Blade Show Purchases

wolfeknives

wolfeknives

Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
482
Since I did not have a table at the Blade Show this year, I had lots of time to visit and chat. Since I started collecting rather than gathering slipjoints almost a year ago, I have been concentrating on GEC produced knives. Unfortunately it has been somewhat frustrating trying to build a representative collection since most sellers will not ship to Canada. So, I have decided in a shift in direction. I will still pick up the GEC knives when I can do so without any additional hassles, but will concentrate more on custom knives.
It was a pleasure to have the time to visit with many of the makers. Unfortunately some of the ones I had hoped to purchase from have now moved on to make modern knives. It appears that there are just not enough traditional folder collectors to support even the small number of makers working on this type of knife.

I was able to pick up some very nice knives from Bill Ruple and Luke Swenson. Luke was taught the craft by Bill Ruple, and makes some very nice knives. His file work is amazing.









Purchased two of Ruples knives, and was able to place an order for his amazing version of the lockback whittler. The sowbelly is the knife shown in the Queen ad for the Ruple/Queen collaboration knife.





This one is a very thin knife, and I love the amber stag.









And some of the GEC knives I was able to purchase from the lovely ladies at the GEC booth. Have not had the time to photograph these yet.

 
You came away with a great haul Wolf! I see many of the GEC's you picked up are early made knives. Is that mostly what they had available as opposed to recently made knives?

Regardless, you can't go wrong with customs over productions. Those Ruples look awesome!
 
Nice work, Wolfe, very much enjoyed our chat about slipjoints in Solvang!

That sowbelly from Ruple is dead nuts on!

Are the covers on the Swenson stag or bone, hard to tell?

Looking forward to seeing your cache of GEC knives

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
wolfeknives said:
...Purchased two of Ruples knives, and was able to place an order for his amazing version of the lockback whittler. The sowbelly is the knife shown in the Queen ad for the Ruple/Queen collaboration knife.





You gotta be happy with all your purchases but this is sooooooo special!
Click to expand...
 
Kohai999 said:
Nice work, Wolfe, very much enjoyed our chat about slipjoints in Solvang!

Are the covers on the Swenson stag or bone, hard to tell?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Seeing your custom slipjoints in Solvang was an inspiration STeven. The covers on the Swenson are in fact amber stag. Sorry for my poor photo.

Jsega51 said:
You came away with a great haul Wolf! I see many of the GEC's you picked up are early made knives. Is that mostly what they had available as opposed to recently made knives?

Regardless, you can't go wrong with customs over productions. Those Ruples look awesome!
Click to expand...

They did have a number of the recent release knives. I already have all those in my collection however. The older ones are much more difficult for me to get. I was glad to be able to buy these.
 
Wow! What a haul!

Gorgeous customs and that 250109 in Arrowhead Jigged Bone is one that I don't remember ever seeing. I'm especially looking forward to seeing that one among others if you get the time.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Great haul! I appreciate customs but I'm still at the point where if I had the money for a custom I'd rather buy a a hand full of GECs. That top stockman is stunning.
 
I feel your pain on the GEC front, I live in Scotland and #25s are my thing. What a fool I am. It is very unlikely that I'll ever be able to attend Blade but I take great delight in looking at the photos of those who have. Those customs are gorgeous - I love the corset shield in particular, one of my favourites :)

As I said before, I'm a #25 fan and looking at this picture made me drool! You lucky dog you!

wolfeknives said:
Click to expand...

Paul
 
Nice buys!! Do you have a picture of the lockback you ordered? I would love to see what one looks like:)
 
I was not able to fit all the knives into my luggage, so had to have some of them mailed to me. I will post the remainder when they arrive. Unfortunately that includes most of the 25', they were the smallest for mailing.














 
A fine selection of GECs you managed there, as another non-American forumite I can only marvel at the opportunity of being at such a place, due to being in Europe and loathing aircraft:eek::barf: The imagination runs riot about other treasures that might've been on offer, some 33 Conductors that have eluded me (Ivory Bone and Red Apple Tidioutes ):cool: For me, Primitive Bone is a really rewarding material, all the complexities and frustrations.. :D of Stag, it's wonderful stuff and a pity they no longer have any more (one for the future collector I'd say) I also liked their Frontier Bone, they should've released the 18 Beagle in that as it reminds me of that dog's colour.

Thanks, Will
 
Noting much to ad to the previous comments, just that I am soooo envy and yet happy for you. A BIG bag of treasures.

Mike
 
Wondered why the case at the GEC booth looked light. :) That Ruple Sowbelly is gorgeous, but I love that 1st Luke Swenson stockman you posted. He is definitely a maker to watch.
 
Halfneck said:
Wondered why the case at the GEC booth looked light. :) That Ruple Sowbelly is gorgeous, but I love that 1st Luke Swenson stockman you posted. He is definitely a maker to watch.
Click to expand...

Yes, I went straight to the GEC booth first thing friday morning, I was their first customer.
I will be getting more of Lukes knives. It will be interesting to see him progress. He has the skill and attitude needed to make him a great knifemaker.
 
Beautiful knives everyone! I wish I had of gone as I have missed the last two years.
 
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