombproof! very kind gentleman, seems quite knowledgeable. his wife is very professional as well, pleasure talking with them before buying. this knife just feels good in the hand! anyone buy anything ever from Fowler?

[This message has been edited by KELT34 (edited 06 November 1999).]
 
Ronald Reagan: were you # 16 or #17 in line behind me?
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Hmmm... conspirators.

I did vist Les' table and did my usual quick but thorough scan but didn' t see a Scorpion. My eyes would have been like magnets attracted to it. Maybe someone got there before I did. Now I feel 2x bad.
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L8r,
Nakano

 
Hey Kelt Not only did I buy a Fowler yesterday but about a month ago I had him make me an 8 inch 3/16 in thick fighter/bowie Something similer to the black cloud offerings. Black oxide finish and maroon micarta scales. I sent him some drawings and some suggestions and one week after he recieved my check I had a knife. A minty knife that sings in the hand and is balanced right at the integral guard. Finger cut out choil and some grooves on top for purchase. lots of little touchs I never would have even thought to ask for. A pleasure to do business with him and a knife that is a pleasure to own.
alex
 
Had a great time there Friday. Got there about 11:20 and was about 8 or 9 in line. Breifly met Grnamin who had printed his own BF sticker at home. Nice guy. Met one other forumite at Newts table but cant remember his name.Picked up a beautiful Terzuola ATCK with desert ironwood handles. I dont usually buy knives without pocket clips but Bob convinced me the scales were too pretty to cover with a clip. Also grabbed one of Newts new neck needles for my son at college. Had a nice chat with Darrell Ralph about things on the forum and also about powerlifting. Nice guy. Was good to see Al Polkowski who I've known for a while since buying 3 of his knives years ago. While talking it turned out he had recently gone to my best friends tattoo shop for some ink and I missed him which is unusual cause I spend alot of time there(yes, that was me walking around with the tattoo of a Randall Model 2 on my forearm. It was copied out of the Randall catalog with the modification of instead of the usual guard there is a barbell). Was good to see Greg from Skylands Cutlery having a table there this year, he is always great to do business with. All in all a good show, but has gotten smaller since the Roosevelt Hotel days.Been going to this show since 78 and it is always good. In talking to promoter Joe Mangiaracina he told me that the smaller size the last few years comes in part from the fact that everytime he runs a show there is another big promoter that runs a big show the same days. Oh well. Still a great show and glad its not more often or the mortgage would never get paid.

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lifter
Phil. 4:13

 
Hey Nakano,
I was third in line waiting for the show to open last Friday. Were you wearing a black field jacket? The forumites I met were the ones I didn't know of before. I didn't meet any senior members. Going again today.

-Greg
 
10- 4 Greg. Black jacket and a blue canvas brief. Didn' t want to go off the waiting line as I was hearing a few guys and gals from behind whispering to each other how they were going to get to their favorite table the quickest way!
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Well as you can see, it worked for at least one of them! But the Kasper Scorpion was really for a friend/ customer of our club anyway. And truthfully, I was hoping to pick up 2 of them. The other for my personal use. Have fun Greg.

L8r,
Nakano

 
Nakano2,

It may be possible that someone bought the Scorpion from Al and then sold it to Les! Anyway sorry to bring it up I didn't want to make you feel worse! I know exactly what that feeling is like!

I picked up a beautiful Darrel Ralph folder - he told me it was the prototype for the rolling lock version soon to be released by REKAT. It's the Scorpion with an anodized purple titanium frame and blue locking bar, Carbon fiber inserts, and a 5 in. blade. Absolutely beautiful!

I alos picked up a Farid folder for $200. I know...they seem overbuilt and seem to lack any originality. But this year, I had change of heart and really liked the feel of it in my hand - it is a great martial arts folder! Cheack out my post in the Custom Knife Discussion under the "Farid Thread" by Fenris.
 
Time for my 2+ cents worth about the show. I arrived around 11:40 or so on Friday to find quite a large group already queued up by the door. It was a few minutes before I realized that this was the line for ticket holders.
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By the time I bought my ticket & returned to the line it had stretched all the way back to the escalator. Once the doors opened, I headed right for RJ Martin's table but it took me a few minutes to find him. When I got there, RJ told me a few folks had already stopped by asking for the BF labels that I brought along.

After exchanging pleasantries with RJ, my eyes were drawn to one of his absolutely beautiful Kozukas. It was his #3 blade style, which is a less pointed tanto with more curve in the main bevel. With diamond wrapped black nylon over burgundy stingray handle & Sterling Silver Menuki, I knew it would have to come home with me.

From RJ's table I headed over to see Bob Dozier where I picked up a coral micarta handled Pro Guide model for fellow forumite, md2020. (It was not easy putting that in the mail yesterday, Ray.
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) While at Bob's table I met another forumite, Cappy, and we headed outside to complete a trade we had arranged beforehand -- my tambotie handled Bauchop Alley Cat for a Reeve Aviator & a Damascus Bud Nealy Pesh Kabz. Thanks again, Cappy.

Back in the hall again, I headed to Spyderco's table, bought a plain edged SpyderCard (Sorry, Nakano -- I beat you too it.
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) at a price not much different than I've seen it for online. Thanks Spyderco for the free Dyad lapel pin I got when paying for the SpyderCard. I also had the opportunity to play with a Spyderench and had a nice chat with Sal and yet another forumite, Scorpio.

At this point, I had hit my pre-planned first stops and needed to take a breather before beginning a more leisurely stroll through the exhibit hall. More later…


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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride.


 
Negative RR. Les obtains his pieces thru the normal distibutors/ makers direct channels. The fella (sorry, don' t recall your name), who BTW was a nice guy as we were chatting while waiting on line outside the hall, who snatched the Scorpion also left with the only Pug as well! It was originally in my hands and I was hinting a barter. But he wouldn' t budge so I finally let it go and he was pretty happy about it.

Brian: no wonder you didn' t want to go to the Spydie table with me to say hello to Scorpio! I guess my Clint Eastwood quote from an earlier post didn' t have an effect.
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L8r,
Nakano
 
Part 2 --- Forumite Atilla & I took a little break for some "show & tell" just outside the exhibit hall. All of those JSP Ti sticks are really cool! I think I see matching Koppo & Bang Bog sticks in my future.
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If anyone is in the market for these, you might want to drop Atilla a line. Speaking of forumites w/goodies for sale, I forgot to mention that Cappy also showed me a couple of Coleman custom folders that he is looking to sell. These are really nice -- great lines, smooth actions, & super F&F.

As Nakano mentioned, he & I met up a few times. I tried to hook up w/TomW but, as many times as I passed by Darrel Ralph's table, we kept missing each other. I also chatted briefly w/PhilL, saw a couple of other BF labels around the hall but didn't get a chance to meet the wearers, and had a few folks ask me what BladeForums was about. If anyone does join BF as a result of meeting me or another forumite at the show, please identify yourselves & say hi. Nakano, I agree that it might be nice to try for a more formal NY area forumite get together in conjunction with the March ECCKS. Let's try to coordinate something when it gets a little closer.

Doc4570 & I know each other longer than I care to remember & we spent quite a bit of time traipsing around the hall together. Doc bought a really nice new Dozier model, a "Canoe" with maple burl scales, not micarta. See Les, I'm not the only one who likes natural handle materials once in a while.
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On the topic of natural handle materials, I also picked up a beautiful little utility blade from Arno Bernard, one of the fine South African Custom makers who were at the show. It has a 3" razor sharp 440C blade with giraffe bone handle & water buffalo sheath -- a really sweet little piece.

More later…



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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride.


 
Heh, heh. Actually Brian it was from Ruggers original thread where he stated he would be one of the first on line to go see that Spydercard and I quoted: "... Yeah, only you won' t be the one who' ll collect it." from Clint Eastwoods opening words from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." classic spaghetti western. I wonder if Mike got one.

BTW, that gentlemen who got the prizes of the day at Al Polkwskis table (both Scorpion and Pug) said he would try to get on line to check out these forums. I hope he will become a member.

I would be remiss if I did not remember to announce that Roberta De Asis of Benchmade had indicated that the line of production Butterfly Balisongs will resume production sometime in the future! Butterfly fans rejoice! She said they will probably fall in the $150 MSRP range that will include Ti scales and a sub 4" blade! That' s all I know for now...

L8r,
Nakano

 
Hey Alex(Boriqua),
Was that you I took a picture of holding your new proto Steel Heart with Andy Prisco posing alongside with a Combat Hatchet in hand? I was the one who got the bowie with the blade catcher. Pictures have been delayed until Tuesday. Serves me right for using a regular camera. I went to the show again today and left with another Busse. This time it was a prototype Battle Mistress, no swedge, no parrot's beak butt. I'm broke!!!
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.

-Greg
 
OK, time to wrap up my show report -- I browsed past each & every table several times and there was eye candy at nearly every stop. Here, in no particular order, are some of the more memorable stops apart from those I've already mentioned:

* Busse -- As other have said, Andy is a really nice guy and I got to play w/several models. The Basic #3 is a really nice small blade that might make a good companion for someone's #7 or 9. Their Combat Hatchet is also very, very cool.

* Camillus - Will Fennell is another great guy to chat with. I fondled a really nice Damascus CUDA & one will probably be in my future. As I explained to Will, however, I was concentrating on the custom stuff for the show. Will didn't have any of the BK&T prototypes to show me but he did let me play with one of the Terzuola-designed fighters -- absolutely fantastic ergonomics. I also got to handle one of their 7" Marine fighters, finally. (Hint, hint, Mike
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)

* Fowler -- Great looking pieces in a wide variety of patterns, handle materials, and sheath designs. He had a small hatchet that looked like it would be ideal for big game hunters.

* Hibben -- The one item that really caught my eye here was a golf putter with a small double-edged dagger at the heel. It might be a good companion for some city courses.
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* Les Robertson -- A nice selection of customs from a variety of makers.

* Nealy -- As usual, a nice choice of Bud's easily concealed pieces. IMO, his Y2K models have great grinds & look much nicer in person than in pictures.

* Masao Takahashi -- This Japanese custom maker had several nice pieces but the one that really caught my eye was a very thin, needle-like dagger.

* Raven Armoury had a small assortment of high quality historical replicas. One piece that really caught my attention had a khukuri shaped blade with beautiful lines and a wire wrapped handle. Bill, tell the kamis to get ready for another crazy American's sketch.
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* Daniel Winkler had a couple of very nice tomahawks among his offerings.

* Darrel Ralph's Apogee has moved way up on my "must have list." The production model Impulse is also very nice, as several others have mentioned.

* Chris Reeve was a pleasure to speak with as usual. His knives & walking sticks need no further praise from me. I picked up a "Think Twice, Cut Once" T-shirt to go with my new Aviator.

* Mike Irie had a good assortment of his Sport series on display. I love stag and, IMO, his work represents some of the best real bargains around.

* Chavar had some super looking small fixed blades on his table. Another maker to add to my short list for future shows.

* Last, but certainly not least, Newt Livesay had a great selection of his blades on display and has also made my short list. I particularly liked his 82nd Air Borne Tactical Fighter & his 101st Air Mobile Tactical Fighter. I may have a hard time choosing between them at the next show but I know that at least one will be coming home with me.

Well, I've rambled long enough. So many knives, so little money.


------------------
Cheers,

--+Brian+--

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride.


 
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