Two things I have learned over the last 2 days. We are truly fortunate to have a great group of people participating here. I have seen acts of kindness by forum members that remind me that we kid around a lot and we use the term Bose Ho's, but I certainly did not spend any time around greedy people. (even when it comes to Tony and Reese's knives.) It is an honor to be a part of this group.
The other thing I have learned is that pulling that horseshoe out of my rear end hurts like crazy
.
I don't know why I have been so lucky. God knows I don't deserve it, but I came home with the
barlow today. 6th Bose knife in 8 years drawn in my own name (not my momma's
) is way outside of the probability curve. I figure the odds today were over 1 in 200 per knife. I figured I had my run and you could have knocked me over with a feather when I found out I was drawn.
The Chamblin drawing was great for BFC members GigOne, Waynorth, CNAS122 and Riad all were drawn! Bummer for me is that this was the first time since Joel started having drawings at Blade that I was not drawn. I figured I better put in an order, so I hope to get a little time with him tomorrow pretty much to just get in a price ballpark and turn him loose on something he wants to do. His knives have been great for the 13 or 14 years that I have been following him, but he certainly raised the bar on himself a few notches this year, without a doubt.
CNAS also was drawn at Richards table and so was Blues. Like Joel, Richard also outdid himself this year. I did not see one multiblade on either of their tables that did not make me drool. They keep pushing themselves to new heights and for the life of me I do not know how they do it. There are some outstanding knives that Joel and Richard made that are now in the hands of some of those guys. I say some, because I also saw some acts of kindness to other collectors.
Don Hansen's slipjoints were, as always, stunning. I have never seen one of Don's knives that I did not go nuts over and that goes back to the days when he was the "sunfish man".
Jerry Halfrich's work was also remarkable. Awesome work from another very likeable guy.
Here is the secret that a few of us learned.
Mike Zscherny is making some fantastic patterns also. I have always liked his tacticals, His very smooth and precise work has also migrated to traditional folders and he nailed every one I got to see. I was so impressed I picked one up from him and placed an order also. It is obvious he also has a strong sense of the art of blending the blade and the rest of the knife together (there is a lot of the old Dog's influence there). Another great guy too so my criteria are met.
Lady's and gents, I got to also handle a few knives that this guy
Knifehead has made.
Holly Mackerel this guy has it going on too. :thumbup: He had a few knives at blade that would thrill anyone who was into traditionals.
Jonny Stout's traditionals are also dead on. Bill Ruple has provided a lot of influence with Johnny. the whittler Johnny made for me is dead on in every respect. It is my second Stout mutiblade and I am very impressed. I know Holger will be thrilled the the Dr. Knife Johnny made for him since I got to CF it too.
Bill and Tony are great examples many knifemakers who keep no secrets from their peers and spend much of their time helping other makers progress. They are doing a lot more than making great knives, they are doing all they can to help others do the same thing.
Ryu delivered the knife that I posted in the Custom Sticky to me and it is exquisite. This is my first Ryu knife and I am thrilled with it.
I also got to meet Shigeru Tozaki and his wife at dinner and will be firming up an order with him. Amazing work and even though we had a little of a language barrier, meeting them both was a highlight for me. I really enjoyed their company. His wife makes hand made knife pouches as well as other types of pouches and purses. She is very gracious with a wonderful smile that would melt any language barrier. I am very thankful to Ryu for introducing me to them. Hopefully it is the start of another friendship.
Blues is going to go home with an extradanary bevy of traditionals, but I am not going to "steel his thunder" suffice to say each one is a drool causer.
I still stand by my words that I could spend the 3 days at Blade not coming home with a knife and it would still be among the best days of the year because of friends.
There is more to see tomorrow (people and knives) and I can not wait!
