AKI 2008 show review, PART I

[Kohai999]

Are all the knives photographed "officially", and are the photos then posted somewhere? I would love to see the Jurgen Steinau pieces... Can't believe you nearly got one STeven.

1. Photographing the knives is up to the makers....Eric would have those shots, but they are not posted anywhere.

2. I didn't "nearly" get one, Joss, I "got" one, just didn't keep it.
I was drawn for it, I purchased it, I sold it, rather quickly. It did not add anything to my collection. What do you want me to say?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Joss]

I was drawn for it, I purchased it, I sold it, rather quickly. It did not add anything to my collection. What do you want me to say?

OK, point taken. I guess I don't understand why you dropped on it if it didn't add anything to your collection, but it's none of my bizness.

 

[Kohai999]

OK, point taken. I guess I don't understand why you dropped on it if it didn't add anything to your collection, but it's none of my bizness.

I know you don't agree with much of what WWG posts, but let us take a knife from Michael Walker that was around $12,000 in the lottery.

The aftermarket is paying around $17,000 to $19,000 for that knife. I have no business keeping a knife that I spent $12,000 for, do you?

I do however, enjoy a profit of $5,000 to $7,000 realized without any sweat, any effort, or even getting on a plane.(This did not happen, otherwise, I would have indicated this.)

I am obnoxious, not stupid. Does this make sense?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Joss]

I do however, enjoy a profit of $5,000 to $7,000 realized without any sweat, any effort, or even getting on a plane. (This did not happen, otherwise, I would have indicated this.)

I'm completely willing to drop the subject, but since you bring it back up, no it doesn't make sense, given that you did not get a profit... Again, none of my bizness.

 

[Kohai999]

I'm completely willing to drop the subject, but since you bring it back up, no it doesn't make sense, given that you did not get a profit... Again, none of my bizness.

"I let Dan Favano have it for a small premium"

The small premium was four figures, over what the knife cost.

That was profit....I did not realize that I was being obscure or opaque.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Joss]

The small premium was four figures

Ah - now I understand, thanks.

 

[Kohai999]

Dean and Fuegen sent pics.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[wolfeknives]

I wonder if he is going to use it?

Is it an investment, or a hobby?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

STeven,
The knife was purchased by a relatively new collector from Toronto, Canada. He is in the investment field, so it most likely part investment and part collecting. It is always good to see some Canadians at major shows.
Wolfgang

 

[Kohai999]

STeven,
The knife was purchased by a relatively new collector from Toronto, Canada. He is in the investment field, so it most likely part investment and part collecting. It is always good to see some Canadians at major shows.
Wolfgang

I know who purchased it, Wolfgang, I was sort of making a funny....we talk a lot here about the fun of collecting, and how it relates to investing.

Your folding knives were simply breathtaking.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Thor I am]

I am going to try and post some pics from the AKI here but this is my first time. There is supposed to be a practice area somewhere in the forums, but I didn't find it.

I will apologize for the picture quality already. STeven said the lighting was good. This was true for viewing knives, but not for taking pictures. Using a flash just doesn't work too well when you have shiny objects and the lighting wasn't even enough and often too dark for non-flash photography, even with high ISO setting. I had a lot better luck getting decent pictures at the ECCKS show last February.

Also, I only took a few pictures and only of some knives I was interested in, so this is by no means anywhere near to the full catalog.



OK, I'll start with Wolfgang Loerchner, since he just posted here recently.
I am not a folder guy so I only took a picture of the fixed blade. It may not have been STeven's cup of tea, but to me, it was one of the best blades at the show and was among the top two knives I was hoping to get picked for.

A collector/dealer also had a nice fixed blade for sale after the main part of the show was over - a piece with a Persian blade that looked a bit like a Pirate design.

 

[Thor I am]

A beautiful blued all-steel dagger with gold engraving.

 

[Thor I am]

A really nice sub-hilt with Amber stag.

A fabulous Chute/Wilderness knife - one side Wilderness, the other side Chute.

I agree with STeven that the handle on the Scagel-type fighter was a bit big, but the blade was SWEET. Probably quite rare to see a stock removal blade with a tapered spine from guard to tip.

An integral Nesmuk. I don't know how common integrals from Johnson are, but this is the first I have seen. I thought it was really nice.

 

[Thor I am]

Two full-integral sub-hilts by Kressler. One a Wilderness with whale ear bone and the other a Chute with Ivory (not sure what kind of ivory).

Dietmar said that the whale bone was so difficult to use (it was very hard) that it is likely the first and last time he will. He also thought that it had not been used for a knife handle before. It is really very beautiful and my picture doesn't come close to doing it justice.

 

[Thor I am]

Here is the fancy dagger that was on the AKI invitation. It is beautiful.

I also took pictures of a really nice fighter that he had, but for some reason, those pictures are out of focus and so I didn't attach any here.

 

[Thor I am]

Last, but not least, Virgil's Shi Ak Tu Stone Dancer.

I really liked this piece, but wasn't ready to spend that kind of money. A large, beautiful piece right at home in Virgil's universe.

 

[RogerP]

Thanks for all those additional pics - great stuff!

Roger

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

Dietmar said that the whale bone was so difficult to use (it was very hard) that it is likely the first and last time he will. He also thought that it had not been used for a knife handle before.

Fossil whale bone has been used.

The knifemaker also said it was a very tough material to work. He decided not to use it again after discussing its use with Fish and Wildlife officials.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Great knives Thor, thanks for sharing.

 

[peterinct]

Thanks for the AKI report STeven. As was mentioned in another post it was as if I were there. Actually, I'm sure being there would be a far more incredible experience, but not likely, so thanks!

Peter

 

[tomboy]

Thank you for the synopsis of AKI. I have been searching for this type of report for some time. The Michael Walker D-Lock ended up with me...beautiful piece. Thanks again for the wonderful report! :thumbup: