NWKC Show

J

joeshredd

Joined
May 8, 2002
Messages
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Hey all, not exactly sure where to place this, but due to all the local custom makers, and some not so local that show up...

Puyallup, WA... Oct 4th and 5th, at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, is our own local North West Knife Collectors Show, in conjunction with the Northwest Arms Collectors Show...

I'm only sure Nick Wheeler is supposed to be there, but Bruce Bump, Todd Begg, Eric O. Berglund, Pinoy Knives and a bunch of others have been there in the past and this year should be just as fun... It's small enough to be "intimate" but with enough diversity to satisfy the old slipjoint crowd, the tactical crowd and the custom crowd...

I don't really expect to recognize anyone from the forums there, but I'll have my namebadge on, and it's not spelled too different from my user name here... Sing out and introduce yourself!
 
I'm goin Saturday around 1:00. When is the rope cutting event happening? Anyone?:confused:
 
Joe, Stop by and show me the latest swag. Nick is teasing me he may have my knife finished to deliver. Too many custom makers to list but Tom Ferry brought Jon Christensen and Ed Caffrey to the club meeting tonight so they are for sure. Bruce Bump has his niece's wedding to attend so he can't make it, bummer.
Jaiden, the rope cutting will be on Sunday.
All you NW knifeknutts come on out and support your local knife show, it's always a fun show.
Here's the website: www.nwkc.org/
 
Hey Mike,
If you get there before me... you'll see mine on Nick's table... I hope!!! LOL!!!:D

I hadn't seen your post on the Blade forum, so that's why I posted here... Hope ya don't mind?!?!

And I'll even bring a few others for show and tell... Too bad Bruce couldn't make it, but it sounds like a legit reason! Wishin' Bruce the best with the ceremonies and parties!

See ya Saturday!
 
I hope the show is good for you guys. Im at home with a twisted knee and cant even drive because it wont bend far enough to reach the gas pedal. I find out tomarrow if I need surgury. Boy this will cut down on production. I did finish the wedding cake cutting knife while standing on crutches however. What a nice wedding it was.

Tell me how the show was
 
Bruce, Sorry to hear of your misfortune, I hope it's not so serious that you require surgery. sounds like you'll be needing to take it easy for a while though.
I'll post a show report as soon as possible, I'm a bit exhausted from the weekend, clean up is a bitch!
I personally had a great time and think most everybody did too. I know joeshredd is a pretty happy guy and so is Nick Wheeler for the same reason. Nick won Best in Show with Joe's long awaited new bowie.
Ed Schempp did his personal best winning the rope cutting contest by cutting through 11 1" ropes! This is probably a world record. The crowd went nuts. It was awesome!
I hope all the forumites who attended will post with their thoughts on the show. We need the input as we grow the show.
Thanks to all who participated and attended.
 
Mike thanks for the report! Im not surprised that Nick got Best of Show! His stuff is awesome!

11 ropes? that has to be a record! Ive seen Ed cut almost 9 but 11? Thats incredible!

There is a good story about Ed Schempp in the latest Blade mag. That guy never ceases to amaze me. He is one of our pioneers. Im proud to be a part of his "Planet Builders" project.
 
The NWKC show was great and the highlight was watching Ed set a new record, that was totally awesome........he is just incredible and an absolute sweetheart to talk with, knives kick too!!
As a club member, I gotta give kudos to the show organizers.....the awards given out are some of the coolest looking I have seen, way way more cool then the plain wooden plaques, and I am quite pleased that Todd brought one home to add to my collection(thats right, my collection!! these awards validate for me that he is not just a crackpot who obsesses on knives)

Thank you to all of you who came to the cookout sat. nite, I think we all had a blast. So much so that several makers asked that it become a regular thing in conjunction with the NWKC shows. Fine by me, mi casa sue casa. Only next year we will strictly enforce the no POLITICS topic :D :D dont you agree mike ;)

I only have one small matter that needs clearing.......whoever is wearing/using my makeup.......its none of my buisness, you may have a pallid complextion or some freaky fetish best kept quiet(Nick,Tom,Jon,Ed)........I will ask no questions all will be forgiven :cool: just give it back, besides its really best used with translucent face powder ;)

Tanya
 
Here are some pics we did in the parking lot (no cameras allowed into the show, unless you're show stafff...)

Clickable Thumbnails

His new one I was talking about with the Curly Koa and S30V, called the Dingo, won a very nice Best Art Fixed award.


As usual, clean lines with a neat little hole, bigger hole pattern on the flute. A nice simple touch to really set it off.


Very kick ass sheath made by Todd


I was hoping to work a deal for the Dingo, but it's gone to a dealer (let me know if anyone is interested in who it is).

Todd had a big one too, which is still in process, but very impressive. Put next to a Springfield XD-9 mag for comparison:



One of his customers is very much into training. Todd made an exact dimension aluminum trainer, complete with radiused scales and fluted integral handle. The trainer will have it's own sheath, so the customer can practice draws and deployment of the tool.

 
Tanya, I second the motion to make your gig a regular thing. Hopefully I'll get a repeat invite despite the clam faux pau and my hissy about politics cause girl, your b-ribs rock! It's a good thing I come with my better half Mary too, gives you girls more "can you believe what he did..." stock to laugh about. Thanks for a great time.
Mitch, thanks for posting the pixs. It's too bad about WAC's no camera policy but I know the rope cutting got some coverage that will probably end up on the club website.
I'm going to eventually post a show report listing all the award winners but I'm still recovering from the show and a 10hr day at work today. Sleep.....I need sleep.....
 
The show was great, I had a really good time thanks to all my friends and the good folks that came in.

Things went well for me, and I'm still elated about it.

One of the high-lights for me was the dinner and "mill-in" at tnt's! Well, to be more specific, Tanya's Mom...she was the coolest! I think she made me laught harder than anyone else all week-end. And my face hurts from laughing so hard all week-end...I guess that's why it was so uncomfortable putting that make-up on today Tonya. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! j/k...but I couldn't resist. Todd is an excellent machinist, and helped some of us loley bladesmiths out with tips and tricks.

Today we had a follow-up hammer-in at our friend's Tom Ferry's shop. It was a blast, we had HOT STEEL and BIG TOOLS going all day.

The whole show was a kick...I really hope anyone that can come by next time will. There is really a growing improvement in quality!

Thanks to all who came by and said hello and shot the breeze.
 
Mike the invitation is absolutetly open to you and Mary, besides there is the ulterior motive of the "crossing over";) you said in five years you'll be making knives!!! and wouldn't hurt my feelings to add clams to the menu!!

Nick......all I can say is .....I KNEW IT!!! Awfully nice of you to help the NWKC show out by taking home THREE of their awards too!!!
I'll remember to seat my mom at your table next time too....:D :D

Tom, thank you for the REALLY cool knick knack you forged for me....I LOVE IT.....but you have a problem now, I am going to expect a cool gift like that every time:D :D Thanks for having the Hammer-in too, Todd thoroughly enjoyed himself.
Mr. Caffery, I know your diabolical plan was to woo Todd to the dark side and it wont work!!!! Though I have to say I did sorta enjoy having you plead his cause.....you did it remarkably well....how did you put it? your momma only raised one stupid son and he lives back east!!!


Tanya
 
OK, here's a show report as promised. I didn't take any notes so maybe this should be called show memories. Please post to correct any errors as I do have a feeble mind.

The crowd was fair, I've seen more but the folks seemed to be more into it than the past. All 100 tables were filled and there could have been more but for a "miscommunication" between NWKC an WAC. Unfortunatley, some table requests had to be turned away. Make your reservations early!

I collected cards from 30 custom makers from Wa., Ore., Montana, Alasksa, B.C. Canada, and even one from Japan.
Winners of the custom knife awards were:
Nick Wheeler-Best Fixed Blade
Todd Begg-Best Art Fixed Blade
Nick Wheeler-Best Bowie
John Conway-Best Folder
Ed Schempp-Best Art Folder
Nick Wheeler-Best in Show for his Bowie

The rope cutting was won by Ed Schempp who cut through 11 ropes with a 10" blade....astounding and probably a worlds record. The crowd was really into it and Ed rocked em.
Congrats to all the winners.

Some highlights for me in no particular order:

The rope cutting contest. All I can say is WOW! Ed Shempp is such a kool guy.

Shinichi Watanabe coming all the way from Japan to sell his forged kitchen knives. His family has been smithing blades and tools since 1867. I don't think I saw him all weekend w/o a smile on his face. His brother in law Ben(?) swung one of Shinichi's bodaciously sharp kitchen knives in their first rope contest and combining his martial arts training and some pointers from Ed Schempp, really raised some eyebrows! Shinichisan said he's already thinking about a purpose made rope cutting knife and vows to return next year. www.watanabeblade.com/english/

Seeing Jon Christensen jump out of his chair in shock after trying to light a gag lighter that Tom Ferry handed to him. Of course Tom got duped first by the lighters owner, Jeffrey Begg, son of Todd and Tanya, who was in his Scout uniform. I remember when they used to help little old ladies cross the street.

The Sat. night barbecue hosted by Todd and Tanya. Todd and Roger Dole gave the hammer heads some tips on using a milling machine and the importance of tolerances and reference points. Todd's Bridgeport mill is like his second home. It was really enlighting and funny to see the exchange of info between makers, all to make a better knife. The food and hospitality was fantastic.

Getting a free silicone wipe cloth from Chuck and Brenda Bybee of Alpha Knife Supply, it's things like that make our show special.

Just being around a bunch of great people with a common interest. You meet the nicest people at a knife show.

The show bugs:

Our P.A. system. Worked fine last show, was just an useless irritant this time. We are looking for a replacement.

Flies!!! Not quite as bad as last Oct. but still very irritating. A byproduct of being at the fairgrounds and livestock. We may be moving sooner than our long term plan objective, keep your fingers crossed.

Support your local knife show.
 
Thanks for the show updates! It sounds like I really missed out. I like the idea of a BBQ and training fun time each year. If Todd and Tanya can put up with us all we can all gain friends and knowledge. Knifemakers and their families are among the nicest folks anywhere. The show is growing and participation is greater each year. As for the fly problem why dont we produce custom made fly swatters as a club fund raiser?
 
Mike,

Thanks for the show commentary! It was a fantastic show, and unfortunately, I don't think most of us show goers really appreciated all that the staff did to make the show another success! My hat's off to you and to Larry Hogan (okay, you two are the only ones I know by name!) for putting on another awesome weekend!

Mitch, it was good to actually meet another forumite, and I know I met another one, but I forgot who... Mike, any memories? I swear, it's gotta be my Alzheimers... :D

Hope this has all whetted enough local appetites that there will be a big turnout at the next one? Hope to see y'all there.

And my only regret is... Tanya, I'm sorry I couldn't make the barbie... maybe if y'all extend another invite next year... I'd have loved to have gone - it sounds like it was way more fun that it should'a bin! :D Duece Wheeler, beer and politics... what a combo!:cool:
 
Joe, Thanks for the credit but I had very little to do with the show. I just try to help out as much as I can. The real heros are Larry and our club Prez. Don Hanham (who is tireless), Tom Ferry, and a core group of club members as well as everyone who gets a table. Also, big thanks to Lonnie Hansen for donating one of his awesome Dragon Slayers to the raffle. Thanks to our crappy P.A. system I didn't know about it otherwise I would have stuffed the raffle box. Our shows are fun and I think that's important.

As to other forumites present, I saw Joss, Mark J and son, and 2 guys together that I can't remember their names or handles (sorry! I'm feeble), as well as you and Mitch.

You did miss out not making the barb'y, but there was no beer. I don't think beer and milling machines mix well!

You going to post a pix of that bowie?

Bruce, sign me up for the first fly swatter :)
 
oooh... Dragon Slayer - awesome knife! I have one in ironwood and 440-V

hansen_front.jpg


Sounds like a great show. Too bad I'm on the other side of the country.

Congrats to the award winners and to Ed Schempp for his amazing rope-cutting feat.
 
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