Boston Art Knife Classic - The GOOD stuff!

[Marcel54]

Buddy, most excellent sowbelly, and tortoise no less

"In Sveedun vee haf minny money."

I don't know the exchange rate between the Swedish Krona and the once mighty dollar, but I know I can get a lot of knife (in dollars) for my Euro:thumbup:

Marcel

 

[peterinct]

GREAT images of attendees AND knives. Thanks to all that took the time to take and post them.

I too find those Josh Smith/Steve Dunn collaborations absolutely stunning!

Peter

 

[RogerP]

That Newton is just OUTSTANDING Buddy!

Roger

 

[SharpByCoop]

Did I mention that Ron Newton's work is impeccable? Well, duh - - it is.

Let's see this again.

Want to do your best work? Surround yourself with people of THIS caliber. :thumbup:

Buddy took the time to explore many offerings at the show, we discussed the particulars and benefits of each choice, and then he made smart purchasing decisions.

Way to GO, my friend!

Coop

 

[Mike Quesenberry]

The celtic filework on that Newton is :thumbup:. Couldn't think of a word to describe it.

 

[HTMD]

...we discussed the particulars and benefits of each choice, and then he made smart purchasing decisions.

Absolutely - two heads better than one. More importantly Coop, you got to see and handle many of the pieces chosen by the makers to represent their best work in the show catalog. You have made your own beautiful kit knives (I've seen them :thumbup. You've photographed well over 5,000 knives, I bet, at least. And we're friends going on 8 years now. I respect your judgement in these matters, even if our preferred styles don't totally overlap. At the BAKC, while working with you in the studio, I bet we exchanged comments about most of the knives that came in for photography - as we have done at other shows where I've had the opportunity to work as your assistant. This all builds trust, in addition to respect.

In fact, readers of this may think I'm nuts but I actually bought Scott Slobodian's full-dress tanto, WINTER, even though it was not at the show (Paul Shindler accidentaly left this one and one by another maker at his home) based on Coop's image of it - last shot in post #2 above - and his comments about it in response to my questions. WINTER arrived yesterday, easily convincing me that my trust was well placed.

Can't say enough about the importance of developing, as a collector, good relationships with a couple or three other collectors who are more experienced than you and me, who aren't trying to sell us something and with whom there is a good personality fit. This happens naturally on these forums and at shows over time but it is also actively encouraged within the CKCA organization (where my friendships with Steven Garsson and Jon Klein developed) and/or through a common interest which is how I came to know Coop (aka 'SuperCoop').

All of this began to come into focus for me when some years ago I almost abandoned custom knife collecting and everybody associated with it because essentially I felt like I was alone. I don't make friends that easily so the fault was mine. Still, something was missing - healthy trusting friendships as described above.

Not to short the makers!! In fact, as I now recall, several makers were great at reaching out to me - Steve Schwarzer in particular helped me know the difference between makers who were genuine 'folks' from those who might put on a smile while eying my wallet. Relationships with a few good makers is also essential and my wife and I are fortunate in that way. As so many have said before me, the knives are great but it's relationships that keep us enthused about the game.

The secret is (not really a secret) - to have a friend you must first be a friend. We can't say to the fireplace, "Give me heat and I'll give you wood."

*I've mentioned two of the three pieces I brought home from Boston. The third is something I want to save for a separate post but here's a haiku clue:
Moon rises in the East
Shimmering light illuminates the way
His path and mine
Across centuries

 

[peterinct]

The celtic filework on that Newton is :thumbup:. Couldn't think of a word to describe it.

I've seen it called "Roman knot". I love that style too

Peter

 

[MrAndersson]

Buddy, most excellent sowbelly, and tortoise no less


I don't know the exchange rate between the Swedish Krona and the once mighty dollar, but I know I can get a lot of knife (in dollars) for my Euro:thumbup:

Marcel

The dollar have dropped about 50% in the last 10 years and it continues dropping. Yes, it's a pretty good time for any Swedish knife collector who wants American knives.

I probably know that collector and that is a one-liner worth writing down

Really enjoying this thread. Great pictures!:thumbup:

 

[SharpByCoop]

Buddy: Thank you.

This passive piece drew in our favorite Collector from the Northland.

Roger gives credit to his son Isak for the carving on this wonderful dagger. The display stand is a piece of 200 yr-old wood from his barn.

Check out the stippling on the handle's backspine...

(Erickson/Warenski's coming later tonight. These will blow your socks off. Again.)

Coop

 

[Marcel54]

Buddy: Thank you.

This passive piece drew in our favorite Collector from the Northland.

Roger gives credit to his son Isak for the carving on this wonderful dagger. The display stand is a piece of 200 yr-old wood from his barn.

Check out the stippling on the handle's backspine...

(Erickson/Warenski's coming later tonight. These will blow your socks off. Again.)

Coop

These pics remind (once again) why Roger is one of my favorite makers. Unfortunately he doesn't do folders. Isak is one of the most talented carvers in the world. For those who might not know, he also does all the carving on Kaj Embretsen' knives.

Marcel

 

[peterinct]

The dollar have dropped about 50% in the last 10 years and it continues dropping. Yes, it's a pretty good time for any Swedish knife collector who wants American knives.

I was in France and Switzerland back when the dollar was at perhaps its strongest. In the resort area where I was in the alps, the dollar was worth between 9.5 and 10 French francs in Chamonix.

Went on a day trip to Geneva and the Rolex building stood out amongst the others which made me think of purchasing one. The dollar was then worth 3.5 Swiss francs and it was less expensive to buy a Rolex in the USA.

Swiss chocolate and Swiss army knives were FAR less in France!

This IS a great thread and some incredible knives have been shown.

Hope to see MORE

Peter

 

[HTMD]

I probably know that collector and that is a one-liner worth writing down

I bet you do know him. Cool guy and quite a hoot. I'm not sure we ever managed to understand eachother but what the heck, it didn't matter. We were all just oggling those incredible Roger Bergh creations and ...vocalizing, sort of. Ha!

 

[SharpByCoop]

Daqgers seem to be a larger presence than usual at this show. I had already done Curt's dagger with the large faceted jewel on the butt for the catalog.

Doing 'justice' to these unabashed Art knives requires me to think broadly.

In the below knife, I found the sheathed knife SO much more compelling than the knife alone, that I thought it served best to show it that way. Not mine or anyone's 'norm'.

On this one, it was all so elegant I chose a white background on a light colored knife. There is certainly enough shadowing for contrast. Julie carpet bombs us with her elegant sheath engraving. What a fantastic piece.

Lastly, this one is a masterpiece of curves and textures. Can you imagine ANYONE not admiring the workmanship and artistry this beams out?

Curt was pleased with these. He and Josh both wrote me personal thanks for my work and this display. If this is a job, how come I like it so much...?

Coop

 

[NickWheeler]

Hmm.... I'm thinking I should take up basket weaving :foot:

 

[betzner]

Lookin' most beautiful, Coop.

Bob

 

[Marcel54]

Of the three Ericksons I like the ringdagger the best:thumbup:

Marcel

 

[jklein7401]

I enjoyed seeing many fine pieces in Boston. Without question one of my highlights were all three of these Curt Erickson/Julie Warenski-Erickson knives Coop just posted. They do not get any better than those. Elegant and superbly executed they epitomize class. The three knives make it very difficult to choose a favorite. The Diamond and Dendrite knife and sheath have it all. The ring dagger is perfection in execution and the large Art dagger? Well it just boggles the mind, there is so much going on and it all flows perfectly. I absolutely loved these three. Thank you for the great photos Coop, I am really pleased to see them all again.

Jon

 

[Kohai999]

I like the heck out of those first two Erickson's....they are fine, and the shapes are very pleasing.

The ring dagger is one of the closest to the Michael Price original in details that I have seen, while adding interesting and unique flourishes.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Kevin Jones]

I like the heck out of those first two Erickson's....they are fine, and the shapes are very pleasing.

The ring dagger is one of the closest to the Michael Price original in details that I have seen, while adding interesting and unique flourishes.
Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

I agree 100%. A fine rendition.

 

[peterinct]

Those Erickson daggers are ALL exquisite.

Although not specified, i'm guessing those carved handles are ivory?

In reference to the government inquisition...did the Erickson's have to prove it was "pre-ban" ivory or were there no issues?

Thanks,
Peter