Knives UK show 2015

[Subwoofer_CPF]

Everyone knows about Blade show, but maybe not so many know of the UK's only dedicated knife show 'Knives UK'. This year was the show's 10th anniversary and I thought I would share a few photos from the event that ran this weekend just gone.

(I looked for an 'Events/Shows/Meetups' area on the forum but could not see one. If this is in the wrong place, please could it be moved. Thanks)

Having just managed to do a first pass through the photos I have, this is the first of several posts (to keep the image count per post down)….

The fantastic venue Knives UK is lucky enough to be in – The Tortworth Court Hotel

The room was available slightly earlier than expected, giving our host Mike (of Mike's knives) a chance to get some of his table ready.

Amazingly Knives UK is really a Pop-Up show, in that it is set up and packed away in a single day! 06:00 and the tables are waiting.

The activity levels rise.

Everyone is busy.

Though there is a still a little time to compare notes.

Lovely creations being laid out.

 

[Subwoofer_CPF]

Now to try, and I say TRY to give an idea of what you can see at the show.

There is case….

…after case…

…after case…

…after table…

…after table…

…after table…

…after display…

…after case…

…after table…

…after table…

There are stall-holders too of course, not just tables.

Pause to take breath….

 

[Subwoofer_CPF]

So as well as the completed knives, the show also has the components you need to make your own.

Handle materials…

…and more handle materials.

Then blades…

…and more blades…

…and examples of what you can make.

You can get raw metal stock…

…and the tools you need to grind your own blades…

…and demonstrations too!

 

[Subwoofer_CPF]

Lastly, a quick look over just some of the many many luscious knives on offer (sorry I can't represent everyone who was there)

A couple of Pieter Annandale Knives

Some Farid Blades…

…and Farid combs and Damascus pins made by Doug Ponzio.

Stuart Wilson's creations…

…including an amazing axe.

Flavio Poratelli

Very shiny Chyrose Knives

Shiny camouflage

Wayne Potter's awesome dagger

More Wayne Potter.

And the final thought (provided by Ben and Louis Orford)

 

[Mike45ACP]

Looks like many more fixed blades than folders? Is that true, if so why?
Some great shots, thanks for sharing.

Mike

 

[marthinus]

Thank you for sharing!

 

[Subwoofer_CPF]

Looks like many more fixed blades than folders? Is that true, if so why?
Some great shots, thanks for sharing.

Mike

There were quite a few folders, but a lot of fixed blades. It might be that in the UK, we can't generally EDC lock knives, so when we have good reason to carry, we may as well carry a fixed blade rather than a folder.

Shing's folders (slip-joints) got snapped up before I made it to see him.

 

[Quiet]

I have always considered UK knife laws to be super strict, so I was looking at some of those pics and thinking "The guy who bought that hatchet/chopper/etc. probably got arrested as soon as he walked out the door LOL".

I can't imagine living somewhere where I was forced to have "a good reason" to have something.

Neat pics, thanks for sharing.

 

[craytab]

I have always considered UK knife laws to be super strict, so I was looking at some of those pics and thinking "The guy who bought that hatchet/chopper/etc. probably got arrested as soon as he walked out the door LOL".

I can't imagine living somewhere where I was forced to have "a good reason" to have something.

Neat pics, thanks for sharing.

Totally agree. But we do live somewhere where we are forced to have "a good reason" to have something. Our reason is "because"

Oh, and forget the knives, I want the castle!

 

[Subwoofer_CPF]

I have always considered UK knife laws to be super strict, so I was looking at some of those pics and thinking "The guy who bought that hatchet/chopper/etc. probably got arrested as soon as he walked out the door LOL".

Not to worry, if you have just bought a knife/edged tool and are transporting it home, that is 'good reason'. A great many countryside pursuits also count as good reason, just not walking about in town going shopping or hanging about. But we can carry a non-locking sub 3" blade at any time.

In reality UK knife laws are pretty sensible as if you have a lawful reason to carry a knife, you can. If you have no justifiable reason, you can't.

We work within what we are used to and it doesn't feel restrictive. I carry a Rajah II in my backpack when cycling as my route is through many un-kept trails, and I need to clear them from time to time. I just need to remember that when I pop into town I need to take it out, however if my route to town is via any trails I still have good reason to carry it and don't need to worry. What may seem silly though, is that I could not justify carrying my 'normal' size lockers as I won't be using them to cut branches and brambles from the trails, but can justify the Rajah II.

 

[brownshoe]

Thanks for the pictures. I always love to see shows especially ones that are outside the US.

I am surprised at how small the show is and that it lasts only one day. Public opinion must have truly beaten down the knife lovers in GB.