I will echo everyone else and say that the show was FANTASTIC! I love the ACE show, it's unique and much more personal. One is able to learn a lot about the knife makers, their processes and love of what they do. The show is not only educational but really fun, you have time to talk to everyone there and just have a good time. Each presentation was excellent. Dave pounded out a shop rat in no time explaining the process and Tom went into the details of his astounding engraving. This was very interesting as I have always been amazed at his work. Mike Jr. jumped into forging a knife on the spot. Another excellent presentation! I snapped the bellow pic of Mike Jr. flattening the blade with my phone. Safe to say, this is probably the coolest picture I will take, ever.
Talking with Jon and Mike V collector to knife maker made for an excellent conversation, we all learned about what each collector is looking for in a knife/maker and why along with the challenges that makers face. Soon after we all left for the hotel to prep for the show.
HOLY SMOKES each maker brought their A game! Every piece of steel was an amazing creation unique and of the highest quality. I could go on and on about the knives.... Here is a pic of Mike Jr. and my self, him holding one of the coolest down right epic sub-hilts I have seen and me holding his bowie that made my jaw hit the floor. Classic Mike Jr. Balanced, slim, beautiful, robust and deadly, all in one package! Sorry, cell phone pic.
Susan was kind enough to take a bunch of pictures of the event but I can't get them to download correctly right now, I will see if I can work it out later.
Mike Jr. was kind enough to send me the knives he brought to the show for sharpening - an honor and a pleasure! Everything at the show was sharpened excluding the sub-hilt so we headed to my shop the next day to sharpen it up and send it to Coop for photos. I can't wait to see them... Here are a few pics taken at my shop while sharpening "Loki". Please excuse the mess, I was slammed that entire week and didn't have time to tidy up prior to having visitors.
Jon, Mike and my self chatting steel.
Jon holding Loki with Mike in the background.
Pre sharpening inspection.
Working the tip.
Primary grind inspection by Jon.
Mike doing the same.
Stropping time, check out that pattern!
Post sharpening inspection by Mike.
Even less hair on my arms...
Yup, it cuts!
I love sharpening and I love custom knives so working on them is an absolute blast. Good custom blades are always fun but have their own set of challenges. With knives of such high quality, it makes my job a little easier.
Thanks Mike!
All in all, this was one of the best weekends I have had in a long time. I would like to thank all those who made it possible, 2014 is a long time to wait for the next show! But I know it will be worth it. See you next month!
. I'm hoping this is one of the knives that went to Coop. Can't wait to see the glamor shots of that one:thumbup:.