Okay, I went to the Spirit of Steel show this weekend here in Dallas. This was my first real knife show and man I was impressed! I have never met so many nice people in my life, and I have never seen so many incredible knives either. First, I met a couple of forumites, Waxes Eloquent and Sniperboy, they were at Jerry Hossom's table...both were great guys. I also met Will Fennel, he was at the Camillus booth, he was a great guy as well.
Now to the knives! I had three high points at this show, everyone there made great knives but these guys were incredible. First, Dale Reif...wow, what can I say! He makes some of the most incredible folders I have EVER seen. In particular, the knife he made from Joe Pirella's (sp) design, this was amazing. The attention to detail in his knives were outstanding, he made the SECOND best folders at the show, IMHO. Next highlight was Jerry Hossom's table, oh my god! Seriously, pictures do NOT do his knives justice. They were THE most beautiful yet functional knives in the building. I have NEVER handle a knife that was that balanced EVER, and the craftmanship was unbelievable...after I pay for my Allen Blade knives, I will be ordering a Hossom. The Millenium Bowie is outstanding, but some of the knives Matt Draper (Waxes Eloquent) had in his stash were amazing, hopefully he can give us some pictures.
Now on to the finest folder I have ever personally handle. Larry Chew was there with a small display of knives. He makes the single finest folder I have ever seen. His roller system is unbelievable, it put EVERY other knife in the building to shame...and his double action knives...well, I just don't have the words. I felt sorry for Microtech, the SOCOM D/A felt like a cheap Taiwan knock off! If you can afford a Chew D/A, do yourself a favor and get one NOW!! It was all I could do to not just get one...I kept reminding myself how quickly my wife would kill me
! His attention to detail was amazing, and I really can't explain the action...incredible.
Anyway, these were the highlights, but not the only knives I liked. I did get to play with all the new Spyderco's...the Vesuvious was my favorite, however I am not overly fond of the compresion lock, I guess I am just use to the Axis. The Chinook is HUGE, holy crap! That is one freakin' solid knife! I finally got to handle a Microtech OTF, very cool...they are definitely on my LONG list. I also had the chance to handle a Sebenza...I was really excited about it at first, and maybe I was spoiled from the Chew experience, but I was severely underwhelmed...sorry Sebenzaites. It was well made, nice looking (IMO) but rough opening, and maybe I am just not used to it but I did not like the lock action at all. It was extremely difficult to close.
Anyway, all in all it was a great time. It just proves that knive people are the best people of all.
Jared
------------------
Broken promises don't upset me. I just think, why did they believe me?
I hope that after I die, people will say of me: "That guy sure owed me a lot of money."
Now to the knives! I had three high points at this show, everyone there made great knives but these guys were incredible. First, Dale Reif...wow, what can I say! He makes some of the most incredible folders I have EVER seen. In particular, the knife he made from Joe Pirella's (sp) design, this was amazing. The attention to detail in his knives were outstanding, he made the SECOND best folders at the show, IMHO. Next highlight was Jerry Hossom's table, oh my god! Seriously, pictures do NOT do his knives justice. They were THE most beautiful yet functional knives in the building. I have NEVER handle a knife that was that balanced EVER, and the craftmanship was unbelievable...after I pay for my Allen Blade knives, I will be ordering a Hossom. The Millenium Bowie is outstanding, but some of the knives Matt Draper (Waxes Eloquent) had in his stash were amazing, hopefully he can give us some pictures.
Now on to the finest folder I have ever personally handle. Larry Chew was there with a small display of knives. He makes the single finest folder I have ever seen. His roller system is unbelievable, it put EVERY other knife in the building to shame...and his double action knives...well, I just don't have the words. I felt sorry for Microtech, the SOCOM D/A felt like a cheap Taiwan knock off! If you can afford a Chew D/A, do yourself a favor and get one NOW!! It was all I could do to not just get one...I kept reminding myself how quickly my wife would kill me
Anyway, these were the highlights, but not the only knives I liked. I did get to play with all the new Spyderco's...the Vesuvious was my favorite, however I am not overly fond of the compresion lock, I guess I am just use to the Axis. The Chinook is HUGE, holy crap! That is one freakin' solid knife! I finally got to handle a Microtech OTF, very cool...they are definitely on my LONG list. I also had the chance to handle a Sebenza...I was really excited about it at first, and maybe I was spoiled from the Chew experience, but I was severely underwhelmed...sorry Sebenzaites. It was well made, nice looking (IMO) but rough opening, and maybe I am just not used to it but I did not like the lock action at all. It was extremely difficult to close.
Anyway, all in all it was a great time. It just proves that knive people are the best people of all.
Jared
------------------
Broken promises don't upset me. I just think, why did they believe me?
I hope that after I die, people will say of me: "That guy sure owed me a lot of money."
