OKCA Knifeshow review

Brian Ayres

Brian Ayres

Joined
Feb 4, 2011
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Let's hear about your OKCA experience!

I had a great time at the show. It was nice seeing AC Richards, Mike Turner, Jeff Murison, Ben Tendick and some of my other knife making and collecting friends.

My friend Brett Matthews from Inherit Knife sold two of his new grinders and Greg Haile my other good friend sold a few knives too.

Mastersmith JD Smith took I think 5 awards home.

Ben Tendick landed an award. How about pictures Ben?

How about everyone else? Have a good show?
 
Hey Brian! So sorry I had to miss it this year but I just couldn't swing it.

I was really happy for Ben, that was just plain awesome!!

I'm looking forward to pics. Would have been great to see you and Greg.....maybe next time!
 
I heard someone with this knife won Best Hand Forged:cool::triumphant:

scagelhamon.jpg


Great to see everyone again. Seemed a bit busier this year especially on Saturday. Great times.. It was great to see JD again though i could not talk with him much. He was so busy and seldom at his table.
 
I tell you Chuck, of all the knives I handled at the show, your Father/Son knife and JD's knife that one Best Fighter were my favorites of the show. Heck I liked your knife so much I had to ask if it's was For Sale!!:p Thanks for keeping my wallet safe :D

The activity and clarity of the polish on your Best Handforged was just sick.

If you guys didn't see it, here is Chuck's knife set.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...esults-pics-added?highlight=Turkish+twist+pig

JD's apprentice, Kevin had an excellent knife as well.

It really did seem busier Saturday and while not much selling knives went on Sunday I broke down and bought a couple of 11" pieces of Blackwood from Mark for my entry knife I designed for my Best New Maker knife for next years show. :eek::o

Anyone take any pictures? I only snapped 3 the entire weekend.

I never saw Ben's knife. He sold it to a happy collector.
 
I got to hold the aforementioned knife by Ben Tendick. It was indubitably beastly.

I got to head up there with Chuck and spend the day just walking around. It was quite nice for a first show. By the end of the day a few people knew me by sight and the longing looks i was sending their table's way. The Burl Source and Vallotton tables were notable examples. I came home with some nice chucks of wood from Mark's table and about the only thing I could afford from Butch's table, a business card. It was quite nice. I encourage everyone who can to go.
 
Chuck, that knife is just beautiful. Multi piece handles don't normally do it for me, but that really is something special, I think the guard is what really sets it off (nickel silver?). Not to mention the super active hamon that just doesn't show in pics. A well deserved award!
I know Zac Buchanan won best hunter utility with a great little stag loveless.
I didn't really get many pics of the rest of the show, I did snap a few of my kiddos and table. I saw Mark snapping some pics around the show, I am sure he will be putting them up soon. I had a fantastic show, I sold a couple and winning best bowie just made my year! It was great seeing everyone that stopped by my table!
Unfortunately/fortunately, my bowie sold before I could get a pic with the plaque. But I did a little photoshop that should work.



Here is a pic of all the winners, pardon all of the blurry cel pics!


Here's my table on Friday with my wife, 2 kids, and 1 daycare kid. : )



Here's my little salesgirl !


Behind the scenes saturday.


I did make out with some nice stag and a piece of Carbon fiber from Tru grit.


All in all it was a fantastic show. If you haven't come before, I highly recommend that you make plans to do so next year. You won't regret it!
 
Great wins guys! Congrats!
This was a GREAT 2nd show for me! I sold 6 knives, a beveled blank, a wonderfull rock hound came and made me an offer I couldnt refuse on one of my table display pieces, 2 pens got bought, thegeek574 stopped by a couple times, and I let him handle a pretty sweet custom auto done in ivory that I recieved from a collector who liked what he saw on the table, but had just given all his cash to Rainy Vulloton!! Im not one to ever say no to the serious offers!!:D
The fellows from Benchmade RnD had some very nice things to say, heck Mike Tyre made me blush at my own table:o It was just a freaking awesome show! Gene and Sally Martin just rock! Peter from Brothersville forge thanks for sending em my way, my table neighbor Ole Pederson is doing some extremely clean work, hes only into his 10th knife and just nailing them out of the park, hes been taking notes and hanging out with some heavy hitters up in WA! I guess the only thing that would have just topped it off would have been if Nick Wheeler and Angi showed up at my table:o espicially since Ole brought his Leeumburgers which are related too those Newfies!!! Anyhow, if you even only like knives and you live in the PNW you should get there next year!!
 
I also wish I could have made this years OKCA show, Last year was a blast! Congratulations Ben, a well deserved award. Thank you for the photos.
 
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