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

[SharpByCoop]

It's been a long busy day. I'm almost all done with the edits AND prints and mailers (thanks to Susan's help on this.)

Lets jump right in:

Gus Cecchini and Luca Braschi create a fantastic world.

Scott McGhee can make a 'simple' hard working knife look SO good!

Again...

...and again.

Kevin Cross creates useful and valuable kitchen knives.

....And a set for the Roast Beast.

More...

 

[SharpByCoop]

Brad Southard is in the top of the Dress Tactical list of desirable makers. No wonder!

Veteran maker Gary Root from PA collaborated with Ray Rybar to forge the blade, and Christopher Paul for much of the furniture.

If your initials are R.I.P. then run with it. Rick Poirier.

Zac Buchanan is Thad's son, and the student/son has become as good as the Father.
Natural canvas Micarta ('Thunderstorm Kevlar') Thanks for the correction Darrin!

Stag

Carbon. WOW!

 

[SharpByCoop]

David Kulis is a new maker with smart designs and warm materials.

David with a pair of flippers

If anyone wanted to show how Don Hanson makes good use of ivory handles, this would close the conversation. :thumbup:

If anyone wanted to discuss the best in form, function and skill, this would begin the conversation.

Here's a little teaser for you:

Steve Randall is climbing steadily up that ladder to the MS level. Exhibit A:

Exhibit B: Any questions?

 

[gregorio]

Thanks for taking the time to post these, great pictures. :thumbup:

 

[SharpByCoop]

Douglas Noren, MS always makes his knives THICK and substantial. A treasure!

Luke Swenson upholds that special Texas tradition of the finest slipjoint makers.

From Belgium, Claude Bouchonville makes me say Shazammmm! He's very highly regarded..

..as is Brion Tomberlin, MS. Talk about a chopper!

R.J. Martin is a Blade Show standout. This folder had timascus scales so bright I needed sunscreen. (That BOLD background makes it a Rorschach test for the colorblind. LOL!)

If you haven't seen David Kurt's works, pay CLOSE attention. He's one to watch.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Mike Deibert has relocated back into the US from Nicaragua. A pleasure to see his work.

I don't know much about Tan Long and Dragon Claw knives other than to say they were superbly constructed!

Tan came visiting with China's premier Knife magazine: Editor Shengwen Chen, who brought me (5) copies of his magazine and a plaque as a gift for my contributions to him.

He proceeded to pull out this magnificent folder to show me his acquisition and was flattered I immediately recognized the maker as Ken Steigerwalt. None other!

Mardi Meshejian is an untraditional bladesmith, and so fulfilling in his freshness.

David Landis created a useful and sweet hunter and sheath.

 

[betzner]

Great to see these offerings, thanks Coop. I particularly like E Scott McGhee's "simple hard working knives", that number two shot at the top of this page. Beyond that, the RJ Martin is "brilliant".

 

[SharpByCoop]

Steve Nuckels with his super tribute to the legendary Bill Moran.

Didn't I already post Don Hanson's work? Not this size.

Ray Cover made the knife, and Harry Caldwell did the engraving .(Note: Katherine Plumer did the little owls in the center. Look again!)

Michael Raymond calls this immaculate INTEGRAL folder his 'Starlit' model.

Raphael Durand from the legendary knifemaking Thiers town in France with his warm folder with a tribute to Sam Lurquin.

I've been going 100mph for the last ten days and I'm seeing the finish line. I still have about six to ten knives left to edit soon. I have to divide my days with another job, and I'm wearing a few hats.

I appreciate your comments, but mostly your admirations--in public or not--for these makers. :thumbup:

Coop

 

[rbslaughter1]

Thanks for another round Jim... There are some very fine knives in this batch... The B.B. done with carbon fiber is about as sleek as they come...

As much as I admire RJ Martin's "dress" versions of the Q-36 model, this one is not one I care for... It's been a very long time that I have voiced a negative reaction to a knife, but this finish is so stark I think it overpowers all the nice lines... Others have questioned using zirconium for a clip as well...

I hope a lot of people post to tell me I am off base.....

Thanks again Coop, Rich Slaughter

 

[N.E.Tim]

Jim,
SUPER PHOTOS of the EYE CANDY !!!!!

 

[brownshoe]

Super display Jim! Thanks for the insight. You have such a cohesive approach it makes comparing different styles a pleasure. With your excellent lighting, it is hard not to believe you don't make some knives look better than in real life!

 

[Augustus Cole]

Superbe photos ! Always a great pleasure to look at your work !!!!

 

[RogerP]

Fantastic, Jim. I do really like that Tomberlin sword a whole bunch. I had the pleasure of meeting Steve Nuckels but did NOT see that spectacular Moran homage. Wow. That's another one straight into the Best Bowie file.

I got to play with that Durand folder at Sam's table and all I can say is whoever snagged that one got themselves a honey of a knife.

 

[Kevin Jones]

^ Steve shared his Bill Moran ST-24 Tribute fighter with me at the CKCA booth and asked for my critique. It is spectacular and one of the finest
examples I have had the pleasure of examining.

Great thread Coop, thanks so much for making the effort in bringing all these beautiful knives to the community.

 

[abbydaddy]

This thread has been a real treat for me. I didn't get to go to Blade, so it is nice to see some of the beauty that was on display.

 

[JohnPB]

Exquisite knives and pictures!!

The finest example of both art forms.

Thanks VERY much for posting them all

 

[Logan Pearce]

I was so busy in the studio room, I missed gladhanding Jerry Fisk and Logan. They both delivered these. Logan or Jerry: give us an account of what you have here?

Thank you for the photos, Coop! I love them. I never know what to make for the shows, so I just do a knife roulette of sorts. I throw a whole bunch of knife styles into a hat and pick out 3-4 and make whatever I draw. So if you ever wondered why I have so many random styles or types of knives that is why. lol. For the Blade Show, I drew a kitchen knife, tactical knife, Remnant knife (what I call my knives made from random crap), and frontier knife. I didn't manage to finish the frontier one before the show, since I had never done that style before.

Jerry was nice enough to deliver my knives to you guys for the pictures, because I got tied up with other business. I was wanting to pick your brains this year about a few things, but it will have to wait until I see you again.

Amazing work on all the photos, as always!

 

[Jon Brand]

The suspense! What are you doing to us Coop??

It was really intriguing to watch you do the sets (MS and JS). Moving all those parts and angles isn't easy and to see how they come out is very rewarding. For you too!

 

[Bigjohn]

Coop, thanks again for a fantastic array of your work with beautiful subjects.

Bravo

Bigjohn

 

[SharpByCoop]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments. Glad you are inspired!

Logan: Great stuff. I love diversity, and you never know what niche you are going to be best at, until you challenge to try them all. I applaud you!

Jon: I'm left with a handful of knives, and I still have a few to edit (I HAD to take care of some other studio work), and I've also filled my hours with prints and mailers. There is a submerged iceberg of work beyond the Blade Show!

That said...

Jon Brand picked up this little sweetheart utility from Erik Markman. I'll let him describe.

Jon Christensen and Tom Ferry BOTH collaborated on this gem, yet it was sold before it was photographed for them. Jon had an opportunity to have the capture at Blade, and you can tell why he wanted to show this!

Coop