Okca 2003!!!

[NickWheeler]

Where's the pictures?!?!

I had a great time, it was really good to see so many of my friends from this great craft. Three guys that I was really surprised to see were Neil Blackwood, Trace Rhinaldi, and Ron Clark. I think they were just as surprised to be there!

It would take me days to thank everyone individually for coming by and shooting the breeze, so THANKSSSSS!!!!

I want to add a special thanks to JoeShredd for his understanding and patience.

I was stuck at my table and didn't get to see very much of the show at all. There are a whole bunch of makers that are friends that I just didn't get around to see their goods...to you guys I'm really sorry.

So let's hear some opinions and stories!!!!!
Nick

 

[R.W.Clark]

Nick,

It was my pleasure meeting up with you. All I can say is your work blows my mind. I wish I was half as good at your age. You should be the best in the business once you are old enough to shave .

BTW, say hi to that pretty little wife of yours. Talent and a babe magnet, how did you luck out?!

Best of luck and hope to see you again at Blade.

 

[Bill]

I made it by the OKCA show on Friday and Saturday, and had the pleasure of meeting Nick. He had several beautiful blades on display, along with some photographs of his work. I wasn't looking for quite what he had, but want to keep an eye on BladeGallery for his new work. (Is there a Nick Wheeler website in the works?). Nick's not too far away from northern Idaho, either.

I'd not been to the Eugene show before. Driving around town, I was struck by the juxtaposition of a knife show next to a gun show in a town filled with Iraqi sympathizers. But what do you expect from Ducks?

I'd yield to Nick's opinion, but I'd guesstimate that the show was about 50% production/collectors and 50% custom makers and knife making equipment suppliers. It is a well organized and hosted show and seemed to be running smoothly.

There were a number of custom tactical makers, but I'm well equipped there and didn't find anything that demanded close attention. The "standard" custom hunting knife, based on mode frequency, was a mirror finished ATS-34 blade with wood handle and decorative pins. All were nice but it is hard to stand out in that crowd. Dunkerley had some exquisite folders that were worth more than my old car.

Three of my favorite tables (besides Nick's) were:

Robert Beaty of Missoula, MT. I already had one of his knives and purchased another at the show. He makes some beautiful hunting knives with ergonomic yet very attractive handles of horn, stag, and other embellishments. Nice filework and beautiful fitting of scales to the full tang. Great blade finish, and at about $300-400, the price is very reasonable. He does both forged and stock-removal knives. He doesn't have a web site, but he's at 406-549-1818. He is on BladeGallery: http://www.bladegallery.com/knives/maker.asp?code=141&display=Robert+B.+Beaty

Theuns Prinsloo of South Africa. Actually, Theuns wasn't there, but his son Stiaan was. He had both fixed blades and folders. All were lovely with beautiful damascus blades. His fixed-blade knives just don't trip my trigger, but his folders are simply magnificent. This guy was a Swiss watchmaker in a previous existence, and even using loupes it's tough to find any flaw in his work. I picked up my second Prinsloo folder, with a damascus blade (Stiaan forges these), damascus bolsters (by Theuns), warthog ivory scales, and anodized titantium liners. Even fine photographs don't these knives justice. They run about about $700-800, but match knives sold for twice the price. Stiaan just put together their website: www.theunsprinsloo.co.za

Russ Milligan of Bakersfield, CA. I'd not heard of Russ before, although he was at the OKCA show last year and a California show. He is building some beautiful little folders with stag or wood scales, titanium liners, and plain or Devin Thomas damascus blades. They are not quite the quality of Prinsloo's work, but sell for about $300-350, and are quite nice. I picked up one for myself and one for my wife's purse. Keep an eye on this fellow--he could rival the big guys soon. No web site, but at 661-831-0739.

 

[joeshredd]

Nick,

It was great seeing you at the show, too... even if I only got to see the steel... H*ll man... that alone has been worth the wait!!! I've seen some really nice grain patterns on some old Japanese blades, but after eyeballing yours... I went and looked at a lot of other maker's blades to see if I could see some of the same thing in their's... Nope, no where near as well developed as that piece of yours!! Yeah, it would have been sweet to see the whole thing, and to have had it at least judged.. But hey, there will be other shows... Montana maybe? I think I'll really try hard to get to Missoula this time!

As to the rest of the show.. I did it right this year - got there on Friday and actually had a relaxing time of it (well, that was easy for me anyway...I didn't have to set up a table and watch it! ) Tied a good one on Friday nite and thoroughly enjoyed Saturday. So many knives, so little money... Hmmm.... that's what the creditcards were for I guess?

Lots of new makers and several I've run into at other shows, as well as from the 'net - the Patton's were there; Dick and Rob got me with an awesome little Damascus and Mammoth Ivory boot knife: Gary Rodewald's work has spoken to me before... well, it shouted this time and I listened! A most attractive personal bowie, in Maiden's Hair Damascus came home with me... And Scott Taylor floored me with a wonderfully forged campknife... balance, a sweet recurve on a bowie-style blade of 11" and a beautiful temperline... I couldn't put it down either... And last but not least.. I had to buy one folder... Do y'all have any idea how difficult that decision was???!! I ended up with one from a guy named Norris... I failed to get all the info on him I usually do, but with Devin Thomas' raindrop SS Damascus, giraffe bone scales and a smooth as silk action.. I think I did alrite! However, he had a lot of competition in a Tommy Wano from NM - he had some of the prettiest, and smooth, autos I've handled. I don't normally go that way, but I think next year I'll get one of his... If I don't order one of his Nine Banded Armadillo-handled large trapper folders! God, those were too cool!!

So many makers, so little time... Fred Ott was there again with really nice work again! Mick and Sue Penfold were there with Mick's winners... Todd Begg made it and he's got some very neat new stuff he's doing with the handle treatments... Check his stuff out if y'all get a chance... Robert Crowder, John Conway, Jon Christensen, Bruce Bump.... the list of outstanding folks would just go on and on... And I couldn't afford one from each!:grumpy:

I guess I'll just have that much more to look forward to next year.... Dang, eleven months and counting...

Happy Hammerin' everybody!