Blade 2005 - bowies only?

[cockroachfarm]

Bowies, bowies everywhere and nary a folder to see! Didn’t anyone buy folding knives at Blade 2005? I wasn’t going to post any photos because I didn’t buy much this year (now that I know a bit more about what I want, I actually placed orders for the first time with several makers at this show) but I did pick up a couple of knives (three pre-orders and one show purchase) so I didn’t feel like I was going home totally empty-handed.

The battery is in there to show scale. I’m doing this in deference to my friend Don Cowles – because a fixed blade that he had made, and that I was looking forward to seeing in the flesh, turned out to be 4-inches long, and not the 10-inches I was expecting from the photograph I had seen! What a shock! 

The knives I did pick up at the show are indicative of the great switch in direction that my knife interest has taken over the past two years.

Here’s a big lockback that Bud Weston made for me. He calls it the “Wolf Hunter”. Hollow ground Damasteel blade; Damasteel bolsters, lock and spring; fileworked and jeweled titanium liners; snakewood handles (cut on the grain).

 

[cockroachfarm]

A slipjoint from Don Morrow. Exquisite filework. Fantastic fit and finish. Blade is dead center in the trough. Snaps closed with a CLACK you can hear all the way up to Alaska! I was knocked out when I took delivery of this one, my first from Don. My second has already been ordered.

Another Bud Weston knife - a slipjoint which was made to my EXACT specifications with engraved sterling silver handles. Exquisite.

 

[cockroachfarm]

This was my Blade 2005 ‘impulse purchase’ – a titanium pen knife from Bob Lum. I had only seen Bob’s large folders before so when I saw this surprising little gem waiting on his table for me I snapped it up. A superb knife maker, an excellent raconteur, and a true gentleman. Thanks, Bob.

And a much better photo from Bob’s own website.

So, I ask again – where are the Blade 2005 folders?

 

[Kohai999]

I would hardly say that 3 folders, of 8 knives total is a small percentage, 3 of the others were fighters, bowie style, one pure bowie, and a camp knive. That makes 1/2 bowies, not all bowies, all the time.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[shappa]

I grabbed a Tom Anderson folder, the wife picked up a kershaw Leek.
I also picked up for Murray Carter chef knives and 4 fixed blades to work on.

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

Here's a pic of a folder that I sold while I was there. Scales are mammoth tooth.
Chuck

 

[cockroachfarm]

I would hardly say that 3 folders, of 8 knives total is a small percentage....

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone. I guess what I was looking for was a thread with lots of photos of folders that people had obtained at Blade 2005. Similar to the bowie threads started here by RogerP et al. Guess I didn't search hard enough.

FWIW, "that other forum" currently seems to have about a dozen or more threads all relating to Blade 2005! I don't hang out there any more but I must say I was impressed with their show of solidarity in Atlanta.

 

[cockroachfarm]

Looking back through the different thread subjects I now know what I did wrong - I should have referred to 'fixed blades' instead of 'bowies'. :footinmou

 

[RogerP]

That's a very nice haul indeed Holger - I wish we had more time to chat and for me to peruse your new toys. I really like that first Bud Weston damascus piece - be sure to bring 'em along to Murray's the next time we congregate there. Heck, we should go ahead and arange a little Blade "show and tell" - Brian Muscat-Tyler was also at the show and picked up some nice stuff.

No doubt at all that it was my post on the show (and probably my posts in general) that gave you the "all bowies all the time" impression.

My favorite folders at the show - in no particular order:

J.W. Randall "Honey Bee" mosaic damascus folder.
Don Hanson III BIG folding bowie
Bailey Bradshaw pearl-handled beauties
Ed Caffrey blue mosaic

See, I DID actually look at some folders. Of course, they were in close proximity to bowies at the time.

I am actually seriously considering picking up a nice gent's folder some time soon - just to have a piece of bladeware that I can actually take around with me on a daily basis. The bowies just won't work on Bay Street.


Roger

 

[Stephen F]

Not a Bowie , and this one now accompanies me to work - a beautiful piece by Don Morrow, try as I might though I can't quite capture the depth and colours in the abalone.

 

[RogerP]

Stephen,

That picture looks great! But having handled the actual knife, I know what you mean. That abalone has a magnificent thre-dimensional sparkle to it.

Roger

P.S. - But don't think you can hide behind that folder. You were officially outed at Blade as a confirmed bowie-freak!

 

[cockroachfarm]

Not a Bowie , and this one now accompanies me to work - a beautiful piece by Don Morrow, try as I might though I can't quite capture the depth and colours in the abalone.

So YOU are the new owner of that knife? Congratulations - what a beauty!

(When I picked up my own knife from Don I saw yours and told him that if the person who ordered it decided he didn't want it, I would take it without question. Fat chance! Isn't Don's work simply outstanding? You can certainly see the influence of his mentor.)

 

[Don Cowles]

This CPM S30V knife was sold at the Blade Show to a dealer in Milan. The spectacular engraving was done by Jim Small.

 

[RAN]

I was and still am a slipjoint guy before I got into the forged blades.
some real classy work you picked up love the Morrow..a knife like that will be your best friend..the Westons are real Knice too enjoy!!!!

 

[HTMD]

Holger,
Thanks for starting this thread. These are terrific folders and all nicely presented. With every post about BLADE I'm reminded of how difficult it is to take it all in. This thread is helping to fill in some of gaps for me! Thanks.
Buddy T

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Bowies, bowies everywhere and nary a folder to see! Didn’t anyone buy folding knives at Blade 2005?

Whine, whine, whine, I personally don't see any problem.

That's a real nice one you sold Chuck. So is yours Don.

 

[RogerP]

Don - I saw that one at Gus' Thursday night dinner - it was supah-sweet!

Roger

 

[Sean O'Hare]

Wow Don that one is gorgeous! I didn't get to see that one. You had some other pretty amayzing stuff on your table though.

Good to see you again.

Was great to finally meet you Holger and RogerP as well as many other people that I've met on the forums.

We'll see ya next year or maybe sooner???

Sean

 

[cockroachfarm]

..... This thread is helping to fill in some of gaps for me!.....

Thanks, Buddy - that was my original intent. (whine, whine, whine - yo, Keith! )

No one understands me!

(I really like and appreciate bowies - especially RogerP's - but I just don't collect them. And I'm old enough and grumpy enough to complain publicly about not seeing enough threads about folders! So there! )

BTW, that little fixed blade from Don was SPECTACULAR. Any of us who were able to handle that piece were fortunate indeed.

 

[Bastid]

In addition to Ray Kirk's M.S. dagger it was a folder Blade show for me.

Kit Carson lockback. (My new edc)

Tony Bose serpentine trapper (a #1). (luck of the drawing)

Richard Rogers physicians knife. (luck of the drawing)

Joel Chamblin physicians knife (capped bolster) first maker I have seen to do a true capped bolster.)

Reese Bose physicians knife. (luck of the drawing)

I obviously was pretty darn lucky in the drawings.

Like Roger, I found Ed's blue mosiac folder to be a stunner. I will have to try and get pics up later.