CKG Show Review - Part 1

[RL]

PASSING THE TORCH??

The October 2002 Canadian Knifemakers Guild Show seemed to be a “passing of the guard.” With many “big name” knifemakers absent from the show, it was time for newcomers to shine…

First, a little background…as you may know, there are two CKG shows per year. The Fall show is a one-day event, open to makers, purveyors, collectors, production, custom, etc. etc. The Spring Show is a two-day event featuring custom knives only. The Spring show typically draws more “established” makers but we did not expect to see this much of a difference in knifemaker representation. Here is a partial list of makers who did NOT have a table this time around: Greg Lightfoot, Wally Hayes (and apprentice Brent Beshara), Brian Tighe (due to a back injury), Kirby Lambert, Brian Lyttle, George Tichbourne, Rod Olson, Don Bell, Thomas Haslinger, and Eric Elson. Even a few of the guys who displayed at the last Spring show didn’t make it e.g. Darren Chard and Lenard Perry.

The absence of these “established” makers gave the opportunity for newcomers like Brian Russell (who lucked out with Greg Lightfoot’s usual table in front of the door) and Lloyd Fairbairn to get some well deserved attention.

That having been said, Neil Ostroff’s table was one of the highlights of the show with incredible pieces by the likes of Ralph, Terzuola, Elishewitz, Hitchmough, Rick Hinderer, Tom Anderson, Pease, Stiegerwalt etc. etc.

All of this and more are shown in the dozens of pictures that follow…we’ll start with some of the established makers and move quickly to the newcomers. In addition to the usual “show pics,” we will post some individual knife shots...Murray White actually set up a professional photo tent in the lobby!!!!!

First, our good friend Neil Ostroff’s table (BTW, Neil was kind enough to give some of us a “pre-show” in his hotel room…we got to fondle his fantastic knives till well after midnight…thanks Neil!)

Rick Frigault had one of the coolest knives of the show…a fixed blade version of Brian Tighe’s Tighe Stick! Here it is next to Brian’s folder.

Tizz Pozzobon is one of the best engravers in the world. My conversation with Tizz was one of the most memorable parts of the show…even more impressive than seeing the knives is learning how they are done…Tizz engraves thousandths of an inch freehand and by eye! (The picture of elephants in the foreground is a closeup of his engraving!)

Speaking of “best in the world”, here’s a folder by Wolfgang (Wolfe) Loerchner (in the blue shirt)

Back to tacticals…ProEdge had their usual great display of custom and production tacticals, including a few pieces by Bladerigger (one of my favourite makers) along with Surefire flashlights

 

[Murray White]

not only did we spend a couple hours with Neil Ostroff looking at a wide variety of great knives but we were then presented with a fine cap by TNK as ambassadors for the "true north, strong and free". Here is a pic with the Lightfoot Microtech LCC perched atop.

 

[cockroachfarm]

Gotta get me one of them top-of-the-head unconcealed knife carry sytems for my LCC! Talk about easy access!

 

[Neil Ostroff]

Once again, a sincere and well deserved congratulations to RL, Murray White and Cockroachfarm for the in-depth, and comprehensive report on the Fall 2002 CKG (Canadian Knifemakers Guild) show.

The CKG is very fortunate to have these 3 world-class collectors in their family.

Neil

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Thanks once again for the CKG show coverage, RL. It is greatly appreciated. Since it is a little to far for me to go, it is nice that you are willing to do this.