Great Lakes Custom Knife Show 2024

[RL]

I’ll skip past my usual pre—amble and get right into my review of Great Lakes Custom Knife Show 2024 as there is a lot to cover!



Let’s start with the Build Along knife with the pattern provided by JVB

About 15 knifemakers participated!

these were my favourites

I felt bad last year for not covering Murray St. Amour’s table so I made it a point to visit him first and I am glad that I did as he had some of my show favourites!

Murray really liked the material he used for the handle on this one

While I am usually all about such things, this time I preferred stag!

Especially the filet knife with Damascus blade and the deep belly hunter, shown here with their respective sheatsh

The hunter felt so great in the hand

Though I dare say the filet knife was my favourite of the show!

Up till now, I only have one filet knife in my collection, from Mike Mossington

My favourites from Mike this year, this cord wrap and mini filet knife

Shown next to full size filet knives

 

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Next a visit to Todd Bolce to have a closer look at his beautiful Build Along knife

Yup, stunner! And the stag feels great in the hand

Ironically my other favourite knife from Todd was at the opposite end of the thickness spectrum

Side by side

For those of you worried about the future of custom knifemaking, I have some good news for you! I was so surprised by the young age of many of the knifemakers present and the quality of the work they were putting out, easily matching more established makers. Case in point, Malcolm Stewart who at just 15 years of age is doing incredible work. In fact, one well-known collector said he was one of the best in the show!

Malcolm’s axe sold immediately. Funny, it was also the first one I picked up.

Though his spear was my favourite

Shown here with the young maker

And his supportive Dad

Another young maker I was anxious to see, as I love axes, Paul Krzyszkowski

The Viking Battle Axe was my favourite

Beautiful handle

Forged head honed to razor sharpness

 

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I always look forward to seeing Buffalo Bones. Not only is his leather work excellent, it is also very creative! I love his unique designs, such as this sheath

And his famous Bookmurk, this time with Chris Hammelin knives

Another one of my favourite pieces, a pocket organizer in elephant skin (which sold before I had the chance to snag it)

The whole selection from Buffalo Bones

Given his talent, it is not surprising that quite a few knifemakers are turning to Buffalo Bones for their sheaths, such as Cam Lymburner

More fine knives from Lymburner

Paul Savage brought three folders this year. No offense to other knifemakers, but these were clearly a step above the norm, in keeping with Paul’s ABS Journeyman Smith ranking,

 

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Fixed blades from Paul, including an incredible V42

And his leather Tobasco holsters (these are great, I picked one up last year)

Again at such a young age of 25, JVB has already established a reputation for incredible Damascus big blades such as this one

This one with the pearl handle really caught my attention

Another great Damascus piece

So great to see a collector’s compilation of JVB’s work over the years. Thanks for bringing that to show to share with us

“Work until you need no introduction” Wolfgang Loerchner, all sold by opening bell

Thanks also for this display of Wolfe’s first knife along with knives from Elizabeth Loerchner and Chris Hammelin, both of whom were mentored by Wolfe

Great selection of fixed blades and folders from Steve Vanderkolff

My two favourites, I really liked the unique scales

 

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While this one had a very unique design

I also liked his “car knife”, a solid and I mean “solid” chunk of 440C

If you want unique scales, Nicholas Bayley’s Farmboy Customs is your best option! And he knows how to sharpen too

Kevin Charbonneau (KC Forge)’s unique bread knife design was very popular at the last show so he brought 3 of them this year, including a non-serrated one

I like his style of mixing traditional Damascus blades with modern handle materials

Beautiful cleaver

I liked the mini-cleaver key chains too

In terms of tactical knives, this flame patterned cord wrap from Brent Sunday was my favourite of the show

 

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While this one had a very unique design

I also liked his “car knife”, a solid and I mean “solid” chunk of 440C

If you want unique scales, Nicholas Bayley’s Farmboy Customs is your best option! And he knows how to sharpen too

Kevin Charbonneau (KC Forge)’s unique bread knife design was very popular at the last show so he brought 3 of them this year, including a non-serrated one

I like his style of mixing traditional Damascus blades with modern handle materials

Beautiful cleaver

I liked the mini-cleaver key chains too

In terms of tactical knives, this flame patterned cord wrap from Brent Sunday was my favourite of the show

 

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Forged in Fire Champion Eric Hemker

Great storage option for your knives, magnetic backed wood boards from Sam Zekveld - Summit Innovations Custom Wood

John Bryant the Muskoka Turner is a true artist! I commissioned a custom piece and it came out exactly as I envisioned.



In addition to his legendary handle scales…

He brought some beautiful turkey callers

Brad Millman of Black Maple Blades

I liked his integral “desk knives” made of Damascus end pieces

 

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Nice to see Adam Smith back at the show

My favourites were his “skew point utility knife”

And F1 liner lock folder prototype. The Westinghouse Paper Micarta handle looks absolutely stunning in person. Who would have thought Micarta could look so good…I was sure it was some sort of bone or natural material.

It is great to see GLCKS expanding with makers from other regions, such as Darren Veinot from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

Another knifemaker from the Maritimes, Jeff Maluske Mad Trapper

Showing at GLCKS for the first time, Jim Curley - The Forge on 4th

And returning to GLCKS, Max Turczyn — Saratoga Custom Bows

Max unveiled a new design, traditional long-bow

Beautiful leather quiver

 

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These Katanas by Tom Stegner got A LOT of attention!

Saemus liked the big chopper

Wynn Stitt with a large selection of stock removal…watch for forged pieces from him in the future

I didn’t have the opportunity to speak with Tyson Wachter of Crane Cutlery but I did like his Build Along knife

No Karambit this year but Nathan Rodé’s work keeps getting better and better

Nice leatherwork and jewellery by Brandon Medeiros

Matt Bedlington

Steve Cornelson - Bad Llama Forge

 

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Aaron Byard

Fantastic forging from Noah Vachon

Peter Tal Bunny Blades

Show organizer, Chris Hammelin!

These are the same fixed blades featured in Buffalo Bones Bookmurks except with pocket sheaths (also made by Buffalo Bones)

Russ brought some of his incredible collection to show with a focus on Canadian makers

I loved the little daggers, especially the second one, a Harold Moeller with incredible scrimshaw (and note that it was an actual show knife)

 

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I also loved the prop double sword from the Conan movies. Even cooler that Russ had Wally Hayes make a live version!

It was great to see Nat again, a wonderful ambassador for GLCKS

My closing thoughts are that it is great to see continued expansion of GLCKS. Not only was the show bigger than last year with 48 tables, the mix of knifemakers was also different with more young makers, first timers, and out of towners. Let’s keep it growing.



RL

 

[BuckeyeBladeFan]

Can't imagine the time you put in to make these summaries, but know they are tremendously appreciated.
I learn new makers and immediately start looking up names and offerings.
Great work being an ambassador and expanding the reach of the show to those that weren't able to be there

 

[J. Doyle]

Awesome pics. Thanks for posting this.

 

[jfk1110]

Thanks for all your efforts to bring this a d share with us....MOST APPRECIATED....

 

[Steven65]

Awesome review, thank you.

 

[RL]

thanks all!

yes, it certainly a lot of time, effort, and money to do these reviews but i really enjoy it! I do about 20 shows/events per year (actually i am already up to 18 this year) and have got it down to a "system" where my review is done within 24-48hours max of show closing

RL

 

[jfk1110]

IT IS MOST APPRECIATED..................And a fine job you did too!!!!

 

[Richard338]

Thanks again. Another great show.

 

[brownshoe]

Thanks for all the pictures and the commentary this year and in the past!

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Oh man!! I wanted to go to this show! It’s not far from me. Doh! Thanks for the review and making me a little jealous.

I’m gonna try to remember to make it next year.