Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
Picked up Phil Lobred at 8:00 am, drove up to my buddy Adam's house and we were at the show 10 minutes before 10:00 am.
Phil just had back surgery and walks like Quasimodo so we rented a cute little red scooter wheelchair for $54.00 and while initially embarrassed by the concept, by the end of the show he was enjoying himself thoroughly....he would have done donuts if on blacktop!
The line to get into the show was one of the longest that I have ever seen there, and it was jam packed for the first few hours, but was quite thinned out when we got back from lunch at 2:00 pm.....even the Hinderer lottery was lightly attended, so I have no idea what the initial draw and subsequent lull was about.
This show was more about who I didn't speak with than who I did. As I get older, it just seems to be a waste of precious time to chat with people you have no real reason to be speaking with, other than social niceties....screw a pile of that. Would rather spend time shooting the crap with someone who is a true friend or advantageous business associate than some jackwagon who I can't really tolerate. Ya feel me?
This show is defined for me by two people who are really on opposite sides of the spectrum, and brothers through blades..Mark Morimoto who is a Los Angeles police officer, and Matt Freeman, CMFTW-The outlaw knife maker. Got to hang out with both for a little bit. Love 'em both very much. Matt is still an animated whacko and Mark is still as chill and laid back as anyone you would meet. Matt wasn't there last year and the show wasn't the same for me.
First maker that I hung out with was Anthony Marfione(TJ) of Heretic Knives. His father is Anthony Marfione of Microtech and is suing his son to get him to stop making knives under his own imprint, which I cannot fathom. Picked up one of Anthony's Martyr knives, very reasonable price, lovely grinds, it's gonna be a user. One thing I really like about it is the Torx screws...no special(and hard to find) expensive driver necessary for making adjustments.
Had seen knives by Don Carlos Andrade before, but he has been working exclusively in carbon steel and finally broke out into stainless a little bit. Purchased a nice CPM 154CM utility paring knife with ivory paper Micarta and a blue Micarta inlay. Cuts very nicely. Mr. Andrade is a very cool person and I very much enjoyed chatting with him about steels and knife design.
Picked up a special request from Bill Ruple, an amber stag handled reverse gun stockman with a bollocks shield. Pretty danged close to perfection. Adam and I had a few drinks with Ruple and John Young while we ate lunch. I had a tasty burger with bacon and Adam had the club sandwich. It was a nice lunch....picked up TJ a meatball panini.
If you have never worked a knife show table before, it's very difficult to understand how difficult it is and how lonely it can be....so if you are friends with a maker/table holder who is at a show and they are flying solo, asking them if they are set on lunch or drinks will be more appreciated than you will ever know.
Back in the show room, gave TJ his lunch and walked around a bit. There were a LOT of makers who have not gotten the memo that drop point hunters with mirror polished blades and average wood handles are not super hot right now. Hopefully they have it figured out after this show. Don't think I saw one sell during the time we were there.
Lot of newer makers that I spoke with are having a harder time right now than they are used to and are definitely going back to part time, if they are not leaving the business entirely. This completely synchs with what I had posited in a recent thread here on BFC. Out of respect for them, will not mention specifics.
Jesse Harber over at Vegas Forge(Formerly Rob Thomas Damascus) was having a great show. I used to work with Jesse and seeing him bring the business forward is very cool to witness. Look for some cool stuff coming out of Vegas Forge in the coming months. I'm having a custom neck knife made out of stainless raindrop pattern, and will post it when it is in my hands.
Got to visit with Adam Drescher, he was super excited to be in a film coming out with two very notable actors...and I'm real happy for him.
Saw Matt Conable from William Henry knives and we were able to briefly catch up.
The show closed at 4:00 pm and it was a good one. Very much looking forward to going back next year.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Phil just had back surgery and walks like Quasimodo so we rented a cute little red scooter wheelchair for $54.00 and while initially embarrassed by the concept, by the end of the show he was enjoying himself thoroughly....he would have done donuts if on blacktop!
The line to get into the show was one of the longest that I have ever seen there, and it was jam packed for the first few hours, but was quite thinned out when we got back from lunch at 2:00 pm.....even the Hinderer lottery was lightly attended, so I have no idea what the initial draw and subsequent lull was about.
This show was more about who I didn't speak with than who I did. As I get older, it just seems to be a waste of precious time to chat with people you have no real reason to be speaking with, other than social niceties....screw a pile of that. Would rather spend time shooting the crap with someone who is a true friend or advantageous business associate than some jackwagon who I can't really tolerate. Ya feel me?
This show is defined for me by two people who are really on opposite sides of the spectrum, and brothers through blades..Mark Morimoto who is a Los Angeles police officer, and Matt Freeman, CMFTW-The outlaw knife maker. Got to hang out with both for a little bit. Love 'em both very much. Matt is still an animated whacko and Mark is still as chill and laid back as anyone you would meet. Matt wasn't there last year and the show wasn't the same for me.
First maker that I hung out with was Anthony Marfione(TJ) of Heretic Knives. His father is Anthony Marfione of Microtech and is suing his son to get him to stop making knives under his own imprint, which I cannot fathom. Picked up one of Anthony's Martyr knives, very reasonable price, lovely grinds, it's gonna be a user. One thing I really like about it is the Torx screws...no special(and hard to find) expensive driver necessary for making adjustments.
Had seen knives by Don Carlos Andrade before, but he has been working exclusively in carbon steel and finally broke out into stainless a little bit. Purchased a nice CPM 154CM utility paring knife with ivory paper Micarta and a blue Micarta inlay. Cuts very nicely. Mr. Andrade is a very cool person and I very much enjoyed chatting with him about steels and knife design.
Picked up a special request from Bill Ruple, an amber stag handled reverse gun stockman with a bollocks shield. Pretty danged close to perfection. Adam and I had a few drinks with Ruple and John Young while we ate lunch. I had a tasty burger with bacon and Adam had the club sandwich. It was a nice lunch....picked up TJ a meatball panini.
If you have never worked a knife show table before, it's very difficult to understand how difficult it is and how lonely it can be....so if you are friends with a maker/table holder who is at a show and they are flying solo, asking them if they are set on lunch or drinks will be more appreciated than you will ever know.
Back in the show room, gave TJ his lunch and walked around a bit. There were a LOT of makers who have not gotten the memo that drop point hunters with mirror polished blades and average wood handles are not super hot right now. Hopefully they have it figured out after this show. Don't think I saw one sell during the time we were there.
Lot of newer makers that I spoke with are having a harder time right now than they are used to and are definitely going back to part time, if they are not leaving the business entirely. This completely synchs with what I had posited in a recent thread here on BFC. Out of respect for them, will not mention specifics.
Jesse Harber over at Vegas Forge(Formerly Rob Thomas Damascus) was having a great show. I used to work with Jesse and seeing him bring the business forward is very cool to witness. Look for some cool stuff coming out of Vegas Forge in the coming months. I'm having a custom neck knife made out of stainless raindrop pattern, and will post it when it is in my hands.
Got to visit with Adam Drescher, he was super excited to be in a film coming out with two very notable actors...and I'm real happy for him.
Saw Matt Conable from William Henry knives and we were able to briefly catch up.
The show closed at 4:00 pm and it was a good one. Very much looking forward to going back next year.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
