ABS show Reno

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
Wow, what a show!

I'm still kind of overwhelmed to have been part of it. Seeing the knives at that show...the design, quality, beauty of them..was awesome.

Thanks to everybody for coming by to say hello.

I really appreciate all the smiths that were so generous with their time to look over my stuff and give me their thoughts and advice.

The ABS is an awesome organization! :)
Nick
 
COME ON NICK! You can do better than that. How was the traffic; sales? Who won awards? ... ;)

Randy, you could help here...
 
Yeah! Fill us in!! I wanted to go in a big way. Was lookin' forward to seeing some great friends and some knives. Couldn't quite pull it off tho.
Greg
 
I wish I could have been there as well, but every time I think of goint to a show I figure the money would be better spent on another knife.

A report on what went on would sure be nice though.

Darby, I sure hope you are going to the Arkansas show this weekend, and that you will be providing us with a full report when you get back.:)
 
The show was a success. Lots of buyers. Lots of very nice knives by good makers.
No awards were given at the show. How do you pick between, Dean and Fuegen,Dunn,Dunkerly, Hancock and all those guys? It was decided that they are all winners and to just not give one out for anything.
Point Seven photographers said it was the classiest show they had been to.
Some highlights of the show. A couple of guys that hangs around here, Dan Farr and Nick Wheeler were both looking good. They had very nice knives on their table, presented both themselves and the knives very well. Jason Knight also had some nice pieces. Very good work. Professional attitudes on all three. These guys will go on up.
The 2003 ABS board knife was exhibited for the first time. First thing you say is wow. This is the nicest board knife that has been done.
I am just guessing here but I would guess at 40% or greater sold out of knives. This has to have been the largest precentage of sell outs that I have seen at one show.
This show will be a week earlier in the year 2004. If you guys just thought about it you really ought to make this show. It is worth it.
The Moran auction knife brought $7000. The Moran raffle knife was won by Daniel O'Malley.
 
Well I guess I had better add a bit here after the man himself Mr Fisk enlightened us.
Wow.I have been to a few knife shows in my day but this had to be one of the best.Best as in more talent in a small space than any show I have attended.
Got there for opening at Saturday morning.Walk through the door and Jerry Fisk and a couple of peoplewere talking.I waited my turn and introduced myself and told him I knew a guy by the name of Darby.Well he smiled and I knew I was in.Had a nice chat but not too long for I had to look at these ABS guys.
Like Jerry says the young makers like Dan Farr,Jason Knight,and Nick Wheeler.Lots of talent and their knives showed it.Great fit and finish.
Kirk Rexroat had "Don't fence me in Bowie" that was exquisite.Mosiac damascus blade that had a Cowboy riding a Bronc in the damascus.Whoee,that one kept calling me.
Wade Colter had his usual WOW stuff,along with the rest of the Montana boys.(Josh Smith,Rick Dunkerly,Rick Eaton :eek: and Shane Taylor)
Talked withMike Draper and his lovely wife Audra.They had some pretties about their table.
P.J Tomes had an assortment of skinners.
Mike Vagnino had one of his mastersmith knives.A dagger that would knock your socks off.
Harvey Dean had one of his "Sendero"knives.Beautiful.
(more later)
Randy
 
Jerry, your check is in the mail for that ;)

Seriously though, thanks, I really appreciate you taking the time to look over my work and be so generous with your time and knowledge.

Guys- It's hard to believe a man that is in every issue of the magazines and everywhere on the net is so darn friendly and easy to talk to.

Jerry gave a very good overvue of the show. I wish I had my camera fixed for the show but I didn't, so unfortunately you won't be seeing any pictures from me. Anybody else got any?

As Jerry stated, no awards were given...but many of the makers winning the awards at the shows around the country were there...so it would have been very hard judging for sure!

The dinner banquet Friday was killer food and a great time. B.R. Hughes gave a very cool speech and that was followed by a really cool auction.

One of my highlights was getting B.R. Hughes attention at my table and then getting to speak with him for about 30 minutes or more. It was sort of like talking with my Grandpa when he was alive...so full of stories that you can just sit back and listen in awe. Listening to him talk about when they started the ABS and being greatful when they finally signed up a 5th member... LOOK AT IT NOW!

I only sold one knife, but it went to a friend and fellow maker Dan Farr! I took some orders (One from forumite nifrand...Randy is one cool guy, thanks Randy!) and had lots of interest... but all that aside...just the fact that I was there made my time WELL WORTH IT.

What a show!!!! Please come next year and help support the art of the forged blade!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Nick
 
I had a great time at this show. I owe the people who planned and put it on a big thank you. It was well done all around.
I had a table next to Bill Burke for 3 days. I could not have been more impressed with him and his wife. Truely the type of people you would feel lucky to have as friends and neighbors.
I bought a Harvey Dean knife, and I'm hoping a little of the magic will rub off on me. It will be a learning tool for me. I bought a Nick Wheeler knife because it was just a super little knife.
I learned enough from the other smiths and collectors to make it worth the trip. Met B R Hughes, I was tickled. Had breakfast with Jerry Fisk, and Jim Batson, got an education there. I was just starting to understand arkansas talk, now I have to learn Alabamian.
Jerry was especially kind and helpful throughout the show.

I can't wait for next year!
Dan Farr
 
Same experience on my side. I spent $1,400 just after the opening, on a Dan Winkler bowie I had been eyeing on Nordic Knives for a long time. Got to talk to Jim Batson, who taught the bladesmithing & knifemaking class I went to 2 years ago at the John C. Campbell school. I introduced myself to Jerry, who was kind enough to explain how he does this amazing progressive flutting of his. I was at the Draper's table on Friday, and they're the nicest people! They had a prototype tactical folder, with flipper + speed safe, that really caught my attention. It was great to see all those knives "in the flesh." Definitely the highest average of quality of any show I've ever been to.

JD
 
Somebody please post some pictures! Arrrrggghhh! All this talk about cool knives, and no pictures is close to torture!
 
Dan
I did not even have a camera. A few guys took pics but I do not know if they are on here.
It was a good show for me, I lucked out and it was the fastest time I had ever sold out. I was out of knives in 4 minutes.
The good thing about this show, and I think one of the most important facts about it was the fact that even though it was a dressed up, classy show, it still retained all of the informal relaxed attitude of the ABS.
 
I took some pics but I have not yet finished my roll (yes, I'm still low tech....)

One thing that was interesting to me is how you had a clear separation between hugely succesful MS makers and some who didn't seem to sell anywhere that quickly. For example, I was hugely surprised to see so much stuff left on L. Fuegen's table. He had some *very* nice pieces.

JD
 
Hey let me chip in.

although I don't have any thing to add to what has alreadt been said. It was a pleasure to meet Makers that I had not met before, Jerry, Steve, BR Dr. Lucie ect. And to get to talk to friends old and new. Dan Farr is a great maker and a fine fellow to boot. I think that he spent as much time selling my knives as he did his own. Any one who want a top quality forged blade at a very reasonable cost should call Dan right away before he wakes up and starts charging what his knives are WORTH.
 
Hey Jerry, selling out within 4 minutes cannot be a record for you. I have personally seen you sell out in the hotel before the Little Rock show even begins! :)
 
Luana, and I went Friday morning, and spent 2 hours looking, and talking with the knifemakers.
It was a small gathering but everyone was so friendly, and it was nice to be able to spend time talking with the people without all the congestion. One of the nice things with a smaller show. Reminds us of ones like the BAKCA show in Palo Alto. These shows are much more laid back, and you get more pleasure, and enjoyment getting to spend time with the makers.
The makers at the ABS show were some of the nicest people I have met at a knife show, and showed no attitudes like some you go to.
We saw of the nicest knives we have ever seen, and so much perfection in workmanship was unbelievable.
Want to thank the people of ABS for putting on a very fine show, and looking forward to the next one.

Larry
 
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