Completed: 2013 • Boston Art Knife Classic (BAKC)

[SharpByCoop]

Hi Friends,

Invitational Shows are the upper end of knife collecting. This Show was created and established three years ago by Owen Wood and Paul Shindler. I was at the inaugural show and you can read my 2010 review and see the gorgeous knives in this thread. Owen has now taken the responsibilities of the Show, and he doesn't do ANYTHING less than outstanding.

This year it is coming back to Boston on Sat, April 20th. The format was pioneered by the prestigious AKI in San Diego in the nineties, and remains as an effective format to show and offer these knives.

Exhibitor List for 2013:

• Davidson, Edmund
• Davis, Barry
• Fogarizzu, Tore
• Hanson, Shaun and Sharla
• Hendrickson, Jay
• Hitchmough, Howard
• Kaufman, Robert
• Lecocq, Alexis
• Lerch, Mathew and Mary Jo
• Minnick, Jim and Joyce
• Nillson, Jonny and Styrefors Mathias
• Rietveld, Bertie
• Rodgers, Richard
• Ruple, Bill
• Sffredo, Rodrigo
• Steigerwalt, Ken
• Sucheras, Jean Pierre
• Taylor, Shane
• Velarde, Ricardo
• Wood, Owen

You can read more about the makers and the format on the Show's website:

http://bostonartknifeclassic.com

I'm currently working with Owen on shots for the catalog, and Susan and I will be set up there for the show photography and the banquet in the evening.

I'll be adding displays to this thread as we go along. We expect this to be outstanding. Hope to see YOU there!

Coop

 

[MRuthJr]

Looks to be an OUTSTANDING show! Quite a lineup of very skilled makers there

 

[SharpByCoop]

This show will have a printed catalog of work presented to each attendee. The makers are required to have a knife which I can photograph for their bio page, and the deadline for the printer is fast approaching.

Owen Wood is coordinating the show and efforts, and has allowed me to share the included works with you as I see fit.

Check THESE out!

Grab your reading glasses!

Coop

 

[Binalith]

awesome. thanks for the info. would be cool to see something like this at Higgins Armory in Worcester

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

Thanks for posting thise pics, Coop.

I was already looking forward to this show, but those pics have me drooling!

BTW, are you going to be at the ECCKS this weekend?

 

[Kevin Jones]

Should be a great show. A fine line-up of top tier knife makers.

 

[GTCknives]

Clear pics as always Coop, this is gonna be a great show!

 

[John Frankl]

Sweet!

Glad I'm in Boston this year!

 

[SharpByCoop]

Hi folks,

Here are the remainder of the images of the spectacular knives which are to be offered at this show.

Everyone who is on this list is bringing their 'A' game. These are 'Art Knives' first and foremost, and they make no apologies for that.

Barry Davis

Tore Fogarizzu

Shaun and Sharla Hansen

Robert Kaufmann

Jim and Joyce Minnick

Matias Styrefors / Jonny Walker Nilsson

Richard Rogers

Bill Ruple

Ken Steigerwalt

Owen Wood

Providing their own images are: Alexis LeCoq, Bertie Reitveld, Jean-Pierre Sucheras.

It is an invitational format: Pay to have the privilege to attend and bid, along with a fine dinner on Sat eve.

Thanks. We're gearing up for this.

Coop

 

[Burke]

Rarely do I say something like this but these knives give me shivers. Some truly incredible artistry and really enjoyable to see. Thanks for sharing your excellent pictures.

 

[prairiedigital]

Outstanding knives and gorgeous photography!

 

[The Amazing Virginian]

Less than two weeks away now.

I have been working too much lately, and I am looking forward to getting away for a couple of days in Boston to see, examine, and perhaps purchase some very fine knives from some excellent makers.

 

[Chris Montgomery]

Stunning images of outstanding knives. Very beautiful work across the board, but the Lerch piece keeps me coming back and looking. Thanks for sharing Coop.

Chris

 

[keithf]

Fantastic ! Pure unadultarated sharp art. Thanks for sharing your great images.
Cheers Keith

 

[SharpByCoop]

You could not have created a more troubling weekend to hold this Show in Boston. As Susan and I drove the 2.5 hours up there from CT, the roads were empty, as the entire City was on commanded 'lockdown'.

(At this point a dangerous terrorist gunman was on the loose within miles of central Boston)

We didn't know if we could drive up to the hotel, but we managed to go past barricades and flashing lights legally to get in. Yes sir, valet parking and we're out of the car.

Owen Wood had kept everyone in the loop, and had been busy in the previous couple of days selling the show to the Customs/Fish and Wildlife departments. The legal complications are real. But.... He made friends with them, and showed what we love, and managed to fulfill obligations without fanfare---on this end.

Fabrizio Sylvestrelli wasn't so fortunate in Italy. Their Customs would not even let his package ship. Yikes! Good news: he came anyway, had SPECTACULAR images of each of his knives by Francesco Pachì, and managed to sell four of his five by photos alone. Payment upon delivery policy. He had a great show and so will his clients upon future receipt (They will find an alternate carrier).

Tore Fogarizzu did not or could not make the daring trip. He was the only one missing. No one seemed to know for sure.

Rodrigo Sfreddo encased a dramatic basket jilted sword or rapier in a sturdy wooden box, packed with tons of cotton batting and with large 'FRAGILE' lettering. When it arrived to him, the box was fractured and splintered on all sides and his welded guards had broken free. He will file a claim with Delta in Brazil, but this was certainly the largest disappointment. His other two knives were untroubled and had little problem selling. You will see all.

Exhibitor List for 2013:

Davidson, Edmund
Davis, Barry
Fogarizzu, Tore
Hanson, Shaun and Sharla
Hendrickson, Jay
Hitchmough, Howard
Kaufman, Robert
Lecocq, Alexis
Lerch, Mathew and Mary Jo
Minnick, Jim and Joyce
Nillson, Jonny and Styrefors Mathias
Rietveld, Bertie
Rodgers, Richard
Ruple, Bill
Sffredo, Rodrigo
Steigerwalt, Ken
Silvestrelli, Fabrizio
Taylor, Shane
Velarde, Ricardo
Wood, Owen


These travel complications affected attendance, as 12 VERY prominent collectors weren't present. I recognized the names and they would have helped the show sell out. As it was, NO ONE I spoke to had an off show. Quite a few makers sold out and everyone sold enough to allow them to declare it was well worth it.

Jim and Joyce Minnick's knives arrived @10am sharp via FedEx after pressing calls on what Next Day Priority means when they were sent.

Bertie and Melinda Rietveld got as far as NYC, and could not get a bus to Boston. No service, because of the lockdown. OK, can I get service to Framingham? Yes, that's 30 mins away. They did and then caught a taxi to get the remaking miles.

Everyone had some drama to report, yet the attitudes and the outlook was VERY upbeat and positive. Human nature bonds tighter through adversity, and this had it in spades.

Owen chatted to the attendees about circumstances and we all knew this was a special show, despite the problems.

We kept busy on Friday from 4pm till sat morning, and my work will be seen in a week or so. We shot about 25 knives!

Shane Taylor brought his work to me: he unwrapped a six foot battle axe out of a construction tube and I had to figure out HOW I could show this and shoot it. (I'll show you next week. It got done.)

The youngest maker, Alexis Lecoq, sold out. His two twin colorful folders had 30 bids in each box. Obviously they struck a chord!

A Premier show, this included a catalog displaying one image and a description of each of the maker's offerings. VERY high caliber.

I took a bunch of show images as well. The venue is one of the oldest, most prestigious hotels in Boston, and the large banquet room was filled with the elegance of present and past. Chandeliers, paneled walls, fireplaces, and regal paintings. It was a pleasure to be in this ambience.

After the final 1pm bidding, collectors had an opportunity to lay out their own works for sale or trade. More good stuff.

The close of the evening had a cocktail and dinner banquet, and we had the privilege of sitting with Owen Wood and Sally and Richard Rogers. (Owen sold all but one of five, as did the Rogers)

I'll have knife images to glow over. The show room was big, the attendance was smaller than it should have been, and yet the energy was wonderful and vibrant.

Please add into this thread any further insights.

Thanks. Look for my updates, here soon.

Jim & Susan

 

[SharpByCoop]

I just got a quick email from Owen Wood on his take:

Thanks for all your help and input. I really enjoyed having you at
the show and sharing dinner with you both last night.

14 hrs after the Boston lockdown was lifted, we staged a knifeshow with
just over 1/4 million dollars in sales! Not too shabby.

I'll say. Here's a pictorial album view of the elegant Show Hall. By no means am I a great indoor photographer. I am leveled to being a rookie, but who cares about that. I do look for the smiles.

A stitched panorama view of the Georgian Room

Ken Steigerwalt, with Mike Donato and Gary Levine

Owen Wood greeting the attendees

The Hitchmough clan: Virginia Lee, and Howard watching as BF's BillF looks closely.

Bertie and Melinda Rietveld were all smiles

Fabrizio Sylvestrelli on right with his entourage from Italy. Notice his photos: they SOLD his knives.

Rodrigo Sfreddo and The Virginian share time. THere are the pieces of Delta Airlines' careful handling.

That's George Washington in the background listening to Dave Harvey and Ricardo Velarde.

Sally Rogers and my wife Susan having a spirited discussion about why Knife People make the best husbands.

Shane Taylor, Edmund Davidson, and Bill Ruple.

Alexis Lecoq has the same image of me.

Alexis and his fiance (?) Maize.

Sally Rogers giving a buying hex to a collector as Fabrizio stands unknowing. It worked.

Knife Treasures.com owner Carlos Lopez loves quality. That's why he's at Owen Wood's table placing a bid.

Jim and Joyce Minnick love smiles and Joyce loves color.

Bill Ruple and his wife show the spirit of this day.

Shawn and Sharla Hansen brought two elaborate pieces

Matias Styrefors and Jonny Walker Nilsson brought three

That's Robert Kaufmann in the red shirt

And to close, Nancy Hendrickson visits Virginia Lee and Howard Hitchmough.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Matthew Lerch

Matt Lerch and Brian Hochstrat. This lovely lady's skin tones are a mixture of golds, which Brian concocted for flesh tones.

(Mitch Cohen also did an incredible shot of this for Brian. Mitch, feel free to add it into this thread?)

Ken Steigerwalt's current form is almost exclusively Art Deco, and he's killing it!

Richard Rogers is a full-time cattle rancher. This is what he does in his SPARE time! Wow.

Richard and Tim George

Coop

 

[Marcel54]

That first Rogers is real nice.

Marcel

 

[peterinct]

The show looks like it went very well despite the chaos.

GREAT pictures Coop! Thanks for posting them. I'll be looking forward to see the pictures taken at the show.

Peter

 

[betzner]

Thanks for all the details and pics, Coop. Very much appreciated.