Knives of the Blade Show 2013 • Art, Classics, and Community

I know that your work is very difficult, time consuming and takes a lot more talent than I will ever possess but, you may be the luckiest man in the knife business. Who else gets to handle such incredible knives as much as you?
Thank you for sharing.
 
We're taking a rest now back in our hotel. VERY busy day, as Fridays always are. Plenty of incredible knives.

Interestingly, what came my way was 85% fixed blades. Notably harder to capture and they take more time. However, we have a great following for this work, and I'm thankful for the opportunities.

I can't post any photos for a week or so, but I can't wait to get editing. :)

Thanks if you came by, and sorry if I missed you while working. That's progress!

Coop

Ps: We're really pleased with our two helpers: Kyle and Maggie. They made a nice difference in our day.
 
I saw a good handful of knives you have shot today. Your pictures really show off these knives exceptionally well. excellent work as always. I was truely impressed by the work of Rodrigo Sfreddo. So cool to make the connection between the picture and the actual piece. Hope the rest of the show goes well for you!
 
Thanks guys. We have one final push, and then it's a relaxing ride home.

We enjoyed a fantastic dinner with STeven, Paul Long, Joe Paranee, David Mirabile, Gavin Hawk, and others at some wacky gourmet burger joint. Lots of laughs and decadent food. Best relaxation of the weekend.

I will stop what I'm doing only to visit AG Russell for a moment. We always handshake.

Thanks to all who we've seen, and those we missed. :D

Coop
 
Always admire your photos, and can't wait to see more. Have spent hrs just looking.

Was chatting with another member here, and we have a little side bet going (for a chocolate donut).

Are your (Coop's) image backgrounds digital or real (like you have a pattern book of backdrops)?

Thanks!
 
^^^ Thank you! Someone's eating a deserved chocolate donut with a smile! :D

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I employ real backgrounds as much as possible. Sometimes, I've done digital, when asked.

Coop
 
BTW: We're back after a lengthy ride home. One motel stop. Uneventful and relaxing, actually. Much needed.

It was as successful a show as we've ever had, and I was maxxed out with fatigue. At 6pm on Friday and Saturday I was just over my exhaustion limit. YIKES!

I did, however, hears some voices calling to me, and spent a few moments with makers to glad-hand, discuss work, show proofs and simply say hi. As much as I need to stay focused on studio work, I NEED to have a break, and your handshakes really were ministry for me. Hardly the distraction.

Susan and Kyle and Maggie worked HARD doing advisories, write-ups, pick-ups, and deliveries. I need to thank them right here for their outstanding contributions.

Here's an open shout out to Corey Martin who spent the money to be yet a third official studio photographer in the Blade Show program list, besides Eric Eggly and myself. He was also kind enough to come around and introduce himself early on thursday. I did the same with Eric when I first got on board. I wish him success; he's starting out well. Susan and I stopped by Eric's studio Saturday eve to say hi and see him working late, yet I missed Corey who had left.

I'd missed seeing Caleb Royer wandering about, and he's doing an incredible job and service to show the people and table displays in his thread.

I'll start filling up the thread with images and my comments as soon as I get going on edits and proof approvals. This will be a lonnnnng savory meal.

I also have to spend time at my other job (coaching and fixing rowing boats), which has lost me for a week.

Wait for it.... :D

Coop
 
Thanks to YOU Jim and Susan! According to Maggie she had an "Awesome" experience! Could not stop talking of Mr. Jim and Ms. Susan - all the fabulous knives she was privileged to see, and all the knifemakers she met. Of course, now she is the world's best critic "Dad, you better step it up"...true story! THANKS!! lol
Steve
 
I'll allow that the MS and JS ABS test pieces were SO important and time-consuming to these makers, that I let them out of the gate first. :D

One new Mastersmith in the house: Aaron Wilburn. Take careful notice of his amazing steel.
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This one is also in it's own thread, and it deserves full attention here. The magnanimous Samuel Lurquin and his enviable set:

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Top award for any JS piece:
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Here's Joe Paranee's Hurak utility out of this set:
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Greg Shahan shows how versatile HE is.
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Russell Roosevelt builds them long, slender, and useful.
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Derrick Wulf passes his with scarlet colors!
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One of the more costly folders, Michael Walker's tricky thumbstud automatic.
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And we finish this post with a round of applause and admirations for Ronald Best's always-stylish autos.
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Thanks for viewing.
 
Thank you Coop. I always look forward to this thread. I get to see all the great knives I missed. Always a pleasure talking to you and Susan. Thank you again.
Brion
 
Thanks Coop! I always enjoy working with you and appreciate the time and effort you put in to get the background, composition, and lighting just right. The photos are a pleasure to view and of course I'm very pleased with the work you did with mine as well (new avatar!). Thanks again!
 
Thank you so much for sharing these phenomenal pictures! Seems like Blade 2013 was quite the trip! :D
 
OK, let's see the top contenders that came MY way:

First off, I shot this first one a few weeks ago at home, but he John sent it in anticipation of my Blade workload. How right he was.

John White, MS: Best Damascus, Best Bowie, Best of Show: The Triple Crown WINNER!
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David Lisch, JS: Best Fixed Blade
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David Mirabile, JS: Best Sword
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Scott McGhee, JS: Best Handle Design
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David Sharp: Best New Maker
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Steve Culver, MS: Best of the Rest
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More next...
 
David Lisch also brought me a pair of these stunning split-ring-guard Bowies.
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I'm glad I made my tent larger. Scott McGhee christened my workload with this 36.5" sword cane project!
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This blade finish below is NOT perfectly polished. My images won't show David Sharp's subtle 'burnished' finish. The judges saw them, though. ;)
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David also does some fine sheath work.
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Sidebar: I wish I could have gotten more finished.... I had to take a couple of hours off: My 10 yr old son ran his final X-country meet this afternoon and had a dramatic tie sprint for first place for 1.2 miles at the ribbon against a 12 yr old teammate. :D He won his age group for the season against six other schools.
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I'll have more soon. Thanks for watching!
 
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