Aki 2011?

[Kenneth Springer]

Anyone going?

Anyone have any G2 on any knives that might theoretically be there? ;)

[Kevin Jones]

I have always wanted to attend the AKI and had planned on attending the last two. In 2009 I had committed to attend a friend's show that happened to be the same weekend and just have too much on my plate to go this year.
2013?, we'll see, don't want to jinx myself again.

I understand it's quite an event and some special knives too.

[Kenneth Springer]

I have always wanted to attend the AKI.

Here is a link to some pics of a few knives from the last one in 2009.

AKI 2009 (http://www.artknifeinvitational.com/AKI2009.html)

I set aside some extra cash in the hopes that I will get drawn for something nice (i.e., pricey). And if I am lucky enough to be able to buy a couple of nice items, I don't think my mortgage company will mind too much if I miss a couple of payments. :eek:

If I can get permission, I'll grab an extra catalog and send it to you, if you'd like.

Hope you can go next time. I think that the AKI is one of the most significant factors in the interest in custom knives over the past quarter century. And San Diego doesn't suck, either. :)

[Bob Betzner]

I think that the AKI is one of the most significant factors in the interest in custom knives over the past quarter century.


Absolutely no question about it. Certainly the premier show in the USA when it comes to high end knives and the top echelon of makers.

The Art Knife Invitational is where the TOP makers meet the TOP collectors every other year.

http://fototime.com/6BFBAFA5EDD82D5/orig.jpg

[Bob Betzner]

Absolutely no question about it. Certainly the premier show in the USA when it comes to high end knives and the top echelon of makers.

The Art Knife Invitational is where the TOP makers meet the TOP collectors every other year.

http://fototime.com/6BFBAFA5EDD82D5/orig.jpg

Oh, and it's at the Sheraton this year, not the Marriott, as was in past years.

[jerry fisk]

Bob, you said it all when you said it was the top show. It is. That is the show that makers should aspire to be included in.

[Mark Strauss]

I'm looking forward to it. I have attended the last several and enjoyed all. Wonderful knives, people, food and drink. For those that might be interested, as a bonus, when the show falls on the same weekend as halloween, as it does this year, the adjacent Gas Lamp district becomes a hugh street party. There will be thousands of people, probably 1/2 in costume, wondering around having a good time. The area is full of restaurants, bars, shops, etc.. It is quite an experience to go and watch the goings on.

[Lorien Arnold]

oops, I didn't see this thread:o I posted one elsewhere...

This will be my first knife show, and I don't remember the last time I was this excited!

[Kenneth Springer]

oops, I didn't see this thread:o I posted one elsewhere...

This will be my first knife show, and I don't remember the last time I was this excited!

After this, you'll have to go to Blade 2012 so you can experience the extremes of the small show dedicated to high-end custom knives, and the huge show covering pretty much anything with a sharp edge on it.

Definitely not my first knife show, but still excited. Flying out to San Diego tomorrow AM. Staying in the Gas Lamp district to sample some of the local Halloween ambience. I hope to meet you there.

[Lorien Arnold]

to be honest, I'm feeling a little out of my league. I certainly am in no position to buy anything, and when it comes to meeting people I can't help but think that I'm so wet behind the ears as to be somewhat useless.
I keep telling myself that I'm just there to learn, but I'm nervous as hell!

Last time I was this nervous and excited at the same time was when I got married!

[Kevin Jones]

to be honest, I'm feeling a little out of my league. I certainly am in no position to buy anything, and when it comes to meeting people I can't help but think that I'm so wet behind the ears as to be somewhat useless.
I keep telling myself that I'm just there to learn, but I'm nervous as hell!

Last time I was this nervous and excited at the same time was when I got married!

Just relax and enjoy the ride!!!!

[Kenneth Springer]

Hey, Lorien, sorry I didn't meet you.

It was a lot of fun, but I find it gets to be a bit overwhelming after a while. Especially in the afternoon when some of the guys bring out dozens of knives for sale ...

To be honest by the end it left me burned out. Most - I am guessing all - of the knives sold, but a lot of them only after the first name drawn passed, and sometimes after the second name drawn passed, ... Then there were the guys trying with some effort to immediately flip knives they just bought ...

Just not sure what to make of all that.

I like knives, but maybe I need a break ...

[Hans Holzach]

Most - I am guessing all - of the knives sold, but a lot of them only after the first name drawn passed, and sometimes after the second name drawn passed, ... Then there were the guys trying with some effort to immediately flip knives they just bought ...

i attended only one small private show a couple of years ago. i had a great weekend, however i was a bit annoyed when a person asked me to put my name in box of a knife i did not intend to buy, so he could get it from me in case my name was drawn. i knew that the person is as much a dealer as he is a collector. i asked the maker about this, he was fine with it, so i reluctantly put my name in the box (and wasn't drawn).

this behaviour seems to be pretty common. nevertheless, i didn't like seeing dealers doing "arbitrage" business during a private show. it somehow spoiled the experience a little bit. maybe i was just inexperienced and a bit too european...

what do you think? maybe someone could start a new thread (i am not too lazy, but my english...) about this topic.

thank you,
hans

[Jon Klein]

I had an excellent time at this my first AKI. It is without question a bit overwhelming and really intense but from all indications it was a very successful show. All but 4 knives sold and I heard (though not verified) that this may be the first AKI to exceed One Million dollars in sales.

There are surely some fine knives to be seen during the show as well as the collector/dealer after sales. Definitely a lot of action.

I enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting some legendary makers. Lorien it was good to meet you and hope you had fun. Kenneth sorry we missed each other.

As far as dropping for other's it really seemed to me like it is an accepted practice and I did not notice any controversy. If someone starts a separate thread on that topic I will be happy to participate a bit more there.

It really is a one of a kind show for sure and again I am really happy I was able to attend.

Jon

[Curt Erickson]

Great people and a very good show photos to come.

[Steve Johnson]

The knives were outstanding, some, even astounding! A great crowd of wonderful people; Collectors, purveyors, makers, friends, onlookers, family. Perfect weather and Mr. Berman and wife, as usual, made the day and evening that much more enjoyable. Thanks to everyone who had a part in making it a stellar event! Phil was his usual, organized, more than pleasant self, along with his family back-up crew!

By the way: I have about 15 copies of the Show Catalogue, should anyone like one. Send me $7 for US and $15 for outside the US.

SR JOHNSON
PO BOX 5
MANTI, UT 84642-0005 USA

srj@mail.manti.com, if you need to contact me.

[Curt Erickson]

Hunter from the AKI

[Kenneth Springer]

Hunter from the AKI

Hey, look, that's my knife!!:D And I really like it. Thanks, Curt, for posting that picture, and to you and Julie for making this knife. It was a pleasure meeting you both. For my tastes, I thought the overall quality of the knives on Julie's table was among the best in the show.

Like Hans, I also had a person I didn't know (I still don't know his name) approach me and ask me if he could drop my ticket on a knife he wanted that I was not going to buy. I didn't know what to say . . . but he acted like this was a standard practice, so I gave it to him. He tried to "return the favor" on a knive he saw me drop for, but I didn't feel right about it so I didn't do it. Turns out . . . it was the very knife Curt posted the picture of above and that I was drawn for anyway with my lone ticket. So there you go. But I guess it sounds like this is a standard practice and not any violation of any protocol.

However, it was interesting to me that after the AKI sales were over, during the dealer/collector sales I saw that same person trying to flip two AKI knives he was drawn for earlier . . . for a "small profit." Don't know if he managed to sell them or not, but as long as the maker got paid, they are his knives to do what he wants.

[Curt Erickson]

Kenneth
It was a pleasure meeting with you at the show. Glad you got the knife you wanted. PM me if you want a photo.

[jerry fisk]

Curt, that hunter is outstanding. Congrats to both you and Kenneth.

[Lorien Arnold]

Curt, that little hunter was in my top five favorite knives from the show.
Steve, I really wish I had the opportunity to talk with you a bit more. Maybe I'll see you at G4 or Blade?

As for the ticket thing, I obviously was not going to bid on any knives since I blew all my money just getting to the show. A fellow asked me for tickets, so I asked Mr. Lobred how I should handle it. He told me that some makers didn't care who showed up to pick up and pay for the knife, and that others did. His preference would be that the winning ticket holder pay for the knife, and if that meant getting money from the person who was actually going to bepaying for the knife beforehand, and then handing the cash over he was good with it. I can totally understand how this kind of stuff could go pear shaped. I let the gentleman know how I'd like to proceed should any of my tickets get drawn, (none did) and gave him my ticket book, which he returned when he was finished with it.

Once the floor was opened to the collectors and dealers, I met Dr. and Mrs. Marton who were really SUPER nice folk! They brought a small portion of their collection to show and share, and to my utmost incredulity, they brought with them my favorite custom knife ever. To be able to see it in person was amazing, but when they allowed me to pick it up, a non stop river of shivers went up and down my spine. It was a huge highlight, and that in itself made the trip worthwhile. Dr. Marton very kindly conceded to my request for a picture and did a pretty good job taking it;

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd388/Bladeworks2011/Art%20Knife%20Invitational%202011/IMG_6136.jpg

I was really blown away by how kindly I was treated by everyone. This is certainly a community of people who I consider myself extremely fortunate to have found.

Shelly Berman was awesome! A really good guy, we had a few laughs, and he like most others seemed pleased to meet me even though he hadn't a clue who or what I was : )

[Bob Betzner]

Kenneth, here is a larger format image of your knife. What a gorgeous piece you picked up!

http://fototime.com/326759150E72535/orig.jpg

[Lorien Arnold]

I regard Wolfgang Loerchner as one of a tiny handful of knife makers in the world who operates completely independently in his own, ('style' is not the right word) maybe 'on' his own is a better way to put it. The fact that there are others who emulate what he's introduced to the world says volumes about his impact on the world of custom knives.

Wolfgang is a very down to earth, quiet spoken, original and engaging man, who is an exceptional artist and whose knives really are knives.

Anyway, here are a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure, I was fortunate enough to actually be able to hold these knives in my hand, an can attest to their 'feel' and their mechanical perfection. Truly an honor to behold such high art in such an intimate setting.

Thank you, Phil Lobred, for bringing more life to custom knives!

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd388/Bladeworks2011/Art%20Knife%20Invitational%202011/finalcopy.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd388/Bladeworks2011/Art%20Knife%20Invitational%202011/Finished.jpg

[Bob Betzner]

The only AKI knife I had seen early on was the one everyone got to see - Wolfgang Loerchner's "Dolphin" folder on the cover of the AKI invitation. I think it is the most beautiful folder I have ever, ever seen. Really a special knife!

Bob

[Kenneth Springer]

Kenneth, here is a larger format image of your knife. What a gorgeous piece you picked up!

Bob,

Thanks so much! I can't take a decent picture to save my life.

Yeah, I am very happy with it. But I'm sure it will surface again some day . . . after I am pushing up daisies.

[Steve Johnson]

Here is "Christine's Fighter," named after our oldest daughter. Full-integral, BG-42. Barry Lee Hands worked his magic again! (Even on the front of the guard!)
We are talking about doing one for each of the next 4 AKI shows, with another daughter's name, 4 more to go, with ours and Barry's.
My avitar is also from the show: An integral RWL-34 Mediteranean Dirk, with black Cape Buffalo spacer, Sambar Stag and Mammoth butt cap.
(Point 7 Photographs)

[Kenneth Springer]

Here is "Christine's Fighter," named after our oldest daughter. Barry Lee Hands worked his magic again!

As I posted on another forum, this was my favorite knife of the show. An absolute masterpiece. Congratulations.

[Kevin Jones]

Steve, I believe "Christine's Fighter" is my favorite piece of yours to date.

Congratulations to you and Barry on a masterpiece.

[Steve Johnson]

We like it in the Johnson family, also. I must admit! Thanks, Ken and Kevin.

[Kevin Jones]

I just noticed that you can enlarge the photo 3 times.
One of those pieces where the more you look the more you are amazed.

[Jim Cooper]

Ken,
Another fine review. Thanks for this.

SRJ: Mindblowingly beautiful. Both of them. Eric shot them perfectly, too. MAJOR props!

Lorien: In MY face! LOLZ!

Coop

[Barry Lee Hands]

Hi Guys, the show was fun, all around great work on every table and SR Johnson created an outstanding example of the knife makers Art for this years AKI, Thanks Steve!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c335/baerzo/SRJAKI2011.jpg

[Barry Lee Hands]

Another one from the AKI.
The description:
Large Sheffield with 416 frame, ATS 34 Blade and Spring.
Engraved by Barry Lee Hands, framed with 24k raised gold borders with 24k twisting gold leafwork on Barry's "Black Satin" background, the leaves are mounted with twenty five natural brilliant cut Saphires, and two natural Alexandrites surrounding the exhibition grade white pearl inlay.
The the twisting leaf pattern continues onto the Pearl, which is inlaid in 24K gold with Barry's original Gilded Pearl technique .
The spine is decorated with 22K gold rope borders and Barry's "Two Hands" signature in Burnished Gold.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c335/baerzo/AKI2011308enh.jpg

[Kevin Jones]

I ran across this thread showing some of Buddy Thomason's images from his trip to the 2009 AKI. Thought some you may like to see them.

http://www.customknifecollectorsassociation.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=55