Knives of the 2015 Blade Show • Past homages, Future visions, Present skills •

SharpByCoop

Enjoying the discussions
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 8, 2001
Messages
12,336
Stay tuned or subscribe! :thumbup:

orig.jpg
SharpByCoop150605.jpg


^^^ Very few people actually got past the 'gatekeepers' to see me hard at work. One of them is one of MY favorite show photographers, Vincent Tseng. (UnknownVT) See his crystal clear inside the show images here.

I had another Professional photographer visit me during our weekend: Caleb Royer. Caleb is an exceptional people photographer AND an exceptional knife photographer. He's producing work which dazzles even me. We talked a little shop and lighting and then we talked about 'talk'. I really miss that there is almost zero open dialog among us, and it's not fair to the makers whose work we represent and to each other. Caleb is young: He's only 20, and he tells me he's introverted to the point of feeling out of place commenting on other's work. I've praised him (deservedly) and will continue to do so.

A rising tide floats ALL ships, and Caleb's work elevates all of us. I'm hoping for him to stay in the conversation. :D

Speaking of fantastic Professional photographers, Buddy Thomason was sorely missed at the SBC studio. He had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity from his brother to fly a Cessna around Alaska for a hunting trip this weekend (planned well in advance. ).

This led me to reach out to knowlegeable Jon Brand for his help and guidance for write-ups and displays. He's got a greaqt eye, and solid people skills, and it was a pleasure knowing I had a trustworthy assistant to count on.

Susan and Maggie are an inescapable draw at the clerical table. They will take your money and leave you smiling! ;) :p How cool is that? :) In our guy-centric craft, I know they are a pleasure to chat with. Maggie Randall is not even a Senior in HS, but she's SO talented. Susan Cooper (my wife) simply loves every person she encounters. She's the Yin to my Yang! ;)

For me, this weekend comes as one part anticipation and one part dread. Because: I KNOW how hard it is physically for me to work 12 hours straight, and mentally to be sharp and stay creative with layouts and backgrounds. It's a demanding weekend.

This said, the drive home and these moments when I reflect are fulfilling. I hate that I need to sequester myself away, but since I'm a one man show during this period, it's all to much to lose my focus. Ask Buddy and Caleb, they know.

I did manage to sneak handshakes in with a multitude of great folks. I will miss others if I name any, so I say THANK YOU to all!

Thanks for reading. Now: Check out the knives!

Coop
 
Last edited:
I feel it's only fitting to open this thread with the works of some of the fine NEW ABS Mastersmiths. It is a privilege to be able to display their work. :thumbup:

Veronique Laurent (Belgium) won me over with her charm and her incredible knives.
orig.jpg


Jean-Louis Regel (France) wowed us as well. I was one of very few (he said) to recognize that two of his knives were made out of wootz steel. An old world method of making damascus.
orig.jpg


Our home-town hero, David Lisch, brought me a set which as stunning, yet a visual challenge for me.

I worked on five different layout displays until I thought out of the box to find this setup. Dave approves!
orig.jpg


Here are three from Dave for a closer look:
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


Here are two more from Jean Louis Regel:
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


More...
 
To be honest, this knife by Sam Lurquin was to be in his Mastersmith parade, but he was careful not to submit with a rushed together knife as a last week replacement for his dagger.

He's going to be a force, we understand.

Just.... WOW!
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


Let's see what these newest crop of skilled JS applicants brought to the judging room (and ALL passed!)

Kyle Gahagan really has a great style. See for yourself.
orig.jpg


Levi Miller with an uber-clean set.
orig.jpg


Russell White
orig.jpg


Bobby Whetten
orig.jpg


Nick Rossi
orig.jpg
orig.jpg

Note: I made a grave mistake working so quickly at the Show. I simply positioned his blades on the wrong side and didn't get his 'mark' side. My bad completely, and I have given him a full image credit for my mistake. However, you can see the quality nonetheless.

Stephen Fowler
orig.jpg


Stephen's individual entries...
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


orig.jpg


Note: On ALL my ABS Test set knives, I take pride and pains to display them all a bit differently, if I can. I hope you approve.
 
Last edited:
Amazing photos of amazing knives. Thanks for sharing these. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
 
Behring Knives 'Uplander'
orig.jpg


Gus Cecchini with CRAZY timascus!
orig.jpg


Matt Diskin
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


Jeff Freeman
orig.jpg


Charles Vestal beauties
orig.jpg


Richard Rogers (I am told this smaller folder won an award. STeven: Please fill me in.) Those are really side by side for size comparison.
orig.jpg


orig.jpg


Moar soon. Thanks!
 
Richard Rogers (I am told this smaller folder won an award. STeven: Please fill me in.) Those are really side by side for size comparison.
orig.jpg

Hey Coop, the pattern is right, but I cannot be sure about THAT piece, I thought it looked simpler, but it could be my early onset CRS at work. Thought it had plain bolsters, and I know it was a plain stainless blade, sculpted to perfection....but...was it all just a beautiful dream?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Fantastic! Subscribed for the duration. Great to see the test sets. Levi's work was hyper-clean. I wanted to pick up that little utility piece on the far right, but pockets were empty. Bobby Wetten's Southwest bowie in the center was another I would have liked to have added, and Stephan Fowlers (maple?) recurve fighter / bowie was quite sweet as well.

I didn't get to See Dave Lisch's test set in person, but his D-guard that took the Best Bowie award was fantastic.

Both Veronique and Jean-Louis are super-nice and personable, and as the pics demonstrate, very talented. I really enjoyed meeting them both and looking over their wonderful knives.
 
The photography is wonderful Jim.

When you make a point to hang out at the judging rooms on Friday morning you are privy to some small but poignant occurrences. One such in regards to Veronique. I was getting a view of her knives before the judging and admittedly emotions were strong. I mentioned that her D-Guard reminded me of John White's. She stopped, then looked up with tears in her eyes and said that knife was in his honor for all of his help to her.

The JS and MS test can represent much more than just what is seen on the surface.
 
The photography is wonderful Jim.

When you make a point to hang out at the judging rooms on Friday morning you are privy to some small but poignant occurrences. One such in regards to Veronique. I was getting a view of her knives before the judging and admittedly emotions were strong. I mentioned that her D-Guard reminded me of John White's. She stopped, then looked up with tears in her eyes and said that knife was in his honor for all of his help to her.

The JS and MS test can represent much more than just what is seen on the surface.

Nice story. Thanks for sharing that, Lin.
 
Coop,

Many thanks !

I've said it before and I'll say it again..
You are THE Standard that all other knife photographers are judged by. :cool: :thumbup:

Doug
 
Oh, yeah! I don't know that I have ever seen so many outstanding knives at one show. It was one to remember.

Keep them coming, Coop! :thumbup:

- Joe
 
As always, a feast for the eye's!

I LOVE Sam's, I mean Joe's Musso Bowie

Steve
---------
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation
ABS AP
 
the Damascus patterns and execution of such is absolutely amazing for Veronique's and Dave's knives.
I think I could have looked at them for hours......
Thanks for sharing Coop.

orig.jpg


orig.jpg
 
Last edited:
Jim, Always look forward to seeing your images of the shows. Sorry I didn't get a chance to come over and say hello. I was very busy all weekend and that is a good thing.

Keep them coming my friend

Bing
 
Back
Top