CKG Knife Show Review (long + lotsa pics) + My First Custom!!!

RL

RL

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
2,294
Hi All,

I just attended my second Canadian Knifemakers Guild Show and I enjoyed it even more than the last one! I think I had a better time because my perspective/objectives changed…prior to my first show, I had never seen a custom knife so I was really focused on the knives…this time, I was more interested in getting to know the knifemakers better….the rumours that knifemakers are a bunch of friendly, great people are ALL TRUE. ;)

Oh yes, I also had a better time because I actually bought (well, ordered) my first custom! :D I decided on the Lightfoot M1 with a Stellite blade and Damasteel bolsters…I may make some changes to this combo of materials because I still have time to decide as it will take FIVE MONTHS to receive my knife (oh the AGONY :mad: ). Thanks to all who responded to my previous thread…it wasn’t in vain! (PS What’s should I get next, a Brian Tighe Tighe Phoon or a Laci Szabo RAD??)

Now on to some highlights, in no particular order…(my usual disclaimer…Imagestation might shrink the scans so email if you need the full size).

Greg Lightfoot: What can I say? IMHO, the best tac folders out there! I also liked Greg’s fixed blade coated with the same powder-coat used on tanks! Here’s a pic of Greg (and me, holding his Suppressor)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p18bc00e8f283ef60f84b22c07cdc6d54/fe302571.jpg

And a few of his knives (including a new fixed blade)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p40421dc13091ed3b5b08ca627948dbfb/fe30258e.jpg

Wally Hayes: As soon as I finish my “rounds” of folders, I will give Wally a call for one of his Tac Wak Tsunamis…yes, I need one of his 15” fixed-blades! Wally’s mixtures of tactical design with Japanese style cord-wrap are OUTSTANDING!

Here’s a picture of Wally (and me holding his TAC1 Custom)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p0d0ae69e0709919f36ed3f46680e4361/fe30256c.jpg

And here’s a closeup of the TAC1 Custom

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/pa0938f44aeead3942e45d707f7dd317a/fe30258c.jpg


Brent Beshara: Speaking of outstanding cord-wrapped tacticals, one should certainly check out the work of Brent Beshara (Besh Knives), apprentice to Wally Hayes. Brent definitely has the credentials to be designing tactical knives considering that he has been in the military for eighteen years (oh, and being the apprentice to the president of the Canadian Knifemakers Guild helps too)...as an added bonus, Brent is a super nice guy!

Here’s a picture of Brent (and me holding his wicked SF-1 recurve)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p2194eab455813062af28287929ebe42f/fe30258b.jpg

You can see more of his work on TAD.

Speaking of dealers, they were well represented as well. It was a pleasure to meet and chat with Neil Ostroff of True North Knives. Neil has the best selection of Elishewitz knives I have ever seen…and it’s always great to deal with a fellow Canadian!

Here’s a picture of Neil and me.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/pbc5a50361a47c58cf798349e8e3a7e07/fe301ec8.jpg

Thanks also to ProEdge for FINALLY, FINALLY allowing me to see a Sebenza AND a Mad Dog in the flesh! The Sebenza had BY FAR the tightest liner I have ever encountered…nevermind 1, you need 4 hands to close this thing! ;) The Mad Dog handle felt different than I expected…more rubbery than plasticky (if that makes any sense)...and d*mn SHARP!

Here’s a picture of one of the Pro-Edge tables

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p343f47b5b3842f2428a4846d7cc1805d/fe30255b.jpg

Back to knifemakers…

Brain Tighe: A wonderful mix of straight-on tacticals (with the usual carbon-fiber/titanium mix) along with some dressed-up versions. Brian also had a true left handed (Lef-Tighe?) Tighe-Tac, complete with liner lock on the opposite side…and some neck knives (NeckTighes?) Again, I am seriously considering his Tighe-Phoon.

Here’s Brian (and me with one of his fancy Tighe-Tacs)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p350a5eda43238b932eb62f5645ed6064/fe302586.jpg

And some of his knives

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p5a7282428cb2644eef4bb2a539adf25c/fe302562.jpg

George Tichbourne: George and I had a great discussion about Stellite (thanks, George, it was very educational). From my perspective, George truly personifies the old adage “buy the knifemaker, not the knife” because even though his knives are not exactly my style, I’d still buy one because he is such a nice person…his prices are also amazingly low considering that he does everything from the scrimshaw to the sheaths.

Here’s George

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p6f4939525829ddbf8d6614e0a83b4d91/fe302581.jpg

And a couple of his Stellite knives

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p11aaf5893fccc37cecd0d7c4d48afd73/fe30257f.jpg

Eric Elson: Once again, Eric impressed me with his designs…I especially like the Defiant with its blade catcher.

Here’s Eric

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p0ff1f4daf0b71b0712fa934aa2f399ed/fe30257b.jpg


And his knives

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/pd77ca74f013889359d4be9067cd62e0d/fe302564.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p9e49a70145801f86e9032c9215fcb34b/fe302568.jpg


Finally, here are some pics of Jeff Diotte’s knives…still among the most comfortable handles out there!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/pce123bcf6014682a338d218bea91b79f/fe302577.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/paaf47dd24fae41ebad453a56aacf4dbf/fe302578.jpg


I can’t wait for the next show in April!!

RL
 
My pleasure! The pictures look even better in real life...sorry about the crappy scan job :o

RL
 
Great pics from a great show.

My visit solved my shortage of neckknives. Brian Tighe and Rick Frigault neckknives were purchased. Very nice pieces.
 
It was a good show. I measure the success of a show by the crowd that it attracts, this one did not have a large crowd or a large number of exhibitors but the crowd was steady all day long and the quality of the exhibits was high. I had a good time meeting and talking with all the visitors and out of town makers who attended.

There was a lot of interest in the stellite bladed knives that I had on hand and this line looks like it has potential.

Back to the shop to do battle with a reluctant handle assembly that I gave up on Saturday night, talk to you all later.
 
Thanks for taking the time to get those up for us RL.
Great knives from a gaggle of good folks. Looks like you enjoyed it.
Gus
 
Great post! I'm sorry I couldn't be there but this mitigates the pain, a bit :)
A Wak from Wally is a superb idea! I'm waiting one myself. After the folder from Greg, definately one from Brian. The combination of materials for the Lightfoot sound cool. Check Les's site from time to time and you may see that or another combination you prefer.
 
Good day, RL

I think that I can speak for all of us when we sincerely thank you for the great report on the CKG show.

It was very generous of you to take the time to put all this together and to share all the photos with us.

You certaily made a great choice with the Lightfoot custom folder. The 5 months that you will wait are well worth it to have one of his handmade pieces in your collection. Also, the fact that you personally met with him and are concocting this knife together as a team makes if even more special.

It was a pleasure to have met you and it goes to show that these forums are really doing the job that they were designed for- To bring Knife people together in the spirit of buisness and most of all friendship.

Take care,

Neil Ostroff
 
Hi All,

Thanks for your kind words everyone...glad you enjoyed my mini-review!

RL
 
Yes the CKG fall show this weekend was a good one.
I got to meet with quite a few forumites, some that I already knew and some which I did not.

Thanks RL for your review, and thanks everyone who came out and supported canadian Knifemakers.

i hope to see you all again in April!!

Regards

Eric
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top