Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
My buddy Dan volunteered to drive up in his '06 Corvette, and that is a SWEET ride, black leather interior with all the fixin's, mold's to the contours of the body, MUCH more comfy for the ride up than my Dakota, but I love that truck!!
We got there before opening, and hung out with Dave Nittinger for a short bit, he had picked up a nice Towell knife at the AKI last year, engraved bolsters, and was kind enough to show it to me. Primary mission at the show was to get Hiro Soga to photograph my damascus Dean El Diablo with Paul Long sheath, which I had already shown.
Good size show room, last year, Saturday it was going hot and heavy at 3:00 pm....so we decided to see what this year brought with it. Here is what I saw, alphabetically:
Alvarez, Jack-You know him(jaxurman), you may hate him, but he is an old bud/trading partner, and we got right down to bizness, I picked up a LARGE Mayo wharnie DNT with spirograph patttern in a swap that Jack is probably happy to be rid of, awesomeness, and now allows Mr. Mayo to be fully represented in the "formal collection, had to bounce a maker to "orphan" status, but that happens from time-to- time.
Boyd, Francis-has LOST his danged mind. He is DONE with japanese blades, he informs me, starts ranting in Japanese(which I don't speak fluently) says the Japanese have not produced a "good" blade in 400 years....and extols the virtues of the swords he is making in China, as well as the good people of China. I ask him if he ever sells anything at these shows, and get an earful. Boys and girls, I have been looking at Francis for over 9 years, and he has gotten weirder and louder with every visit...he may be done with Japanese blades....but I am DONE with him....sayonara, Francis(this bothers me, too, because he is a GENIUS when it comes to bladecraft, and I have benefited from conversations with him....he and Michael Bell were at one point, the only two gaijin trained in Japanese swordmaking by a Japanese artist).
Chow, Louis-had his usual table of Loveless goodness, and associates, including a set of 4 folding patterns by Kansei Matsuno that evoked the NY Special, up through the Chute...with amber stag, and mirror finished blades....very nice workmanship.
Dawson, Barry-Is still working it hard, after all these years. He differentially hardens 440C, did you know that? Barry is a great teacher, has many in the family emulating his clean and well designed creations. He had a FINE 6" or so dagger grind with black micarta handles that was quite tempting, but bead blasted, and I am done with that finish on the blade, whenever possible. http://www.dawsonknives.com/
Glassman, Bob-stopped by Bob's table to check out his fine offerings, had some nice slipjoints, but I am looking for the bigger one's(4"+ closed). Met MVF from the Forums at his table as we were on our way out the door, nice quick visit! http://customknifegallery.com/
Hall, Jeff-of Nemesis Knives was doin' the do with both folders AND fixed blades represented, as well as his Ti Cards....all the stuff was great, fantastic chatting with Jeff again, and he seemed to be doing quite well with the crowd, every time I passed by, something else was missing from his table, he was either selling, or someone was stealing from him, LOL. http://www.nemesis-knives.com/
Holmes, J.P.-is an old friend, we used to be side-by-side at the OKCA show in Eugene, for like 5 years or so. He had some very nice and super inexpensive kitchen knives at the show, as well as some innovative folders. I like shorter, wider chef's knives, so was able to purchase a nice 6" S90V model with natural color Micarta scales for....$165.00!!!! That, people, is a sweet deal! Very much enjoyed the company AND the bourbon, J.P.! http://www.jphknives.com/
Johnson, Jerid-keeps knocking out beautiful forged fixed blades that look as good as any stock remover....BUT....still only does plate guards, and beefy ones at that for his fighters, which he swears he will remedy for next year....looking forward to it, Jerid! http://www.jeridjohnson.com/
Karp, Bob-makes some of the sweetest throwing knives out there. I would buy...BUT...am in love with the Viper knives by Harald Moeller, and for throwing, the Cold Steal Pro Throwers are cheap....if you want quality, Bob's yer Uncle! http://www.ikthof.com/IKTHOF/Bios/Bob Karp.htm
Mooney, Michael-brought some nice knives, but it was the 16" desert ironwood billy club that he had for $60.00 that I purchased....nice stuff! http://www.moonblades.com/pages/contact.htm
To be continued
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
We got there before opening, and hung out with Dave Nittinger for a short bit, he had picked up a nice Towell knife at the AKI last year, engraved bolsters, and was kind enough to show it to me. Primary mission at the show was to get Hiro Soga to photograph my damascus Dean El Diablo with Paul Long sheath, which I had already shown.
Good size show room, last year, Saturday it was going hot and heavy at 3:00 pm....so we decided to see what this year brought with it. Here is what I saw, alphabetically:
Alvarez, Jack-You know him(jaxurman), you may hate him, but he is an old bud/trading partner, and we got right down to bizness, I picked up a LARGE Mayo wharnie DNT with spirograph patttern in a swap that Jack is probably happy to be rid of, awesomeness, and now allows Mr. Mayo to be fully represented in the "formal collection, had to bounce a maker to "orphan" status, but that happens from time-to- time.
Boyd, Francis-has LOST his danged mind. He is DONE with japanese blades, he informs me, starts ranting in Japanese(which I don't speak fluently) says the Japanese have not produced a "good" blade in 400 years....and extols the virtues of the swords he is making in China, as well as the good people of China. I ask him if he ever sells anything at these shows, and get an earful. Boys and girls, I have been looking at Francis for over 9 years, and he has gotten weirder and louder with every visit...he may be done with Japanese blades....but I am DONE with him....sayonara, Francis(this bothers me, too, because he is a GENIUS when it comes to bladecraft, and I have benefited from conversations with him....he and Michael Bell were at one point, the only two gaijin trained in Japanese swordmaking by a Japanese artist).
Chow, Louis-had his usual table of Loveless goodness, and associates, including a set of 4 folding patterns by Kansei Matsuno that evoked the NY Special, up through the Chute...with amber stag, and mirror finished blades....very nice workmanship.
Dawson, Barry-Is still working it hard, after all these years. He differentially hardens 440C, did you know that? Barry is a great teacher, has many in the family emulating his clean and well designed creations. He had a FINE 6" or so dagger grind with black micarta handles that was quite tempting, but bead blasted, and I am done with that finish on the blade, whenever possible. http://www.dawsonknives.com/
Glassman, Bob-stopped by Bob's table to check out his fine offerings, had some nice slipjoints, but I am looking for the bigger one's(4"+ closed). Met MVF from the Forums at his table as we were on our way out the door, nice quick visit! http://customknifegallery.com/
Hall, Jeff-of Nemesis Knives was doin' the do with both folders AND fixed blades represented, as well as his Ti Cards....all the stuff was great, fantastic chatting with Jeff again, and he seemed to be doing quite well with the crowd, every time I passed by, something else was missing from his table, he was either selling, or someone was stealing from him, LOL. http://www.nemesis-knives.com/
Holmes, J.P.-is an old friend, we used to be side-by-side at the OKCA show in Eugene, for like 5 years or so. He had some very nice and super inexpensive kitchen knives at the show, as well as some innovative folders. I like shorter, wider chef's knives, so was able to purchase a nice 6" S90V model with natural color Micarta scales for....$165.00!!!! That, people, is a sweet deal! Very much enjoyed the company AND the bourbon, J.P.! http://www.jphknives.com/
Johnson, Jerid-keeps knocking out beautiful forged fixed blades that look as good as any stock remover....BUT....still only does plate guards, and beefy ones at that for his fighters, which he swears he will remedy for next year....looking forward to it, Jerid! http://www.jeridjohnson.com/
Karp, Bob-makes some of the sweetest throwing knives out there. I would buy...BUT...am in love with the Viper knives by Harald Moeller, and for throwing, the Cold Steal Pro Throwers are cheap....if you want quality, Bob's yer Uncle! http://www.ikthof.com/IKTHOF/Bios/Bob Karp.htm
Mooney, Michael-brought some nice knives, but it was the 16" desert ironwood billy club that he had for $60.00 that I purchased....nice stuff! http://www.moonblades.com/pages/contact.htm
To be continued
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
