BACKA show Aug. 27-28

Edna and I are set up over in H1, H2, & H3...stop by and say hello if you're in the neighborhood...:)

Sheldon Wickersham
 
I just got back from the show and wanted to say Thank-You to Ed Caffrey, Sheldon Wickersham (Melvin-Purvis), H Wray, Nick Wheeler, Bill Ruple, Paul Basch, Randy Nifrand, and all the volunteers at the show. Some quick impressions:

This years BAKCA knife by Bill Ruple was a sweet file-worked slip-joint. The workmanship on every knife I handled was superb.

Ed Caffrey was wonderful to meet. I think he enjoyed seeing 'Bound by Faith' again and I was certainly happy to get to see his new work. The damascus bowie that was entered into the show competition was extraordinary, very light, quick, and perfectly balanced. My hand was very happy with this knife. Visual inspection resulted in a big happy grin on both Ed's and my faces. I think knife makers really enjoy when others truly appreciate the hard work, creativity, and skill that goes into their knife making. Ed's knives Are the complete package :)

Nick Wheeler is a very impressive young knife maker. I was wowed by his knives, and even more by his knowledge and attitude towards knifemaking. We talked a lot about steel and heat-treatment techniques, and knife making philosophy. As others have said before, Nick Wheeler is one to watch.

I was great to finally meet Sheldon face-to-face. We got to spend some time looking at my collection and talking about knives and knife people.

H Wray is a BAKCA member and apparently a member here, but since I so seldom drop by anymore I didn't recognize the name. Nevertheless, he and I spent quite a some time chatting about lots of sharp things.

Paul Basch gave me some background information on a famous makers oldest mark. Thanks Paul.

Last, I want to tell Randy how great it was to finally meet him. He was a pretty busy guy today and we didn't exactly connect the first time we spoke. But I dropped by again later we had a great conversation. It turns out he and I share a similar passion for the forged blade. He convinced me that I need to join BACKA and make the trip to their monthly meeting. The show today reminded me how much I enjoy knives, and knife people. I have been away a little too long I think.

So, that's my brief trip report. Score: no knives (but some future ones contemplated), lots of great information, a couple of new friends, a fun time, and a big grin. Thanks BAKCA! I'll be back again.

Para
 
I was there a couple of hours before the end (I had work, don't ask). As usual, all of the people were very nice and I got to see a lot of really nice knives. I picked up a very nice bark river skinner and placed an order with J.P. Holmes for a drop point with a handle sized to fit my hand.

JP was very personable, showing me his wares, measuring my hand, and giving me advice about how the handle should be sized. He has also been really quick with the email replies.

I was impressed with the folders by Scot Matsuoka. Very strongly influenced by Ken Onion (not surprising since Ken helped Scot get started in knife making) and very nice quality. Out of my price range however.

I was impressed by the Tom Brown Quest from William Henry. Insanely light for a 3+" blade and very smooth. The clip sheath was very nice also.

For me, One knife + one on order and a welcome interlude from work. Thanks to JP Holmes and wife Karen, Scot Matsuoka, Dennic Cook, Jason Howell and all the others who showed me their knives and answered my questions so patiently. Hopefully, I'll have more time and money to spend at BAKCA 2006.
 
Thanks!!!

Man, what a show... I had a BLAST! Huge KUDOS go to Doug Isaacson... aka Dr. Doug, for getting such an awesome show put together.

Some guys sold really well, some got skunked... it's always a bit of a crap-shoot.

I think EVERYONE had a good time. Most of my friends and I had a GREAT TIME!!!

The new hotel is just flat perfect for a show. It's a very nice venue, and with the cabana, it was the perfect place to sit back, relax, and visit with everyone there. I enjoyed it even more than the pit in Atlanta... much more personable and also the fact that it was outside under blue sky during the day and stars at night was absolutely tops.

I couldn't ask for a better place for a show.

Got to have a great drive down with Tom Ferry, Chuck and Jessica Bybee--- then once in Palo Alto, see old friends and make some new ones!

Para, it was great meeting you and chatting! :) Thanks for the kind words as well!

I hadn't gotten any decent pics of my stuff prior to going down, but I'll have some shots from Mitch Lum (show photographer) soon.

Thanks again everyone!!! :D
-Nick-
 
Indeed, that was a really nice show, always nice to see old friends, and make new ones in the process!

Brad, it was nice meeting ya bud, and I'm happy that you and WrayH got to spend some time together talking knives as well. Wray is a good dude, and always fun to hang out with...

The thing of it is though, I kinda wanted to buy your Geno Denning 'drop points'; I turned away, and then *poof* you were gone...well, maybe next year ;)

Yep, as Nick said, I think everyone had a good time...heck, I know I sure did lol

Shel
 
As usual the BAKCA Show was great. Luana, and I had a fun time..........met some old friends, and met some new ones which included Nick Wheeler, and a very nice young person to talk with of whom I have enjoyed his works for a while but was quite surprised that he is so young, and does such great work like someone who had been making knives for years, and no fairly new into the game.Luana, and I agrred that having it at the Crown Plaza was an improvment over the old Hyatt, and really liked the layout.
Hope to meet up with you at Blade West Nick, and will keep an eye out for you.

Larry
 
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