Short Report: Arkansas Custom Knife Show

J

jeffj

Joined
Apr 8, 1999
Messages
439
Just got back from the show and saw a lot of wonderful pieces. I would still be there but my party got tired and wanted to come home.
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Ron Newton took top honors with "Best of Show". Tim Foster took honors in "Best Bowie". There were some other awards, but I didn't stick around long enough to get pictures or details.
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Talked with Larry Connelley, John Fitch, Corbin Newcomb, Jim Walker, Cliff Polk, Cliff Parker, Stan McKiernan, Dusty Moulton, Mike Williams, Jerry McClure, and the amazingly young Chris Bowles.

Knives that I saw that I really liked were a small liner-lock folder by Cliff Parker with blue mammoth ivory, blue jeweled and filed titanium liners, blue sapphire encrusted thumb stud, and damascus blade and bolster. Wow...

Chris Bowles had a very nice small bowie with forged O-1 and hidden tang walnut handle. He had made it look very primitive with a nice patina on the blade and copper wedged guard and rawhide wrap on the fore of the walnut. It was VERY light. Very nice.

Tim Foster had the knife that won "Best Damascus" at BladeShow 2000. I'm glad I got to see it.

BTW, Ron Newton was sold out before 10:00am except for the couple he had in competition.

I have some pictures...I will try to get them up later...if I have the time.

Jeff Jenness

[This message has been edited by jeffj (edited 02-10-2001).]
 
Im still upset at the fact that i missed it. Once again things come up and i miss a great show.

Thanks for the report!

Matt.

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"Never hit a man unless you must, but if you must, knock him down" Teddy Roosevelt.

www.lameyknives.com
 
Okay...here are some pictures...some not so good, but it will give you the idea!
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Here's BIG John Fitch...some great knives...most already out of my reach...unless I sell my computer. BTW, great guy to talk to.

Jim Walker is also one nice guy. In fact, I didn't find anybody that wasn't easy to talk to. Good folks.

Spent about 15 minutes talking to Corbin Newcomb. He gave me an application for the Hammer-in this spring. I'll be there.

The famous Ron Newton hawking nothing...it was ALL sold. This is what his knives looked like: SOLD!

Here is the knife by Tim Foster I was talking about: BladeShow 2000 Best Damascus Knife.

Here is the young Chris Bowles holding the bowie that I described.

Here is Zaza Revishvili...he won "Best Art Knife". Here is one of his knives, but not the blade that won.

Here is a poor picture (I was shaking too much) of the Cliff Parker knife. Maybe you can get an idea of the beauty of the knife.

Here is a snapshot of the awardees with their plaques (except for Zaza). Sorry, but I don't know the last award ("Best Folder" I think) or the name of the gentleman who received that award (behind Ron Newton). I apologize.

Enjoy,
Jeff Jenness

[This message has been edited by jeffj (edited 02-11-2001).]
 
Thanks for taking the time to do all that Jeff. Sure enjoyed your write up and pictures.

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
Can any good thing come out of Arkansas??
And I asked Tim and Ron if maybe they werent in league with Merlin or some other dark power.....it aint human what those guys can do!!!!!!!!!
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http://www.mayoknives.com
John 1:14
 
First of all thanks to Jeff for the hard work on the show coverage he did this weekend. Super nice guy and glad I finally got to meet him in person.

In fact Jeff, I think you deserve a free day in my shop for all the hard work you did.

And Tom, it's the nuclear power plant radiation in the lake water here! Thanks for the compliments.

Ron


 
Thanks for the report and pictures Jeff. Ron Newton deserves every award he gets. What beautiful knives he makes.

Keith.

[This message has been edited by Keith Montgomery (edited 02-12-2001).]
 
Must have missed seeing you there. Did run into Yvsa and a couple of other forumites. Overall it seemed much busier than last year. Still it is a quiet room and you have the ability to chat with the makers and sellers without getting hoarse.

Ray Kirk was fun to chat with. I ended up picking up a primitive knife from him. It already made breakfast this morning. He also makes cool flutes...

I went on a forged hunter kick picking up one from Fitch, and his father in law, Pete Peterson. If you see a picture of John's Sumo Chopping Son o' a' Bit... This is a huge freakin knife...I mean huge. I was guessin at 17" of blade but John said 16". Of course, Fitch is a mere waif of a man...lol

Put in an order with Walker, and a couple of other MS's for forged hunters. They had sold out within an hour of the opening.

If you want to leave with good stuff...Be there when the door opens
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Looked all weekend for Matt Lamey as I wanted one of his hunters as well. (Shoulda been there Matt)

Never saw Mo with his Ginsu but Fisk had a delicate little knife up on his table that may have been his version of a fillet knife or a ginsu... I don't know. I looked pretty useful actually.

Chris Bowles is one to watch. His patinas are well done and he has some really nice designs for a 17 year old. Hell of a nice kid to chat with too. I am waiting till he finishes the heat treat on some bolstered three finger hunters. Very useful little buggers and his prices aren't bad.

No way in the world I could afford one of ZaZa's knives after my spending spree on hunters but I did buy my wife a beautiful filligreed silver and Garnet ring he had. This guy is a real artist. And genuinely nice to chat with although he needs to be a little less soft spoken when in a crowd. Took the shuttle to the airport with him and had a nice chat.

All in all a show I will go to again next year. Some real suprises and a couple of bargains at the end of the show too...
 
SammyB-cant believe i missed you. I rode up to the show with MaxTheKnife,and got there about 9:30.the only forumite i met was ray kirk,and i bought one from him(i left my wallet in paris,ar so i couldnt get itat teh show,but its been ordered).
i did get to meet several makers which ill have more on in a little bit,i also took a few pics,and ill try to get the film developed this week.
MO.
 
Thanks all for the complements...I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It was my second time...and I will be back next year (with some cash). I now have the bug for forged pieces.

We should have set up a time to meet other forumites...I will try to organize that next year.

Ron, I really enjoyed talking to you. (Ron was one popular guy at the show, even with all of his knives sold!) I just might take you up on that offer, Ron...just say when you have the time...heck, I will clean the shop for you!

Jeff Jenness
 
Hey Jeff,

Thanks so much for your report. I have been waiting for one from my friend, Kevin Pensinger of Edge Equipment fame. He may not be Back Home in IN yet.
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I appreciate your time and efforts posting this report. I hope to visit the Fall Hammer In some day.

Have a good week. Gary

[This message has been edited by GB (edited 02-12-2001).]
 
Well, I must have missed all of you guys. I'm sure I saw all of you, but didnt know what to look for. I managed to come home with a buttload of good knives this time. First, I got the big "S" guard bowie from Roger Massey with 10" blade of 1084, nickel silver guard and curly maple handle. I missed out on the small hunter bowie by Ron Newton
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I did pick up a gorgeous mosaic damascus bowie from Big John Fitch with 8" blade of 1084/15N20 damascus, rope fileworked oval guard and groove filed collar. Stag handle and fileworked buttcap. Also got a mosaic damascus neck/utility knife from Mr. Fitch with pearl slab handles. Placed another order with John for a big wolfs tooth damascus bowie with ironwood handle. Next, was Al Dippold. Al had 3 neck knives for me. One is a small twist pattern blade with pearl overlay handles pinned on with domed 14Kt gold pins. The other two are working utility knives with marquenched 52100 blades. One has walnut burl handles and the other has red oak handles. Both come with Bud Nealy magnet kydex sheaths. The last knife I picked up is a little damascus belt buckle knife with pearl slab handles from Mark Nevling. Mark is getting much better, this is a nice little knife. I will almost definitely have to have some kind of liquidation sale to keep my marriage intact, but I cant help it. I have a blast at this show!

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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
 
well i was the massive teen-ager wearing an army issue coat.you might have seen me walking around with some short fella with a beard (max) or talkin to ray kirk.
 
This was most definitely the best show I have made. All the wonderful people that came by and visited with me and I want to thank Sammyb again for going for the food. It is sometimes difficult to get away from the table when your having fun. Yvsa played me a song on my flute and left me with one of his tapes. Maurice, Max, and Max's wife were a joy to visit with.
I look forward to seeing every one again next year and it would be great to have a meeting place for all the forumites. Big Tex's leg hadn't healed enough to make the trip but hopefully by the time Mesquite comes around, he will be up and running again.
Again, Thanks to all that stopped and visited and hope to see you all again soon.

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Ray Kirk
http://www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
Yes, it was a great show. I did manage to meet Bruce Evans(BE Knives). He probably didnt know who the hell was coming up and talking to him, but what the heck. Too bad that Lamey guy couldnt make it. Ron Newton swept up all the awards with all his mosaic damascus stuff, and it WAS awe inspiring! I still cant get over the gorgeous stag small bowie that got away. I held that knife for about 15 minutes and couldnt find a flaw anywhere! Ron, if you can find another piece of stag like that one, put me down for an order.

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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Danbo:

The last knife I picked up is a little damascus belt buckle knife with pearl slab handles from Mark Nevling. Mark is getting much better, this is a nice little knife.</font>
Click to expand...

Glad to hear that Mark is improving. Based on his efforts in so many different directions over the years, I knew that he had the love for knives that would drive him to develop his skills. Can't wait to see what he's got in Janesville!
 
Thanks Jeff for spending the time to post the show coverage. Nice to meet you and I'm glad you had a good time. I had a great show. I really enjoy the time I get to spend with people that are interested in how I build my mosaic patterns. Once you ask me how they are built you just can't shut me up.

Thanks again for all the comments and hope to see you there again.

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Just back in from Ark this morning after some shop time with Big John and Ol Pete after the show.

Jeff you did a wonderful job with your coverage. We all owe you many thanks on that
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I made some stunning purchases at the show of course and will be sending out a newsletter tomorrow to my subscribers to allow them first shot at the show pieces.

The show was incredibly fun and has an amazing concentration of top quality work by many of my favorite makers.

After the show John, Pete and I had fun at the shop and have a little project in the works that will be detailed more by the end of next week... you guys will love it!

To those of you at the forums - come to this show if you get the chance. To those of you from Arkansas many thanks for the superb hospitality down in Little Rock.



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Kevin Pensinger
The EDGE Equipment
sales@theedgeequipment.com

Contact The EDGE for your custom cutlery needs!
 
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