Paris show SICAC 2003

[flava]

The show took place two weeks ago. As usual, I looked forward to attend. This year's show was a bit dissapointing, at least for me.
The show took place in a different location, which looks old and ugly. The light was very bad. Another thing that surprised me was the quality of the knives. There were very good knives (like the ones in the pictures I will add here) but they didn't represent the majority of the exposed knives. There were also too many badly finished knives that had nothing to do in an international show. The overall quality was lower than in the past years.
I made some pictutres of a few beautiful knives. I apologise in advance for their quality, the light was bad and I choosed not to use a flash.



A beautiful colored damascus fixed blade, unfortunately I don't remember the name of he maker.

Scagel style fixed blades by Bruno Duffort.

Various knives by Gert Van Den Elsen. Entirely handmade, beautiful design, fit and finish.

This is Gert.

Friction folder by Ricardo Ciachera. Beautiful and well made.

Three Loveless knives on a japanese dealer's table. I enjoyed playing with them but the prices were ... high.

 

[flava]

A fighter, a small fixed blade and a short sword by A. Hogstrom. His knives are outstanding.

A Loveless-style integral by F. Schneider. Impressive workmanship.

Three well made damascus folders, again I forgot the name of the maker ...

 

[flava]

A knife-sculpture by Pierre Reverdy.

Well made and beautifuly finished fixed blade by Andre Andersson

Interesting forged knives ... don't remeber the maker's name.

The table of Armes Bastille. They are good guys, their shop in Paris is a must see.

A folder by Franceso Pachi. Perfect fit and finish.

Damascus fighter by Santino Ballestra.

Foders by Koji Hara. He makes one of the best mirror finishes I've seen and he is also a very pleasant fellow.

 

[HiltonP]

Flavius . . . Thanks for the photo's!

Well, you know my views on this years's SICAC venue . . . a real disgrace!

Noteable knives and knifemakers? . . . The work of Kaj Embretsen, Charles Bennica, Des Horn, Koji Hara, Kensai, Allen Elishewitz, Andre Thorburn, and the incredible engraving of Ambrotti. Lots of traditional French patterns which I always enjoy, something earthy and very practical about them. Also lots of forged plain and damascus blades.

A couple of days before the show I was walking down on the river Seine during the evening and came across a farmers market, selling cheese, meat and wine from one of the regions. One of the farmers was cutting off slices of his cheese for passers by with a huge 2-foot long, very well used, Opinel !! . . . Needless to say, I bought some of his cheese!

Regards, HILTON