Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
....start your own(not in this thread)!
1. People always write about "name dropping" like it is a bad thing. In knife collecting, the name of the maker on your blade means just about everything wrt that knife. Names are important. If you use those names to try and make yourself look important, you are a tool, but if you use them to create a reference point, you are being honest....does everyone understand this, and the not entirely subtle difference?
2. The last two shows running I have been to(2009, 2011) there have been bidders who have failed to live up to the commitment of "i'll take it". To be clear...the bidders drop an "intent to purchase" slip in the box. If their name is drawn first, they have the option to take the knife, or pass, within a 1/2 hour window. IF they are drawn first(second or third), and FAIL to take the knife AFTER stating the commitment to purchase, that bidder is a scumbag and should be banned from the AKI for perpetuity in my opinion. It previously happened to Harvey Dean, and this year it happened in a big way to Dietmar Kressler. The bidder/maker relationship is one of trust, and "I didn't understand that my word meant something" in this case kills that trust. Grow up people, there are big numbers and much time commitment involved here.
This year, the AKI started for me on Thursday morning with grocery shopping and guests arriving Thursday and into the night. My lovely Karen and I entertained Harvey and Deborah Dean, Larry and Linda Fuegen, collector Adam Jacobs and my business partner P.A., we had a great Italian inspired feast and I got to see an awesome hunter that Larry is fine tuning.
Friday morning came early, and we had some errands to run, finished by lunch with Jon Klein and Mike Talanian. Have known Mike since the early '90's and he has gotten thinner, wiser and a bit more restrained, but still a madman!
We took it easy Friday night.
Saturday morning, packed my knives for show 'n sell and was at the AKI showroom around 10:30 am. Checked in, and walked the room. Here are my impressions, starting alphabetically:
Appleton, Ron-According to The Catalog, he had three knives, the Multa Lock Folder, the "Infi-Lock" and the "IQ Folder". I remember the Multa Lock, striking open or closed, with a very attractive contour, apparently EDM'd button and button recess, and machined metorite inlays. The Multa Lock mechanism is always unique, but the knives from this family are always extremely expensive, and do not appeal to my aesthetic sense.
Barnett, Van-Van spent a fair bit of time showing his "Time Machine"-Folding knife. This was a smallish damascus blade with inlayed/onlayed handles and an iris on each side. The inside of the iris was made to accomadate such things as a photograph, or engraving. Each side worked independently. Quite creative, but much more interesting to me was the "Touch of Magic" folder, an 11" open dagger-ground liner lock with carved and hot blued damascus blade, all kinds of set gemstones and a wicked attitude. This was a winner! I did not drop on it, as the price point was vastly out of my considered range.
Carter, Fred-This year, Fred came with a Dragonfly Folder, a Dragonfly Dagger, an all steel Dagger, and a Fighting Knife. Of the four knives mentioned, the Fighting Knife was my favorite, a reasonable(very much so) price, but with ivory and engraving. If it had been a stag handle, I would have really wanted that knife...super grinds, and an old/new world feel.
Dean, Harvey-Harvey is a good friend, with an irrational fondness for Elephant Toenails, which I abhor, so there will be no futher mention of it. His push dagger was executed in the expected superb style and finishing. Excellent 3 1/4" bold feather pattern damascus, and contrasting feather patterned gold-inlayed bolsters really highlighted the "flow" and the crackle pattern Mammoth ivory handle as well. The Vintage Bowie Harvey brought along had excellent balance, a nice long blade, and a lovely(choke) Spanish notch that killed it for me. Nicely done, amigo!
Dellana-was a no-show this year....I didn't see the large black lip pearl handled "Melted Gold" folder on the table that I was hoping to, to mostly focused on the two Van Barnett pieces that were most appealing.
Eaton, Rick-I like Rick, and I admire Rick. I have met some of his children, and to a one, they were polite, patriotic, intelligent and asked engaging questions. How can you not admire that in a person? Rick's knives this year were a minature Classic Bowie in half horse/half alligator style, OAL of 3 3/4", a Coffin Handled Bowie folder in mosaic damascus with fossil ivory handle and integral sculpted guard bolsters, and art deco dagger folder, a folding fighter and a California Styled Dagger. I briefly paid attention to the Art Deco Folding dagger and the California styled dagger which were both lovely, but not in my style preference nor in my price range.
Embretson, Kaj; England, Virgil; Hoel, Steve-unfortunately, I did not pay much attention to these fine knifemaker's works this year. I was looking for specific knives that would fit into my collection OR knives that would make me immediate cash. I don't find Kaj's style to my liking, Virgil's work is extremely far out there, and Steve is a great maker who has a great following, but none of the work really caught my eye, sadly. Per Serge Panchenko's request, I am going to transcribe the Virgil England knives from The Catalog-
Introduction- "My Grandfather was a hard rock gold miner at the turn of the last century. He told me stories of "Card Sharps" and "Lucky Strikers"" who had their gold made into fitting for their pistols and knives. He called them "Bullion" sets. So, I've made "Bullion" California knives. I used nearly nine ounces of pure gold to create the alloys for the Red Gold for the knives and shakudo fittings for the scabbards. I finished it all off with Placer nuggets over sterling silver. I think my grandfather would have been pleased.
Poker Flats "Barbary Coast California Fighters"A bowie, ring dag and push dag with hard scabbards cased for travel and display(Scabbards for the bowie and ring dag are buttoned for a "high carry".)
Knives and Scabbards: Damascus, Placer gold nuggets, red gold, shakudo, sterling silver, mammoth ivory, leather, scrimshaw.
Case: Sterling silver, bronze, yellow cedar, leather
Butterfly Queen A necklace with dag in a case for display
Knife: Damascus, 22k gold, 18k gold, niobium, blue sapphire, mammoth ivory, scrimshaw.
Case: Sterling Silver, 24k gold leaf, 24k gold foil, emeralds, bronze, mammoth ivory, Madagascar ebony, scrimshaw.
Cage of Thorns A pocket dag in a case for display or carrying.
Knife: Damascus, 22k gold, sterling silver, bronze, lapis lazuli, mammoth ivory, scrimshaw.
Case: Damascus, 22k gold, sterling silver, bronze, rubies, Madagascar ebony.
Dragon Tusk Shi Ak Bahtu presentation dag in a case for display
Knife: Damascus, sterling silver, bronze, 100 million year old SPINOSAURUS tooth.
Case: Sterling Silver, bronze, lapis lazuli, carnelian, yellow cedar, leather(The case is done to represent the likeness of Shi Ak Bahtu.)
Artist's note:Traditionally, be it a fine pistol or blade, there would have been a suitable case for display or carrying. For these pieces, I have made cases to reflect the themes of the blades, giving more depth to their presentation and adding new degrees of difficulty to their making
Virgil England and collector Tom Hutton clowning around.
Frank, H.H. had a 2.5" Sheepsfoot folder, a 2.75" folding dagger, and a 2.125" Gold folding dagger done in his traditional acorn/oak leaf engraving, the first two with buffalo horn handle, the gold folder in all gold. The work was fine, in Henry's usual perfection-driven format, but the consensus was that this was not his best year of offerings. There is NO WAY that I will even live to be as old as Henry, let alone produce the work of his unique and crisp style, so there is no judgement on this end.
Fuegen, Larry-I think, just as I do every year, that Larry is the best overall maker alive. This year for the AKI, he made The Arizona Gentleman's Bowie, which was unique for him in that after two lapidary classes, he made solid polished agate scales for the knife. Bloody Basin plume agate, to be specific. The 8.38" ladder pattern damascus blade was forged to shape, and the handle frame was wrapped in carved 14k gold. The rest of the information will be told by others, to be sure, but I can tell you, the knife handled like a dream, and there was nary a flaw. "Rivals" was the first two headed "Goblin" folder that I have ever seen, and may be the first to exist. The last piece of Larry's was a clip point Push Dagger of the usual awesome construction.
Here are Larry's photos, in his words:
"Since the mid 1800's, the push dagger has been a unique knife style and has been offered in many forms from strictly utilitarian to beautiful works of art. This clip point version offers some new design ideas that I have not offered before. The 4.38" forged to shape ladder pattern Damascus blade has a 3.75 inch clip point with 24K gold wire inlay. The narrow tang construction allowed me to use a carved rust browned steel guard and center spacer with 14K gold accent spacers. The carved one piece handle is cream colored mammoth ivory. The full length browned steel scabbard has a 14K gold throat and tip. All work by maker OAL - 7 ""
"Sheffield Bowie - The blade is handforged 7.75 inch 5160 carbon steel. The guard is browned steel and the handle is carved fossil walrus ivory with embossed 14 k gold band. The sheath has tooled leather with German silver throat and tip. OAL - 12.4 inches."
"This Bowie has a 8.38 inch forged to shape ladder pattern Damascus blade with a 5.5 inch long clip point. The guard and spacers are carved nickel Damascus with 14K gold bands. For the handle I chose Bloody Basin plume agate from central AZ. Bloody Basin gets it's name from a battle in 1873 between the Tonto Apache and the US Army. The beauty of this agate was recognized by the Tiffany Company in the early 1900's, and they had a mining claim in the area. Today, it is becoming harder to find large pieces of this agate, so these handles are rather unique. The handle frame is wrapped with carved 18 ga. 14K gold. The custom sheath is leather with a Sterling Silver tip and a throat that has a 14 k gold collar. All work by maker. OAL - 13.75 inches"
"Rivals - First 2 headed gargoyle:
The handles are made from matched deer antlers that are carved, stained and inlayed with mammoth ivory spines. The faces have carved walrus ivory teeth, red garnet eyes and large textured 14K gold tongues that move. The file worked liners are stainless steel and the mild steel spacer has forged scrolls and fossil ivory inlays. The 4 .75 inch forged to shape random pattern Damascus blade is carved and sculpted. "Rivals" is presented on a custom display base of cocobolo wood with a natural raw agate mineral specimen, topped with a forged copper splash cap. All work by maker."
Hancock, Tim-Tim is an awesome guy. He decided to make a wakizashi, and many of the elements were either whimsical or simply cool, including a full same'(rayskin) wrap on the scabbard(so very hard to do right, and so wonderfully well done in this case).....however, I said it to Tim first, and I'll write it here....the handle was fat(a mistake often made by even accomplished sword makers from time to time) and the tip was unconscionably American tanto....as in simply, completely and unforgivably wrong. Tim could have chosen about 12 other tip(kissaki) styles that would have been better. Sometimes, 10% failure results in 100% unacceptable. Obviously, as the piece sold, this is my hangup. So be it. His fancy hunter was, as they always are, a fantastic bargain, and an object that I had lust for especially this year, 7 bars of alternating Turkish Twist damascus and blackwood handles.....someday I hope to be drawn for one of these knives. I dream of them sometimes. Tim opted for a Cowboy Bowie as his third knife this year, instead of dagger, which I prefer, and which he has made for the last three AKI events that I have attended. Great knife, just not my cuppa.
Johnson, S.R. "Steve"-You all know Steve, you know his work. He had a Loveless Style Big Bear in mammoth ivory, a Loveless Style Fighter in mammoth ivory, a Loveless Style Baby Archer Chute Knife with unique AKI logos that I did not drop a slip on, and a piece of perfection Loveless Style Wilderness in stag handles that I did drop on(but didn't get).....and then there was Christine's Fighter, which is on the back cover of this year's catalog. THE BEST S.R. Johnson knife that I have ever seen, a collaboration with Barry Lee Hands. 6" blade Loveless Style fighter in full integral BG-42 with Barry's engraving of 24k and "Gilded Pearl", French fitted in a cocobolo display box. IF not THE best knife of the show, one of the top three in my opinion. Steve absolutely knocked it out of the park with this offering, and I stand humbled to be able to breathe the same air he does.
Kressler, Dietmar-one of the kings of the Integral knife, had a set of 3 full Integral knives, an amber stag handled large subhilt, a smaller(6" blade) amber stag handled subhilt, a boot subhilt in sheephorn, and two integral drop point knives. I like Dietmar's work, and am sure that it is worth the price, but still a bit steep for me, and I did not drop on any of them.
Continued in Post # 26
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
1. People always write about "name dropping" like it is a bad thing. In knife collecting, the name of the maker on your blade means just about everything wrt that knife. Names are important. If you use those names to try and make yourself look important, you are a tool, but if you use them to create a reference point, you are being honest....does everyone understand this, and the not entirely subtle difference?
2. The last two shows running I have been to(2009, 2011) there have been bidders who have failed to live up to the commitment of "i'll take it". To be clear...the bidders drop an "intent to purchase" slip in the box. If their name is drawn first, they have the option to take the knife, or pass, within a 1/2 hour window. IF they are drawn first(second or third), and FAIL to take the knife AFTER stating the commitment to purchase, that bidder is a scumbag and should be banned from the AKI for perpetuity in my opinion. It previously happened to Harvey Dean, and this year it happened in a big way to Dietmar Kressler. The bidder/maker relationship is one of trust, and "I didn't understand that my word meant something" in this case kills that trust. Grow up people, there are big numbers and much time commitment involved here.
This year, the AKI started for me on Thursday morning with grocery shopping and guests arriving Thursday and into the night. My lovely Karen and I entertained Harvey and Deborah Dean, Larry and Linda Fuegen, collector Adam Jacobs and my business partner P.A., we had a great Italian inspired feast and I got to see an awesome hunter that Larry is fine tuning.
Friday morning came early, and we had some errands to run, finished by lunch with Jon Klein and Mike Talanian. Have known Mike since the early '90's and he has gotten thinner, wiser and a bit more restrained, but still a madman!
We took it easy Friday night.
Saturday morning, packed my knives for show 'n sell and was at the AKI showroom around 10:30 am. Checked in, and walked the room. Here are my impressions, starting alphabetically:
Appleton, Ron-According to The Catalog, he had three knives, the Multa Lock Folder, the "Infi-Lock" and the "IQ Folder". I remember the Multa Lock, striking open or closed, with a very attractive contour, apparently EDM'd button and button recess, and machined metorite inlays. The Multa Lock mechanism is always unique, but the knives from this family are always extremely expensive, and do not appeal to my aesthetic sense.
Barnett, Van-Van spent a fair bit of time showing his "Time Machine"-Folding knife. This was a smallish damascus blade with inlayed/onlayed handles and an iris on each side. The inside of the iris was made to accomadate such things as a photograph, or engraving. Each side worked independently. Quite creative, but much more interesting to me was the "Touch of Magic" folder, an 11" open dagger-ground liner lock with carved and hot blued damascus blade, all kinds of set gemstones and a wicked attitude. This was a winner! I did not drop on it, as the price point was vastly out of my considered range.
Carter, Fred-This year, Fred came with a Dragonfly Folder, a Dragonfly Dagger, an all steel Dagger, and a Fighting Knife. Of the four knives mentioned, the Fighting Knife was my favorite, a reasonable(very much so) price, but with ivory and engraving. If it had been a stag handle, I would have really wanted that knife...super grinds, and an old/new world feel.
Dean, Harvey-Harvey is a good friend, with an irrational fondness for Elephant Toenails, which I abhor, so there will be no futher mention of it. His push dagger was executed in the expected superb style and finishing. Excellent 3 1/4" bold feather pattern damascus, and contrasting feather patterned gold-inlayed bolsters really highlighted the "flow" and the crackle pattern Mammoth ivory handle as well. The Vintage Bowie Harvey brought along had excellent balance, a nice long blade, and a lovely(choke) Spanish notch that killed it for me. Nicely done, amigo!
Dellana-was a no-show this year....I didn't see the large black lip pearl handled "Melted Gold" folder on the table that I was hoping to, to mostly focused on the two Van Barnett pieces that were most appealing.
Eaton, Rick-I like Rick, and I admire Rick. I have met some of his children, and to a one, they were polite, patriotic, intelligent and asked engaging questions. How can you not admire that in a person? Rick's knives this year were a minature Classic Bowie in half horse/half alligator style, OAL of 3 3/4", a Coffin Handled Bowie folder in mosaic damascus with fossil ivory handle and integral sculpted guard bolsters, and art deco dagger folder, a folding fighter and a California Styled Dagger. I briefly paid attention to the Art Deco Folding dagger and the California styled dagger which were both lovely, but not in my style preference nor in my price range.
Embretson, Kaj; England, Virgil; Hoel, Steve-unfortunately, I did not pay much attention to these fine knifemaker's works this year. I was looking for specific knives that would fit into my collection OR knives that would make me immediate cash. I don't find Kaj's style to my liking, Virgil's work is extremely far out there, and Steve is a great maker who has a great following, but none of the work really caught my eye, sadly. Per Serge Panchenko's request, I am going to transcribe the Virgil England knives from The Catalog-
Introduction- "My Grandfather was a hard rock gold miner at the turn of the last century. He told me stories of "Card Sharps" and "Lucky Strikers"" who had their gold made into fitting for their pistols and knives. He called them "Bullion" sets. So, I've made "Bullion" California knives. I used nearly nine ounces of pure gold to create the alloys for the Red Gold for the knives and shakudo fittings for the scabbards. I finished it all off with Placer nuggets over sterling silver. I think my grandfather would have been pleased.
Poker Flats "Barbary Coast California Fighters"A bowie, ring dag and push dag with hard scabbards cased for travel and display(Scabbards for the bowie and ring dag are buttoned for a "high carry".)
Knives and Scabbards: Damascus, Placer gold nuggets, red gold, shakudo, sterling silver, mammoth ivory, leather, scrimshaw.
Case: Sterling silver, bronze, yellow cedar, leather
Butterfly Queen A necklace with dag in a case for display
Knife: Damascus, 22k gold, 18k gold, niobium, blue sapphire, mammoth ivory, scrimshaw.
Case: Sterling Silver, 24k gold leaf, 24k gold foil, emeralds, bronze, mammoth ivory, Madagascar ebony, scrimshaw.
Cage of Thorns A pocket dag in a case for display or carrying.
Knife: Damascus, 22k gold, sterling silver, bronze, lapis lazuli, mammoth ivory, scrimshaw.
Case: Damascus, 22k gold, sterling silver, bronze, rubies, Madagascar ebony.
Dragon Tusk Shi Ak Bahtu presentation dag in a case for display
Knife: Damascus, sterling silver, bronze, 100 million year old SPINOSAURUS tooth.
Case: Sterling Silver, bronze, lapis lazuli, carnelian, yellow cedar, leather(The case is done to represent the likeness of Shi Ak Bahtu.)
Artist's note:Traditionally, be it a fine pistol or blade, there would have been a suitable case for display or carrying. For these pieces, I have made cases to reflect the themes of the blades, giving more depth to their presentation and adding new degrees of difficulty to their making
Virgil England and collector Tom Hutton clowning around.
Frank, H.H. had a 2.5" Sheepsfoot folder, a 2.75" folding dagger, and a 2.125" Gold folding dagger done in his traditional acorn/oak leaf engraving, the first two with buffalo horn handle, the gold folder in all gold. The work was fine, in Henry's usual perfection-driven format, but the consensus was that this was not his best year of offerings. There is NO WAY that I will even live to be as old as Henry, let alone produce the work of his unique and crisp style, so there is no judgement on this end.
Fuegen, Larry-I think, just as I do every year, that Larry is the best overall maker alive. This year for the AKI, he made The Arizona Gentleman's Bowie, which was unique for him in that after two lapidary classes, he made solid polished agate scales for the knife. Bloody Basin plume agate, to be specific. The 8.38" ladder pattern damascus blade was forged to shape, and the handle frame was wrapped in carved 14k gold. The rest of the information will be told by others, to be sure, but I can tell you, the knife handled like a dream, and there was nary a flaw. "Rivals" was the first two headed "Goblin" folder that I have ever seen, and may be the first to exist. The last piece of Larry's was a clip point Push Dagger of the usual awesome construction.
Here are Larry's photos, in his words:
"Since the mid 1800's, the push dagger has been a unique knife style and has been offered in many forms from strictly utilitarian to beautiful works of art. This clip point version offers some new design ideas that I have not offered before. The 4.38" forged to shape ladder pattern Damascus blade has a 3.75 inch clip point with 24K gold wire inlay. The narrow tang construction allowed me to use a carved rust browned steel guard and center spacer with 14K gold accent spacers. The carved one piece handle is cream colored mammoth ivory. The full length browned steel scabbard has a 14K gold throat and tip. All work by maker OAL - 7 ""
"Sheffield Bowie - The blade is handforged 7.75 inch 5160 carbon steel. The guard is browned steel and the handle is carved fossil walrus ivory with embossed 14 k gold band. The sheath has tooled leather with German silver throat and tip. OAL - 12.4 inches."
"This Bowie has a 8.38 inch forged to shape ladder pattern Damascus blade with a 5.5 inch long clip point. The guard and spacers are carved nickel Damascus with 14K gold bands. For the handle I chose Bloody Basin plume agate from central AZ. Bloody Basin gets it's name from a battle in 1873 between the Tonto Apache and the US Army. The beauty of this agate was recognized by the Tiffany Company in the early 1900's, and they had a mining claim in the area. Today, it is becoming harder to find large pieces of this agate, so these handles are rather unique. The handle frame is wrapped with carved 18 ga. 14K gold. The custom sheath is leather with a Sterling Silver tip and a throat that has a 14 k gold collar. All work by maker. OAL - 13.75 inches"
"Rivals - First 2 headed gargoyle:
The handles are made from matched deer antlers that are carved, stained and inlayed with mammoth ivory spines. The faces have carved walrus ivory teeth, red garnet eyes and large textured 14K gold tongues that move. The file worked liners are stainless steel and the mild steel spacer has forged scrolls and fossil ivory inlays. The 4 .75 inch forged to shape random pattern Damascus blade is carved and sculpted. "Rivals" is presented on a custom display base of cocobolo wood with a natural raw agate mineral specimen, topped with a forged copper splash cap. All work by maker."
Hancock, Tim-Tim is an awesome guy. He decided to make a wakizashi, and many of the elements were either whimsical or simply cool, including a full same'(rayskin) wrap on the scabbard(so very hard to do right, and so wonderfully well done in this case).....however, I said it to Tim first, and I'll write it here....the handle was fat(a mistake often made by even accomplished sword makers from time to time) and the tip was unconscionably American tanto....as in simply, completely and unforgivably wrong. Tim could have chosen about 12 other tip(kissaki) styles that would have been better. Sometimes, 10% failure results in 100% unacceptable. Obviously, as the piece sold, this is my hangup. So be it. His fancy hunter was, as they always are, a fantastic bargain, and an object that I had lust for especially this year, 7 bars of alternating Turkish Twist damascus and blackwood handles.....someday I hope to be drawn for one of these knives. I dream of them sometimes. Tim opted for a Cowboy Bowie as his third knife this year, instead of dagger, which I prefer, and which he has made for the last three AKI events that I have attended. Great knife, just not my cuppa.
Johnson, S.R. "Steve"-You all know Steve, you know his work. He had a Loveless Style Big Bear in mammoth ivory, a Loveless Style Fighter in mammoth ivory, a Loveless Style Baby Archer Chute Knife with unique AKI logos that I did not drop a slip on, and a piece of perfection Loveless Style Wilderness in stag handles that I did drop on(but didn't get).....and then there was Christine's Fighter, which is on the back cover of this year's catalog. THE BEST S.R. Johnson knife that I have ever seen, a collaboration with Barry Lee Hands. 6" blade Loveless Style fighter in full integral BG-42 with Barry's engraving of 24k and "Gilded Pearl", French fitted in a cocobolo display box. IF not THE best knife of the show, one of the top three in my opinion. Steve absolutely knocked it out of the park with this offering, and I stand humbled to be able to breathe the same air he does.
Kressler, Dietmar-one of the kings of the Integral knife, had a set of 3 full Integral knives, an amber stag handled large subhilt, a smaller(6" blade) amber stag handled subhilt, a boot subhilt in sheephorn, and two integral drop point knives. I like Dietmar's work, and am sure that it is worth the price, but still a bit steep for me, and I did not drop on any of them.
Continued in Post # 26
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
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