Knives from the 2005 Chicago Show

Coop,
Thanks for all the good work. I am biased in selecting the knives that I like the best, as I own several in your group of photos. I find it best not to mention which ones, for fear that I'll have to get another guard dog for my house (adding to the four other dogs)! Of the pics that you have posted, I really like the Ken Steigerwalt black lip pearl knife. I would say that I'm surprised by Don Hanson's knives, not for the expected quality, but for the sheer versatility in his work. Owen Wood's knives are very nice as well. If I had a choice for my collection (not one that I already own), it would be Steigerwalts black lip pearl knife or Steve Olszewski's scorpion. As far as a "daily carry", it would be the Don Hanson tactical hands down.
David
 
great pics coop! appreciate that you made them available, since i wasn't able to make the show.

biggest suprise - that hanson tactical definitely stood out

knives that represent my interest - hanson & hogstom primarily

pieces i want -

collection: the hogstrom, that is right up my alley - i've admired his work for a while but just never found quite the right one, that one was it.

olszewski's scorpion folder get's an honorable mention since i'm a scorpio and that is one hell of a piece

user: hanson tactical folder - been in the market for a dress folder for a while, that one would have fit the bill nicely
 
Ooopps. I had still some minor text editing and didn't slip this one in. I even mentioned this folder in my OWN choices as a collection interest.

Darrel Ralph in collaboration with his stepson Ryan Bailey created a Madd Maxx beyond others. Fluted white pearl with a black lip pearl inset which disguise the super-duty workings of this framelock.

orig.jpg


I had dinner with Darrel and Ryan (and Jim Smyth, and Neil Ostroff), and if you haven't yet met Ryan, you will be impressed when you do. Simply a young and talented maker with a friendliness and vision that will take both of them far. Darrel is obviously a significant mentor, and the work is showing. They proudly signed this together. I was flattereed to be in all of their company. Just another winner from this show! :D

Coop
 
Great knives and photos Coop, thanks for posting them.

I was definitely most surprised by the Hanson folder. I'm not a big tactical fan, but that knife really pushes my buttons.

The pieces I'm interested in are the Wheeler's and the Hanson bowie.

Collection wise the SR Johnson and a Wheeler camp knife for using.

Matt
 
Wow. Awesome work, on all accounts. :thumbup:

Surprise-
Ray Cover's color engraving. I think I'd read somewhere that he recently learned how to do it, but I think I've only ever seen his black & white bulino work & gold inlay. I was surprised when the name didn't say Tim Herman. I think he managed to use very vibrant and eye-grabbing colors without making it look like something from the Franklin Mint.

Style I like-
I find that I really love the look of the folding daggers by Ken Stiegerwalt (the one that won best folder) and the Kios/Cover one. Aside from just the knives, I am strongly drawn to the engraving work of Manrica Torcoli, (on the folder AND fixed blades!) and Ray Cover.

Wants-
Even though I love the folding daggers, if I were to pick something there for my collection, it would probably have to be that half-scale Winchester rifle. I like minis, and that's too cool.
To carry, I'd want that bowie by Mr. Hanson. I'd use the hell outta that sucker, yessir. (and that's a compliment. ;) )
 
the possum said:
Even though I love the folding daggers, if I were to pick something there for my collection, it would probably have to be that half-scale Winchester rifle. I like minis, and that's too cool.
Click to expand...
You got my vote. That scale rifle was a piece like I have never encountered. It was a take-down design with a rich wooden and felt-lined box to store it in. I do not know the gentleman who made it, but I think he has retired or worse.....

Coop
 
I'd like to add to my above post-
In the cases where I couldn't carry a bowie, I could definitely see that Darrel Ralph Mad Maxx as my new Every Day Carry.

I've seen a number of mini replica firearms over the years, that had poor workmanship and proportions. (several from Russia) Of course, they were still amazing, considering all those parts on such a small scale. But this one really looks like you could fire it without worrying about it blowing up, if you could make ammo for it.
 
Small correction: In an earlier post I refered to Ken Steigerwalt as having 'Best of Show' That was untrue. He did win 'Best Folder', but Joyce and Jim Minnick won 'Best of Show' with a folding knife.

I never saw the knife in that crazy weekend to offer comments or more praise. His buyer had to take it away early. :(

Coop
 
Wow! :eek:
I would say that I was most suorised or, impressed by The Khalsa/Adlamo,
The user? They're all to nice for me! But I'd go with the Bose!
Collector? The Gedraitus Balisong/ That checkerboard damascus is amazing!
Great Pics!
 
None of their work surprised me. The makers that who's knives you showcased are all excellent, so I am not the least bit surprised by the high quality workmanship on all the knives.

My collecting interest would be most represented by the Hanson Bowie, and the Wheeler camp knives.

For a user I would pick the Bose, and I would take my collecting in a different direction with the WTC Trio.
 
Don Hanson's Tactical knife is fantastic. Don Cowles knives are just simple and clean. Nick Wheeler very clean and usable. Owen Wood's folder is kick a**. Simon Lytton engraving has the WOW factor.
I was across from Allen Elishewitz. We missed photos of some exceptional knives on his table!
 
The engraved Owens pieces really take that work to the "next level" and beyond etc.

As for who was there that represented my interests, W. Osborne, Steigerwalt, Kious, the Minnicks (those are the ones I can own)

Walker, Lake and Bennica are artists I like, but are just out of reach.

Interesting side note, the engraved Hoel (which I assume Jim Charnas presented) was bought on the secondary market from Japan via eBay. In the last 2 minutes of the auction an all-out-free-for-all bidding WAR broke out over that piece. If my memory serves me right this was about 18 months or 2 years ago. I think it went well into the high 5K mark. All I remember was sadly dropping out at $3,500 :(
 
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