Hi Mike, sorry I hadn't seen your thread over on the other forum until one of our members contacted and sent me the link. I will post here the same as I posted over on your thread so in the event there's anyone else wanting more detailed information after reading the Blade article. Sorry if any is unclear as it's late. We would like to have you as a member.
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Hi Mike, I am Kevin Jones, one of the founders and President of the CKCA.
Glad you saw the Blade Magazine article. I thought Mike Haskew did a good job of describing what the CKCA is about and what we are doing to promote and progress the custom knife industry in general and how we benefit the custom knife collector.
I will go a little deeper here.
The CKCA will be one year old on June 1 and is made up of about 135 custom knife collectors, knifemakers, knife purveyors, photographers, sheathmakers and custom knife media folks in 10 countries.
We focus on all types and styles of custom knives and have a very diverse membership. We have new collectors who seek help getting started in buying their first knives to those who have been collecting custom knives for over 30 years and some have collections valued in the millions.
How does the CKCA benefit the collector, big picture?
As said above we promote and progress the custom knife industry and help protect the collector's right to own/enjoy/carry custom knives. We are helping to unite the international collector community by which a lot of good will come. We will/are raising money for cancer research and other worthwhile projects by offering member maker collaboration knives for raffles and auctions. We strive to help the general public see the knife community in a more positive light and to get away weapons stigma.
Introducing the first CKCA Collaboration Benefit Bowie. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation to benefit prostate cancer research.
Tickets will go on sale Thursday May 28 @ the 2009 BLADE Show.
You will also be able to purchase tickets via the CKCA website:
www.CustomKnifeCollectorsAssociation.com and at select knife shows across the country.
This beautiful bowie has a 12" blade of W-2 with an active hamon. It's approximately 17" long and has an ancient walrus ivory handle. Paul Long created the beautiful tooled leather sheath.
The CKCA would like to thank the following members for their generous contribution to the project:
Russ Andrews, Larry Bailey, Jerry Fisk, Don Hanson, Paul Long, Bob Starkey, Mary and Chuck Ward, John White.
What are more direct collector benefits offered by the CKCA? In other words what does the CKCA offer collectors today?
Members receive a 10% discount on knife photography by Jim Cooper and Chuck Ward. Members receive a discount when insuring their collections through Collectibles Insurances Services.
http://www.customknifecollectorsassociation.com/Member_Discounts.html
CKCA members receive VIP pases to select knife shows (Blade Show for example).
We have a very enjoyable and educational forum.
http://www.customknifecollectorsassociation.com/forumsv3/
Can't make it to a major knife show? Don't worry our review forum will typically have over a 100 photos covering the events.
http://www.customknifecollectorsass...=26&t=61&sid=f250c1981a989342c161c0ddd70cb2ae
New collector, need to know how to inspect a knife?
http://www.customknifecollectorsassociation.com/Knife_critique.html
Need to find information on a knife show?
http://www.customknifecollectorsassociation.com/Events.html
Need to find information on a maker?
http://www.customknifecollectorsassociation.com/Links.html
We are actually working on a maker database now which will include maker's website links, knives offered, price ranges, contact information, maker mark history and such.
We will have our second annual Banquet/Meeting at the Blade Show this year. As part of our event we will conduct a mini knife show where seven of our member makers will offer special knives for CKCA members only.
http://www.customknifecollectorsassociation.com/Banquet.html
Here's a preview of one of the pieces. This beauty offered by Harry and Charlie Mathews:
Here's some additional information on our set-up, officers, board members and such, mission statement, goals etc.
Mission Statement:
The purpose of which is to recognize and promote the artistic significance of handmade knives in the 21st century, to advance their collection and conservation, and to support the craft and creative expression of the individuals who design and make them.
Goals:
• To increase awareness and acceptance of custom knives and the collecting of such as a respected and appreciated art form.
• To create a worldwide united and organized group of custom knife collectors, makers and dealers to assist in getting corporate, media and art community support for the betterment of the industry.
• To seek out and interact with related groups and organizations in attempt to create new interest and to help in recruiting new custom knife collectors.
• To educate and mentor new custom knife collectors and makers.
• To form a network of custom knife makers and collectors to promote the industry and support one another.
• To create ways in which for custom knife collectors to better market and connect with other collectors in regard to buying/selling/trading their knives on the secondary market.
• To create more open dialog between customs collectors and makers in regard to education, knife design, knife construction and sound business practices.
• To represent members and the custom knife community’s interest regarding issues and political policy which could have a negative impact on knife owner rights and the custom knife industry as we know it today.
• To create a custom knifemaker data base to store maker’s pertinent information such as contact information, address, products offered, price range, certifications and maker mark/stamp history.
• To create general minimum quality standards for custom for custom knives and best business practices for use as guidelines for custom knife makers, dealers and collectors.
• To initiate discounts for the CKCA membership on materials & services (currently have discount program with Collectibles Insurance Services, Sharp by Coop and Chuck Ward photographers).
CKCA LLC
The association is currently set up as a Virginia LLC. Our goal is to eventually become a non-profit corporation, mostly likely within the next year.
CKCA LLC Officers/Board of Directors
Kevin Jones (collector) - President
Larry Bailey (collector) - Vice President
Bob Starkey (collector) - Treasurer
Lin Rhea (maker) - Secretary
Steven Garsson (collector)
Jerry Fisk (maker)
Buddy Thomason (collector)
Steering Committee Members:
Kevin Jones (collector) – President – Chairman Finance Committee
Roger Pinnock (collector) – Membership Committee
Keith Montgomery (collector) – Membership Committee
Mark Segars (collector) – Legal Council
Matt Roberts (maker) – Legal Council
Steven Garsson (collector) – Board Member - Art Director
Jim Treacy (collector) – Finance Committee Bob Starkey (collector) – Board Member - Chairman Website/Electronic Media Comm.
Paul Kessler (collector) – Finance Committee
Larry Bailey (collector) – Vice President - Special Events & Projects Committee
Chuck Kerwin (collector) – Membership Committee
Murray White (collector) – Membership Committee
Chuck Ward (photographer) – Director of Photography
Jerry Fisk (maker) - Board Member - Chairman Special Events & Projects Committee
Lin Rhea (maker) - Board Member - Special Events & Projects Committee
Burt Foster (maker) - Website/Electronic Media Committee
Buddy Thomason – Board Member
Advisory Council Members:
Daniel Winkler (maker) – Advisor Membership Committee
Steve Shackleford (editor) – Advisor Special Events & Projects Committee
Phil Lobred (collector)
AG Russell (dealer) – Advisor Finance Committee
If you are going to the Blade Show please stop by our booth/table which will be set-up in the lobby outside the Show Hall (near the ticket office and other booths). We will be there Friday-Sunday.
