NWKC show recap

M

mikespens

Joined
Nov 6, 2000
Messages
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I'm a bit tired after a long but fun weekend. I think it's safe to say the show was a success. I don't think you can deny that the countries current economic state did effect sales all around. Still, it was the clubs largest show with 100 tables sold and several having to be turned away. Attendence was high on Sat. with the too be expected drop off on Sun. Overall, there were a lot of folks and plenty of space to browse.
Highlights:
Best of Show to Bruce Bump's amazing ball & powder derringer/folder in damascus and stag. It came complete in a leather bound "book" safe which concealed the weapon and all it's accessories, all by the maker. Absolutely stunning and perfectly executed.
Best Folder went to Roger Dole's large warncliffe folder with massive and stunning MOP. It was a very unique blade/handle design with an almost birds beak type of butt. It really looked "right" and was super clean as is usual on Roger's knives.
Best Fixed Blade went to Bob Lay's super clean and beautifully engraved large bowie. As usual for Bob, classically elegant and not overdone.
Tom Ferry won a very competive and highly popular rope cutting contest. There were a lot of entrants and the audience was very enthusiastic. This was our first contest and it was really a hit.
Congratulations to all of them, the awards were well deserved and thier talent is a huge asset to our club.
Tom's cousin Jon Christensen came in from Montana with some beautiful damascus pieces. His table was ajacent from mine and I was able to witness this: When Jon needed to leave his table, he asked one of Todd Beggs son's to watch over his knives. On Sun. Jon gave him one of his little capers to return the favor. Talk about an excited kid! That's classy.
I won one of the custom raffles! A new model short tanto from Rob Criswell with a nifty guard-lock Kydex sheath. Talk about stout, with 1/4" A2, I'm positive I could put a hole in an old Buick. I never win anything. Should have heard me whoop!
Lowlights: Flys. Swarms, especially on Sat. Apparently the heat brought them to life after all the livestock from the recent state fair. Talk about something out of left field, no one could have anticipated this. Fortunately, us northwesterners are hardy and outdoorsey enough to endure some disgusting critters.
The fire dept. decided to shut down the forging demonstration. Went off without a hitch last time. Oh well. Can't argue with heros.
I cut my finger.
Thanks to all the folks who volunteered to help out with set up and tear down and all the club officers who made it happen.
Thanks to all who supported the club with tables and those who attended.
Some of the nicest people I've ever met have been at knife shows, and this one was no exception.
Support your local knife club or show.
 
Looks like that sig. of yours is apropos. Hope it wasn't too bad of a cut.

Thanks for the great report. Even though I can't make it to most of the shows, I always know that someone will fill me in.
 
It was very cool that Mike was around for both days of the show this time, as he's usually just a Sunday guy due to work. Mike showed me two knives that stand out in my mind - one was a folder from Roger Dole weighing in at 1.3oz, and the other was a dual bladed folder that was 150 years old. Something new, something old, but both very spectacular.

My highlight was seeing two of Tom's knives (which will be on bladegallery.com soon). It features his new "biohazard" pattern mosaic damascus, as well as Timascus.

It's always good to see the local knife crowd, but I was a little disappointed that more forum folks either weren't there or didn't introduce themselves. Mark J and his son Chris came by, and Rokjok introduced himself. Oh well, I guess it's not quantity, but quality :)

Here are some weblinks for the makers who were at the show:

http://www.jonchristensenknives.com/
http://home.earthlink.net/~rd11056/
http://landru.myhome.net/stegner/
http://brucebump.homestead.com/

Well that's all for now, since I guess I should go to work ;)

~Mitch
 
But since I'm way too new here to know anybody... I didn't know who to introduce myself to! Mitch, I was the guy talking with Daniel O'Malley and Peter Bromley at the entrance on Sunday when you came out and got that red case fromn Daniel. You and I also met in Eugene while you were standing in for Daniel at the Bladegallery booth.
And for those of you not there, not only were the 'big' names that Mike mentioned there, but there were a lot of new makers there, and some who've been around for awhile. I ran in to Todd Begg in Eugene in April where he won Best New Maker... I bought one of his then, and couldn't resist getting one this time from him, either! Eric Berglund has been at every show I've been to; this time I couldn't pass up a wonderful little D-2 pukko of his. Mick Penfold from Cali was there, too: I first ran into him in Eugene, again at Blade West and when I found out he was gonna be here... well, I had to go! Nick Wheeler also blew my sock s off with a couple of pieces he had... of course, I had to order one... :rolleyes:
Anyway, the biggest thing I took away was the sense of comraderie I felt from everyone on both days. And that same sense of community is why I've decided to stay on BFC and hopefully give back in some small way some of the good vibes I've gotten live and on this forum.
Cheers on y'all... and maybe I'll see y'all in Eugene, if not before!
 
Keith, no need for concern, the club always has bandages in the cash register. :) In fact, a bandaged finger seemed quite the fashion statement judging by the number I saw sport'n em.
Mitch, have to agree with you, I only met a few forumites. Mark and his son Chris, who was very proud of his purple multi-tool and a very wicked looking trick opener. Do not mess with this kid. Mark was easy to spot with his BF t-shirt and had some very nice decorated Sebenzas.
Also met Bill Siegle, a maker from Ore. with some very tactical looking knives. When the blades are black, you know your supposed to use em.
Then there was Josh, (oops! It is Joss, thanks for the correction Mitch) a friend of Nick Wheeler. He seemed quite knowledgeable about customs. French accent I think.
Don't remember meeting joeshredd, but my table was directly behind Todd Begg, so we were within feet.
Where was everybody else?
Mitch, thanks for posting the links. Bruce Bump's best of show winner is on his "available" link. Don't know if I should thank or curse you for letting me play with your Cobra. I want one bad now. Also really liked Nick's fighters. I gotta win the lotto or rob a bank.
 
I think Nick's french friend was Joss (he's got quite a few posts, and I was looking forward to meeting him). Oh well.

Mark and Chris are always at the show. I enjoy seeing them very much. Soon we'll be saying stuff like "Chris, I remember when you were this tall"...

It's kind of a bummer that PhilB. doesn't do this show, but I heard at BAKCA a few weeks ago he had about 20 Cobras and sold all but one. It's a super slick knife!

I remember rudely interrupting Daniel, to get my case. Sorry about that. You should have said "Hey, do you have any idea who I am? I'm Joeshredd from bladeforums! Don't be so rude!" :)

That Criswell that Mike won was pretty damn sweet as well! I was playing with one just like it on Larry Hogan's table.

~Mitch
 
I thought the show was really well done. My congratulations to all who made it happen. As a newcomer to the Northwest, I did not know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. Lots of great folks and some really nice knives.
The biggest highlight of the show for me was the chance to spend some time talking with Joe Drouin about his fabulous collection of custom folders and get his perspective on collecting. I also really enjoyed checking out the makers knives. Only wish I would have brought a fatter wallet.
Great job folks! I'll be back.
 
Bill,

Glad you enjoyed the show! The gun show is nearly every month, but the knife show only happends twice a year! :) There's a mini-show in Eugene in December...

~Mitch
 
The show was great - I'm glad I went. There are some amazing talents there, Bruce Bump and Tom Ferry, obviously, but a bunch of others, not least of whom my friends Nick & Jon. What Jon did was very classy indeed!

That was my first gun show too - that was quite an experience. Any foreigner should go to one of them to get a true feeling of being far away from home...

JD
 
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