Arkansas Custom Knife Show - Little Rock 2010

Greetings all,

I will be doing up a formal review of the show for the Arkansas Knifemakers Association web site - look for that not too far down the road.

But for now, here is an informal pictorial review so everyone can have a peek at what was a terrific weekend, and by almost all accounts, a very successful show.


Those with slow uploads may view view the photo album here, where you can open one pic at a time:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/49C133B36B293B5

I'll just say that this was a supremely enjoyable show - relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, the nicest of people on both sides of the tables, and some truly terrific knives.

The usual caveats apply:

1) I tend to shoot what I like, so this will be bowie-intensive. In my defense, Arkansas IS bowie country, so it's not like I could have avoided them anyway.

2) Show lighting, shaky hands, crowded aisles (even though I tried to shoot at quiter times) means you won't see pro pics. But you will see pics, and that's better that not seeing pics.

3) Couldn't shoot everyone, and not every shot I took turned out. My camera skills are minimal and modern technology can only overcome a certain degree of acute ugly. Sorry Jerry.

4) Some guys I thought I shot, but didn't. Happens every time. One day I'll remember to make a list. But first I'll have to remember to remember.

5) If I butcher anybodies name, it could be a typo or just regular stupidity - just drop me a PM and I'll fix 'em as I go.

It'll take me about 4 or 5 posts to get all the shots up, so have patience with me.

I'll start off with some non knife-specific shots so a few faces can be put to some names.

A group of us heading out to lunch Friday. Left to right: Jon Klein, Kevin Jones, Chuck Kerwin, Paul Long, Bob Starkey, Paul Kessler, Bob (officially the best looking "Bob" I've ever met and a rose among thorns here), Jerry Fisk, Lin Rhea.



Chuck Ward - we've seen his terrific pics but so rarely see the man behind the camera. As not only show photographer, but one of the organizers, he was as busy as a guy can be but still found time for everyone. I need to learn that particular trick.



This motley crew along with Kevin Jones, Bob Starkey and surely others I am forgetting did a great job mannind the CKCA booth for the weekend. L t R: Paul Long, Paul Kessler, Chuck Kerwin.



Now onto the show awards. The winners in various categories were:

Best Hunter: Terry Vandeverntner

Best Fighter: Kyle Royer

Best Folder: Leon Treiber

Best Art Knife: J.R. Cook

Best Bowie: John White

Best Damascus: Kyle Royer

Best Miniature: Craig and Deborah Braschler

Best Sheath: Craig Braschler

Best Pearl-handled Knife: Ron Newton

Best Giraffe Bone-handled Knife: Lee Ferguson

Best Historically Inspired Knife: Lin Rhea

Clyde Fisher Award: James Batson

BEST OF SHOW: Ron Newton

And here are the award winners:



Okay - now onto makers and knives. These pictures are more or less in the order I shot them and they were shot in no kind of order at all.

Mike Williams

Mike had not one, but TWO of my favourite bowies of the show. He's holding one of them here:



What the pic doesn't show you is the complex but flawlessly executed butt cap with an insert of the same stunning ivory used for the handle.



Roger Massey

Man, I wanted that sweet Southwest clamshell bowie he is holding sooooo bad.



But what may be news to some is that Roger is turning out some exceedingly nice and very affordable custom slip joints.



The single blade twin to the knife shown above was snapped in a hurry. By some guy named John White. Give that some thought.

END PART 1

Jerry Fisk

This little dude was hanging around Jerry's table most of Friday. He didn't realize you need to get to Jerry's table right quick if you want a knife. What Little Rock would be without Jerry's homour, I can't conceive.



This little honey of a folder went for a very pretty penny to a very happy new owner:



Charles Vestal

Informed collectors of Loveless-styled knives already know who Charles is. The rest of you all need to find out. VERY clean work.





Mike Ruth, Michael Ruth

It's getting crowded at the Ruth shop:



Mike has been turning out gorgeous knives for some time now (I just missed out on that swet stag hunter):



But the surprise to many is how far advanced his son Michael is in the craft. Check out that sweet stag and shimmering ladder damascus. Check out the killer lines on that fighter:



J.W. Randall

Elegance defines JW's work:



And elegance well describes the sweet gent's bowie shown in the foreground. I expect we'll see some better pics of that one in due course. I got to look at the details of the fittings under magnification. Then Ihad to put my socks back on.



END PART DEUX

John White

John seen here holding his award-winning bowie. He aslo had with him one of the most stunning ivory dogbone bowies I have ever seen.





Lin Rhea

You've seen Lin earlier in the thread, so lets take two peeks at some knives. This one has about the best-feeling subhilt handle design you can imagine. Someone picked it up early and couldn't put it down - it vanished before I could shoot it. Fortunately, Chuck already had:



And Lin's award-winning historical bowie:



I really have developed a greater appreciation for these knives after visiting the nearby museum which houses a MUST SEE collection of antique and contemporary bowies. Being given a tour by someone who works there (Lin) made it that much more informative and enjoyable.



Ralph "Bud" Richards

The nicest guy with a great attitude toward knifemaking. He also happens to be doing some really exceptional work for this early stage in his career. here he is holding the CKCA Bowie that you can all see at Blade in a few months:



The damascus bowie in the foreground tempted me sorely. Tremendous shimmer:



Terry Vandeventer

Gorgeous damascus, first rate ivory and beautiful designs. Man, this guy can make a sweet bowie:





END PART 3

Tad Lynch

A newer maker you really need to watch. My favourite designs of his are his forge-textured choppers, but I'll tell you something, he's no slouch at the fighters and bowies either:





Charles Stout

Charles' traqditional bowie designs are very appealing, as is his signature hunter shown below. He's holding my favourite piece, though - gorgeous hunk of stag on that one with beautiful damscus as well.





Allen Newberry

Allen's knives are a bit different than the ones I am normally drawn to, but drawn to them I was. Very nice work and a successful first show for this newer maker:





Kyle Royer

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of this your prodigy. He's in the habit of collecting awards by the armful:



And his knives? Exquisite:






Ron Newton

This BEST OF SHOW piece could be the subject of an entire article, so I'll just say WOW!!. I didn't have the heart to re-size this pic and you need to see as much detail as you possibly can. Just... wow! Really nice job on the shot by Chuck as well:



END

Thaks for looking folks.

Roger

[Bob Betzner]

Roger, Jon Klein told me about a Bowie that several people thought had too big a handle. I seem to think it was one of Mike Williams'. If so, is that the one you have pictured?

If it is, I think I must agree with Jon that it is the right size for that baby, and what a really nice piece, love it!

Best,
Bob

ps: thanks for all the effort so we can see these images!

Hi Bob,

I'm not sure which knife was the subject of that comment, but the Williams knie pictured - and it's stag companion which a fellow member picked up - both had terrific and well-porportioned handles, IMHO. It was a big honkin' piece of stag, but it was attached to a BIG honkin' blade - the two went very well together.

Roger

[Kevin Jones]

^I agree. They were probably referring to the BIG stag handle bowie. If that's the case the big handle (near if not 6") went very well with the huge blade. That was one of my favorite Bowies of the show. Had a very unique and well executed butt cap.

[Bob Betzner]

Originally Posted by Roger Pinnock

Hi Bob,

I'm not sure which knife was the subject of that comment, but the Williams knie pictured - and it's stag companion which a fellow member picked up - both had terrific and well-porportioned handles, IMHO. It was a big honkin' piece of stag, but it was attached to a BIG honkin' blade - the two went very well together.

Roger

I imagine the one to which we both refer is the one that was subject to Jon's comment. And "BIG honkin'" is sure the way to describe that baby. Thanks for the added perspective.

Kevin- That sure must be the one. IMHO, as well, that humongous blade supports that size handle, and what piece.

Bob

[J R Reeves]

Thank you so much for the pictures of the show. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us. Thanks again! Ron

[Jim Treacy]

Roger,

Great review. It looks like it was a very nice show, with some great knives. I'm sorry that I didn't attend, hopefully next year.

Keep the photos coming.

Jim Treacy
__________________