Knives at the East Coast Custom Knife Show • ECCKS

SharpByCoop

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Oct 8, 2001
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I've always done a pictorial review of any show I've had the privilege to work. Here we go!

Recap: I'd been asked to work the NYCKS each fall, since 2007. This year, Eric Eggly's commercial work commitment took precedence, and I was asked to do BOTH NYC/NY shows, this one in the Spring. I appreciate his prompting to do this.

The Show has been in the NY/NJ area since 1989. It started at the Meadowlands in NJ early on, and then made it's way into Manhattan, and now it's back in NJ. :)

Sometime ago, longtime collector Steve D'Lack acquired the rights and responsibilities for the show. He's always done a very good job, and this new venue was not just good--it was GREAT! (Providing you actually pay for parking... lolz!)

Fifty-fifty Productions is his Show venue, and he runs an Art Gallery (Hawthorn Galleries) in Branson, MO. Kylie Allen is his manager, and the two of them keep this show vital.

This postcard was sent out to attendees and every maker was sent a pile to distribute. Props to Edmund Davidson and Jerry McClure for providing the two raffle donation knives. Steve just told me make it eyecatching and write something up about the artistry.

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Printing and mailing these postcards is costly, but it has always paid off. Smart.

I setup outside of the main show hall (on the third floor) in a large boardroom. Great lighting and a few steps from the show. I made sure we had posters and arrows and a slideshow presentation of my work running in the show lobby area all the time. We put an SBC infosheet on EVERY table before the show began. I'd heard too many makers remark "I didn't know you were here" at the NYCKS show. That won't happen again.

My wife Susan joins me at these shows. She's great with people and keeps them away while handling clerical tasks. I can keep shooting, just saving face time for display specifics and a short handshake.

I shot for a variety of clients--not just the Makers. Collectors and Dealers also provided pieces which need extra eye-grabbing attention. I'll show you them all.

Starting next post: Let's begin!

Jim and Susan Cooper
 
Jerry McClure likes these fancy fixed blades, and he was first in line as I got there. Props.
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Mike Zscherny has found his niche with traditionals. These dog heads give me fits trying to show, without them being upside down!
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Aaron Frederick returned from military service in Afghanistan, and has followed his market needs with these workhorses.
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Larry Fuegen, MS. Have you ever seen a subhilt push dagger? Neither had I... ;)
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Barry Davis makes them extra fancy.
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Charles Bennica likes color. So do I.
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Jean-Paul Sucheras' cigar cutter knives.
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John Young fighters in horn. How would you like yours: Espresso, Cafe or Grande?
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Don't get caught in a dark alley. If you do, trust Jeremy Marsh's claw to level the playing field.
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Next post....
 
Let's introduce the Loerchners: Starting with Wolfgang.
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Daughter Elizabeth Loerchner and I finally met, and she was a pleasure to work with, and MUCH taller than I'd expected. Her knives aren't demure, either.
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Elizabeth collaborates with a few of the better Italian makers. Here's Antonio Fogarizzu's partnership.
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Who remembers Wolfe's 'Dolphin folder' from last year? Here's his Shark version!
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Switching from Canada to South Africa, I always enjoy working with Des and Lynda Horn.
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There are a LOT of folding daggers going on. Matt and Mary Jo Lerch always rise to the occasion.
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How do you like a little circuit board inlay with your Lake? Not exactly, but how techo-cool!
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Lastly we have a pair of chopsticks created by talented Robert Kaufmann, from Germany. A contributing member owns these. I just mailed them to him today. :)
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Feel free to comment and offer maker/collector/show stories or comments. I will add more in as I go. This thread will run more than a couple of pages.

Thanks.

Coop
 
I met Robert Kaufmann at 2011 Blade and spent the bulk of my time with a crowd that always included him, so we had a great deal of time to chat about his work. I helped him demonstrate one highly elaborate major work at Blade, which required dis-assembly and re-assembly on about 15 occasions, so I got to know his very major piece quite well - which included a pair of inset chopsticks! It was from this experience that he offered to make me a set (the one in the image), which he delivered to Coop for imaging at ECCKS. Coop was kind enough to ship it on to me afterward.

Thanks for everything, Coop!

Best regards,

Bob
 
egads! Oh joy!
 
Fabulous! Coop, you images are absolutely terrific. :thumbup:
 
Wolfe's "Dolphin Folder" looked so impressive on the 2011 AKI Invitational mailer - Wow, and now a "Shark Folder". Magnificent stuff!
 
Terrific pics and commentary - thanks a bunch Coop! Love the shot of the John Young trio.

Roger
 
What a great selection from some of the world's best. I'm awed by more than a few of these. Thanks, Coop.
 
INCREDIBLE display of talent Coop. Both from the knifemakers and yourself!

Thanks for taking the time to post them.

Peter
 
Stunning work by you Coop! The knives you posted are exquisite and well deserve your fine attention to detail.....
 
Great images of inspiring work! Thanks for posting, Coop. :thumbup:

Love the Young Trio shots!

- Joe
 
Wolfgang's shark folder absolutely slays me.
Great photos, as always Jim.
 
The Buchanan knifemaking family has two sources of talent. Here's Zac Buchanan's utility.
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Jay Hendrickson: A forty-year celebration of historical knives with a characteristic Bowie. (This was mailed to me just before the show. It qualifies.)
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R.J. Martin is like a rocket firing its booster stages. Climbing high and FAST!
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Variations on a theme
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Just a touch of lightning strike in the spacer.
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next....
 
Man, I could really go for one of those RJ Martin folders with the pearl inlays - nice!

Roger
 
I got the opportunity to meet the Nell family: They ALL came from Hawaii to NYC. Dad, mom, and both kids. What a team!
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Dad Chad learned partially from John Young.
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A fine chute knife.
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John W. Smith makes some of the most precise and useful folders in our world. Here's his 'low end' work. YIKES!
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You can tell a Johnny Stout knife from across the room. I can tell Ron Nott's (deceased) engraving that far also. One of the last projects he finished.
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More soon...

Coop
 
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