Which Show has the most custom makers?

Joined
Feb 27, 2000
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82
As someone who has never been to a knife show I am curious as to which show attracts the widest range or greatest number of custom makers?
Thanks,
Davy
 
I think the Blade Show might just be the biggest gathering of custom makers. Same goes for the factory at that show.

As far a quality there are a number of excellent shows.

One of them is going on this weekend in Solvang, Ca.

There are at least 2 shows a year in the NYC area.

The Blade Show West in the fall.

The Art Knife Invitational is held in San Diego each early fall.

There are several shows in Europe as (France Germany and maybe Italy come to mind).

There is also a show sponsored by the Australian Knifemakers Guild.

The Canadian Knifemakers guild had their show a couple of weeks ago.

I would think that there are a few shows each year in Japan also.

Last but not least the Knifemakers Guild show in the Summer (this year in New Orleans).

These are some of the bigger shows held every year.

Small shows can be fantastic too. You never can tell who may show up at some of the smaller shows. (As an example go to a small show in Arkansas, Texas or Montana and you will most likely happy with what you see. You also get to meet folks who may not have a big name, but might be doing some great work.)


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"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.
 
I see you are from the Denver area. I think the PKA (Professional Knifemakers Association) has a show out there each year too.
 
Dont forget the Las Vegas Classic Knife Show

Southeast Custom Knife Show (shame on you Gus)

Chesepeake Bay Knife Collectors Show.

Looks like Delack is going to try again in the Northwest, this time in Oregon, appears to be in the beginning of Septemeber.

Then there is the Art Knife Invitiational in Florida (Orlando).

The Florida Knifemakers Assoc show (one day) in Orlando).

I belive the PKA has another show in Dallas as well as Denver.

Then there is Bruce Voyles show in Dallas in September this year.

Ok, guys which others did we forget.



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

"Nobody throws me my own guns and tells me to run, nobody!
 
Les, what do you think of the CKG show compared to the big USA shows? Have you been to Wolf Loerchner's art knife show in the summer?
 
Thanks Les,
I knew I would forget some.

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"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.
 
Howard,

How could I forget the Canadian Knifemakers Guild Show.

There was two years between show attendance and I was very impressed with the improvements of both show and the makers work .

The show had 54 tables (I belive). While it was a small show, it was very good. Perhaps that worked to it's advantage. The number of people through the door was very good for such a small show. Most seemed very educated about custom knives. Although, one needs a little more education. I was reported to the President of the Guild for having factory knives on my table. Seems he thought the Lightfoot LCC was the new Microtech knife and I had a Vallotton/Harsey Applegate/Faribain folder that he mistaked for the Gerber copy.

There were several excellent makers there, wish I could remember their names. Several more were only a few years from competing favorably with US makers.

Those of you who are close to Toronto should make a point of going to see it.

There are great resturants, and the prices cant be beat.

I have never been to Wolf's Bayfield Show, but I understand it is a very good quality show. Sounds like another good one to go to.

Quite frankly for a knife lover, is their such a thing as a bad knife show?



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

"Nobody throws me my own guns and tells me to run, nobody!
 
July 8 & 9 is the 12th WRCA Knife Expo in Dover Ohio. Admission is free. Forging demo, grinding demo, knife throwing as well as a terrific dinner and the opportunity to tour the Warther Museum where one can see the most incredible carvings ever created.

The Bayfield-Canadian National Art Knife show is Aug 5 & 6 Bayfield, Ont. $3. at Old Town Hall. This year again there will be outdoor knife throwing. Some of the makers that will attend are Donald Bell, Peter Wile, Brian Tighe and Brian Lyttle, Tim Herman, Kevin Cashen, Jose deBraga, Bertie Rietveld, Zaza Rivishvilli, Weyer, Rod Olson, Greg Lightfoot, Wally Hayes and of course Wolfe.

Highlight of the weekend is the Pig Roast and again this year, Brian Lyttle will create a knife that after the carving of the pig will be raffled. It was a huge success last year.

Tim Herman also advises that there might just be something special as a co creation between he and Wolfe. Certainly a show worth travelling to and the town is really quite terrific with lots of wonderful shops for all to browse and purchase from. Now is a good time to arrange for Motels and B & B's as they fill quickly as this is the Civic Holiday weekend in Canada.
 
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