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How did the ABS show go?
- Thread starter Joss
- Start date
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
Left for Reno about 6:00 pm, Thursday night. There are only like two non-stops to Reno per day from S.D., so I lost about 2 hours each way due to layovers at LAX. Next year, I am taking the train. I must say that the service staff on these prop-driven planes seem to be a lot more considerate and cheerful than is my traveling norm.
I booked my hotel fairly late in the game, staying at the Towers at Circus Circus. I will stay at this hotel again next year, but we certainly stay in the main hotel, not the towers. Be warned, if you stay in the Towers, you have to take a tram, or walk really far.
Thursday night, when I got to the Silver Baron Lounge, everyone was kind of tired, and getting ready for bed. I hung out with Dan Westlind, Matt Diskin, Randy Morgan, and Jim Rodebaugh for a little while, showing the newest Matt Roberts bowie to Jim, who is on the judging committee for JS ABS Smiths, asking for an honest opinion. He pointed out some minor issues, but was overall quite impressed. I left the bar after a bit, played Blackjack, and went to bed.
Friday morning, I had my waffles and sausage links with some friends at Sweetwater's Coffee shop at the Silver Legacy. Joss says the food sucks in Reno, but they do a nice breakfast at Sweetwater's.
When the line for the show started, I was one of the first 20 or so buyers in the room, and literally jogged to Dan Farr's table, his stag handled camp knife in CPM1V was #1, with a bullet on my list. No one had laid any claim to it yet, so I got that and a small hunter with walnut body, and ebony spacers for Peter Gill. Dan does NOT under any circumstances pre-sell knives to anyone before a show. Even with that policy, he still sold out in less than 30 minutes. Dan gets all bummed out that most of his knives will not see use, even though he makes them specifically for that purpose, but rarity is a major factor, and last I heard Dan's list was over two years out, and he is not making that many knives.
This stag handled camp knife sports the best fit, finish and overall design that I personally have seen from Dan yet, and I vastly prefer the stag, so it's a keeper in my book.
Number 2 on my list to see, Harvey Dean, I was looking for an El Diablo, no go, Harvey had a nice drop point hunter, and two other pieces, but nothing that really floated my boat, so I asked Harvey to let me know if he happened to make an El Diablo, and I would buy it.
Right next to Harvey was Steve Dunn. Last year, Steve made a show stopper with the Feather Damascus Bowie. What I saw on his table this year was a damascus drop point, and two bowies, with different handles. Great workmanship, high prices, and nothing that I "NEEDED".
Now, I'll go alphabetical, according to what I saw:
Aubrey Barnes- I saw some very well put together Moran/Hendricksonesque wire inlay drop points, and upswept skinners, with the dyeing and swinger sheaths, refined workmanship. Really excellent work, a bit rich for my tastes at around $750.00.
Bailey Bradshaw- Great maker, good person to associate with. Had a customer commissioned katana(Ok, tachi, but it didn't look like one to me, agree with the fingerstone thing, the advice was provided by Leon) with white ito on the table that got favorable response from the Kapps, his champagne saber, folding bowie, and stag handled bowie with shakudo butt cap. Refined workmanship, good guy, and looking forward to seeing him at the Evening of the Cutlery Arts in Huntington Beach. He liked the Robert's fighter quite a bit.
Bill Burke-Jason Knight was not in attendance for reasons, unknown. Bill got his table, and made a Pronghorn-style drop point hunter for me in Ironwood handle, and nickel silver that I have been wanting for some time. Good heavy 4 7/8" blade of 5160, triple cycled. It is like having the Fowler that I always wanted. Don't get me wrong though, I have always maintained that Bill can make ANY style of knife, up there with the best of them, and that remains true.
Ed Caffrey-The workmanship was fine, I thought the handles were a little too long, and I got my wife a damascus pen of Ed's at the auction.
Murray Carter-No show.
Jon Christensen-Beautiful blades, really super guy, I think he had about 8 knives on the table, we really did not talk that much about knives at this show.
Joe Cordova-had a fine chute knife of the table at a very reasonable price, but had a brass guard. Not bronze, not copper, but brass. I liked that knife very much, but will not own one with a brass guard. Nickel silver is acceptable, but brass is horrible.
Christoph Deringer-My friend Matt Diskin introduced Christoph to me at Blade last year, so I was very interested in looking at his knives. I liked his knives, but the prices were again, a bit on the high side. He had a good looking cord wrapped self defense/using knife that I found very appealing, but also found about $350.00 too high.
Matt Diskin-Matt is a brother from another mother. His work at this show was superlative, and I have known him for over 10 years, so I have seen a lot of his work. I purchased a folder from Matt early in the show, with a very stout, forged blade, and pearl scales, with mosaic bolsters. Then, Thursday afternoon, I pulled the trigger on a sterling/nickel mokume Louisiana influenced knife that I call a desk knife, and Matt thinks of more in the self-defense realm. It has a san mai damascus blade, 4 1/2" with a mokume sheath, and is gorgeous. The biggie though, was a ring dagger in damascus with nickel/silver mokume sheath, and ivory handle. This is what I call an "important knife", historically significant with modern metallurgy and lines.
Rick Eaton is a magician, and one of the best engravers making knives, but I think he only had about 4 knives on his table and they did not thrill me.
Tom Ferry had about 6-8 knives on the table, and I REALLY liked some of his mosaic damascus bowies, but every one had a spanish notch, and I didn't want to Garssonize the notch out.
Jerry Fisk, what can I say? I got some face time with the man, which I have been meaning to do for two years, and gave him his due. It was a really nice 15 minute give-and-take conversation. At that point, the Military had not sold, but Jerry said he had a collector back East that would take it, were that the case.
Big John Fitch-I had to watch Bailey Bradshaw's table for a bit, so he and Courtenay could have some supper, so I was watching from afar, but it looked like big carbon steel ivory handled bowies to me.
Burt Foster-Well, Burt "detested" or "abhorred" the Garssonization of his fighter, but was OK with the trimming of his bowie. He had 3 AWESOME knives on his table, an OK drop point hunter and a damascus integral hunter. Here is the thing, again, Burt has LARGE hands, and I would have shaved the swell on every one of the knives on the table, without reservations. The laminated fighter was my favorite, but I think that Burt is now going to make the knives that I want, the way that I want. I personally really liked the sketches that Burt sent to Roger P. for posting, very true to life, takes you there, and all.
Larry Fuegen-One of my favorite makers. There were two knives left on his table, the Bowie, and the Gargoyle folder. I advised Larry to let it be known on his website, a 'la Burt Foster, that he makes more "affordable" knives, so as not to scare off the bread and butter crowd. I really like Larry a lot, and missed seeing his wonderful wife Linda, this time.
Barry Gallagher-Didn't get to spend much time with Barry, just shook his hand and had a few words, which sucks because I think that Barry is a super smart guy, and funnier than many comics that I have seen.
Tim Hancock-I think I saw two knives on Tim's table, both sold, and he might have had more. Got to sit with him, Larry Fuegen, Josh Smith, Phil Lobred, Phil's friend Tom, and a couple collectors at dinner. We didn't talk all that much, but I finally got to tell him how much I hate it when he does skinny (thickness-wise) guards on knives. He says he likes them, so that's that.
Jason Howell- Really nice knives, mostly hunters, very friendly and down-to-earth guy. I look forward to seeing him in the future.
David Mirabile-I like David a lot, and hanging out with him and Matt was THE high point of the show.
RiK Palm-Rick had some interesting knives on his table, but my personal favorite was the laminated fighter that Keith currently has in his avatar. Had he chosen a nice wood or stag instead of Stellar Sea Cow bone, I believe that I would own that knife. He made the sheathing for the laminate out of railroad spike, and had a cool photobook to show the making of.
Cliff Parker-Was really looking forward to seeing Cliff's work, and buying a cool folder, but, dang, them knives were tiny! I don't like buying folders with blades less than 3", and I don't believe that he had any that big on the table. Hey, Cliff, make some bigger folders next year, will ya, for Pete's sake?
Kirk Rexroat-Kirk is a super nice guy, and his fixed blades and folders were really nice. I had my eye on a nice damascus folder, but it had scrimshaw, and that is one thing that I just can't abide by on a knife. I will probably buy something from him if he goes to the OKCA show at Eugene.
I am only 1/2 way through my review, just don't have a lot of time right now.
Buddy Thomason((HTMD on BFC) was on hand, and took beaucoup photos, and I am not a photographer, so I have no pix to post.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
I booked my hotel fairly late in the game, staying at the Towers at Circus Circus. I will stay at this hotel again next year, but we certainly stay in the main hotel, not the towers. Be warned, if you stay in the Towers, you have to take a tram, or walk really far.
Thursday night, when I got to the Silver Baron Lounge, everyone was kind of tired, and getting ready for bed. I hung out with Dan Westlind, Matt Diskin, Randy Morgan, and Jim Rodebaugh for a little while, showing the newest Matt Roberts bowie to Jim, who is on the judging committee for JS ABS Smiths, asking for an honest opinion. He pointed out some minor issues, but was overall quite impressed. I left the bar after a bit, played Blackjack, and went to bed.
Friday morning, I had my waffles and sausage links with some friends at Sweetwater's Coffee shop at the Silver Legacy. Joss says the food sucks in Reno, but they do a nice breakfast at Sweetwater's.
When the line for the show started, I was one of the first 20 or so buyers in the room, and literally jogged to Dan Farr's table, his stag handled camp knife in CPM1V was #1, with a bullet on my list. No one had laid any claim to it yet, so I got that and a small hunter with walnut body, and ebony spacers for Peter Gill. Dan does NOT under any circumstances pre-sell knives to anyone before a show. Even with that policy, he still sold out in less than 30 minutes. Dan gets all bummed out that most of his knives will not see use, even though he makes them specifically for that purpose, but rarity is a major factor, and last I heard Dan's list was over two years out, and he is not making that many knives.
This stag handled camp knife sports the best fit, finish and overall design that I personally have seen from Dan yet, and I vastly prefer the stag, so it's a keeper in my book.
Number 2 on my list to see, Harvey Dean, I was looking for an El Diablo, no go, Harvey had a nice drop point hunter, and two other pieces, but nothing that really floated my boat, so I asked Harvey to let me know if he happened to make an El Diablo, and I would buy it.
Right next to Harvey was Steve Dunn. Last year, Steve made a show stopper with the Feather Damascus Bowie. What I saw on his table this year was a damascus drop point, and two bowies, with different handles. Great workmanship, high prices, and nothing that I "NEEDED".
Now, I'll go alphabetical, according to what I saw:
Aubrey Barnes- I saw some very well put together Moran/Hendricksonesque wire inlay drop points, and upswept skinners, with the dyeing and swinger sheaths, refined workmanship. Really excellent work, a bit rich for my tastes at around $750.00.
Bailey Bradshaw- Great maker, good person to associate with. Had a customer commissioned katana(Ok, tachi, but it didn't look like one to me, agree with the fingerstone thing, the advice was provided by Leon) with white ito on the table that got favorable response from the Kapps, his champagne saber, folding bowie, and stag handled bowie with shakudo butt cap. Refined workmanship, good guy, and looking forward to seeing him at the Evening of the Cutlery Arts in Huntington Beach. He liked the Robert's fighter quite a bit.
Bill Burke-Jason Knight was not in attendance for reasons, unknown. Bill got his table, and made a Pronghorn-style drop point hunter for me in Ironwood handle, and nickel silver that I have been wanting for some time. Good heavy 4 7/8" blade of 5160, triple cycled. It is like having the Fowler that I always wanted. Don't get me wrong though, I have always maintained that Bill can make ANY style of knife, up there with the best of them, and that remains true.
Ed Caffrey-The workmanship was fine, I thought the handles were a little too long, and I got my wife a damascus pen of Ed's at the auction.
Murray Carter-No show.
Jon Christensen-Beautiful blades, really super guy, I think he had about 8 knives on the table, we really did not talk that much about knives at this show.
Joe Cordova-had a fine chute knife of the table at a very reasonable price, but had a brass guard. Not bronze, not copper, but brass. I liked that knife very much, but will not own one with a brass guard. Nickel silver is acceptable, but brass is horrible.
Christoph Deringer-My friend Matt Diskin introduced Christoph to me at Blade last year, so I was very interested in looking at his knives. I liked his knives, but the prices were again, a bit on the high side. He had a good looking cord wrapped self defense/using knife that I found very appealing, but also found about $350.00 too high.
Matt Diskin-Matt is a brother from another mother. His work at this show was superlative, and I have known him for over 10 years, so I have seen a lot of his work. I purchased a folder from Matt early in the show, with a very stout, forged blade, and pearl scales, with mosaic bolsters. Then, Thursday afternoon, I pulled the trigger on a sterling/nickel mokume Louisiana influenced knife that I call a desk knife, and Matt thinks of more in the self-defense realm. It has a san mai damascus blade, 4 1/2" with a mokume sheath, and is gorgeous. The biggie though, was a ring dagger in damascus with nickel/silver mokume sheath, and ivory handle. This is what I call an "important knife", historically significant with modern metallurgy and lines.
Rick Eaton is a magician, and one of the best engravers making knives, but I think he only had about 4 knives on his table and they did not thrill me.
Tom Ferry had about 6-8 knives on the table, and I REALLY liked some of his mosaic damascus bowies, but every one had a spanish notch, and I didn't want to Garssonize the notch out.
Jerry Fisk, what can I say? I got some face time with the man, which I have been meaning to do for two years, and gave him his due. It was a really nice 15 minute give-and-take conversation. At that point, the Military had not sold, but Jerry said he had a collector back East that would take it, were that the case.
Big John Fitch-I had to watch Bailey Bradshaw's table for a bit, so he and Courtenay could have some supper, so I was watching from afar, but it looked like big carbon steel ivory handled bowies to me.
Burt Foster-Well, Burt "detested" or "abhorred" the Garssonization of his fighter, but was OK with the trimming of his bowie. He had 3 AWESOME knives on his table, an OK drop point hunter and a damascus integral hunter. Here is the thing, again, Burt has LARGE hands, and I would have shaved the swell on every one of the knives on the table, without reservations. The laminated fighter was my favorite, but I think that Burt is now going to make the knives that I want, the way that I want. I personally really liked the sketches that Burt sent to Roger P. for posting, very true to life, takes you there, and all.
Larry Fuegen-One of my favorite makers. There were two knives left on his table, the Bowie, and the Gargoyle folder. I advised Larry to let it be known on his website, a 'la Burt Foster, that he makes more "affordable" knives, so as not to scare off the bread and butter crowd. I really like Larry a lot, and missed seeing his wonderful wife Linda, this time.
Barry Gallagher-Didn't get to spend much time with Barry, just shook his hand and had a few words, which sucks because I think that Barry is a super smart guy, and funnier than many comics that I have seen.
Tim Hancock-I think I saw two knives on Tim's table, both sold, and he might have had more. Got to sit with him, Larry Fuegen, Josh Smith, Phil Lobred, Phil's friend Tom, and a couple collectors at dinner. We didn't talk all that much, but I finally got to tell him how much I hate it when he does skinny (thickness-wise) guards on knives. He says he likes them, so that's that.
Jason Howell- Really nice knives, mostly hunters, very friendly and down-to-earth guy. I look forward to seeing him in the future.
David Mirabile-I like David a lot, and hanging out with him and Matt was THE high point of the show.
RiK Palm-Rick had some interesting knives on his table, but my personal favorite was the laminated fighter that Keith currently has in his avatar. Had he chosen a nice wood or stag instead of Stellar Sea Cow bone, I believe that I would own that knife. He made the sheathing for the laminate out of railroad spike, and had a cool photobook to show the making of.
Cliff Parker-Was really looking forward to seeing Cliff's work, and buying a cool folder, but, dang, them knives were tiny! I don't like buying folders with blades less than 3", and I don't believe that he had any that big on the table. Hey, Cliff, make some bigger folders next year, will ya, for Pete's sake?
Kirk Rexroat-Kirk is a super nice guy, and his fixed blades and folders were really nice. I had my eye on a nice damascus folder, but it had scrimshaw, and that is one thing that I just can't abide by on a knife. I will probably buy something from him if he goes to the OKCA show at Eugene.
I am only 1/2 way through my review, just don't have a lot of time right now.
Buddy Thomason((HTMD on BFC) was on hand, and took beaucoup photos, and I am not a photographer, so I have no pix to post.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
- Joined
- May 9, 2000
- Messages
- 29,205
I think Jason is exhibiting at the Arkansas knife show in 2 1/2 weeks. Maybe he didn't figure he could get enough knives done to do both shows? Don't know.
I can hardly wait for part two of Steven's report. I am interested in quite a few of the makers that fall into that part of the alphabet.
I can hardly wait for part two of Steven's report. I am interested in quite a few of the makers that fall into that part of the alphabet.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2001
- Messages
- 26,713
Not sure if Jason will go for his M.S. stamp this year, if he is and he is going to AK, I think we might know the reason he was not at Reno. Those M.S. test knives always eat up more time than the maker or us collectors think (Of course there could be other reasons involved) 
Thanks Steven. Excellent write up and analysis as usual from you!
Thanks Steven. Excellent write up and analysis as usual from you!
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 3,148
YES he is. I can't wait to see what they will end up looking like.
- Joined
- May 10, 2005
- Messages
- 319
Joss said:
yes, he did - but i'm afraid it sold at the show. great looking piece.
the 'katana' he had at the show is really a tachi in full dress koshirae, and is amazing. everything from the blade to the fittings is right on. steve thinks i'm crazy for having white ito on it, but it's a dress piece and not one i plan on using.
it wasn't quite finished yet - the back of the tsuba still needs to be carved, and bailey wanted to see if he could get a little more out of the polish using finger stones. this one is mine and i couldn't have been more impressed. pics & more info coming soon.
other thoughts on the show -
tom ferry - steve is right about tom's work - some really first class stuff. he had an all damascus folder with engraving that blew me away, and a really nice persian with a carved ebony(?) handle. i really dug the persian and am talking to tom about doing something similar in a more dressed up fashion. i got a piece from him earlier this year and have to say i really like his stuff.
gary house - hadn't seen his work before the show. he had a small boarding cutlass with a simple integral d-guard that was pretty cool. beautiful walrus handle too. something about the spacer and endcap just didn't sit right with me though and i passed on it.
john christensen - like steve i was really impressed with what he had on the table. the mosaic leaf bowie that was at backa sold here and was probably my favorite of his pieces, though he had a half d-guard bowie that i liked also.
burt foster - really nice guy, ended up talking about cameras more than blades. had some nice pieces on his table that were really reasonably priced. in particular a san-mai with a carbon (w2 i think?) core and stainless sides was really interesting. also had a large bowie and a competition cutter that both impressed me.
daniel winkler - i placed an order with him a few months ago, and was happy to get the chance to talk to him in person. was very impressed with what he brought to show - his stuff looks way better in person than in photos. he had something similar to my order on his table, and i loved it. really looking forward to seeing what he turns out for me now. the sheaths that karen is making do a great job of accenting the knives. they were giving a talk on knives & sheaths as a package during the show but i missed it.
david mirabile - some really nice rustic, artifact looking pieces. had an ivory handled tanto i liked, and a bunch of smaller wrapped pieces that used artifacts as menuki.
ed caffrey - like steve i liked ed's workmanship. he had a great ivory handled mosaic bowie that had blued steel fittings with some simple engraving (pics are in the other reno thread). he said it was the first engraving he'd tried and i think he went the right route keeping it simple. very complimentary without being garish. i also dug the damascus pens he had, and bugged him about turing out a fountain pen version which i'd love to give as a graduation gift to my sister this spring.
steve dunn - had a couple of really nice bowies with incredible engraving. the gold on one of them really picked up the red in the stag handle. great work.
fisk, hancock, fuegen and dean i managed to miss completely (was only at the show for a day and a half or so), but they had great looking pieces on their tables. fisk's dress military was probably my favorite of the bunch.
Got Bowies from Greg Neely,Dickie Robinson,and Tom Ferry.Pics later.
Had way too much fun. In fact it was the second best time I had in this short year.
The other was watching my Steelers kick Denvers butt.
Report on show later also.
Randy
Had way too much fun. In fact it was the second best time I had in this short year.
The other was watching my Steelers kick Denvers butt.
Report on show later also.
Randy
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,336
I look forward to more reports. Maybe even some show shots. 
Coop
Coop
BladeGoblin
Banned
- Joined
- May 21, 2005
- Messages
- 1,876
When Steven gives a report, it's almost as if you were there yourself.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
Nothing quite like seeing a show through Steven's eyes
Thanks for the report :thumbup:
Thanks for the report :thumbup:
Drove down from Montana(trip from hell,Ice ect)
Got to Reno at 7m Thurs night.Hung with Howell,Wheeler,Ferry,Rodedog,Williams,Garsson (had a few show and tell,the one I remember most was from our own Matt Robertson) and a bunch I do not remember (very tired from my trip)
Rodedog( Rodebaugh) and I roomied and we went up about midnight and it was Show and Tell till 2:00 or so.
Got up had breakfast and got in the door at VIP time.
I get chills when I walk into a room full of ABS dudes and this was no exception.
Got to Neely's table and immediatly bought a 8 1/2" bowie.(needed it for my collection)
Dunn had a couple of Bowies that stopped you in your tracks.Damascus and stag and his extraordinary engraving.Pretty pricey so I moved on to Mike Williams table.Had some cool hunters but hunters are allways my second choices.
Bert Gaston had a nice damascus bowie I almost pulled the trigger on but had to look the room over first.
I have a bunch of Jerry Fisk knives and am not currently in the market but that almost changed.Damascus and Ivory almost changed my mind.Good thing I was on a mission.
P.J Tomes had an array of pretties but nothing floated my boat.
Daniel Winkler had his usual selection of knives and the ones that I wanted(Large) were gone when I got there.(another must have BTW)
Harvey Dean did a clean-up of a camp knife and had it at the show.Had a Stag fighter and hunter but I passed. On a mission.
More later.
Got to Reno at 7
m Thurs night.Hung with Howell,Wheeler,Ferry,Rodedog,Williams,Garsson (had a few show and tell,the one I remember most was from our own Matt Robertson) and a bunch I do not remember (very tired from my trip)Rodedog( Rodebaugh) and I roomied and we went up about midnight and it was Show and Tell till 2:00 or so.
Got up had breakfast and got in the door at VIP time.
I get chills when I walk into a room full of ABS dudes and this was no exception.
Got to Neely's table and immediatly bought a 8 1/2" bowie.(needed it for my collection)
Dunn had a couple of Bowies that stopped you in your tracks.Damascus and stag and his extraordinary engraving.Pretty pricey so I moved on to Mike Williams table.Had some cool hunters but hunters are allways my second choices.
Bert Gaston had a nice damascus bowie I almost pulled the trigger on but had to look the room over first.
I have a bunch of Jerry Fisk knives and am not currently in the market but that almost changed.Damascus and Ivory almost changed my mind.Good thing I was on a mission.
P.J Tomes had an array of pretties but nothing floated my boat.
Daniel Winkler had his usual selection of knives and the ones that I wanted(Large) were gone when I got there.(another must have BTW)
Harvey Dean did a clean-up of a camp knife and had it at the show.Had a Stag fighter and hunter but I passed. On a mission.
More later.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2001
- Messages
- 65
Boy, what a great show. I had a good time visiting with Randy, Mike Williams, Rodebaugh, David Anders, Josh Smith, Caffrey, Foster, Tom Ferry and ALL the great makers and collectors at this show. Opening hour was a great rush with lots of knives sold early, steady crowd through Saturday, and a typical Sunday crowd. I am glad to be home, but already look forward to the show next year! Good meeting and visiting with everyone.
Jason Howell
ABS Journeyman Smith
http://www.howellbladesmith.com
Jason Howell
ABS Journeyman Smith
http://www.howellbladesmith.com
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 3,148
Is it me, or does it sound like a lot of these knives were over-embellished?
I yearn for the return of the user-grade, MS, $700 bowie. I think there is a huge market for user grade knives built by top smiths. Much bigger than the $2500 "homerun" knife market.
I yearn for the return of the user-grade, MS, $700 bowie. I think there is a huge market for user grade knives built by top smiths. Much bigger than the $2500 "homerun" knife market.