What news from Atlanta?

Nick Wheeler was sold out pretty quickly - in fact he was 80% sold out by early Friday, when I got to his table. Good for him!

One thing about the cutting competition worth mentioning was that cashen was using a damascus blade (O1 X L6 I think). So much for the rumor that Damascus can't cut...
 
Thanks for all the great info delivered in such a timely fashion - much appreciated!

Cheers,

Roger
 
Joss - did you see Nick Wheeler's damascus fighter? I'm told it was very well regarded by the judges in the best fighter competition, but lost out to new Master Smith John Fitch's entry.

I'll post pictures of it in a few days :D

Thanks, Jeremy, for the great write-up of the cutting competition. It really was exciting to watch. While I wish every one of the contestants could have won, I'll admit that I did find myself rooting for Kevin Cashen, who had a really stunning, curvy damascus knife for the event. I believe the damascus he used was 01/L6.

Speaking of Kevin Cashen, he had a truly amazing multi-bar damascus viking sword on his table, as well as a beautiful damascus leaf-blade sword that just knocked my socks off. In a room filled with awesome knives, these two swords really stood out. Kevin Cashen truly is one of the greats in the world of bladesmithing.

What else to report... well some of the best "deals" in the forged knives category were to be found on the table of Ricardo Vilar and Luciano Dorneles from Brazil. I believe one of our fellow forumites (Danbo) picked up an awesome integral dirk in 52100. That table sold out quickly, as these two makers come highly recommended by Jerry Fisk, who has visited them in Brazil, watched them work, and tested their knives..

Another highlight for me was seeing Tim Hancock's damascus and gold masterpiece. I can't even describe this knife. Those of you who saw it will know what I mean. I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures in the knife magazines soon...

As I already mentioned in another thread, Dan Farr earned his JS stamp with some really beautiful entries that, after the testing, he graciously donated to the ABS for their banquet auction. What a generous and thoughtful gesture! I tried to buy a few, but kept getting outbid by another Farr - this one Dan's brother, who wanted to bring the heirlooms back home. What a great crew, those two. Dan's tablemate, John Perry (jpknives here of bfc) also got his JS stamp with some really great knives.

I also had fun meeting blademan13 (Jamie K.) and Danbo, and got to hang out with both of them for a while. Good times were had. It was also nice to finally meet Rob Simonich, Neil Blackwood (he was at the Outdoor Edge booth, where they had some of his hybrid hunters that looked really well made), GenO Denning, and dozens of other makers and collectors I can't possible count right now.

I'll post more later as I gather some more thoughts. I'm still beat up from the trip back. Atlanta was a zoo. There was a Primerica convention with 65,000 people, all of whom, it seemed, got to the airport at the same time yesterday. What a mess... my ordeal included a missed flight, a bunch of standbys, a wild goose chase for my luggage filled with Blade Show booty, a redirected flight to Albany, a botched car rental and finally a drive back to Vermont that culminated around 1:30 am last night.
 
BLADE 2003 was Super.
Sold some knives, mostly to current customers....really love to do repeat business with nice folks. Met a really good couple who had purchased some of my pieces from www.BladeGallery.com , They bought another at the show....you couldn't imagine nicer folks.
Shared a table with Bob Glassman, owner of Custom Knife Gallery Of Colorado, and his fine son Danny. Bob sells some of my pieces on his web site, www.customknifegallery.com
He also actively participates in a number of shows around the country to give his makers further exposure. Had a good time seeing how a "pro" knife marketeer and knife photographer works with repeat and prospective new clients. Danny was kind to be there so Bob and I could get out to visit with old and new friends and suppliers.

Looked like many of the "well known-est makers" did sell mostly out. Saw and felt a better feeling by collectors and makers alike this year over last year...we should never forget 9-11 but that SOB can't win by scaring us into restricting our lives and activities, and I felt alot of the folks at the show were feeling closer to the good feelings we had pre-9-11 than last year.

Picked up a really sweetly made small saddlehorn trapper from Joel Chamblin...REAL SWEET knife...fantastic workmanship... gave me another example of a workmanship and skill level I can aspire to in my own slipjoint knifemaking.
Already paid table rental for next year. Wouldn't miss BLADE!
Hope all others who went thought it was a great experience also!
:D
 
This was my second Blade show,I met quite of few forumites.It was a pleasure meeting Eddie Baca,Real nice guy!Nice knives!He brought some kerambits he did for Liong,Killer design!(Ti blade)Me & Randall 16-1(Brian Everett) shared a room at the Waverly,He introduced me to Guro Jeff,Laci Szabo,Steve Tarani,Ray Dionaldo,Guro Jeff did a Sayoc demo right there near the Pit.He was amazing!I showed my Bengal Claw proto to the martial artists,Everybody seemed to like it.

Met Wally Hayes& Brent Beshara,Nice guys!



Showed my silver Dragon bracelet to Laci Szabo,He liked it.While we talked about the bracelet,He asked me to design & make a silver gauntlet bracelet for him(4"wide)I'm working up a drawing to send to him,Pretty excited about this project!


Jeff Hall showed me the karambits He did for me,Should have some ready soon.He'll be making my folding karambit design also.Jeff's a super nice guy!His knives are top notch!Thanks,Jeff!Special thanks to Brian Everett(Randall 16-1)!Had a Blast!
 
Hey Capricorn61, I forgot to mention you too. I'm the fella who Brian introduced you to, Rich the Kerambit guy. Also Eddie Baca and his bro, fine fella's indeed. Too many people to mention....RDT:D
 
Hey Richard!It was a real pleasure talking to you,I'll definately come to your table next year!Your karambits are some of the best!I was looking for you,I guess you had to leave early?Brian introduced me to alot of guys I have wanted to meet!Brian said they wore him out at the Karambit.com booth,He had a real good time though.I'm looking forward to seeing your new designs!Take care,E-mail me anytime.
 
Dude, definately a pleasure for me too. I liked your Kerambit designs too. I saw them wearing Brain out before I left, he looked a little spent. Keep in touch. Peace.....RDT
 
Lots and LOTS of knives! :) But as soon as the Show opened (at 12pm on Friday, when you have the VIP piece), I walked immediately to Ed Fowler table, found the best 5" blade that I liked, put the knife in my hand, and looked and looked until Fowler walked to his table, too :D

I put out LOTS of money, and I got my knife, and Ed added a free VHS "The Design, Construction & Function for the Used Knife (52100 Steel): Bearing to Blade to Finished Knife with Ed Fowler".

I think most of his knives were gone, by Saturday morning..., but I've got mine! :cool:
 
JR picked up some great knives;Carson,Brend-Branton#2,and that was was just to start.It was great to hang with PhilL & JR,they taught me more in 2 days,than i learned in 2 years.I want to thank everyone i met;you all made it feel like a family reunion.

I came home with pieces from Fisk,Denning,Eisler,Shoeman,and Derr.Great makers,great friends,great Guinness.

:) :) :)
 
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