ABS Reno Expo 2007 Review

Thanks for the report, Steven. Sounds like a great show, hope to make it there one of these years. :thumbup:
 
NickWheeler said:
Great review STeven!

Sorry I didn't catch you again after the banquet. I'm still not sure what happened!

I'm REALLY glad you liked the fighter... it's one of my favorites to date. I had Eric shoot it and got a copy of the 8X10 for you (really great pic).
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1. What happened-me, curled up on the floor in the fetal position for about 6 hours. Because of the meds that I take, I couldn't even puke the acid from the margaritas out.:barf: :eek:

2. I like the fighter a lot, Nick, but between your ABS "I don't know what to charge", and your "you're not gonna buy it, anyway", salesmanship might just be a skill you want to brush up on.:cool: Or maybe you read me like a book.:D Anyway, looking forward to getting this one, and it was great seeing you again, as always.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I wish that I could remember more, but this year was not a good one for memory.
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Dang, STeven...would like to see a show report sometime when you aren't hung-over!

Thanks for the great write-up. Enjoyed it.

- Joe
 
canineforge said:
Dang, STeven...would like to see a show report sometime when you aren't hung-over!- Joe
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Heck, Joe!

How many times a year do you get to drink with knife people ONLY, in a nice environment?:confused:

Besides, the Plaza Cutlery Show review was written without mention of hangover, nor was there one present.

You will, however, recall that the electronic lock to our room failed, and barred entry, authorized or not.:D That last bottle of wine would have done it!

You comin' to the AKI?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
You comin' to the AKI?
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I probably won't attend, though it looks like a great show. I really enjoyed the Plaza Cutlery show!

Plan on heading down to Little Rock this weekend. They have an added treat this year...an aution of two deceased collectors' knives from Arkansas Saturday evening. Smart auctioneer to set this up. In the same hotel as the show. You can check it out at www.dongutheryauctions.com.

Lots of Case and older production knives, but several great customs.

Okay, it looks like the main difference is the hung-over reports have more 'evening-before-the-show' entertainment included...though the locked hotel room story in Huntington Beach was good.

- Joe
 
hey guys. I was able to go to the Reno show, and good lord, you talk about some phenomenal work! After the forging demo on Sat. my family and I were able to browse through the tables, and I had the opportunity to ogle and feel up some of the best knife work i have ever seen. (I'm a bit of a newb, so you can imagine how I was bowled over.) One thing that i do appreciate is how the makers would allow and even encourage you to pick up their work, most custom work I've seen at knife/gun shows in the past, the owners/makers get a little finicky about that, understandably.

I also had the opportunity to attend part of the metallurgy seminar, I wish I had been able to stay for all of it, but the family was hungry, and I had already dragged them to reno and all over the hotel that day, so yeah. I will be studying the accompanying packet in great detail.

I did feel a bit under-dressed in my jeans and work shirt (got off a twelve hour shift that morning) with so many running around in suits and ties. If I'd known I would have spiffed up a bit.

For me, being as new to this scene as I am, seeing so much excellent craftsmanship sort of blew my mind, and made me question (only for a second) whether I should even bother trying to get good in this field. Of course I will try, but damn, its going to be a long, long, looooooong road.

I would like to put a special thanks out to Ed Caffrey, he was willing to lead my family and I from the main registration area to the forging demo fifteen minutes late, and save us from getting irretrievably lost in that casino. Despite our somewhat rough and tumble appearance, he was the perfect epitome of a gentleman, and even tolerated annoying newbie questions about basic bladesmithing that didn't even include simple terminology later in the show. ( On that, I have never been that great with verbal communication, and having the opportunity to see so much good craftsmamship had me a bit tongue-tied in any case).

It was a great show, as far as I was concerned, and has only fueled my ambition and interest in bladesmithing that much more.
 
woulf said:
I did feel a bit under-dressed in my jeans and work shirt (got off a twelve hour shift that morning) with so many running around in suits and ties. If I'd known I would have spiffed up a bit.

For me, being as new to this scene as I am, seeing so much excellent craftsmanship sort of blew my mind, and made me question (only for a second) whether I should even bother trying to get good in this field. Of course I will try, but damn, its going to be a long, long, looooooong road.
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1. Welcome to the Forums, and more specifically, Customs. Stick around for a while, great wealth of knowledge here!

2. I wore a bowling shirt, jeans and a rabbit fur hat last year. The makers have a dress code, so as to polish up the image of the "art" aspect. Some of them are ranchers, so nice clothes are generally worn only on Sundays, weddings and funerals. No need to spiff up, unless you want to.

3. Ed Caffrey is a good man, straightforward and genuine. About as good an ambassador into the world of custom knives, as any, I figure.

4. The learning curve is steep, but once you get "it", you get "it", there is always more to learn though.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Nice report STeven, I feel like I was there!
I hope we get to see some of your booty someday.
:thumbup:
 
Thanks for another great review, I really appreciate your taking the time to write it up.

I also have a lot of trouble with acid reflux... Margaritas are poison for that! Not even Nexium can fix up too many Margaritas!
 
Kevin Wilkins said:
I also have a lot of trouble with acid reflux... Margaritas are poison for that! Not even Nexium can fix up too many Margaritas!
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I found that out at the wrong time.....but now I know, and you are so right. I popped a Pepcid Complete on top of my Rx Prilosec, and it still felt like an ice pick in my guts.

Sorry to hear that you share this disease.:(

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
The show was awesome!!!!!!!! this was also my first big event and i got invited to go with a friend who had a table at the show it gave me a different perspective on the knife buying public and the customer/maker relationship. i especially want to thank steven, kevin and daniel for making this an exceptional experience for me.
 
I hear ya Steven! I tell myself there's a lot of cronic diseases that are a lot WORSE than reflux... but reflux still really sucks! I LIKE margaritas dammit.

Keep those show reviews coming. They are a valuable source of information for me.

BTW Jon Christenson IS a really nice guy. He came over here once and stopped by for a visit.
 
No Coffee,No Chocolate, No Milk, No Booze, no fried or spicy foods.

Might as well be a monk!

I feel for you refluxers...
 
I carry an extra over the counter Prilosec or two , and may-be a rolaids when ever those nasty Margaritas are slinking about. i had to kill several of the little buggers at Blade last year. You never know when one is going to pull a sneaky attack. Best not to let them multiply. Mike
 
Great report, STeven, and entertaining to boot. I felt like I was a fly on the wall. Thanks.

(Sorry about the reflux problem - gastrointestinal problems SUCK!)
 
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