Tactical Invitational & Vegas images

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

Enjoying the discussions
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 8, 2001
Messages
12,336
Guys,

Although this is somewhat old news, It's never too late to enjoy great work--especially if it is 'extraordinary'. The Tactical Invitational was the brainchild of Dave Ellis and Ed Wormser, who brought together 9 top-level makers that would bring some of their finest work. By all accounts it was a success. 90% of the makers sold out and the buyers got to purchase outstanding pieces.

It was a catered affair with food, drink, and ambience--a grand piano and musician filled the air above the conversations.

I sent out a query to all nine of the makers and got back polite responses from five of them regarding photo work at the show. There would be enough work for me there to warrant a trip to Vegas with all my photo gear.

Many of these you have already seen, but my job is to offer these makers work for their portfolio and websites, and also to submit the work to (4) publications. I've been busy... ! :eek:

While I was there I managed to also pick up some work from my existing clients. (I was careful not to step in on Terrill Hoffman's job as show photographer for the Vegas show. We had a great conversation and there were no conflicts.)

So let's look at these beauties:

Todd Begg and his wife Tanya are getting quite a following. It was my pleasure meeting them and to have Todd and Tanya offer me this quality of work. I love those shots with more than one knife in the image, and these are so photogenic!

CLICK TO ENLARGE!


Continued....
 
Neil Blackwood's amazing AutoCurr folder! Drop-dead gorgeous.



Knife by Don Hanson / Engraving by RayCover / Concept by Rob Blanton (elite knives.com) This will knock your socks off....!



Thomas Haslinger from Alberta Canada. He was kind enough to allow me to share a room with him and Kirby Lambert. Very fine work, indeed!



Wally Hayes. Absolutely a first-class gentleman in every respect. Immediately offered me work and was VERY appreciative of my efforts. He sold out completely, as to be expected. :) You can see why.

 
Dave Kelly is a new maker, who is raising eyebrows with his anything-but-beginner work. You have seen this one again and again, but it deserves yet ANOTHER look!



Dan Petersen is an ABS Mastersmith whom we don't hear too much about. He is a professor at a University and can't spend the needed time to make more knives. But when he does they sure look up to the job. Here are two.



Darrell Ralph changed his game for the show and offered two of these especially clean Bali's. These and his other offerings sold out at the show. Darrell has always been a gentleman to me and was quick to offer me some work, although he is a very capable photographer in his own right. He IS class. :D



There are some of you guys out there who own these works. If so, congrats on your good fortune. Every one of these I handled was par-excellance!

It's been a busy time for me lately, and I hope you can enjoy the fruits of mine and these talented makers.

A BIG thanks to Dave Ellis and Ed Wormser for their vision and implementation of this now-established show. I hope to be a part of it next year as well.

Thanks for looking.

Coop
 
You show these knives in the best way possible. I hope you had fun, I thoroughly enjoyed Reno!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Thanks a lot for this terrific look at some enticing samples from the show. I have to say that the Begg hatchet thingy is one of the coolest pieces of cutlery I have seen in a while. It's also nice to see some of Haslinger's work getting some exposure on the forums - he's an extremely knowledgeable and personable fellow. Oh, and thanks for scaring the cr@p out of me with that demon again. :eek:

Roger
 
RogerP said:
hatchet thingy
Click to expand...
Yeah Roger, I liked that wuhchamacallit too! ;)

Coop - It's nice of you to go to all the trouble involved in putting up a post like this for the benefit of the others here. Good on ya, man!
Haven't heard anything from you about your new camera/lens combo. It's obviously working out really well. Your pictures are "eye candy" - very nice as always.
Buddy T
 
HTMD said:
Coop - It's nice of you to go to all the trouble involved in putting up a post like this for the benefit of the others here. Good on ya, man!
Haven't heard anything from you about your new camera/lens combo. It's obviously working out really well. Your pictures are "eye candy" - very nice as always.
Buddy T
Click to expand...
Thanks, Buddy. The equipment sure isn't holding me back. :D I am very pleased with my output now.

Yes, it takes a LOT of time to manufacture a thread of this caliber. I am glad you took the time to mention and appreciate it.

Thanks to Steve and Roger as well. You guys know good stuff.

Most important is the acclaim being paid to the makers. If they are supported, then we ALL win! ;)

Coop
 
Fantastic work, Coop and thank you for allowing us to see what ordinarily we wouldn't be able to.
 
Darrell Ralph changed his game for the show and offered two of these especially clean Bali's. These and his other offerings sold out at the show. Darrell has always been a gentleman to me and was quick to offer me some work, although he is a very capable photographer in his own right. He IS class
Click to expand...

Darrel is one of the finest people I have ever known, in or out of the knife industry. He has a big heart!
 
Anthony: I couldn't agree more. He has been there for me at the start of my photo career and now as I have gotten better. And he even helped me get going on my now-stalled knifemaking career. Really. He is a very generous and savvy man.

( Do you remember I started with kit knives for a couple of years? I now have two 'Cooper' custom handmades awaiting final finish. There's a three year wait from the maker, though... ;))

Coop
 
Good job Coop, I just can't get over the quality of your images, GREAT WORK ! You will get more business from me for sure. Yhanks for showing.

Don Hanson lll
 
Thanks Don!! Nothing like a supermodel to make ME look good! ;)

####

OK here's one for you guys:

I was playing with my son on the computer last night. He is just over 2. We like to go to Google Images and type in a word like 'firetruck' or "cuckoo clock" or "Dump truck" to see what comes up. Page after page of delights.. (I know what you're thinkin. Guys, DON'T go there...;))

Anyway, type in "Kitty Cats" right now to see what comes up as the FIRST image.... he he he!

Coop
 
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