Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
Hey all,
I left S.D. at 7:30 pm Friday night for the Expo. When we landed, it was a lot colder than I expected, 23 degrees that night. Coming from SoCal, my blood has thinned, so I figured that affected me more. I could not find a non-stop flight, so it takes 3 hours and change to fly from S.D. to Reno.
I called Matt Diskin, and found him in the lounge at the Silver Legacy hotel. He claims that the nicest hotel in Reno is on par with the San Remo(which was like a model for the Cooler, a film with William Macy) in Las Vegas, but he has never stayed at the Best Western in Downtown Las Vegas, by Cashman Field. It has an 8' fence around it, and bars on the windows too. I thought Reno was nice, much less packed than Las Vegas would have been, and I was looking for a more mellow experience, more like a vacation.
I was on the fence about going to Reno until I called Don Fogg, and he said that he would have time for me. The other factors were hanging out with Matt, possibly getting a knife from Nick Wheeler, and finalizing, face to face, some order details with Larry Fuegen.
So, we endure the lounge singers for a while, Brittney Spears-esque style, with about an extra 40 lbs of junk in the trunk, and go up to Matt's room, because I had bought a bunch of stuff for show and tell.
Matt hands me this really cool Med. style bowie, which I thought he was trying to sell me. Super great work, but not my style. So, after 5 years of telling him my likes and dislikes, I ask "THIS is what you want in my collection?" Thinking that my communication skills have disintegrated. He says no, he just wants me to see it. Nice piece, but WHEW, my gut sank. The one that he made with me in mind is superlative, a real keeper. 3" damascus folder with pearl, just my style.
I gave Matt an O-tanto from Cold Steel that I have been training with for a year, because I got a new one, and I thought that he would like messing with it-the grinds are off, and the finish is scuffed. Even if he blows it, the fittings are excellent, and would be hard to replace for less than $400.
We go down to the coffee shop for some club sandwiches (not bad, reasonably priced) and shoot the bull for a while, and now it is like 3:00 am. Time for bed.
I get to the show at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, after a stop to the bank, because I brain farted and left my checkbook at home. Houston Price is at the ticket counter, and after a 5 minute chat, encourages me to join the ABS, and gives me a VIP pass. Not that it is a big deal or anything, but the thought is really pleasant. I view the silent auction knives, and they are a real treat for the eyes. Moran, Hendrickson, Winkler, Hancock, Fuegen, Bradshaw, just to name a few, because I have forgotten who else contributed, no slights intended towards anyone.
I make a beeline for Wheeler's table to see if that Jelly Roll fighter is still available that Roger posted in the Reno preview, and it was. I took it, but Nick has to make a sheath for it.
Whatever your feeling is about it, a sheath knife without a sheath is a letter opener, and I don't collect those. Makers, either make a sheath or buy one, but a Bill's case is not an acceptable substitute unless the knife is so out of the realm of realistically carrying that a sheath becomes obsolete. It is an additional hassle for the collector to commission a sheath, in terms of wait time and money, and we already had to go through that with you guys. Sheesh, do us a favor will ya?
Lots and lots of nice knives. Bailey's engraved folder was beautiful, and the hanger sword in progress looks to be another winner. I was tempted with a bowie style that he had, but not tempted enough. Bailey and I spent about an hour talking about martial arts, and Iai, specifically, which is Japanese quick draw swordsmanship. Good exchange of information, good vibes. I would seriously like to cross train with him, but I doubt that either of us will have the time.
Joss got the super duper Fogg that I did not get to see, but Randy was put out, 'cause he wanted it. Good job Joss, how come you only stayed for one day? I was hoping to meet you.
The maker still stuck in my head is Burt Foster. He had/has a camp knife set that floored me, it's just that the camp knife is so big, and I don't have that much room left to store it. Beautiful temperline, perfect finish, nice medium sized matching drop point hunter, great leather, perfect wood, and damascus bolsters, total package price=$1,500. Basically the price of one good knife from anybody else. I thought it was the deal of the day, and was surprised it was still on his table. I am still torn about calling him and buying it, but he makes what he calls a Blue Bowie that I want more. Act now boys, and girls, this is an ABS Master Smith charging JS prices with a 4 month wait time. My prediction is that by Blade, it is closer to a year. BTW, he is really tall, and looks like he just graduated from high school, but if you meet him, look at his hands. They will tell you how hard he works with them. Got a grip like a bear trap for a handshake, too.
The knife I am posting the pic of is by Murray Carter. Murray is a strange one, the first time I met him he put me off with his combination of arrogance and complete lack of patience. Perception is everything. I managed at that point to part with $60.00 for one of his Muteki kitchen knives, and it is the sharpest knife in the rack.
This one is White steel core with mild steel and nickel over it. Ironwood Scales. Kydex sheath. I put the tech lok on last night, because I had a spare, and it increases the utility. Blade is about 4.5" long.
Murray says that he is moving to Oregon, which should improve his manner somewhat. Being a Canadian stuck in Japan has got to be hard, and take a toll on how to approach people. Truth be told, Murray was a lot nicer at this show than he was at the Blade West where I bought the kitchen knife. He did a pretty good job of getting under my skin at that show. He has the most bizarre style of sharpening a knife that I have ever seen, and would dearly like to see him enter a rope cutting contest. Here's the pic, and I will continue about the evening on Saturday, later.
Best Regards,
Steven Garsson
I left S.D. at 7:30 pm Friday night for the Expo. When we landed, it was a lot colder than I expected, 23 degrees that night. Coming from SoCal, my blood has thinned, so I figured that affected me more. I could not find a non-stop flight, so it takes 3 hours and change to fly from S.D. to Reno.
I called Matt Diskin, and found him in the lounge at the Silver Legacy hotel. He claims that the nicest hotel in Reno is on par with the San Remo(which was like a model for the Cooler, a film with William Macy) in Las Vegas, but he has never stayed at the Best Western in Downtown Las Vegas, by Cashman Field. It has an 8' fence around it, and bars on the windows too. I thought Reno was nice, much less packed than Las Vegas would have been, and I was looking for a more mellow experience, more like a vacation.
I was on the fence about going to Reno until I called Don Fogg, and he said that he would have time for me. The other factors were hanging out with Matt, possibly getting a knife from Nick Wheeler, and finalizing, face to face, some order details with Larry Fuegen.
So, we endure the lounge singers for a while, Brittney Spears-esque style, with about an extra 40 lbs of junk in the trunk, and go up to Matt's room, because I had bought a bunch of stuff for show and tell.
Matt hands me this really cool Med. style bowie, which I thought he was trying to sell me. Super great work, but not my style. So, after 5 years of telling him my likes and dislikes, I ask "THIS is what you want in my collection?" Thinking that my communication skills have disintegrated. He says no, he just wants me to see it. Nice piece, but WHEW, my gut sank. The one that he made with me in mind is superlative, a real keeper. 3" damascus folder with pearl, just my style.
I gave Matt an O-tanto from Cold Steel that I have been training with for a year, because I got a new one, and I thought that he would like messing with it-the grinds are off, and the finish is scuffed. Even if he blows it, the fittings are excellent, and would be hard to replace for less than $400.
We go down to the coffee shop for some club sandwiches (not bad, reasonably priced) and shoot the bull for a while, and now it is like 3:00 am. Time for bed.
I get to the show at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, after a stop to the bank, because I brain farted and left my checkbook at home. Houston Price is at the ticket counter, and after a 5 minute chat, encourages me to join the ABS, and gives me a VIP pass. Not that it is a big deal or anything, but the thought is really pleasant. I view the silent auction knives, and they are a real treat for the eyes. Moran, Hendrickson, Winkler, Hancock, Fuegen, Bradshaw, just to name a few, because I have forgotten who else contributed, no slights intended towards anyone.
I make a beeline for Wheeler's table to see if that Jelly Roll fighter is still available that Roger posted in the Reno preview, and it was. I took it, but Nick has to make a sheath for it.
Whatever your feeling is about it, a sheath knife without a sheath is a letter opener, and I don't collect those. Makers, either make a sheath or buy one, but a Bill's case is not an acceptable substitute unless the knife is so out of the realm of realistically carrying that a sheath becomes obsolete. It is an additional hassle for the collector to commission a sheath, in terms of wait time and money, and we already had to go through that with you guys. Sheesh, do us a favor will ya?
Lots and lots of nice knives. Bailey's engraved folder was beautiful, and the hanger sword in progress looks to be another winner. I was tempted with a bowie style that he had, but not tempted enough. Bailey and I spent about an hour talking about martial arts, and Iai, specifically, which is Japanese quick draw swordsmanship. Good exchange of information, good vibes. I would seriously like to cross train with him, but I doubt that either of us will have the time.
Joss got the super duper Fogg that I did not get to see, but Randy was put out, 'cause he wanted it. Good job Joss, how come you only stayed for one day? I was hoping to meet you.
The maker still stuck in my head is Burt Foster. He had/has a camp knife set that floored me, it's just that the camp knife is so big, and I don't have that much room left to store it. Beautiful temperline, perfect finish, nice medium sized matching drop point hunter, great leather, perfect wood, and damascus bolsters, total package price=$1,500. Basically the price of one good knife from anybody else. I thought it was the deal of the day, and was surprised it was still on his table. I am still torn about calling him and buying it, but he makes what he calls a Blue Bowie that I want more. Act now boys, and girls, this is an ABS Master Smith charging JS prices with a 4 month wait time. My prediction is that by Blade, it is closer to a year. BTW, he is really tall, and looks like he just graduated from high school, but if you meet him, look at his hands. They will tell you how hard he works with them. Got a grip like a bear trap for a handshake, too.
The knife I am posting the pic of is by Murray Carter. Murray is a strange one, the first time I met him he put me off with his combination of arrogance and complete lack of patience. Perception is everything. I managed at that point to part with $60.00 for one of his Muteki kitchen knives, and it is the sharpest knife in the rack.
This one is White steel core with mild steel and nickel over it. Ironwood Scales. Kydex sheath. I put the tech lok on last night, because I had a spare, and it increases the utility. Blade is about 4.5" long.
Murray says that he is moving to Oregon, which should improve his manner somewhat. Being a Canadian stuck in Japan has got to be hard, and take a toll on how to approach people. Truth be told, Murray was a lot nicer at this show than he was at the Blade West where I bought the kitchen knife. He did a pretty good job of getting under my skin at that show. He has the most bizarre style of sharpening a knife that I have ever seen, and would dearly like to see him enter a rope cutting contest. Here's the pic, and I will continue about the evening on Saturday, later.
Best Regards,
Steven Garsson
