Knife Expo 05

S

sharptools

Joined
Jan 5, 2005
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I drove down from San Luis Obispo to Pasadena on friday morning and walked into the Knife Expo when the doors opened at noon. I walked out when the doors were closing at 7:00pm. Had a great time, but I didn't buy a single thing. Unbelieveable!

When the doors opened at noon I walked right to Matt Cucchiara's (aka Pontiaker) tble to make sure I could inspect his knifes and possibly buy, as I was prepared to spend the 500.00. Matt had 4 folders and 1 fixed blade on his table for sale, difinitely the nicest folders at the show, and one of the nicest guy's you will ever meet. I am quite sure that he got tired of me being there as I spent a lot of time at his table inspecting and handling his knives, but he never failed to answer a question or just chat about knives. (Thanks Matt) I had one in mind but didn't pull the trigger and someone else scooped it up.

I also spent quality time s/w James Rodebaugh who is another one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He had the nicest fixed blades at the show in my opinion. He had some 4" damascus hunters with curly maple handles that were awesome, clean as they come.

Let us know if anyone else goes and their opinion of the show.

Thanks

Kevin
 
sharptools said:
I also spent quality time s/w James Rodebaugh who is another one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He had the nicest fixed blades at the show in my opinion. He had some 4" damascus hunters with curly maple handles that were awesome, clean as they come.
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I'm not going to make it to the show until tomorrow, but I handled those Rodebaugh Hunters on Thrusday and they are super clean.

He's not doing any more in curly maple though, so those will be good purchases.
 
but I didn't buy anything either(well, not knives, but I'll get to that in a minute).

We drove up from San Diego, yesterday, (I went with my friend Todd who is the "T" of GT Knives) and took a detour to do a swap with Dave Stark of Steel Addiction Knives. Good guy, fair trade. Enjoy the Hossom, Dave!

We arrived at 11:00 am. First I saw Jot Khalsa, who after 10 years of seeing my mug, and my buying stuff from, cannot remember my name. I quit telling him what it is.

I went over to see what Paul Basch had on his table, which was sort of a dissapointment from years past. It was however, great to see Paul, who says he feels great, and actually enjoys living in Arkansas. I talked with Jim Rodebaugh, who's DAMASCUS hunters in curly maple and brass were the deal of the show at $450.00. He says that he is going to start doing them in Ironwood, and N/S for around $500. I hate brass, so I didn't buy one just yet, but if you like brass, that was the deal of the day.

I met Bob Glassman, next. He has some beautiful stuff, and good taste. I introduced myself, and he "seemed" to recognize my name. We will never know. Anyway, could not find "just" the right piece in his case for a trade/purchase. There are not a lot of knives that I want/need right now, because I have a whole bunch on order.

J.P.Holmes came up and said hi, and I went over to his table. Matt Cuccharia(sp?) was set up next to him, and had some really nice knives, but, as above, I could not make the "jump".

I had brought a specific knife up to show Louis Chow/Stan Chan, so that was where I spent most of my time at the show. We hung out for about 2 hours. If you are looking for an Original Loveless at a fair(er?)price, Louis is probably about it, Thanks for the beer, Stan, if you ever read the forums. Mike Lovett was not there on Saturday, but I got to handle his knives, and compare them to a lot of work from Loveless. Hate to say it, but Mike makes a better knife, and he makes them himself. :D

Other highlights:

- Francis Boyd, and his swords. Francis is one of the few Americans actually trained in swordmaking by a Japanese swordmaker. Beautiful set.
- Talking with Mike McClure (sp?), really nice guy, makes an excellent knife
- Looking at Herman Schneider's table, and his $3,300 chute knife
- Checking out the wares of Jack Alvarez, and Jeff Stover, they had some nice stuff, Jack had a Mayo I liked, Jeff had a Hancock boot knife.
- Buying some Grobet files from K&G, the prices were 1/2 of what I pay for U.S. made files, and the quality is nicer.
- Leaving. :D

The show puts Blade Show West to shame. It was not as good as I remembered it, but still, my worst day at a knife show, is still usually better than my best day elsewhere.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I went to the show today, Sunday. For some reason, I thought it was last week at which time I was busy so I figured I missed it.

I met up with Bill Ruple who I have had the privilege of sitting with at his table in the past. As usual Bill was sold out so he toured the show floor with me for a few minutes. I stayed for only a couple hours and left.
It's a nice show, but not a lot of Bowie makers though.
 
FYI, the Rodebaugh Hunters were in bronze, not brass. Much nicer IMHO.

Also, interesting to know the Schneider Chute Knife was $3,300. I never asked him the price.

Not really any spending money for this show, but I picked up an early Rodebaugh piece:

rodebaugh.jpg


It was forged out of ATS-34 in around 1996. It is the third knife he ever made. Seriously old-school. :cool:

I also ordered a custom display box for my Herman Schneider, but that won't be ready for at least a year! :eek:
 
and would have paid up to $1,750. Over that, it is just not worth it to me. It didn't even have a tapered tang for pete's sake. :confused: I am well aware of Hermans' long, long, illustrious career, that just doesn't work for me as a buying reason. I hope someone bought it, and I hope that they are happy with it.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I got to the show early Saturday (got there about 0730; wait much longer and traffic from 75 miles out would kill me) and read and drank coffee until about 0900, when I poked my head in to see what was going on. I guess the official opening time was 1000, but what the heck, I walked in and no one said anything so...

I spent the first hour throwing knives one-on-one with Bob Karp and Don. Don just said, "Let's go throw some knives!" and away we went. They are both really nice guys, and amazing talents. If you've never seen one of their knife throwing demos, you should. Truly amazing.

When we finished throwing and stuck our heads out, the show was in full swing, so I made a quick tour of all of the tables to see who and what was where, then started zeroing in on different areas. Spent some time talking to Bill Ruple, who I'd never met, but who turns out to be a really nice guy. He wasn't even offended that I'd completely reprofiled the edges on one of his little Wharnecliff Whittlers, to make it a little more whittling friendly. I think he was happy that I didn't just put it on a shelf somewhere.

--Said hello to Bob Glassman, who usually has something of mine for sale. He has a Bradshaw bowie of mine now.

--Spent time talking to Francis Boyd about swords, and about possibly making something for me.

--Looked over the amazing collection of miniatures that the two Senior Collectors had, over near the little extra room. Does anyone remember their names? Bah, I can't, and it annoys me. They showed me a beautiful inch long damascus bowie that Al Barton had made for them before he passed, and since my personal favorite knife is a large bowie by Al, I was truly awestruck.

--Too much to see!

--I bought a beautiful little Japanese style blade by R. W. Clark for a couple hundred bones. Nice and light and springy, about a five inch blade, and nice temper line. Wearing it as a neck knife now, and can't even tell it's there it's so light.

Had a good time. Oh, picked up a nice little Lifeknife necklace for the Missus, from Jot. And he couldn't remember my name either, Steven, so don't feel bad.

James
 
Kohai999 said:
and would have paid up to $1,750. Over that, it is just not worth it to me. It didn't even have a tapered tang for pete's sake. :confused: I am well aware of Hermans' long, long, illustrious career, that just doesn't work for me as a buying reason. I hope someone bought it, and I hope that they are happy with it.
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That was actually a very old, unusual piece from him. It is one he is selling for a customer. I don't recall how old it is.
 
James: The collections you saw were Tom & Gwen Guinn. Great people!

I handled that R.W. Clark knife you got, it was super light! Nice temperline too. I assume it was O1?
 
Steven,
Thanks for the names of the lovely collector couple. I couldn't remember.

I'm glad that you only handled the knife that I ended up taking with me. Of course if you'd have snagged it, then I'd never have seen it and wouldn't know what I'd missed!

You're right about the steel. R.W. remembered making the knife, and said O-1 with a full triple heat treat and cryo. I did a little re-engineering of the scabbard, and now it functions quite well as a hanger. Some might say it's overkill for a neck knife, but I always say that I'd rather have it and not need it...

It wasn't a huge show, but certainly very nice. Are you planning on heading up to Solvang in a couple of months?

James
 
I also went Friday and was there at 12 also Enjoyed the show. Pasadena is much nicer than Buena Park in my opinion. There were quite a few new makers from CA I had not seen nor heard of that was a pleasant surprise.

It seems to me that there were quite a few new makers doing high end things on folders like anadiozed liners and file work but didn't quite of the walk and talk, fit and finish thing mastered.

Also was dissapointed that many of the mfg's were not there. One I talked to was not happy about being in the side room. No Case, no Benchmade etc...

About a 4 hour show for me. Didn't buy anything either.
 
para7452 said:
It wasn't a huge show, but certainly very nice. Are you planning on heading up to Solvang in a couple of months?
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I hope to be there.

I want to talk with the Warenskis about a dagger. :D
 
Any show that has 2 of the nations finest slipjoint makers, Rogers and Ruple, is a good show. I like the Pasadena location better myself. The natural light is a whole lot better.
Greg
 
I made it to the show sunday fyling in from Texas, Nice show. Sat with Louis Chow, Took an unbelieavable number of orders for the new R. W. Loveless authorized Big Bears with The Naked Lady LOGO. aka, The TEXAS ROSE, Missed Steven G. Hope to ship his new subhilt next week. Went to Loveless's with Lou and stan, Monday, Very Enjoyable and productive Day. People can say what they want about Bob, The man can be an absolute riot. Mark Yamane Flew in from Hawaii, With his #001 That he purchaced from Les Robertson, To have me sighn the sheath,and place an order for a Little Bear to match it, Loveless Loved it. Making Bob one as well. Les has a picture of Mark's Big Bear on his web page. Look for Mike Lovett, presentation fighters .He'll have one in NY. thank's everyone for a wonderful show. M. Lovett e-mail, michaellovett@earthlink.net,254-554-0956 e-mail Robertsoncustomcutlery.com[/email]
 
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