The New York Custom Knife Show- For me. POST YOUR IMPRESSIONS PLEASE

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
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I don't usually make these posts but here goes..

I always hated the drive from Rockland County NY, to Jersey City. Its brutal. On the way down to Jersey City this time I was on a ramp exiting one highway connecting to another, and my car suddenly spun out of control 90 degrees and smashed right into a cement wall. I hit a bad patch of road which was covered in invisible sand/dirt and wet. Since I was perpendicular to the side of the road, I drove away before checking my car, or I would have been killed by oncoming traffic. So I pulled over down the road thinking I'd be stuck on the highway but luckily nothing was hanging off my car and the rear tires were clear. My rear lights were completely smashed and my bumper destroyed, with a nasty dent in the actual car to top it off. I happen to have some heavy duty clear red tape which I immediately covered the broken lights with. My Don Hanson EDC came in EXTREMELY handy for this. I needed to cut ALOT of tape, and that I did.

So, with my smashed up car still being driveable- off to the show I went.

This isn't the show for me. As you all know I am now into mostly ABS stuff. This show is infamously a tactical show these days. Most of the stuff I am interested in is from the small selection the dealers bring with them. I went to this show for a couple of purposes. To sell a knife or two, and to pick up money I was owed for some knives I have sold recently. I sold a very nice John W. Smith folder which I just didn't really need anymore. I picked up a Mike Quesenberry fighter I have liked for a few years and randomly ran across it at the show for a great deal. So I'd say I did decently. I brought a production Emerson knife with me that had manufacturing lock failure and was pretty upset that they would not take the knife at the show to bring home and fix. I've had his customs and productions in the past and have been less then satisfied with the customer service and repair work I have had done on other knives.

Chatted a little with some of the folks I know. Jim and Susan cooper were very kind as usual and shot my knives in a very timely matter, showing me the progress like they usually do. Coops 'prototype' book is very cool. Also chatted with Sean O'hare who had some very nice stuff, Matt Diskin, Mike Donato and many of the other regulars. It was great to see all of you! I sorta rushed out with out saying bye to anyone. I was surprised NOT to run into Peter or Joe. Peter did you go??

I had the Quesenberry fighter and my pearl Hanson folder "Cooped", so I will have photos next week to show. (now have photos, post #15)

In the past these shows have been slow but foot traffic was pretty heavy. It seems that the show is picking up in the last couple of years. Good to see! There were also less empty tables then in the past. Alot of collectors were in attendance.

I'd say I can't wait for the ECCKS in the spring, but after this nightmare of a drive down I'm not so stoked.

PLEASE POST YOUR IMPRESSIONS


This is the Hanson which helped me out. Also helped bigtime today when my pants got stuck in my bike gears! (This folder is NOT from this show and I have shown it before- just saying everyone needs a Hanson in their pocket! )

hanson-carry-porch-web.jpg
 
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I like the Hanson folder very much, as most of you know I'm a Bowie and Hunter man, but this one really floats my boat. Jon looking forward to seeing Coop's photo of the Quesenberry dagger!!
 
You should have caught a ride down with me. You would have arrived in one piece. ;) Good to hear you are ok. Any relation to Scott Brand?
 
Lovely folder there. Hanson sure knows how to make a pretty classy folder (amongst other styles!)
 
Glad to hear that you are in one piece!

I got a jump on Coop's image making by heading up to Norwalk CT on Thursday to get my new Wheeler done.

I knew you were not bringing me MY John White Bowie, so I skipped the trip to NJ.

Looking forward to seeing you new Quesenberry fighter.
 
It's good to see ya carrying and using that folder, Jon! Very cool!

Peter, you've been much too quiet lately, my friend!
 
Hi Jon...!

We always enjoy your visits and you ALWAYS have an adventure:

An adventure is an exciting or dangerous experience. It may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome.
Click to expand...

I wish you better excitement than spinning broadside into a cement barrier... LOL! Kudos on the red tape challenge.

One thing is certain: You have exceptional taste in knives and an eye for value. We'll show them soon.

Thanks for stopping in!

Coop
 
Like everyone said, Jon, I'm glad you're intact!

I'm not blowing smoke here, when I tell you that this is the best 'show experience' thing I've had the pleasure to read. Your writing flows very well, I like your wit and clarity, you don't seem to have a problem telling it like it is and good job with the syntax and all that.

Please write more, you're good at it.
 
Thanks, I would love to hear show experiences or thoughts from anyone. I didn't post the Hanson to show it off again, I just wanted to show the use of a good knife. This thread is more about the show.

Rick, I wish it were a dagger!! I envy both of yours.

Marc- no relation to Scott Brand.

Peter, Your bowie was not feeling up to the trip but misses you.

Coop you are right and that is very fitting. Thanks for the help, the nice shots and the compliment on my taste- But wait till the winter.. :)

Lorien- That is the first time someone has used the word "flow" to describe my writing. I often jump around like a Mexican jumping bean. Means alot, thanks!

Don- its become a good companion and only started seeing more important use recently and not just opening a few wrappers. The way you recently changed the blade angle made it stronger worker.
 
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Jon,

I'll bite.

I headed in bright and early on Friday to drop something off with Coop and get early admission. I got to speak with Jim and Susan at length for the first time, which was a great pleasure.

I've been to this show the last 3 years, and found this to be the most heavily attended of the years I've gone. I appreciate a well-designed tactical knife as much as the next guy, but like most, found the show a little tac-heavy, albeit with great representation by great makers. It was even hard to get standing room at their tables to admire there wares :) There were lots of lotteries for the same, which I'm still mixed about as it's become more prevalent.

I was disappointed to see some accomplished and multi-faceted makers like Tom Ferry with very well designed but exclusively tactical offerings. But it's important to know your audience and make a buck, I suppose.

I got to see a LOT of pieces from purveyors that I admire online, but would otherise never get to hold and admire in person. Paul Shindler had that gorgeous Appleton from AKI and a bunch of Walkers that alone were worth the price of admission.

I picked up a beautiful serpentine wharncliffe trapper in ivory from David Taber aka dr.t. If you haven't seen his work and like slip joints, he's got great talent, great taste in hafting materials, and great value to boot.

I retrieved my knife from Coop and got to take a look at some of his work in progress. It's fascinating to see his setup and the work that goes into creating his images. And Susan's got a great eye for knives, and is just about as charming as they come. If you ever find them with downtime, which is sometimes rare indeed, I suggest you be selfish and take as much of it as you can. :)

I can't wait for ECCKS in March.

Seth
 
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As a table holder the show was great. Friday it was really busy with a big rush at 11am and throughout the day. Saturday was a bit slower but still a good crowd. Also just a couple of empty tables which I am seeing more and more of a problem at many shows. Definitely a predominately tactical show and crowd, but I did really well with my non-tactical knives. :thumbup: Overall an excellent show and I'll be back next year. ;) See you next at the Arkansas show and then ECCKS!
 
Holy crap Jon that definitely was an adventure for you! Was good seeing you.

My perspective on the show echo's Kevin's. Great attendance Friday better than it has been over the past few shows. Saturday was also very good with very busy spurts throughout the day. All in all I thought it was a very good show. Definitely a tactical feel to the show. My more tactical folders sold very quickly the non-tactical ones are coming home with me.

Sean
 
Yes, without question it was a sea of black and camo t-shirts...

...that was a good thing! Believe it, the ECCKS will have this and MORE art/forged/traditional knife offerings. I submit that each and every 'tactical' collector has BIG money to spare and in time they will start adding other non-synthetic material into their knives.

A rising tide floats all ships, and THIS show was packed with collectors wanting to purchase quality knives.

I enjoyed a conversation with Keith Newman, who represents Suchat Jangtanong. Suchat's highly figured art folders are 180 degrees from this genre. However, as Yogi Berra has proclaimed: "Hit it where they ain't!" Keith had a good show and will return. :)

I also spoke at length with Tom Ferry, MS. He brought his tactical, CNC/Midtech lineup and hand engraved a few to really make them stand out and Custom. He had a GREAT show and confides he's actually making money. As a father with a daughter in Symphonies and going to college for this, his primary concern is how to fund that. He's figured out what sells best for him. My highest of praise for being a trendsetter.

Seth, the pleasure was ours. Really. This particular show was the least busy of our show dates, which gave us more of a chance to glad-hand and for me to actually walk the show. I had more 'fun' than I've had in a long time. I will be less available at the ECCKS, and that's ALSO a good thing. For me. (See Tom Ferry's paragraph ^^ for rationale. ;))

If you are into precision as well as tactical knives it was Mecca. :D

As always, the 50/50 Productions crew made it a standout.

Lastly, Doug Ritter from Knife Rights.org approached me, and we happily committed to shooting tens of maker contribution knives to his yearly auction in July. The display photos started in my studio this weekend. The tableholders were asked to contribute $15 to his cause. We're in it for a bit more.... ;)

Good thread. Certainly better than the 'ghost town' NYCKS threads of years past.

Coop
 
Here is the Mike Quesenberry fighter I grabbed. Mikes work is extremely crisp and clean and I had my eye on this one for a few years.

quesenberry_131124-web.jpg


quesenberry_131124b-web.jpg


And a new image of my pearl Don Hanson folder.

hanson_131124-web.jpg
 
Here's my $.02....

Jon - very nice knives ! You cannot go wrong with a Mike Q fighter and of course, that Hanson is not too bad either :p

Since I live in CT, I make this show pretty much every year on Saturday....until this year. Other commitments prevented me from being there on Saturday, but I was able to make it on Sunday. Fewer people than I am used to seeing, but of course, it was Sunday !

Folks I spoke to said Friday was busiest ever, and that Saturday was also better than previous years. I think that people have finally realized that the "NY SHow" is now the "Jersey City Show" :D

Spent time with Kevin Casey, who is a very talented but somehow under the radar maker. He also had some nice little Damascus earrings, so I picked up some for the ladies in my life:D

Glad to see Tom Ferry representing the "West Coast" guys - his first time at the show. As Coop said, Tom is a multi-talented artisan and a cool guy to talk to. Sure, he brought mostly tactical type stuff, but as others have said, this show has become known for that. Tom's engraving is really excellent, and he is picking up more and more work from other makers, which tells you something about his skills. He is still involved with Timascus development as well, and I'm pretty sure he still remembers how to make a forged Damascus knife :p

Missed RJ Martin but chatted with his son Matt who is doing some very cool pens.

Spoke with Coop a bit too, and as always he was busy doing his thing. It goes without saying that he continues to step it up each and every year, and I think he does MORE than his fair share promoting shows AND makers. Plus, it was fun seeing some of my knives in his in his promo materials :D


I do agree that there were too many "empty tables" ... but again I've never been there on Sunday before. Overall, I enjoyed the show a bunch and hope (selfishly) it will continue to grow, since it is pretty convenient for me - LOL

Bill Flynn
 
Jon, so glad accident wasn't worse! People started to carry knives because they were useful, even the fine works of art are still at to their base nature tools. This is what is fun about the hobby, I get to carry useful art every day. I dig the first Hanson folder posted here, it's more my style than the pearl personally. That fighter looks great! I love Mike's work, this particular has more straight lines then my eye prefers but you can't deny the beauty of Mike's frame handles. Good haul!
 
This was my first time as a table holder at the NYCK show, and it was one of the best shows I ever had, I had a lot of different styles and everything sold , not just tactical. Most of the makers I knew did very well, very professional show. I will definitely be back. Being next to Kevin Casey and across from Mitch Jenkins just made it that much more fun. Great time.
 
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