ABS Reno Expo 2008 review

RAN said:
STeven how were Bill Burkes knives?
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The ivory handled single blade slip joint he had for $600.00 was off the hook, and if I "did" ivory, would have snagged it in a heartbeat.

Didn't really care for the two Japanese styled pieces that he had....and that is all I can remember.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
No, I didn't do the restore - and if the brakes & clutch had been done as nice as the rest of it (as the seller led me to believe), I would have gone home from Reno with a couple things. But I"m not bitter at all...

Bill had some things on his table - a tanto with a mokume habaki in particular caught my eye, might have seen it at Blade West as well.
 
I really liked Bill's shakudo + silver mokume. This is very nice stuf.
 
Joss said:
I really liked Bill's shakudo + silver mokume. This is very nice stuf.
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The metal materials, including blades were stellar.....but the East/West tanto with the beavertail "same'" needed fitting work....there should be a seamless flow from tip to tip, and the "shirasaya" piece had a very, very light blade, which is simply an observation based upon personal tastes....it takes nothing away from fine execution.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
STeven, Great Review, Man!!!! I always enjoy your show reviews.

And to quote Riad

"but Gaussian..that is the nicest cruiser I have seen"

I agree, than is super fine :D
 
gaussian said:
No, I didn't do the restore - and if the brakes & clutch had been done as nice as the rest of it (as the seller led me to believe), I would have gone home from Reno with a couple things. But I"m not bitter at all...

Bill had some things on his table - a tanto with a mokume habaki in particular caught my eye, might have seen it at Blade West as well.
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I agree with the others, a fine cruiser in deed. IMO, one of the toughest vehicles ever made. Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet at the show.
 
Great review STeven. And thanks for the back-up.
I have some knife photos, but having some trouble down loading from my camera.
Will figure it out though.
 
Actually we did meet briefly - I took the pic that Buddy posted of Thor, you, Buddy & STeven.

Jeremy
 
STeven, I was going to ask for your update, but now I see that you have added to your original post.

Just in case others missed that, too.

We're up to the C's... :)

Coop
 
I appreciate you gents posting the review. Living vicariously through you. As it turned out, no chance for me to attend. Had a family emergency to attend to but would like to do a day trip there next year.
 
Well my brain is returning from the mushy state it was in from getting ready for the show....can you say sleep deprivation??

I had a good show. I tripped over several hurdles getting ready, so I didn't have my normal 6 to 8 knives, only three this time and one needs more work. The other two are sold though so I am happy. I took several VERY good orders, one a Dai-sho set of Japanese style swords.

The best part for me was the new format. While not perfect, I did like it a lot. Normal shows don't allow the quality of interaction with customers as you guys are under pressure to see what you can before the pieces are sold. It's nice to be able to discuss details of the pieces I had there, as well as elaborate on ideas for future pieces. I attribute this to my taking so many good orders.

Garrson's "Krusty the Clown" hair on Friday was pretty funny. Always expect something out of Steven to go with strong but well expressed opinions. BTW ....Steven....don't you go home and grind on my knife!!!!

Great to see and visit with Kevin, Joss, Jeremy, Steven, Matt Diskin, Thor and many others. I hope all of you will come to San Antonio.

Travel was not so fun. I flew into Sacramento as it is MUCH less expensive from DFW. Unfortunately the weather turned bad and my normal 1 1/2 hr drive turned into 6 hrs. Had to buy a set of snow chains and mush the team of squirrels in my hot rod KIA across Donner pass at a blinding 30MPH. One of my friends said it would have been a shame to get stranded up there with no one to eat.......tasteless humor...sorry for perpetuating.

I for one will really miss the FEGA/ Custom gunmakers show, as well as the affiliation with the Safari Club. I love high end break action guns, be it SxS shotguns or double rifles. I am building a single shot rifle myself, and it's nice to talk about the fine details I am haveing to learn on my own. Talked with Steven Dodd Hughes at length, bought his new book and haven't put it down. Also visited with Stockmaker Trez Hensley. Very nice man, and talented stocker. His Father, Darwin Hensley is considered one of the best. He had a high wall engraved by Eric Gold that was incredible.

Well....back to the grind.....
 
steven
well it was hell getting home but made it . it nice to put faces with the forum guys. just want to think avery body that stopped by. hope to see you guys in atlanta.
thanks tommy
 
but I too attended the Reno show and had a great time so I thought I would add my 2 cents. I met several of the contributors to this thread but was not familar with them/their forum "handles" until reading this thread and putting 2 & 2 together. This was my first ABS show, I attend quite a few other knife shows but finally succombed to numerous prior invites for the ABS show and glad I did.

As I haven't been to this show with the prior format I can't compare but I liked this. Got drawn for one knife .....Fisk "Wedgie" .... wow, what a cool knife, Jerry is having a sheath made and knife will be delivered shortly!!! Ordered 4 other knives from various makers, I'll see one next month others in a few years. After many cocktails, many cigars and much camaraderie it was a wonderful experience. I would encourage all who can to attend a future show(s).

A great time was had by all!
 
Here's a few photos that turned out to some degree. I guess bad knife photos are better than no knife photos. ;) :)

Jerry Fisk & Knives
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Harvey Dean and STeven
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Tim Hancock
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Tim's Knives
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Bailey Bradshaw and "D" Guard Bowie
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Close-up of Bowie
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STeven, excellent review. My take on the show was that it was great. Fridays seminars were very informative. Kevins presentation along with Stevens input gave this new maker some very good information on what i need to do in the future. It was great meeting everyone, Joss, Buddy, Steven, Kevin, and Mark. Steven and kevin where nice enough to stop by my table and give me honest critiques of my work and to also give me encouragement in what i am doing. STeven gets a hard time for being brutally honest but i can tell you without restraint that he is also one of the most encourageing people i have met. It was really great considering the quality of the makers in attendance to be able to talk one on one with these guys and take something away from the show. SOme of the memorable pieces for me where Josh Smiths folders, any of Burt fosters and Daniel winklers knives . Jim Rodebaugh's Brothel dagger the Fisk wedgie, oh heck just about everyone their had some great knives Hancock and Fuegen had just some gorgeoius stuff. I got to spend a couple of hours talking to larry on Thurs. Night and I learned allot from him. to close it was a great show and a great experience.
 
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