Just back from the Solvang custom show.

[J. MacDonald]

Oh My!

There were plenty of top shelf knifemakers around. Real museum quality stuff. I felt humbled to just be able to look at these knives nevermind to be able to hold them, nevermind picking them up and holding them!

I missed out on a Gil Hibben small folder with a naked Zebra striped woman engraved in real Ivory, it got sold while I was walking around thinking about it. John W Smith has a 6 month wait for a tactical folder and Phil Boguszewski is backed up longer than that. Both men make unbelievable knives.

I almost came home with a small folder by Kaji Hara. I have several carbon fiber scaled folders in my collection but have been desiring a Mother of Pearl knife for some reason. Kaji had a small Wharncliffe that had a sculped bolster and mother of pearl on the front side, but the back side scale and clip were all Carbon Fiber. It was the most amazing blend of classic on the front and high tech on the back. It looked like two very cool knives when comparing the front to the back. I've never seen such a combination of classic and new tech in one knife. It was very hard not to buy that knife as it embodies most of my critical points when I look at a knife and Kaji's workmanship is so precise.

I ended up coming home with a Unique pattern S30V small Sebenza with a blue Agate inlay. I've felt naked since I lost my old plain little Sebbie this past Jan and I'm pretty sure I'll hold on to this one. There's just something about the way a CRK folder locks up...

I bought the knife from Anne Reeve and she was as nice as could be, Chris was right there as well and was as nice as you could imagine. My best buddy who was with us really has the hots for a CRK Nkonka but is saving for a house downpayment, so he didn't buy.

All in all a great time seemed to be had by all. Solvang at this time of year is about as desireable climate as you could ask for, and with all the local shopping, it makes a perfect destination.

To Recap: I GOT A NEW unique decorated stone inlaid Little SEBENZA!!!

jmx

PS:

I'll post a pic as soon as that works again!

 

[bell]

Thanks for the great report and congratulations on the good looking new sebbie.

 

[TheBadGuy]

jmxcpter, Thanks for the update!! Now upload that pic, they are working again

 

[J. MacDonald]

I can't believe I forgot my Digicam. With art knives by Buster and Julie Warenski, Joe Kious, Van Barnett, Dellana and so many others it was a mind blowing experience. Stan Fukisaka'a stuff really stands out in my mind. Between his stuff with Linda Karst-Stone scrimshaw and his knives with anodised pictures on the Ti bolsters it was quite something to see. My wife actually liked one of Stan's knives with a picture of butterflies anodised on the bolsters enough to comment about how nice it would look in her purse. Of course it was only $1200.00!!! It's funny but she used to say that this was MY hobbie and she had no interest! Van Barnett had a diamond inlaid folder on display that actually looked like a deal at $7500.00! Now to me that's a stupid amount of cash for a single 3.5" bladed folding knife, but I swear it looked like it was worth over 10K!

I'm still reeling from all the awesome steel I saw. This really is a special show. To get so many world class talents in one place is amazing. Add in perfect weather and the beautiful setting of Solvang and you have a very memorable day. I'm glad I got to go and share it with my wife and my best friend.

With all the cool steel on display and as cool my new little Sebbie is, I really felt like I was slumming buying it with so much other cool stuff around. It was the only time I've ever felt that my Socom Elite was "just another knife" as compared to what was on the tables!


jmx