I just got back from a semi-annual gun show in Honolulu today and tomorrow. I didnt care too much about the guns, but I did get a meet a bunch of knifemakers. The show was split in two rooms. Tom Mayo, Ken Onion, Stan Fujisaka, George Gibo, and Carl Zakabi were the knifemakers that I got to meet. As usual, Tom was very friendly. Id never met any of the other makers before, but they didnt disappoint me. For some reason, Tom and the Strider Knives guys were in one room, and the other knifemakers were in the other room. After visiting Tom I set out to find the other knifemakers.
While Ken Onion is VERY bad at replying to emails, he was extremely personable and invited me to come by his shop for a visit. He had about six knives on his table, all of which were very impressive. Fortunately for me, he IS NOT taking any new orders for a while...which means I wont be able to order on of his knives and break my bank.
When I came around to Stan Fujisakas table, he was not around, but George Gibo was watching Stans table. I would say that pretty much all of Stans knives are very nice gents folders. The colors he gets from anodizing are amazing.
I had never heard of Carl Zakabi, and only seen a picture of one of George Gibos knives before. Carl had all sorts of wild looking small fixed blades, most of which were under $100. He said he mostly works in 440C and ATS-34. I asked him if the his knives were mainly specialized to hunting or fishing or something, since they were so out of the ordinary looking. He said Well I guess I read too many comics...I just think up any wild design and make it into a knife. Carl and George had a collaboration folder which really caught my eye. They said they were going to do a few other designs. Hopefully George can sent me some digital pictures to post (Carl said he still doesnt have a computer
).
Tom Mayo had the sharpest knives at the show. Ken Onions custom speedsafe knives were very cool to handle. While I cant get too excited about gents folders (its just not my thing) I think that Stan Fujisaka executes an excellent knife with great color and vibrance. Carl and Georges collaboration got me the most excited.
~Mitch
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My Hobby Page
While Ken Onion is VERY bad at replying to emails, he was extremely personable and invited me to come by his shop for a visit. He had about six knives on his table, all of which were very impressive. Fortunately for me, he IS NOT taking any new orders for a while...which means I wont be able to order on of his knives and break my bank.
When I came around to Stan Fujisakas table, he was not around, but George Gibo was watching Stans table. I would say that pretty much all of Stans knives are very nice gents folders. The colors he gets from anodizing are amazing.
I had never heard of Carl Zakabi, and only seen a picture of one of George Gibos knives before. Carl had all sorts of wild looking small fixed blades, most of which were under $100. He said he mostly works in 440C and ATS-34. I asked him if the his knives were mainly specialized to hunting or fishing or something, since they were so out of the ordinary looking. He said Well I guess I read too many comics...I just think up any wild design and make it into a knife. Carl and George had a collaboration folder which really caught my eye. They said they were going to do a few other designs. Hopefully George can sent me some digital pictures to post (Carl said he still doesnt have a computer
Tom Mayo had the sharpest knives at the show. Ken Onions custom speedsafe knives were very cool to handle. While I cant get too excited about gents folders (its just not my thing) I think that Stan Fujisaka executes an excellent knife with great color and vibrance. Carl and Georges collaboration got me the most excited.
~Mitch
------------------
My Hobby Page