Chicago show scores?

[fishface5]

Anyone go to the Chicago show? I went & had a blast - 4 hours felt like 1 hour max. It was great to touch and play with things I had only seen pictures of. A few observations:

- The Cuda Maxx is a freaking amazing piece of work!!! 5.5" of flatground D2 that snaps out effortlesly, in a slim titanium framelock? for $140?? If you like big folders this thing is a wicked must-have.

- Mike Sastre makes really top-quality kydex rigs. I had heard his name but never seen his work. It's awesome.

- Some people should really spend some more time working on fit & finish before trying to sell their knives. I saw a couple embarassing pieces from what I guess were newer makers. And dealers who didn't bother to clean, polish or remove rust spots from the knives they laid out! But there was some fantastic top-shelf stuff too.

- John Greco: what is up with that guy? how does he make such hardcore knives so cheap? I was already thinking of buying one of his $50 flatgrounds over the net, then I bumped into him in person. glad I did b/c I bought a different knife than i was intending too - I picked up and MST (?) IV in a great leather sheath for $50!! The knife is very well designed, a little rough on some of the finishing but it's meant to be abused not to be displayed. I really like the choil. It's sharp & solid & comfortable & I can't wait to take it out and beat it up. At this point it looks like the best compromise of tactical - S/D knife I've seen in person. And did I mention the price? Also, he's a very nice guy. And those little folders of his are simply brutal.

- there were a lot of fantastic folders there, but in terms of fit, finish, and butter-smooth action in a tactical folder, all the JW Smith knives I saw won hands-down over the competition.

- Koval supplies was there, & I picked up kydex sheathmaking materials. Time to get the oven messy. There was a Kentucky (?) knifemaker helping out, Dale Hibben, who had tons of useful suggestions for re-handling production knives, very nice guy with some cool knives of his own for sale. Good stag work.

Anyone else go? What did you see/buy?

 

[Mongo]

I was there saturday, for most of the day. I must say, a pretty good show. There was a bunch of stuff that impressed me. I saw a pipe hawk that was simply gorgeous, but way outa my price range. I too handled the Cuda Maxx... WOW!!! I got a chance to see but not handle the new Cook Lochsa (sp?) folder... probably one of the most curvy babes I've seen in a while. I met Craig Camerer and Danbo who had a table together. Mr. Camerer is a fine maker, and I would've bought knife #3 from him if I had the coin left over. So, what are numbers 1 and 2 you ask? Well, the second thing I noticed after meeting Danbo was the infamous Terry Primos platypus! I begged/pleaded/stomped on his feet to pry this knife off of him. I must say that this knife is one of the most gorgeous knives in my collection. That skinny little handle feels so good in the hand. I can't wait to see how this hunter works this fall, providing that I am successful as a hunter. Incidently, the FIRST thing I noticed about Danbo is that he is a rather tall man. I'm thinking we need to swap BFC monikers, cept my name isn't Dan. My second score was a little fixed blade from a maker named Mosher. I haven't heard much about him and couldn't find much on BFC, but this little knife is a beauty. She has a 2&3/8" blade of D2, with what appears to be either burnished SS or nickel silver bolsters. The handle is some pretty looking stag. It came with a nice little horsehide pouch sheath that fits nicely into my pocket. I had to learn how to make a lanyard as this little handle needs just a touch more for a good grip. So it was off to BFC yesterday to learn how to make a hangmans lanyard. Not too shabby for my first attempt.
I too got the chance to meet Mike Sastre... man, I think that this guy would be a hoot to go out drinking with. At any one time he had about three or four knives either in plain view or stuffed down his pants. Next time I meet him, I'm gonna ask: is that a Hells Belle in your pants? or are you just happy to see me?! He demonstrated how well you can hide a massive bowie inside your pants without it being detectable. A very interesting guy with some incredible sheathes.
I did have one very bad experience with this show however...
To the A$$HOLE who felt it necessary to make two large gouges on the top of my truck in the parking lot... I would dearly love to gut you with your own stinking blade, and make you eat your own intestines as you slowly die in front of me. Probably some tiny-dicked moron who likes Fords instead of Chevys. Go to HELL you insignificant choad.
Well now, I feel better. All in all, a pretty good weekend.
Who else was there? What did you get?
Feeling like a Viking today, Mongo

 

[Danbo]

The Chicago knife show was a great time for me. I made it there late Friday afternoon, after getting stuck in some of the most hideous traffic ever! At the show Friday, I was walking around and was given the opportunity to purchase one of Don Hanson's brand new fixed blade knives. Now, if you know Don Hanson, you know he doesnt make many fixed blades. And, generally, it's a good idea to buy one of Don's knives of any kind if you can afford it. The man just does some of the best work out there! Of course I bought the little fixed blade; I would have been a fool to let it get away. The knife can be best described as a small bird and trout style utility knife. This is where the general description ceases. The blade is probably(I havent measured it yet) about 4" of thinly flat ground Jelly Roll twist mosaic damascus. Actual steel content is O1/L6/1084/15N20(whatever Don had laying around). Full tang knife with beautiful ironwood burl handles and nickel silver pins. Here is another example of the extent that Don Hanson goes to in finishing his knives. A lot of full tang damascus knives you see have the etched blade, but the outside of the tang is satin finished because of the need to mate up the handle materials with the tang. On this knife, Don took the time to put the handle slabs on temporarily, and fit up the handle to tang area first. Then, he took the handles off and etched the whole blade and then put the handle slabs back on. Tang is etched damascus all around the handle slabs. I can tell you, not too many people take the time to do this. I will post a pic of this knife as soon as I can get one to come out with the proper details.

Saturday was really cool, as I got to meet Mongo and his buddy William Henry(yes, that's really his name). I still have the bruises on me where Mongo beat me until I let him have the Primos hunter. Aside from the beating he gave me, I found Mongo to be the kind of guy that you cannot help but like. And, he has pretty good taste in knives too.

Had lunch with Mongo and WH at some local pizza parlor, and it was pretty good. Thanks Mongo. I owe ya one.

I bought some more handle materials for all the knives that I cannot seem to finish, and drooled over a bunch of pearl and stag handled slipjoint folders. The show could have been attended by more custom knifemakers in my opinion, but there were several good makers there anyway. And, if a person was looking for a nice pocketknife, this was the show for that. I barely escaped without buying a beautiful white pearl handled Eye Brand stockman.

All in all, it was a pretty good show and I will definitely make it next year!

 

[Danbo]

I posted pics of the Don Hanson damascus utility knife in the Gallery.

 

[uncleknife]

I went Friday after work & was like a kid in a candy store!!!

I am really a factory knife kind of guy, but there were a few hand made knives that really temped me.

I always save for last & end up spending all my money at Grand Prairie Knives table. Great selection, terrific staff that patiently allows me to drool & agonize over the many knives that I have to narrow down till I can afford to buy (I really need to win the lottery !!!)

I ended up narrowing it down to the Benchmade Switchback 921 - GOD, I love that blue handle & S30V blade!!!

I need to find out if it will fit in a William Henry pocket pouch, as I want it to stay pretty.