Arkansas Show

Gary Mulkey

Gary Mulkey

Joined
May 14, 2001
Messages
1,414
I thought that I would start this thread to give all a chance to post their thoughts on the show. I would have to rank it as the best AKA Show that this knifemaker has been involved with. The crowd was shoulder-to-shoulder all day on saturday and the quality of knives on display friday at the banquet was something to behold. Everyone certainly stepped up their efforts as I can't recall another time that I have seen so much quality in one room before. My congratulations to the AKA and all involved with the show.
I wish that I would have had a camera in order to further show what it was like but hopefully someone can add some to this.

Gary
 
Gary I will jump on board this thread as well. I thought the show was outstanding. I have a great time and know many others did as well. The knives where phenomenal and I think this is fast becoming THE show to showcase a makers best work. The place was packed Saturday and I do not recall anyone saying anything other then I will be back next year for sure. This is my 3rd year in a row attending and I intend on not missing this show on a yearly basis. With the quality of work and the collector attendance I bet there will be more makers attending again next year. The bar was definitely raised and I see no reason why that too will not continue. Congratulations and many thanks all involved in putting this show together.

Gary it was good to see you as well as all my maker & collector friends. Looking forward to seeing some pics posted soon.

Jon
 
Gary, it was great to see you again and spend some quality time with you waiting for the elevator. My fourth AKA show and the very best by far in every category, makers, collectors, public participation. This show was promoted and advertised perfectly, and the results were very evident. I had my camera, but both the battery and the SD card failed at once, so I didn't get a single shot to share, but my personal memory bank is over flowing.

Also, amazing but true, Jon Klein conducted himself like the gentleman he is, and exhibited reasonable restraint (for him).

Paul
 
Great show! Goin back to 1997, this was my best Arkansas show ever.

Super good time and very good seeing ya'll there!
 
I attended this show in 2000 as a spectator with my first year of knifemaking under my belt, and made up my mind then that one day I would be back as a table holder.That year was this year,and I do not regret it in the least!As stated,the show was packed,and I talked until my jaw was sore!It was great meeting you Gary,and seeing everyone else as well.You can bet I will be back every year that my real job will allow!
 
Thanks for doing this Gary. Looking forward to as many photos and show reports as possible. I know Bruce took "Best of Show" - any other awards that people can recall?

Roger
 
Yeah, no kidding. It's midday on Monday. I know for a fact! there was a bunch of goin's-on on Friday and we haven't seen the first picture yet!
Somebody needs to quit slackin'.
 
Roger I do not know them all but this is a list of what I remember

Beat of Show - Bruce Bump
Best Bowie - Kyle Royer
Best Fighter - Don Hanson/Kyle Royer (Tie)
Best Art Knife - Ron Newton
Best Pearl - Jerry Fisk
Best Hunter - Ron Newton
Bat Miniature - Lee Ferguson
Best Damascus - Kyle Royer
Best Period Reproduction (not sure that is the exact award name) - Steve Culver
Best Sheath - Kenny Rowe

Hope I got that right.

Jon
 
Other than the unfortunate incident that occurred between John Cohea and I (which was sparked by the tendency of his war club to creep onto my table and resulting in the fantastic destruction of said club), it was a pretty good show.

jhn-scott.jpg


Seriously... I had the best time I've ever had at a show. It was so great meeting everybody as well as realizing to what extent that photographs do not do justice to the phenomenal work that is being created right now. I am now more humbled and inspired than ever.

(I would also like to put out an inquiry into any 'Fossil Ivory Addict support groups'. I'm now officially in that category.)
 
jklein7401 said:
Roger I do not know them all but this is a list of what I remember

Beat of Show - Bruce Bump
Best Bowie - Kyle Royer
Best Fighter - Don Hanson/Kyle Royer (Tie)
Best Art Knife - Ron Newton
Best Pearl - Jerry Fisk
Best Hunter - Ron Newton
Bat Miniature - Lee Ferguson
Best Damascus - Kyle Royer
Best Period Reproduction (not sure that is the exact award name) - Steve Culver
Best Sheath - Kenny Rowe

Hope I got that right.

Jon
Click to expand...

Best camp knife:Tad Lynch
Best folder:Joel Chamberlin

And don't let Scott fool you,it was that flimsy sword that was destroyed! I brought my camera but forgot to bring it in the show.I guess Ray Richard rubbed off on me!
 
Scott, John,

I'm claiming photo credit on this pic! What's the matter with you guys? Get into a little border war, and forget to credit the war correspondent?

For all the rest of you, I'll add that this was the most fun show I think I've ever been to. Also,don't let this late Sunday photo fool you. It was so crowded on Sat, that you had to literally pull your elbows in to get through the crowd.John's club and Scott's sword side by side had standing room audiences all day Sat, and this was duplicated at many other tables.

The quality of the work was astounding. "Raising the bar"was a constant refrain from collectors and makers alike.

I'll only mention one other work, Bruce's "Port Royal." Photos of this one have been praised, but the real thing is simply jaw-dropping. It belongs to a class of artifact that will be cherished for centuries.

One other thing, Jon Klein is a master host and all around good guy. Those who know what I'm talking about all feel the same.

Anyone who isn't in Little Rock next year just can't take a hint.

John
 
Fun banquet, good crowd, some new faces, perfect sized venue--Little Rock is the place to be if you forge big blades. Just checking out the knives on the awards tables will blow your mind.

Tad
 
Thanks for the award updates guys, if makers or attendees have pics of the knives that won (or heck, any pics at all) please post them up.

Tad, my buddy Danbo was raving about a walnut fighter you had.

Roger
 
The nicest people at any show for me by far. I've finally gotten to meet all my friends from these forums after years of typing and scrolling. The Gala was the completely impressive. Where else could every maker and collector mingle for hours and actually handle some of the finest knives by the best makers in our industry?

My camera only had 4 pictures on it and one of those is our family dog so heres the other 3. Sorry but I was having way too much fun to use it.

Steven Janik drove down from Chicago and helped me out.
004-4.jpg


The Hideout Bowie
009-4.jpg


The Port Royal
006-6.jpg
 
RogerP said:
Thanks for the award updates guys, if makers or attendees have pics of the knives that won (or heck, any pics at all) please post them up.

Tad, my buddy Danbo was raving about a walnut fighter you had.

Roger
Click to expand...
Roger,

Got to visit a little while w/ Danbo. I had a couple of knives with Turkish walnut handles that didn't get posted here. One was that fighter and the other was the chopper that won the camp knife award. They were kind of last minute finishes.

Tad
 
I had a great time. It was a pleasure to meet some of the guys that post here. I am thankful to have been able to get critiques and advice from some outstanding craftsmen and collectors. The willingness to help point me in the right direction is evidence to the caracter of the guys that share the addiction of hand made knives in one way or another. It was also nice to see some of the fellows I have met before. I will not miss this show in the future.

Chris
 
As John said,this show was a lot of fun,and thanks John for shooting the pic of our staged battle!The crowd on Saturday was so thick you could barley see past your table,and that was a good thing!And thanks to Jon Klein for arranging a great get together on Saturday night.About 50 of us had a great meal and lots of good conversation at a restraunt called The Brave New Restraunt.On Sunday morning the entire hotel was treated to an early morning wake up call aroun 5 am by two drunk college kids.They thought it would be funny to use a fire extinguisher to set off the fire alarm.The idiot's fun was spoiled however when they were caught in the act by Kim Breed and Gary Wheeler,who made it quite clear to them it would be in their best interest not to move until the police arrived!
 
It was a great show! I'm glad I was able to attend and meet all of the great makers that went. I can't wait til next year. :)
 
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