- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 1,874
I had the pleasure of attending my second SECKS this past weekend with a bunch of fellow knife knuts. David Baker (Davidb415) and I were welcomed into the home of Dexter Ewing for the weekend. We couldn't have asked for better hosts than Dex and his family. They were simply too kind to us. Thanks, Dexter.
Friday night Dexter, David, and I drove over to get Darrel Ralph and his stepson, Bob, from their hotel, then went over to meet the rest of the gang - Chris Raymond (CPR) and his wife Denna, Mark Kukelkorn (MarkK) and his wife Denice, Vince (Hillbillenigma), Barry and Phillip Jones, Terrill Hoffman (the official show photographer) and his buddy Mike (O'Neil?). Dexter picked a fine place to eat the Diamondback Grill in Winston-Salem. Great atmosphere. Great food. Great company. Great knives being passed around. 'Nuff said.
This will be an annual event for sure.
This year David and I went in together on a table at the show in order to sell off some of our collections. In Davids case, it was unfortunately due to his being out of work for several months. Not to worry hes back at work and didnt leave the show without a few new toys.
In my case, I had to sell off a few things in order to pick up some others! In the end, I only sold one knife and that was to CPR of all people. LOL Of course, I only put two on the table to begin with. I just couldnt seem to part with anything
Anyway, it was GREAT to have a place that we could hang out and rest out feet. The whole NC gang came by throughout the show to take turns watching our table while David and I walked around the show. It was also nice to stay in one place while other forumites in attendance came by the table to introduce themselves. Rockspyder, Endura Duck, Possum, NCBlades, Blades, and others came by frequently to talk knives and show off some toys. Its always nice to meet forumites in person. Other regulars in attendance were Alan Folts, and Otha, Were reserving the table again next year. (maybe Ill have a few of my own handmade knives for sale by then
)
I also got to meet and spend a little time with t-kcl list members Bob Harshall and Steve Freund. What a great couple of guys. Their passion for this hobby is unparalleled. Their selection of knives at their table was by far the best (and biggest) of the show. My favorite was the Steve Dunn all-damascus interframe folder. Ahhh, to die for
There were a few makers that were not here this year - Jot Singh Khalsa and Daniel Winkler among them. With three (dont even get me started on how ridiculous it is to have THREE major shows on the SAME DAY SECKS, Chicago, and Blade Show West
) People didnt seem to be in a buying mood this year. I heard several rumblings from dealers and makers alike that this was the worst show in a long time. It seemed to me that people were in a definite bargain-hunting mode. GenO only had one knife left Sunday afternoon, and might have sold that before the show ended. Herb Derr sold just about everything he had on his table too. However, I saw many makers with the same number of knives on Sunday afternoon that they came with! Oh well, theres always next year.
Now to the important part the new toys! I finally received the kudu-handled chute knife from GenO Denning that Ive been expecting. Its very similar to this knife, but with a more reddish tint to the handles. It has a mirror-polished 4.5 ATS-34 blade with a sharpened top edge. Its 9.5 in OAL. It has red spacers between the handles and tang, and the tang is fully tapered. Suffice to say that its up to GenOs usual outstanding fit and finish standards. The grinds are great, and its just a marvelous piece. Youd be hard pressed to find a better knife for $350.
I also picked up a Herb Derr hunter, with a 3 blade of Herbs 2700 layer birds-eye O1/L6/nickel damascus. The handles are oosic and buffalo horn, with a nickel silver guard, buttcap, and spacer. The blade spine is fileworked for traction. The leather sheath features ostrich skin inserts. At $250, Herb build and outstanding knife and is one of the show bargains.
My find of the show was a damascus folder by Raleigh maker Andrew McLurkin. Andrew is a social worker by day, and has only been making knives for about a year. He took Darrel Ralphs folder class at Montgomery Community College last year, and has excelled quickly. The knife I bought has a 3 3/8 Mike Norris ladder-pattern damascus blade, Robert Eggerling mosaic damascus bolsters, carbon fiber scales, jeweled titanium liners, an O1 carbon steel half-length backspacer, and a gold-inlayed thumbstud. The fit and finish, action, smoothness, feel, and execution are on par with many makers who have been doing this for decades. There are no sharp edges, there is no blade play, the blade is centered between the liners when closed, the detent is perfect for this knife, the bolster to handle fit and handle/liner/backspacer fit is perfect. Lockup is tight with no play. The blade and edge grinds are even, and the blade is sharp. The screw heads have been polished. Even the bottoms of the screws have been polished! I cant say enough good things about his work. Although I didnt know it at the time (Andrews far to modest to ever mention these kind of things), the knife I bought had been entered into the Best New Maker category at the show. At the show banquet later that night, he won! It was a well deserved honor. Andrew has a drive that Ive not seen with too many makers. Hes absolutely determined to be the best at what he does. Youll be hearing more about him in the not-to-distant future.
Sorry if I left anyone out. I'm sure I forgot someone. There were just soooo many people that we met for the first time. The show was a blast and I'm already looking forward to next year.
Here are some pictures from the show and dinner.
The show winners were:
Best Art Knife - Ken Durham
Best Hunter - Daniel Warren
Best Damascus Pattern - Ryan Johnson
Best Minature - Ryan Johnson
Best Fixed Blade - Ken Durham
Best Fantasy - Errett Callahan
Best New Maker - Andrew McLurkin
Best Folder - Cliff Parker
Best Forged Knife - Ken Durham
Best Fighter - Bob Cummings
Best Scrimshaw - Bob Cummings Knife/Foster Scrim
Best Engraved Knife - Bob Cummings Knife/Vanhoy engraving
Best of Show - Koji Hari
------------------
Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection
AKTI Member #A000289
Deo Vindice
[This message has been edited by Senator (edited 09-11-2000).]
Friday night Dexter, David, and I drove over to get Darrel Ralph and his stepson, Bob, from their hotel, then went over to meet the rest of the gang - Chris Raymond (CPR) and his wife Denna, Mark Kukelkorn (MarkK) and his wife Denice, Vince (Hillbillenigma), Barry and Phillip Jones, Terrill Hoffman (the official show photographer) and his buddy Mike (O'Neil?). Dexter picked a fine place to eat the Diamondback Grill in Winston-Salem. Great atmosphere. Great food. Great company. Great knives being passed around. 'Nuff said.
This year David and I went in together on a table at the show in order to sell off some of our collections. In Davids case, it was unfortunately due to his being out of work for several months. Not to worry hes back at work and didnt leave the show without a few new toys.
I also got to meet and spend a little time with t-kcl list members Bob Harshall and Steve Freund. What a great couple of guys. Their passion for this hobby is unparalleled. Their selection of knives at their table was by far the best (and biggest) of the show. My favorite was the Steve Dunn all-damascus interframe folder. Ahhh, to die for
There were a few makers that were not here this year - Jot Singh Khalsa and Daniel Winkler among them. With three (dont even get me started on how ridiculous it is to have THREE major shows on the SAME DAY SECKS, Chicago, and Blade Show West
Now to the important part the new toys! I finally received the kudu-handled chute knife from GenO Denning that Ive been expecting. Its very similar to this knife, but with a more reddish tint to the handles. It has a mirror-polished 4.5 ATS-34 blade with a sharpened top edge. Its 9.5 in OAL. It has red spacers between the handles and tang, and the tang is fully tapered. Suffice to say that its up to GenOs usual outstanding fit and finish standards. The grinds are great, and its just a marvelous piece. Youd be hard pressed to find a better knife for $350.
I also picked up a Herb Derr hunter, with a 3 blade of Herbs 2700 layer birds-eye O1/L6/nickel damascus. The handles are oosic and buffalo horn, with a nickel silver guard, buttcap, and spacer. The blade spine is fileworked for traction. The leather sheath features ostrich skin inserts. At $250, Herb build and outstanding knife and is one of the show bargains.
My find of the show was a damascus folder by Raleigh maker Andrew McLurkin. Andrew is a social worker by day, and has only been making knives for about a year. He took Darrel Ralphs folder class at Montgomery Community College last year, and has excelled quickly. The knife I bought has a 3 3/8 Mike Norris ladder-pattern damascus blade, Robert Eggerling mosaic damascus bolsters, carbon fiber scales, jeweled titanium liners, an O1 carbon steel half-length backspacer, and a gold-inlayed thumbstud. The fit and finish, action, smoothness, feel, and execution are on par with many makers who have been doing this for decades. There are no sharp edges, there is no blade play, the blade is centered between the liners when closed, the detent is perfect for this knife, the bolster to handle fit and handle/liner/backspacer fit is perfect. Lockup is tight with no play. The blade and edge grinds are even, and the blade is sharp. The screw heads have been polished. Even the bottoms of the screws have been polished! I cant say enough good things about his work. Although I didnt know it at the time (Andrews far to modest to ever mention these kind of things), the knife I bought had been entered into the Best New Maker category at the show. At the show banquet later that night, he won! It was a well deserved honor. Andrew has a drive that Ive not seen with too many makers. Hes absolutely determined to be the best at what he does. Youll be hearing more about him in the not-to-distant future.
Sorry if I left anyone out. I'm sure I forgot someone. There were just soooo many people that we met for the first time. The show was a blast and I'm already looking forward to next year.
Here are some pictures from the show and dinner.
The show winners were:
Best Art Knife - Ken Durham
Best Hunter - Daniel Warren
Best Damascus Pattern - Ryan Johnson
Best Minature - Ryan Johnson
Best Fixed Blade - Ken Durham
Best Fantasy - Errett Callahan
Best New Maker - Andrew McLurkin
Best Folder - Cliff Parker
Best Forged Knife - Ken Durham
Best Fighter - Bob Cummings
Best Scrimshaw - Bob Cummings Knife/Foster Scrim
Best Engraved Knife - Bob Cummings Knife/Vanhoy engraving
Best of Show - Koji Hari
------------------
Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection
AKTI Member #A000289
Deo Vindice
[This message has been edited by Senator (edited 09-11-2000).]