Any word or pics on the A.G. Russell show?

Starkman1

Starkman1

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
329
I saw a few pics of knives several makers on the forum posted, but haven't heard any word about the show or any other pics. The lack of info makes me wonder?????
Bob
 
Last edited:
Go to agrussell.com and click on the AG Russell Knife Event Blog shown at the bottom and you will see lots of pics from the show, last year's as well.
 
img_6341-1000x667.jpg


http://blog.knifeevent.com/

AG and Goldie really put on a good show. I didn't attend last year however I heard it had grown quite a bit over it's first year. Rogers Arkansas is a very nice area and the Embassy Suites and Convention Center is VERY WELL suited for a Show of this size and even larger.

There was a diverse group of makers in attendance and they brought excellent knives. There was good attendance on Friday and even Sunday, however the show hall was packed most of Saturday. This show offered excellent opportunities in my opinion for savory customs collectors considering the makers in attendance, the quality of knives, prices and perhaps most remarkably the ability to walk right up to a table and leisurely purchase knives that would be grabbed up in a micro second of the first day at other more established shows.

Goldie (President of AKTI), Rod Bremer (AKTI Board of Regents) and Bill Raczkowski (VP of AKTI) gave very informative talks Saturday night after a very nice dinner regarding the US Customs laws trying to ban more pocket knives and how it's good for all manufacturers to show solidarity to protect the rights of companies and individuals to make and carry knives. I believe we all left the meeting room with an appreciation of the tremendous work, expenditures for legal and lobby efforts and whats gone on over the last few months and a profound realization of whats needed for the future.

I really enjoyed myself. Got to visit with a lot of friends who I don't get to see very often. Enjoyed going out to a fine dinner one night with Jerry Fisk and Lin Rhea and both of their families. Met some new makers and got a chance to see their work.

As I mentioned earlier, their was some spectacular knives there. Bill Buxton had a outstanding hunter and large fighter where he had used his new sculptured handle design and both were very impressive. Don Hanson had as good a line-up as I had ever seen him bring to a show. A beautiful fighter with a wicked hamon and clip and a nice size liner-lock folder with gorgeous blue ivory. John Perry had some beautiful pieces, as did Lin Rhea, Mike Ruth, Jerry Fisk, Bill Ruple, D'Holder, Steven Rapp and many others.
I spent quite a bit of time looking over Billy Mace Imel's knives and wow, he can grind a knife. Tom Maringer disassembled one of his 6.6 oz. rubber "O" ring handled (actually rings on bamboo) fighters for Jerry and I and what a knife.
I noticed a few makers also brought a knife or two which was priced hundreds under what we normally see on their tables presenting an excellent opportunity for the newer collector to land very nice knives from "A" list makers.

Not sure how knife sales finished up, but whenever you have that many people attending a knife show it's a VERY GOOD thing. Especially in this economy.
 
Thanks for the info. I need to put this show on my list of those to attend, especially since Northwest Arkansas is one of my favorite spots in the state and is only a 3 1/2 hour drive.
Bob
 
I was very impressed with the hotel and show area. There were lots of good makers with nice pieces but unfortunately there wasn't a bunch of buying going on. Hopefully in the next couple of years that will change as more collectors learn about it. :)
 
Starkman1 said:
Thanks for the info. I need to put this show on my list of those to attend, especially since Northwest Arkansas is one of my favorite spots in the state and is only a 3 1/2 hour drive.
Bob
Click to expand...
Only 3-1/2 hours:eek: Bob, you should have been there:)

Kevin, it was really good visiting with you. Unlike the Blade show, where we're all running around like crazy people :p
 
Burchtree said:
I was very impressed with the hotel and show area. There were lots of good makers with nice pieces but unfortunately there wasn't a bunch of buying going on. Hopefully in the next couple of years that will change as more collectors learn about it. :)
Click to expand...

I believe more and more collectors will being adding this show to there "must attend" lists.
In my layperson opinion, for a show to have optimal success (and by success I mean one that's successful for the promoter, knife makers, dealers, collectors and the collectible knife community in general) one needs a good location, a good facility, good and well known makers, great knives, a good collector base and attendees from outside the collectible knife community.

As far as knife sales and collector attendance, I believe it's a "build it and they will come" scenario. And AG and Goldie have done a great job with their building in just two years.

Don't makers have to some extend "invest" in a new show just as the promoters do in order to ultimately add another one to their list where they sell-out and are profitable?
I imagine it's becoming more and more important that makers pick their shows wisely.
 
Last edited:
Thank you Kevin for the mention above, it was nice to finally get to meet you face to face and I enjoyed talking with you.
I agree the facility and show lay out was probably the nicest I've attended yet, AG and Goldie did a fantastic job. My wife and I met Goldie and chatted with her and Chuck Ward a while Saturday evening and we sure enjoyed that. I hope the show continues to improve, I just wish it was in the fall away from family summer vacation times. I think most people are thinking, golf, swimming, bumper cars and water parks more then indoor custom knife shows in the summer.
It was fun having time to talk with all the other makers, but a few more sales would have even made it more fun. ;) We look forward to attending again next year, it is a very classy show.

Bill
 
Makers who I know that almost always sell out, well, they didn't come close to it. This sounds like it kind of tallies with the makers comments above. Sounds like the show management and layout was top notch, just probably that same ol' animal at work - the economy.
 
betzner said:
Makers who I know that almost always sell out, well, they didn't come close to it. This sounds like it kind of tallies with the makers comments above. Sounds like the show management and layout was top notch, just probably that same ol' animal at work - the economy.
Click to expand...

I think partially the economy, and partially being a new show and the need to get more collectors to attend. A.G. and Goldie have put together a tremendous show, I called it a mini-Blade Show...custom makers, production companies, suppliers, dealers, etc. Last year, A.G. said there were 110 tables. This year, 160 tables. My take was the crowd was similar to last year with Saturday being the busiest day. That tells me that collectors weren't there in numbers, because the majority of them would have been there at the opening bell Friday.

I enjoyed the show as a knife enthusiast, but I know sales were slow for some makers. The overall show is a big plus for getting more parties interested in custom knives, but more collectors will be needed to make this show succeed. The convention center and hotel rocked. Great location for a show.

Keith, I only have one knife picture, but I will share. I had to order one of these after handling it and seeing a video of James' wife cutting rope with it. 7-inch X 1 3/4-inch blade.

JamesCrowell7-inchcutter.jpg


Consider attending this show next year. I look forward to Chuck's photos later on.

- Joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top