ABS EXPO - San Antonio 2009

Kevin,

Thanks for the great review. It was great seeing so many great friends. I went early with my wife and daughter to visit Sea World and tour the river walk. The private tour we received at the Alamo was incredible. Had I not been a part of that I would have never known what the Alamo originally looked like.

I was glad to make a new customer there. We as a committee are reviewing any and all comments about the show and will be making necessary adjustments to best satisfy collectors and makers in attendance. I would encourage any makers or collectors to call us with any feed back.

Though it was crazy hot outside I really didn't notice it being a huge issue for folks. It seems like people still enjoyed the River Walk and all of down town. For us we were in and out of businesses often enough that we never really got terribly uncomfortable. My wife being 7 month pregnant was still able to walk and tour all day with our 5 year old thanks to AC in every business down there.

I loved the hotel that Harvey chose for us. Historic but at the same time nice. We already have plans to address the lighting issues in some parts of the show room. Next year no one will have to deal with insufficient light. Until you put on one of these shows it's hard to know what issues will pop up. The few we did have have already been addressed for next year.

When we nail down all of the facts for next year I will be sure to pass them along.
Thanks guys.
 
Kevin Jones said:
]

JoshSmithSearlesBowieSanAntonio-1.jpg
Click to expand...

This, Kevin, is one beautiful knife! Please show us more...
And the Damascus, Josh - you are amazing!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Lorien said:
what a great review, Kevin:thumbup: You touched on a lot of points without dwelling, and kept your opinions in check, which made for some very enjoyable reading:) plus, you kept it short enough that my eyeballs didn't shrivel up in their sockets from reading from a computer screen.

One of the most interesting reviews I've read here on BF.
Thank you for bringing the show to us. I'm looking forward to your photo documentary, which are always excellent.
Click to expand...

Lorien, are you hinting that I can be opinionated? Wow, who would have thought? I will have to work on that. ;) :D :)

Thank you everyone for the positive comments.

Kohai999 said:
Nice job, Kevin!

You have written up such an informative and in-depth review, that I don't see any reason to continue doing show reviews for any show that we are both at...way to step up!
Looking forward to more greatness in the future.....if you come to the AKI, that would be the greatest greatness of all.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Just one more thing we don't agree on. ;) :)
My writing skills pretty much rival my public speaking skills, which pretty much suck. :foot:

ddd said:
This, Kevin, is one beautiful knife! Please show us more...And the Damascus, Josh - you are amazing!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
Click to expand...

Hi David.
I have been requesting and receiving photos. I want to post them all or most at one time (and yes, Lorien, I may be a little opinionated on the knives. I may even choose my personnel "best in show".). ;):D Makers, you can e-mail photos of your Expo knives to kj1056@aol.com if I haven't gotten to you yet.

peterinct said:
Thanks for the review Kevin.

Did I understand you correctly in that "The Alamo" itself is owned by Phil Collins? If so, I NEVER heard that before. I would be interested to know the history behind that.

Peter
Click to expand...

Thanks Erik for clearing that up.
Peter, I can't remember the Historian/Artist's name who created the beautiful, extremely detailed and correct model. It's probably 10' square or larger.
If anyone knows his name please let us know. I understand that Phil Collins is quite a history and weapons enthusiast.
 
Last edited:
ddd said:
This, Kevin, is one beautiful knife! Please show us more...
And the Damascus, Josh - you are amazing!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
Click to expand...

I could NOT agree more. That is an absolutely beautiful rendition Josh!

Pleasure seeing it.

Peter
 
It was announced this morning in a car dealership radio ad, that the intense heat the weekend of the ABS Expo was NOT a natural occurrence It was instead generated by the "hot deals" available under the Cash For Clunkers Program at that dealership. It is reasonable to assume that since that program will likely not repeat next August that you can expect much more moderate weather.........Now that is GOOD NEWS!

Paul
 
Kevin,
I'll keep it short.
Thanks for the great review, REALLY enjoyed it and the imagery.
....and the images. :)

Doug
 
Kevin, great report so far. I sounds like a great show to go to especially if you are in to Bowies!

I don't know who won Josh's Searles Bowie in the lottery but I know that if I had won I sure wouldn't have put it up for sale (at least not so fast;)).

Marcel
 
Kevin Jones said:
Lorien, are you hinting that I can be opinionated? Wow, who would have thought? I will have to work on that. ;) :D :)
(and yes, Lorien, I may be a little opinionated on the knives. I may even choose my personnel "best in show".). ;):D
Click to expand...

Sorry Kevin, I guess I didn't word that very well. What I meant was that, compared to OTHER reviews I've read from other sources, yours was very neutral and dare I say journalistic. I meant it as a compliment:o
 
Lorien said:
Sorry Kevin, I guess I didn't word that very well. What I meant was that, compared to OTHER reviews I've read from other sources, yours was very neutral and dare I say journalistic. I meant it as a compliment:o
Click to expand...

You are a hurtful, hateful little bitch, Lorien...or at least you attempt to be....luckily the crew in Customs is clearly onto you.

I need to go get a hug from someone....of the buxom female type.

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
You are a hurtful, hateful little bitch, Lorien...or at least you attempt to be....luckily the crew in Customs is clearly onto you.

I need to go get a hug from someone....of the buxom female type.

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Hey, Steven, are these signs that you are getting a little soft
and sentimental with age? :) :)

I know, I know, I did not misunderstand you...

I like it!!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Murray, thanks for your trouble I appreciate it:thumbup:, but I knew that Michael Donato has it up for sale. I should know because the Anders Bowie for sale next to it is mine;)

The point I was trying to make is that to me the knife is so appealing that I don't understand that the winner, unless it is a purveyor, would put it up for sale immediately.

Marcel
 
Marcel54 said:
The point I was trying to make is that to me the knife is so appealing that I don't understand that the winner, unless it is a purveyor, would put it up for sale immediately.

Marcel
Click to expand...

It is aesthetically "challenging", is maybe the best way to put it.

If I had won the raffle, would have sold it as well, but taken the money and commissioned Josh to make me another....and that is the truth.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Lorien said:
Sorry Kevin, I guess I didn't word that very well. What I meant was that, compared to OTHER reviews I've read from other sources, yours was very neutral and dare I say journalistic. I meant it as a compliment:o
Click to expand...

I was more poking fun at myself. I can be pretty hard headed.


Marcel54 said:
Murray, thanks for your trouble I appreciate it:thumbup:, but I knew that Michael Donato has it up for sale. I should know because the Anders Bowie for sale next to it is mine;)

The point I was trying to make is that to me the knife is so appealing that I don't understand that the winner, unless it is a purveyor, would put it up for sale immediately.
Marcel
Click to expand...

It's my understanding that Michael Donato won it.
 
nevermind
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the compliments on that knife. I was quite pleased with it. Donato did win that knife so naturally I did expect he would sell it. Marcel I appreciate your sentiments that you would have kept it. I will get some pictures of the Wade Colter knife that Marcel bought at the auction through me on Friday night.

Thanks again for the compliments gentleman, and again great review Kevin.
 
Kevin,

Once again a great review. It sounds like it was a super show for forged knife collectors.

I was also wondering wht the Josh's Searles Bowie was for sale so soon until you mentioned that Mike won the knife.

Now all we need is some photos of the show.

Jim Treacy
 
Kevin great stuff and I am facinated in any blade history and lore especially Bowie lore

Can you elaborate on why Harvey thinks the guard could be an add on.

Harvey and Josh beautiful work
 
NickWheeler said:
Thanks for taking the time to do this Kevin! I agree that the collectors corner ended up being more of a lounge area, but also think that that's a very good thing. Normally, folks have to go back to their room or a restaurant to take a break. With the collectors' corner, folks could take a break right there by the show, cuss and discuss, and do some horse trading if desired. I also think that there's no chance of it hurting us makers at all. Good deal all around. :)

Looking forward to the rest of your report Kevin! :)
Click to expand...

Thank you Nick.

Good point above regarding the collector's corner.
I also believe the collector's corner could increase table holder knife sales as IMO collectors don't have enough avenues to sell their knives and many use proceeds from sales of existing knives to fund new purchases.
Perfect example, the gentleman who sold Eli his Dean hunter purchased two upper end knives off a maker's table that I know of, perhaps even more.

What's good for the collector is most often good for the entire custom knife community.

I don't think a show like BLADE will ever allow such a collector's area unless it's requested by paying table holders.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top