• Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I hope that you all have something to be grateful for this year and for many years to come

  • The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/

  • America has reached 250 years, and I am grateful to be here, in the best country in the world. Thank every one of you who helps make this country a better place, those who have gone before and risked it all, and those who've paid the ultimate price to make the United States what we are today.

    Happy Birthday America! Let Freedom Ring for all time!

ABS EXPO - San Antonio 2009

the Collector lounge/exchange area idea is really cool. I'm sure it could be organized in such a way as a consignment fee could help promote the concept to the show promoter. You know, something like that.
Not that I've ever been to a show, but if I do eventually make it to one, it would be nice to have a place to kick back and swap knives or just hang out and bullshit for a bit.
 
I particularly liked Larry's post from another review regarding the San Antonio Expo as he makes good points. So with Larry's permission, I thought I would post it here.

Larry Fuegen said:
Kevin,
Thanks for taking the time to post your review of the show. The show committee really tried to offer a unique show experience for the collector as well as the maker. All to often at shows the knife is simply a commodity to be bought or sold. This is unfortunate since the knife is really much more than that. IMO a knife is a bridge that crosses all the boundries between people be it social, economic, religious, political,ethnic etc. It draws makers and collectors together who would normally never come in contact with each other and the Collectors Corner helps bring all collectors together which nornally wouldn't happen at most shows. At most shows a few collectors who are friends get together and talk knives but they don't always get to meet new collectors and form new friendships.

The expo in San Antonio was really an historical event for the ABS. This was the first time it was truly a stand alone show without any other events or distractions. Over 20 years ago I was at a show talking to Jim Schmidt who was one of the first mastersmiths and the subject of an ABS show came up. Jim kind of laughted and said it would never happen because there would never be enough bladesmiths to draw enough collectors to make a show work.

We feel San Antonio has a lot of potential for future expos and the concerns we have heard are being addressed. The hotel was very impressed with the caliber of people who attended and their professionalism. They are willing to work with us on the lighting issue and anything else that will make the 2010 Expo a success. Unlike other shows the Expo is truly a makers show and the ideas and suggestions we get from them are really appreciated and studied. We also want to hear from all the collectors who follow the forged blade and the bladesmiths who keep this craft alive. We want the collector to have fun during the Expo and also afterwards. That was the goal of the Alamo tour and Jack Edmondson's Jim Bowie presentation.I hope everyone can make plans for EXPO 2010.
Click to expand...
 
Not only he is one of the VERY best bladesmiths in the world... he has a way with the written word as well. Damn that Larry Fuegen! ;) jk :D

I think what Larry said is perfect. :thumbup:
 
NickWheeler said:
Not only he is one of the VERY best bladesmiths in the world... he has a way with the written word as well. Damn that Larry Fuegen! ;) jk :D

I think what Larry said is perfect. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

He's not a bad sheathmaker, gold/silversmith, either? ;) :D
Silver, Gold & Leather:
FuegenCowboySheathcopy.jpg
 
Last edited:
The Expo Show group just prior to touring the Alamo:
alamogroup-adj.jpg


Jack Edmonson standing on a wall (actually across the street form the existing Alamo complex) marking the front wall perimeter.
jackedmonson-adj.jpg


Another photo of the Church at the Alamo:
alamo-adj.jpg
 
The ABS Expo Shows have always been considered a “showcase” for forged knives and a show where forged knife makers always seem to bring their very best. Now quality of fit, finish, and construction is a given considering the talent and pride of the makers who attend. I'm more referring to elevated design, embellishment and the materials utilized. This is evident as you walk from table to table seeing one outstanding piece after another. I will share photos of quite a few of these knives over the next few days. Some of the photos you may have already seen and there are some exceptional knives for which I haven’t been able to get photos.

I always get a lot of pleasure at shows from inspecting the knives of who I consider the “up & coming” makers. Erik Fritz is one of these makers who I always look forward to seeing his knives and one which I always see progression.

Erik Fritz- I was really impressed by Erik's knives, especially the third below. I didn't particularly care for it from the photo Erik posted in the Pre-Show thread, but was blown away after seeing and handling it. Funning how that happens sometimes.

Erik3.jpg


Erik1.jpg


Erik5.jpg


John White - John brought some very nice knives, however the little Blackwood framed handle Hunter was one of my favorite small knives of the entire show. The beautiful Paul Long sheath kicked it up a notch as well.:

ScannedImage.jpg


Love how John's multi-bar damascus lines are always so aligned and symmetrical with the blade:
sun8-23-09007.jpg


sun8-23-09006.jpg



Harvey Dean- Dress EL Diablo - Truly spectacular feather pattern damascus, Mammoth Ivory and Harvey's Engraving/inlay:
sa_bowie.jpg

Texas Star Bowie:
sa_star.jpg


More knives to come:
 
I thought I'd add a few pics of knives from the show. Josh's Dogbone, Outstanding! Larry's VOODOO Goblin. Words can't describe it!!
 

Attachments

  • K05317-Smith Josh__1091.jpg
    K05317-Smith Josh__1091.jpg
    39.9 KB · Views: 25
  • K05317-Smith Josh__1084.jpg
    K05317-Smith Josh__1084.jpg
    69.9 KB · Views: 39
  • th_IMG_0753.jpg
    th_IMG_0753.jpg
    4.4 KB · Views: 24
  • th_IMG_0751.jpg
    th_IMG_0751.jpg
    4.2 KB · Views: 25
  • th_IMG_0757.jpg
    th_IMG_0757.jpg
    3.9 KB · Views: 19
I thought I'd add a few pics of knives from the show. Josh's Dogbone, Outstanding! Larry's VOODOO Goblin. Words can't describe it!!
Click to expand...

Yeah Baby. When you have it flaunt with it.:thumbup::cool:

That El Diablo ain't too shabby either.:thumbup:

Marcel
 
Tom Ferry - Here's an exquisite "Folding Bowie". So much to love about this knife, from it's beauty to it's wonderful fit/finish to the appreciation of the maker's outstanding multiple skills. Tom's engraving is progressing at a fast pace. When a maker offers you a loop to inspect his engraving then you know it's GOOD. Check out the "clip&tip sheath".
TomFerryWildcatBowie.jpg


Cliff Parker- Cliffs always produces a sleek and beautiful folder with a dramatic Damascus pattern and outstanding ivory. This one is no exception.
K05305-ParkerCliff__1030.jpg


Shane Taylor - Shane's Bat Bowie is absolutely outstanding in design, execution and material choice. Don't think I have seen any better execution of a themed damascus pattern. Notice the theme carried over to the blade spine, handle spacer and butt cap. Great stag and overall profile. This was definitely one of my favorites of the entire show.
BatBowie001.jpg


Burt Foster - Burt's Dagger and Rustic Display Box is one of his best works to date in my opinion. The fit/finish is excellent as expected and the overall presentation is amazing. I hope Burt's does more of these display boxes to accompany his upper end knives:
dagger004c-small.jpg

Fosterdaggebox004a-small.jpg


A few more examples of Burt's knives and sheaths. Burt's sheathwork is outstanding on it's own. Each created in great detail to accompany the specific knife.
BurtFosterCampknife.jpg

BurtFosterRamshorn.jpg

4_95_fighter025c-small.jpg


More to come!
 
I hate to admit I never go to see the Bat Bowie, so thanks for the beautiful pics.
 
Sorry to draw this out so far, but posting photos as I get access to them.

The buyer of these two Ron Newton pieces allowed Ron to also take them to the Tulsa Show where they won awards. All beautiful pieces.

NewtonStarBowie.jpg


3877780997_39d27f71dc_b.jpg


NewtonSanAntonBowie.jpg


NewtonSheath.jpg


Two beautiful Terry Vandeventer Bowies. Notice that beautiful sheath work:

3808195305_13319b4713_b.jpg


TerryVBowie.jpg
 
Last edited:
I had seen pictures of Ron Newton's knives on his website but now seeing them in their full glory is great. Especially the third one with the walrus ivory handle is really amazing.:cool::thumbup:

Although we have seen Terry's shellguard Bowie before I really can't get enough of this knife and I don't even really like wood...go figure:thumbup::cool:

Marcel
 
Terrific knives - hope to see some more. That Erik Fritz guy is doing some REALLY nice work. Ron Newton's stuff is just spectacular. And I am still in love with that Terry V. ironwood clamshell bowie.

Roger
 
Thanks again for the hard work, Kevin.
Ultra incredible folks and knives.....and the Alamo. :)

Doug
 
Many thanks Kevin. Some incredible knives in this thread. I could NOT even begin to pick a favorite there are so many exquisite knives to choose from.

Peter
 
Here's some shots taken from around the Show courtesy of Linda Fuegen:

Jay Hendrickson at seminars
IMG_1868.jpg


Jack Edmundson as Jim Bowie enjoying the show. To start the Show off on Friday afternoon Jim Bowie appeared to tell his story to a very eager crowd of show participants.
IMG_1888.jpg


Bill Ruple's filework demo
IMG_1870.jpg


IMG_1871.jpg


Eric Eggly works his magic at the San Antonio Show !
IMG_1876.jpg


IMG_1873.jpg


Lobby of Gunter Hotel
IMG_1884.jpg


Beautiful Gunter Lobby and ABS sign
IMG_1878.jpg


Josh Smith's demo on a take-down construction
IMG_1881.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top