[ugaarguy]

I went to Blade in Atlanta yesterday, with three primary goals in mind. 1. See hso from here on THR at the Knife Rights booth, 2. Meet in person Gary Wheeler and Kim Breed, who did the awesome group buys for us earlier this year, and 3. Get my hands on a few Spyderco knives I've been eying.

Those three things were accomplished rather quickly, and the focus shifted to walking around with my buddy and helping him find his first quality folding knife. Part of that took place at the same time I was looking at Spydercos.

My friend is an early 20s 2nd Degree black belt in Taekwondo, so it was a very cool coincidence that Michael Janich was the person who was helping us at the Spyderco booth (on the first visit).

Friend ended up with a SOG knives Access Card 2.0. This is the first SOG that's impressed me in quite a while. The finger grooves actually give it a nice grip for an ultra thin knife, the short blade is substantial, and it's very well put together. The Arc Lock is pretty darn nice - not quite an Axis or Bolt Action Lock, but easier to manipulate than Spyderco's excellent Ball Bearing Lock. It also fits perfectly in the watch / coin pocket on a pair of jeans. They run $50-$60 online, and he got it for under $50 out the door. With the VG10 blade and quality Seki, Japan manufacturing this is a very nice little knife.

We then went back to the Spyderco booth after hearing that they were displaying the Sam Owens (that's THR moderator Sam1911) built prototypes of the Shirley-Owens (that being THR moderator JShirley) collaboration ARK neck knives. These things are tiny, light, tough, and have a ton of grip for such little things. I hope Spyderco puts these into production. I can now say that from what I've seen (Not that I had any doubts about the reviews of Sam's blades posted here by other members) that Sam knows how to make a knife. If you can be patient with his busy schedule, he's a truly talented guy who will make you a great blade.

While there Eric Glesser was helping us (me really), and on a whim I asked if there were any plans to make a full flat grind standard Manix 2, since both the Translucent Manix 2, and the Manix 2 XL are FFG only. He told me that not only are there plans, but they're about to discontinue the hollow ground 154 CM blades entirely, and switch to FFG S30V blades on the standard Manix 2 models. All of this will happen with no price increase. I really like Spyderco's FFG leaf shaped blades, so this news will likely not be kind to my wallet. Not my cup of tea (only because I like the BB lock already on them), but I also got to handle a totally unmarked late stage pre-production prototype of the lock back Manix 2. If you like lock backs over the Axis, BB, and similar locks; Eric said these should be in production soon.

The Benchmade booth was super crowded, so I didn't get to see much there. Nothing at Kershaw really jumped out at me, but maybe that's just me. I did get to handle a CRKT Tighe NIRK Lock folder. I don't know how well it would hold up to hard use, but it was a fascinating design, and some very trick engineering and production.

Over at Buck we both played with the Lux in Pro and Select trim (they were sold out of them in Avid level trim). These are very nice knives, and at about $84 online the Select level with it's S30V blade and real carbon fiber grip inlays is a steal. The Pro at half that price with Buck's (anything but) standard 420HC blade and basically the same handles less the carbon fiber is another screaming deal.

Lastly, Gary Wheeler and Kim Breed are great guys. These two gentleman are totally down to earth, regular guys, who happen to make incredible knives. Their prices are also very reasonable. Look back at the recent group buys here, and you'll see examples of a couple no nonsense hard use blades from Kim, and a couple of beautiful yet rugged knives from Gary. From personal experience with one of Gary's knives, and what I saw at Blade, either one of these gentlemen can make just about any fixed blade you can imagine, and do it at prices very close to those of production knives made of the same materials.

[Jrob24]

I'm not much of a knife guy and only own a couple folders, but it's cool that you were able to attend this event. How was Mike Janich in person? I've seen him on The Best Defense TV series. Also was Ernest Emerson there? I've heard that his knives are expensive and popular.

[hso]

Good meeting you and your buddy! Sorry I was dashing around bird-dogging knife-makers for next year's fund raiser for Knife Rights and didn't have time to visit.

My wife appropriated the beautiful little fixed blade of Gary's I got from him on Friday just as soon as she saw it this evening.

KaBar had seconds the first day of the show and I picked up 4 Eskabars for $25/each. They came with 2 sets of scales!

Walter Brend had his usual customs and the first of his new production knives (although a handmade folder with a blade ground by Walter Brend strains the boundary between custom and production). There wasn't a smoother pivot at the show nor a more solid knife when locked open.

Stephan Fowler did well early in the show with his remarkable fighters, utility and chief's knives.

Wally Hoffstetler had a beautiful katana he had forged and built as well as a wide array of fittings he makes.

New "kids" Southern Grind had a great folder of C-fiber on a full Ti liner lock. It too was solid when opened. Phosphor bronze washers made opening it a snap.

Hank Reinhardt's wife just released a book of his on fighting with knives. Hank was legendary for his skill and knowledge of ancient bladed weapons and their use. His wisdom on the bloody business of using a knife to defen yourself is sure to be as impressive.

This is the first show without Blackie Collins. He was sorely missed.

BTW, Michael Janich is a great guy as well as a great teacher. Anyone that has the opportunity to take a class with him should.

That's just a tiny portion there was to see.

[ArfinGreebly]

Please note: I hate you all.

[hso]

AG,

When you go to the Oregon show or Solvang we can hate you back. :neener:

[22-rimfire]

Friend ended up with a SOG knives Access Card 2.0. This is the first SOG that's impressed me in quite a while. The finger grooves actually give it a nice grip for an ultra thin knife, the short blade is substantial, and it's very well put together. The Arc Lock is pretty darn nice - not quite an Axis or Bolt Action Lock, but easier to manipulate than Spyderco's excellent Ball Bearing Lock. It also fits perfectly in the watch / coin pocket on a pair of jeans. They run $50-$60 online, and he got it for under $50 out the door. With the VG10 blade and quality Seki, Japan manufacturing this is a very nice little knife.


The Access Card 2.0 is a good little knife and very under rated because it is fairly expensive from my point of view. I have had one since they came out and that in fact may be the last SOG blade I have purchased. I swung by the SOG booth, but didn't spend much time there. Didn't touch base with Spencer Fazier as I usually do.

Didn't know Hso was at the Knife Rights booth. I pretty much skipped that booth, not that it is not a very good cause.

Saw Mykel Hawke while I was there. He has a new show that will be on the Outdoor Channel versus the Man Woman Wild show on Discovery for the last two years.

I picked up a new Bob Dozier fixed blade as is typical of my Blade Show visits. I dislike waiting 18 months for a knife and I am not that picky on handle material. Bob sold the heck out of their blades (as usual). He had at least 40-50 blades displayed on Saturday morning and they were all gone by 3:00 PM.

I particularly enjoyed the Condor booth even though it was smallish. Joe Flowers was there and he was fun to meet.

There were so many people hanging around the Spydie booth that I didn't take the time to really look carefully at their stuff even though I did ponder buying another Spydie. Didn't ask about buying at their booth.

Hit most of the custom makers' tables. Met Kim Breed and visited a while with a few of them.

I enjoyed getting an education at the Puma booth. I thought all of their knives were made in China now. I was wrong. They are still using 440C however.

Bought a GEC folder at the Great Eastern Cutlery booth. I was singing praises for their factory slip joints.

This is the first show without Blackie Collins. He was sorely missed.

His wife was there. I also miss Bill Moran although the legend lives on.

One suprise of the show was no Bark River Booth.

[JShirley]

Thanks for the news and virtual views of the show.

[hso]

Here are a bunch of bad pics from the show of good knives.

THE 25th Anniversary Sebenza. This pic is from Thursday night in the bar at the Waverly where Chris was kind enough to let us handle the knife. Anne made sure no one walked off with it.

Perfect bowies from Stephan Fowler and his spade shaped dagger with mastodon.

Walter Brend with 2 of his new "production" knives.

[hso]

More bad pics of good knives.

Walter Brend production knives close up. CPM-154 hand ground blades (ground by Walter), 6061T6 Al bodies, bearing pivot (something Walter cam up with that's supposed to be different from the IKBS), santoprene inserts, coil spring/plunge button auto.

The fixed blades are Gary Wheeler's. The handles are actually a caramel colored G10 that looks at first glance like caramel mastodon or oosic. The smaller of the two is the little treasure I had to have that my wife took for her own when I got home. The larger is a slightly polished version of the group buy knife that Gary is offering here.

[hso]

And even more bad pics of good knives.

These are from a little company called Shadow Tech. Coated 1095 with micarta handle slabs for $60-$120. Simple, tough knives made by folks who like them instead of just marketing a niche.

[hso]

you get the idea-

Remarkably impressive textured carbon fiber/Ti frame, 14C-28N Sandvik steel folders from the very young Southern Grind started by country music performer Zak Brown.
Crazy Tactical Cane knife (that surprisingly handled pretty well) and the Grand Daddy Bowie. I saw 2 tested to destruction pieces at the show. One GD Bowie had been bent to a right angle 3 times before the edge cracked. Another had been used by Marines to chop/hack/stab/dig and finally destroy some scrap from a helicopter before chipping the blade.

[hso]

A Manix 2 in the hands of the designer and his dad. Just a couple of guys no one knows, but I'm betting they'll make a name for themselves.

[JShirley]

Eric designed the Manix 2? Damn good work.

[hso]

Yep.

When I asked Sal for that picture he asked Eric to come over as the guy who was responsible for it.

[kim breed]

Glad to meet those of you who stopped by. Always will take time out for some bs-ing. Great show. HSO, did you enjoy the weight and feel of my big wacker???

[hso]

Kim,

You wanna rephrase that? :scrutiny:
:neener:

I neglected to mention that Kim has another big honk'n chopper that I got to play with. It falls like a guillotine with a finality you can feel when you chop with it. It "wants" to chop.

[ugaarguy]

How was Mike Janich in person? I've seen him on The Best Defense TV series.
Completely and utterly normal. Just a regular guy there talking about knives with other knife enthusiasts. I asked about his Yojimbo 2 design that Spyderco is making. He explained the features in a very humble and matter of fact way; no inflated ego whatsoever.
Also was Ernest Emerson there? I've heard that his knives are expensive and popular.
He probably was, but looking for him wasn't on the agenda, and I didn't see his table or booth. His knives are somewhat popular, and the prices are pretty much in line, maybe on the high side of average, with those charged by others in the industry for knives of like quality, construction, and materials.

[hso]

Emerson was in the usual far left corner facing the entrance.
Ernie was there, as usual, and was out and about on the floor while his crew took care of business. The booth was obscured with legions of fanboys. I'm better acquainted with John Hollister in his crew.

Ugaarguy is spot on. Michael Janich is a great guy with no swaggering ego. I had to laugh as he patiently tried to describe the attributes of the Spyderco Warrior to a gentleman that just couldn't grasp what it was designed for. Just a regular guy with extraordinary skills.

[StephanFowler]

Thanks HSO

I had a great show and enjoyed dinner Fri night although the scenery was less than anticipated....

[Fred Fuller]

Thanks for the reports and impressions, from those of you lucky enough to make it to the show. It really is appreciated - and all I can say is, maybe next year...

[hso]

Stephan,

If you focus on the food and the companions the "scenery" isn't important.

[Nematocyst]

Please note: I hate you all.

I wouldn't miss this thread
for all the money on Earth.

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Well, OK, yes, I would,
but not for a $ less.

[hso]

Hey, Kim. Did that guy that served in Kosovo ever buy anything from you or Gary?

[j1]

The only problem is the fact that a custom knife must be held in the hand to be appreciated. You cannot appreciate the quality from a picture alone.

[hso]

BTW, I won a knife in the Sunday drawing at KnifeRights. I tried to donate it back since I was uncomfortable with volunteering for the organization and winning something from them, but Doug Ritter wouldn't let me. It was a little Blindhorse and when I got home I had a ready made birthday present for a buddy of mine. :cool:

[Blade First]

Please ... more pics, more reviews, more interactions with the folks who bring us the sharp things we like and collect.

Indeed, where else are we likely to "see" the latest in sheer innovation of design and materials that fascinate us so except through your eyes?

[hso]

The internet??? ;)

:neener:

I gotta get a better camera than just toting around the BlackBerry and snapping pix.

Innovative? Fox had an interesting dagger I handled. Think of two slabs that pivoted back like a clam would open. The dagger blade was attached by pivot to one of the slabs. The blade pivoted out until it cleared the open mouth of the two handle slabs and then the slabs were closed face to face to capture the dagger blade. It got the Blade 2011 Imported Knife of the Year award. I'm a sucker for gizmos so I stood and played with it, but came to the conclusion that it was a solution in search of a problem and was too slow to be practical to deploy quickly.
http://www.fkmdknives.com/bfiles/Immagini/FX-F301aXopening.jpg

I did handle an olllllldddddd Christy knife like paratroops and pilots carried. One of my buddies I see there every year (looks like Bull from night court) had bought it at the show and I was envious. I ripped these images off from an ebay sale that I'm bidding on.

[hso]

Oh, and I also handled every single one of the KnifeRights fundraising knives (http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=179&Itemid=1). Too numerous to list or show so you'll have to click over to them. (I was packing them up at the end of the show).

I also picked up a polished stag handled Breed neck knife similar to the one in the Breed Group Buy thread .
It lasted just minutes after I got home and I haven't seen it since Gwen spotted it (so she snatched both the stag Breed and the caramel G10 Wheeler after I got home).

I've handled Jim Hammond's Sealtac and Flesh Eater knives before and usually spend some time at Blade yakking with Jim. This time he had rev5 of the Flesh Eater and we went behind the curtain at CRKT and unwrapped the FE5. It is a radical departure from the other Flesh Eater variants being angled at the guard so that the blade "leans in" to the cut (Kopis/Falcata/Kukri). It is a freaking big scary looking knife! It also is lively and wants to move. Those of you that have handled a properly balanced fighting knife will know what I mean when I say that the thing works with your movements. It is so well designed and executed that it doesn't weigh in the hand what it actually weighs on a scale. I'll post a pic next week once Jim puts it up on his website with some video of it being used to cut tatami mats, in mid air.

[Gordon]

That's "positive included angle"
Oh yes I remember those nice Christy Safety knives!

[hso]

The previously alluded to Flesh Eater 5 held by proud papa Jim Hammond. ;)
Jim is a full head taller than I am and has hands proportionally bigger, but the grip fit both my little monkey paws and his gorilla paws. Quite surprising.

The video Jim showed to me of the FE5 being used to cut tatami mat sections tossed into the air were very impressive.