Sleepless...

Wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this thread. I've read every post.

Such a unique feel to this show: An 'artist's' show from my perspective. Really untraditional knives presented. My admiration is real.

BTW: was this Gabe Newell who dropped by the Pre-funk? That's him(?) on the left under the light in the glasses. He's ALWAYS been a supporter of handmade knives and artists. Haven't seen him online in years. So cool!

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Lorien, I know how hard you worked on this. Thank you.

Coop
 
Lorien, thank you for the time and effort you put into this. I showed my wife this thread, and she agreed we should attend this show next year.
 
Great thread and the photos are quality too. I can never get decent knife photographs when I'm looking them ... Never set the light mode or something right.
 
unfortunately the folder with all my photos is in my work computer so I can't upload anything today, but I did want to use this interlude as an invitation to anyone whose likeness or whose work was shown here- if you want a copy of the photo(s) just let me know and I'll email you the original.
 
but I did want to use this interlude as an invitation to anyone whose likeness or whose work was shown here- if you want a copy of the photo(s) just let me know and I'll email you the original
Click to expand...

You continue to impress me Lorien with gestures such as this on top of all the trouble you've already gone to. This has been a cracking good thread, one that makes you smile for multiple reasons.

Cheers...Pete
 
Wow, bro - you did an EXTRAORDINARY job of capturing the vibe and energy of that show. Seriously, man... I can feel it! It's palpable, and really got me jazzed.
What a great crew. Obviously, this show is going to be a juggernaught. Looks like I need to get in gear and start preparing for next year.

Thanks for all the stupendous work that I KNOW it took to make this thread. You're a gem, my friend. Talk soon!!!!
 
thanks guys :) I'm glad you're diggin it!

*****

so, now we're moving on to the VIP reception, where the drinks and talk were both flowing. The event had a very grassroots feel to it that I think will sadly fade as this show gains popularity. No stage, no chairs, just people freely walking around and enjoying each other's company. There were yummy hors d'oeuvre making their way around the room, via some very genial staff. In fact, even though I wasn't staying at the hotel, it was readily apparent that the staff was well treated, as they were super helpful and friendly. This is actually a good segue into Daniel O'Malley and Bladegallery, (the host and organizer of the event).

Chris Roberts and I got to Kirkland pretty early on Saturday and had some time to check out Bladegallery's brick and mortar storefront. I was really impressed by the display of inventory and how well such a small space was organized, but what really impressed was the staff. So friendly and not typical salespeople. You could tell they loved their work, which means they love their boss. Being a small business owner myself, I can tell you that the quality of a business' employees relates directly to the quality of the owner.

With all that being said, by far the most touching moment of the weekend, was the community recognition delivered by Daniel to one of his employees, Drew Whitman, as he makes the transition from knife shop dude, to Begg Knives dude.

Enjoy your adventures, man! There's nothing quite like seeing one of the people you've chosen to employ, spread their wings and move on up!





I thoroughly enjoy being right, and so it was with great gladness I witnessed Shane Taylor receiving the award for best folder, (if you look back you'll see I voted for it :) ). Actually, it was with pure gladness that I saw Shane take that award, because I really like the dude.





I'm pretty sure this award was for best kitchen knife, and Mareko Maumasi won this despite some SERIOUS contention. There were a ton of quality kitchen knives at the show, and winning this award in Seattle is like winning best tactical folder at The Gathering.





When I heard which knives were in the final contention for best fixed blade, I knew it had to be tough for the judges...



and in the end, they made a great choice! Mike's winning knife is a sublime testament to the art of knife making, and was about as flawlessly made as is humanly possible. Congratulations, Mike!




I don't think I'm the only one who considers the Maker's Choice award to be THE most interesting award of the show. I'm no professional, but it seemed like a good call to me for Andrew Meers to receive this award in recognition for his work. It was rather entertaining to see him bashfully approach the front of the room to receive his reward and quietly duck out of the spotlight without having to make a speech!




But don't worry, I caught a few more shots once he was out of the limelight and a little more comfortable;







Mentor and protege;

 
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His name is Drew, Lorien. Drew Whitman. He's a good guy, been working with Daniel for around 10 years.

Great writeup, I keep trying to make time to do my own.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steven, thank you for the correction. Please feel free to add your thoughts about the show to this thread, if you feel so inclined:thumbup:

*****

Here's Michael Rader, holding the knife that Lucky Bob just scored;). This is one of the knives that, when you hold it in your hand and close your eyes, you know exactly what space it takes up. It is a superbly balanced knife that I imagine would be amazingly accurate and powerful in use;




And the evil genius behind it;





I hadn't heard much of Captain B.Koyama before, outside of David Darom's books, and I have to admit, his table was almost too much to take in. Full of so many shapes and colours, it required real focus and time to be able to take it all in. I loved his table! His knives and mechanisms are pretty unique, and I guess I'll just let the pics speak for themselves;

a swing handle (?) knife of somewhat large proportions, but incredibly light in weight;






The Captain;



two blades, and a folding belt loop clip;



this had a pretty interesting bolster locking lever;



I love me some vibrant anodized titanium. What the guy is doing with that material is not something you see much of;



this knife is really pretty. Don't know what method of decoration the handle scales employ, but it's beautiful and might have something to do with enamel;



The Dragon was my favourite knife of his, and I didn't know that until I picked it up. My hand's eye told me everything I needed to know;

 
The best thing, for me, about a knife show is getting to meet people I've already gotten to know. The second best thing is to experience some of the knives that they made. I really appreciate all that Chuck Richards brings to the forum, and finally had a chance to appreciate his knives in the for real world.

here he is, holding a knife with the funkiest temper lines I've ever seen;



crazy, right?




Those of you who know me and my taste in knives will appreciate my attraction to this badass blade;




I love how this feather gets all crazy out at the tip. One of the more dramatic feathers I've seen;




I tried not to have too much pricing info in my photos, but for this shot I spilled the beans; thar be bargoons!





I couldn't stay away from the Desrosiers table for long and had to keep going back to look at the huge integral Adam made. I think he calls this pattern 'Sookie'. There's little bicycle wheels all ova the place!




here's his edc, which uses the same pattern, (of all the knives at the show, I think I wanted the knife Adam had on his belt the most!).




Unfortunately, for me, I didn't get to the Desrosiers table in the first 3.5 seconds and therefore was unable to get any pictures of some of the knives they had there, especially Haley's which I was really looking forward to handling. But, I did get a pretty excellent shot of Haley with a couple of her beautifully made kitchen knives;




I love tools! Big ones, little ones...any and all kinds of tools, preferably made from metal, are all good in my book. But sometimes, it's hard to decide which tool to use;



in this case, I choose both! ( I only left with the one I showed up with :( )




here is a picture of one of the cutest couples in knife making;



and if that cuteness wasn't enough to make you a little queasy, check this out!



Love was in the air, that weekend :)
 
I might have to save the rest of the photos for tomorrow, but I'll leave this thread today with some more good stuff!

I immediately felt an affinity with Aaron Wilburn, and I was blown away by his knives, which oozed quality and creativity. There were a good number of artifact ivory handled knives at the show, and Aaron's table had a few. His fit and finish is excellent, his knives display clean flowing lines, and although his work has many different textures, patterning and small embellishments, they somehow remain understated and extremely tasteful. The man himself? Jovial, smiling- just a really nice guy, who brought his daughter who is no slouch when it comes to knife making either.

The bowie he's holding was immediately my favourite on his table, and while I continued to admire its awesomeness, looking deeper into his other knives I saw a lot that I liked.




His daughter, Francesca Ritchie, is holding one of those artifact ivory handled knives, and this was a super sweet little hunter I wouldn't have minded picking up;




There's something beautiful and timeless about families who share a passion for working a trade. This father daughter team is quite the duo.




Some eye candy from the Wilburn/Ritchie table;










Aaron and his old friend, J.D.






Ok, so that's it for today. I'll finish this up tomorrow with the last of my photos. Hope you enjoyed my trip so far, (it was a long, strange one) :)
 
Lorien,

Thanks so much for this awesome and wonderful thread ! :thumbup:
Great job articulating, highly informative and the images speak for themselves ! :cool: :thumbup: :)

Doug
 
Great thread Lorien. It was great to finally put a face to you and others. I think you captured the hamon on that bowie better than others including myself. Thank you again.
 
Lorien, you have done so much for this show on blade forums. You are due many thanks from all the makers. You seem to be having too much fun and I for one thank you much.
Gary
 
thank you!

it really and truly is my great pleasure to have the means by which I could do this.

Additionally,THANK YOU Stuart for everything on our road trip. Your friendship is something I greatly value.
 
What an amazing thread, Lorien. Thank you for taking the time and sharing all of these photos with us. :thumbup:
 
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