Aussie knifemaker plans trip to USA visiting fellow knife makers and shows

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kevsharp

Joined
Jan 9, 2012
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Hello fellow knife enthusiasts I would like to plan a trip to the US during the warmer part of 2014. My wife has agreed to come along, so we will include some sight seeing as well.
I am not sure where to start the tour..maybe New York and then visit as many states as possible in about 30 days.
Hopefully the itinerary would include some blade shows and visits to custom knife makers.
I am almost 76 and took up knife making about 8 years ago after some years as an amateur gun smith. I use the stock removal method and do my own heat treatment on carbon steels.
I have made a number of belt grinders of my own design, and have my own lathe and milling machine. I enjoy the leather work making sheaths and some holsters.
My career started as an apprentice Fitter and Turner , I then spent a number of years in the Pacific moving into Heavy Duty Automotive and my final position was Trade Lecturer in Perth Western Australia. I would be happy to hear from any members who can give me some information on how to plan this trip
Regards kevsharp Kevin Speer kndspeer@bigpond.com
 
Bladeshow in Atlanta is June 6-8. That is the largest and overall-best show in America. If you can schedule for that, you will not be disappointed.

New York is not a knife-friendly place. As a tourist, I understand that you may want to visit NYC. But it will not be a highlight of the knife-centric part of your tour.

I would encourage you to think about visiting the Pacific Northwest and Oregon in particular. There are several knife factories here and tours could be arranged. We also have some talented knife makers who, I'm sure, would welcome a shop visit. And, we have some nice tourist attractions too. The Oregon Knife Collectors show in Eugene is April 12-13; it's a large show. If you wanted to spend two months in the US, longer than you had indicted, I would suggest starting here (I think you can fly into Seattle or LA) with that show and then working your way across the country and ending in Atlanta for Bladeshow (I'm sure you can fly back from Atlanta).
 
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Thank you for your reply and advice. This is the sort of advice I am looking for. I would be interested in any sort of organised tour of knife makers in the area you mentioned and would be pleased to have access to contacts. I notice that you are a musical director. I am an amateur jazz trumpeter.
Best regards
Kevin Speer Perth Western Australia kndspeer@bigpond.com
 
Maine is beautiful in the summer, as is Idaho. The time to be in Atlanta is the spring (except for the Blade show) because of the flowers and lower heat and humidity.
 
The AG Russell Knife Event is held in Northwest Arkansas at the end of July each year. http://www.knifeevent.com/
Sadly due to heat, humidity, bugs, and poison ivy I don't recommend visiting Arkansas during this time of year. Don't know about the weather in Perth, but if you like Cairns in January you'll love the Southeastern United States in July. :)
 
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