Blade Show West...I just got back

Scott,

No we didn't pick up the little leftie S/N'd 14. Tom said that was an older knife that he'd taken back in trade, and the opening hole was smaller than current production.

Also, the "scallop" exposing the hole was smaller than the newer ones too, and my leftie wife was having a hard time getting it open...

We talked with Tom about getting it "mod'ed" to meet the newer specs, but his position was that it had more collector value as it was, and he'd rather just make us a new one than screw up that one...we agreed. ;)

Kind of a shame it didn't work for her though, it really was a cool knife!

KWM,

You're kidding right? I'm only writing this "stuff" on my Doctors orders...it's either posting here, or it's back to the Librium and shock therapy... :eek:
 
Spent some time at the show today as well. Yep it was SLOW. Lots of good knives from alot of good makers, just empty of attendees and not much green changing hands. Might have been differant had WTC not occured (but we will never know).

High notes from my stand point.

Bill Herndon was in his normall high spirits, chewed my wifes ear for awhile. She thought he was great :) and I aggree.

Red StCyr had some fantastic pieces out and gave a mighty good forging demo (even if a horse did kick in the side of his brand new truck, did not even have plates yet).

Got to catch up with Dave Ellis (always is such a pleasure Dave, Thanks). He had some beauties out. Wish I had remembered my camera. He had a matched set that was to die for, the case was a work of art all by itself.

Made a special note to drop in on Mayo. Great guy! Not much knife talk, just chewed the fat for a little while. And hey, you know its a slow show when Mayo does not sell out.

As I was talking with Tom, Trace Rinaldi walked up. We did the meet and greet thing and had a few laughs. Let me tell you something about Trace, meeting his son Tracy was a real pleasure. This kid is sharp, and hyper polite. Great job Trace!

Tons of fantastic miniatures, my wife about had a field day.

Biggest surprise of all was the great showing from Pacific Rim makers. There is some great talent there. Mostly folders with MOP and Abolone inlays. The prices these guys were all asking was a joke. $200 for a very well made SS damasc and MOP LL, I was unbelievably tempted to go for the check book! So many of these guys were asking way less than what I thought their work was worth.

Well, thats about it in a nut shell. From my standpoint the show was fantastic. But, I have a feeling that the makers would call it a flop.
 
It was great meeting You and Tom!... My son had a ball!! Kids are a reflection on thier parents, and he makes me look better than I actually am:-)
He had a BLAST! He got to handle a knife the Strider guys made that is featured in a Sony Playstation game, he thought that was WAY cool.
They loaded him up with a shirt and some pins etc.
How many times can you hear "Strider Guys Kick A$$"?? but its all true...
I walked up as RW was showing Mayo a slick looking blade of his making.. We got to shoot the $hit for a few till Mayo had to make a Pee Pee run. Tom Mayo had some of THE best looking work I saw there period... The guys from TOPS were great!, and I got to see some of my old buds from So. Cal Blades. I had a great time and Little Trace absolutely DUG the whole thing...
I enjoyed our talk RW, lets keep in touch since we are so close.... A great time was had by all, even if the makers didnt sell out....

Take Care
Trace Rinaldi
www.thrblades.com
 
Robert,
It would appear that you've really been paying attention in your first month here at BFC. A Sebenza, a TNT and a SteelHeart make for quite an impressive trio. Congrats.:)
 
Dances,

I'm sorry to here that the knife that you bought had a chip. Please send it back to me and let me rectify this. I'll also make a sheath for the knife as the ones I sold last year did not have any with them. That is also the most likely way that the edge got damaged on your knife as there was nothing to protect the blade during its ride to the show.

The damascuss knife that I had at the show is the one that Phil posted the picture of in his guess who 3 post. I donated this knife to th Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and it was auctioned off for a very good price. The day before I left for Blade West the fellow who purchased the knife came to my shop and wanted to trade for a more usable blade. I told him that the chainsaw damascuss blade in the knife that he had would do anything that he asked of it but he still wanted a different knife so I went ahead and traded. the result was twoo very happy customers.

Bill Burke
 
So Bill, how did the show go for you? members have posted that your table was very busy. From the knives that I have seen of yours lately I would tend to think that was the case. That damascus knife is a real beauty.:)
 
Blade Show West was as good as it gets in my opinion. I had some time to visit with makers and the folks who stopped by. I was able to meet some makers who were new to me and found their work very inspiring. Since their flight was canceled, Mary Lutz,and I got to discuss the show at length. She advised me that this show set a record for attendence at Blade Show West. As usual some makers did very well and some did poorly and many in between. There was a lot to learn at the show when one took the time to look and actually see. The mineature displays were outstanding and provided an oppoortunity to review a lot of blade history. As usual I did not get to visit every table even though this was my goal. Most of those who came to the show were serious enthusiasts and as makers all had the opportunity to be heard. Blade Show West is one of my favorite shows!
 
Ed, I am very glad to see that you enjoyed Blade West. It seems that there are differing opinions about how well this show went. I suppose it is all in what you were expecting to get out of the show. Some want to see hundreds of tables and thousands of people and others want to be able to visit with friends, talk knives and have a chance to get around and see the whole show. It is good to see that you got what you wanted from this show, I hope many others did as well.
 
I was able to attend the Blade West Show on friday from the time it opened until 6:30pm. Friday was a nice, relatively quiet day which gave us knife knuts a chance to walk around and talk to any of the makers.

I was greatful to be able to talk to Ed Fowler for about 45 minutes first thing and that was a real treat! His blades looked and felt awesome. When I got home I realized that I forgot to buy his book and have him autograph it for me, bummer.

I then walked around and saw the other makers I was really interested in: James Rodebaugh, Miyao, Tom Mayo, Murray Carter and others, and since it was not to busy I was to s/w all of them, very cool.

As I went back towards Ed's table I realized Bill Burke was just two tables to his right, I couldn't believe that I did not see him sooner. I was able to chew his ear off for quite awhile and handle his knives off and on the whole time, I couldn't believe how good they felt. I went out to the bar to get a beer and think about my possible purchase, came back, set my beer down next to his table and proceeded to kick it over, the contents going under his table and getting a grocery bag and probably the contents wet (what a moron). Fortunately he let me stay around and continue to gawk and talk.

I purchased a small Pronghorn style knife with an overall length of 7". I could not put this knife down and haven't been able to since. It continues to grow on me, I can't wait to really use it as it's blade geometry and overall feel says; CUT AND CUT AND CUT.

Thanks again to Ed and Bill for all their time and great conversation.

Kevin Nelson
 
Ed,

If you happen to see this message, Cliff Stamp has a question about your knife/hawk collaboration with Mr. Szilaski. The thread is over in the Axe & Hawk Forum.

Thanks a lot.
 
Keith,

The show went very well for me. I sold all but one of the knives that I took to the show it is a small bird and trout with black horn and a fossilized walrus tooth set into the pomel (sp.) Phil has a picture that I sent to him maybe he will post it. I had several orders when I got back home as well as the orders that I took before the show. It looks like I'm going to be really busy for a while.:D

Bill burke
 
Bill,

Thanks for your kind offer. I like the knife very much and wasn't worried about the tiny chip because it wouldn't lessen the performance of the knife even if it weren't smoothed out. But what the heck, might as well let a pro remove it as opposed to me sharpening it out. I'll retrieve it from the safe and send it.

I was sure tempted by that beautiful large camp knife that you had at the show, but had unfortunately already depleted my little cash envelope. I'm sure that the lucky person who got it will really treasure the knife.

Thanks again.
 
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