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...and it is upcoming this weekend, Nov 1st, in San Diego, CA. Since it is SO very unique and prestigious, I will offer a recap of the format. I have a surprise at the bottom of this post... 
AKI: The Art Knife Invitational. Rather than try to write a synopsis of the event, I am quoting Bud Lang directly from his website article on www.bladesinternational.com. (He is a MUCH better writer than I to even try to capture the essence.)
"Just as knife makers and artists can seldom be compared with one another, as each is unique, we can say the same about knife shows. Very few are really alike simply because they attract different exhibitors and audiences, and people change with time. Still, the average makers, artists and shows have quite a bit in common. In essence, people know what to expect when they attend the average show. They'll walk the aisles for a weekend, talking to the exhibitors, checking out knives, exchanging information, in no hurry at all unless two or three makers present are "really hot," then some will stampede those tables early on. Otherwise, nothing is different.
Then there is the Art Knife Invitational, totally unlike any knife show in the world, attended by an invitation-only audience, and host to 25 of the world's most respected knife makers. The author has been honored with invitations to attend this very special knife exhibition/show, held every two years, during the past decade, and is pleased to feature it here on our magazine site.
Produced by Mr. Phil Lobred, a very respected knife collector, Art Knife Invitational 2001 was host to the following makers: Ray Appleton, Fred Carter, Dellana, Kaj Embretsen, Jim Ence, H.H. Frank, Larry Fuegen, Timothy Hancock, Tim Herman, Richard Hodgson, Steve Hoel, Steve Johnson, Jim Kelso, Dietmar Kressler, Wolfgang Loerchner, William F. Moran, Pierre Reverdy, Stephen Schwarzer, John W. Smith, Jurgen Steinau, C. Gray Taylor, Dwight Towell, Michael Walker, Buster Warenski, and Yoshindo Yoshihara.
You will note the artists in attendance hail from Sweden, Germany, Canada, Japan and France, in addition to the U.S. Unlike "average" shows, where one might find 20-40 knives laid out in organized rows, A.K.I. exhibitors display between three and eight knives each. On display were no less than 136 beautiful custom knives, priced between a low of $800.00 on up to $15,000.00.
A major departure from regular knife shows is that while each AKI exhibitor displays his/her knives on their own table, each knife highlighted with a neat card providing its name or model number and the asking price, to the rear of each knife is a box. All invited collectors are provided with a beautiful catalog, which describes each knife. "Intent to Purchase" slips are also provided, one per knife. Following a three-hour viewing period, collectors will drop their Intent to Purchase slips into the boxes behind knives they are interested in. Thirty minutes later the makers draw one slip from each box. Collectors rush about to see if they were "lucky" enough to get drawn. If so, they complete the transaction and are now the proud owner of a knife/knives of their choice. In the event a collector is drawn for more knives than he can afford (this happens sometimes), the collector immediately advises a maker whose knife he can't buy, and another bid slip is drawn.
Each maker is also afforded the opportunity to offer one Open Bid or Bid Up knife. In the Open Bid category, collectors deposit bid slips with the amount they are willing to pay, in the box. The highest bid wins. If it is a Bid Up knife, the maker specifies a starting bid on a Bid Up form adjacent to the knife. Bidders write in their name and amount they are willing to pay, in no less than $100.00 increments. Again, the highest bid wins. Sometimes two or more collectors will hold a "bidding war" where they both desire a particular knife. This is akin to a silent auction, because it's all on paper.
Aside from the exclusivity of this show, with respect to both artists and collectors, it is a very laid back affair. Everyone visits casually during the show and afterwards. Almost every knife (swords, too) is sold, and a lot of new friendships are kindled. The evening closes with a lovely dinner, and, as usual, the very respected knife collector, and comic, Shelly Berman, entertains everyone. Probably the climax of the dinner evening is when a drawing is held and one of the collectors "wins" a beautiful custom knife. Two years ago Ray Appleton donated a wonderful folder. This year Yoshindo Yoshihara, one of Japan's finest knife and sword makers, donated one of his gorgeous Japanese Tantos. A young lady collector won it. In Japan this master maker has been designated a "Prefectural Living Important Cultural Property" by the section of Tokyo where he lives.
Two years will pass before Phil Lobred produces his next show, and it will be one this person will not want to miss."
Some changes for 2003: Gone from the show are Richard Hodgson and Jim Kelso. Taking over these spots are Van Barnett and Bob Loveless.
Oh, and because of the proximity to the NYC Custom Knife Show the following week, Point Seven will not be doing photography for these makers.
However....
Being notified of this, I had contacted Mr. Lobred and I have been very hard at work preparing to do this show, as he accepted my offer to fly out and take over. Opportunity comes knocking, and I grabbed the chance! I WILL need some luck as well as your well-wishes to make it all happen, but I swear, I'm going to do my best. This is why I've been away for the last couple of weeks, preparing.
So, who's going...?
Coop
AKI: The Art Knife Invitational. Rather than try to write a synopsis of the event, I am quoting Bud Lang directly from his website article on www.bladesinternational.com. (He is a MUCH better writer than I to even try to capture the essence.)
"Just as knife makers and artists can seldom be compared with one another, as each is unique, we can say the same about knife shows. Very few are really alike simply because they attract different exhibitors and audiences, and people change with time. Still, the average makers, artists and shows have quite a bit in common. In essence, people know what to expect when they attend the average show. They'll walk the aisles for a weekend, talking to the exhibitors, checking out knives, exchanging information, in no hurry at all unless two or three makers present are "really hot," then some will stampede those tables early on. Otherwise, nothing is different.
Then there is the Art Knife Invitational, totally unlike any knife show in the world, attended by an invitation-only audience, and host to 25 of the world's most respected knife makers. The author has been honored with invitations to attend this very special knife exhibition/show, held every two years, during the past decade, and is pleased to feature it here on our magazine site.
Produced by Mr. Phil Lobred, a very respected knife collector, Art Knife Invitational 2001 was host to the following makers: Ray Appleton, Fred Carter, Dellana, Kaj Embretsen, Jim Ence, H.H. Frank, Larry Fuegen, Timothy Hancock, Tim Herman, Richard Hodgson, Steve Hoel, Steve Johnson, Jim Kelso, Dietmar Kressler, Wolfgang Loerchner, William F. Moran, Pierre Reverdy, Stephen Schwarzer, John W. Smith, Jurgen Steinau, C. Gray Taylor, Dwight Towell, Michael Walker, Buster Warenski, and Yoshindo Yoshihara.
You will note the artists in attendance hail from Sweden, Germany, Canada, Japan and France, in addition to the U.S. Unlike "average" shows, where one might find 20-40 knives laid out in organized rows, A.K.I. exhibitors display between three and eight knives each. On display were no less than 136 beautiful custom knives, priced between a low of $800.00 on up to $15,000.00.
A major departure from regular knife shows is that while each AKI exhibitor displays his/her knives on their own table, each knife highlighted with a neat card providing its name or model number and the asking price, to the rear of each knife is a box. All invited collectors are provided with a beautiful catalog, which describes each knife. "Intent to Purchase" slips are also provided, one per knife. Following a three-hour viewing period, collectors will drop their Intent to Purchase slips into the boxes behind knives they are interested in. Thirty minutes later the makers draw one slip from each box. Collectors rush about to see if they were "lucky" enough to get drawn. If so, they complete the transaction and are now the proud owner of a knife/knives of their choice. In the event a collector is drawn for more knives than he can afford (this happens sometimes), the collector immediately advises a maker whose knife he can't buy, and another bid slip is drawn.
Each maker is also afforded the opportunity to offer one Open Bid or Bid Up knife. In the Open Bid category, collectors deposit bid slips with the amount they are willing to pay, in the box. The highest bid wins. If it is a Bid Up knife, the maker specifies a starting bid on a Bid Up form adjacent to the knife. Bidders write in their name and amount they are willing to pay, in no less than $100.00 increments. Again, the highest bid wins. Sometimes two or more collectors will hold a "bidding war" where they both desire a particular knife. This is akin to a silent auction, because it's all on paper.
Aside from the exclusivity of this show, with respect to both artists and collectors, it is a very laid back affair. Everyone visits casually during the show and afterwards. Almost every knife (swords, too) is sold, and a lot of new friendships are kindled. The evening closes with a lovely dinner, and, as usual, the very respected knife collector, and comic, Shelly Berman, entertains everyone. Probably the climax of the dinner evening is when a drawing is held and one of the collectors "wins" a beautiful custom knife. Two years ago Ray Appleton donated a wonderful folder. This year Yoshindo Yoshihara, one of Japan's finest knife and sword makers, donated one of his gorgeous Japanese Tantos. A young lady collector won it. In Japan this master maker has been designated a "Prefectural Living Important Cultural Property" by the section of Tokyo where he lives.
Two years will pass before Phil Lobred produces his next show, and it will be one this person will not want to miss."
Some changes for 2003: Gone from the show are Richard Hodgson and Jim Kelso. Taking over these spots are Van Barnett and Bob Loveless.
Oh, and because of the proximity to the NYC Custom Knife Show the following week, Point Seven will not be doing photography for these makers.
However....
Being notified of this, I had contacted Mr. Lobred and I have been very hard at work preparing to do this show, as he accepted my offer to fly out and take over. Opportunity comes knocking, and I grabbed the chance! I WILL need some luck as well as your well-wishes to make it all happen, but I swear, I'm going to do my best. This is why I've been away for the last couple of weeks, preparing.So, who's going...?
Coop
