USN 3 Gathering 2011 Las Vegas

[Murray White]

After having attended and written about the MKA and PKA shows, I had learned that USN was doing a show at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. After Denver, we headed to Utah to photograph in the Moab area some of the National Parks that we had missed in the past and had also decided to do a visit to Las Vegas as this may be out last trip to the West. Upon learning of the USN show, we decided to adjust our arrival and departure dates from LV to accomodate the show.
It is not a large show but interestingly laid out and very well attended as the tactical collectors are many and robust. With no passes available I alone purchased a one day admission as i felt I could do the show and photographs justice in that time as I am not a tactical collector although Brian Tighe has a nice little folder that I rather like. Almost bought one a couple years ago.
Not surprisingly, there were many makers in attendance I was and am totally unfamiliar with but there are many also that I have known for many years.
While the show was a month ago, I just did not have the time nor inclination to push myself to create the thread at show time and have been busy with a lot of images since our return 3 weeks ago.
Hopefully, some will enjoy seeing the knives and faces of some of those makers in attendance at the 2011 USN3 Gathering which STeven Garsson has written about in another thread.

Aaron Frederick

creates both traditional and tactical pieces

Alan Folts

offers tactical Bowies, Daggers and other blades

A potential customer checks out a variety of Bastinelli knives

both fixed blade and folding tacticals

The show was very busy and is not one advertised to the public but is more a "gathering" of the folks from the U
SN Forum on the internet. Each table where there were still knives and I was there from almost opening bell andsome folks sold out quickly.

Ben Bawidamann certainly was busy

offering so really "kewl" tacticals

 

[Murray White]

Bill Coffey offers a variety of blade, both fixed and folding -- lots for foks to choose from

a modestly priced fighter

a couple in damascus -- tactical fighter and a tac folder

a few traditional ones

a very nice little persian with pearl scales

some engraved tactical folders

Bobby Branton knifemaker and knife thrower had a number of folders and

fixed blades in his mix

some of the crowd can be seen behind Brad Southard's table of knives

couple of tacticals

one I should have paid more attention too likely -- sometimes I get wrapped up in doing the show photos and forget to really look at the knives

 

[Murray White]

Brad Zinker had a vast variety of interesint tactical items available

fixed blades -- just a few eh?

holey handles

folks checking out Brian Fellhoelter knives

Brian Tighe and Jim Magee discuss world politics or maybe knives

Brian had about 17 knives when I took these photos close to the opening time of the show and by the time I returned 2 hours later or less, all were gone

quite a mix he had available

David Broadwell is well known on USN and has some tactical folders but of courwe some of his carved fixed blades are always available

 

[Murray White]

Craig Camerer is another popular maker and while he did not attend PKA this year, his presence at USN3 was enjoyed

img]http://www.fototime.com/EF0DF880F6A4295/orig.jpg[/img]

a damascus and Mammoth fighter

Stag hunter

machete style chopper

DJ Urbanovsky has quite a variety of items including an all around tactical spoon

and some neat axes

and "kewl" fighters

not sure who made these folders

GTC knives posts to this forum a lot with great pieces

all sold by the time I arrived

 

[Murray White]

Greg Lightfoot did not have much available when I arrived and not sure what he started with but he does have some rings in addition to his knives

a tactical with stag -- upscale

Jesse Jarosz has knives and Tees

nice fighter plus others

Joe Caswell is another name I'm not familiar with and he had quite the knife on display

Missed seeing Ken Onion but he did have knives available via lottery

Kakuo Matsuda makes tacticals

 

[Murray White]

By noon shortly after this photo

Kirby Lambert was sold out of the 17 knives he came with

Les Voorhies had a few choice items in his mix

some colorful handles

Lucas Burnley had a couple of nice looking knives

Phil Boguszewski certainly knows how to attract the ladies

fine folders

 

[Murray White]

I first saw Mel Nishiuchi in 2004 at a show in California. Super folder with most interesting handle materials used. He had lots to view at USN3

one folder after another

and a nice fixed blade

well known long time maker, Mel Pardue at his Grandson's table -- Robert Carter

who, Mel says, has only been building knives for FOUR weeks

amazing what can happen when talent has a great mentor

 

[Murray White]

For lots of variety in the tactical mode, a collector did not have to pass Go but maybe collect $200 and spend it with Shaun Garretson's spot in the room

something traditional

and not so much

Steven Kelly is in full sales mode

There was lots of other items that the tactical crew love like flashlights and specialized equipment and factory made tactical knives. Sales were obviously very brisk and the show was a great success. The venue is very nice and lots of shopping right at the mall attached to the Planet Hollywood.
The Strip is busier than ever, the buffets are much more expensive but with all the new hotels it was a fun week spent there once again. Fortunately rather than putting money in machines we just roamed around and had a good time and took lots of photos.

 

[betzner]

Murray, no one can do it like you can. Thanks for all you do for all of us, when it comes to giving the finest overview one can see of a show!

Thanks again-

Bob

 

[SharpByCoop]

I really enjoyed this visit. Joe Caswell's knife, when it finally is produced, is on my hit list. We've talked.

Really cool stuff, all of it.

Murray, thank you.

Coop

 

[raylaconico]

Cool to see these pics. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ADD]

Great stuff, thanks for all the pics!

 

[GTCknives]

Thanks Murray!

 

[RogerP]

Most EXCELLENT pictorial review, Murray. Much appreciated.

Roger

 

[r connally]

As always, appreciate the time and effort you put in to these posts. Thanks, Murray! Looks like a fun and active event this year.

 

[JCaswell]

Thanks Murray!


Coop, They're coming... they're comming!!

 

[severtecher]

Thanks Murray!

 

[Ochs]

Great pics Murray thanks for sharing and glad you enjoy the show, it is a good one.

Eric

 

[Jon Brand]

You rock Murray!

 

[JParanee]

I worked the show and I believe your tour showed me more knives than I saw when I was there

Thanks Murray