Also known as
Scoundrels and Scalawags Symposium
I have CD's with the photographs of all the makers knives and photos of the 2006 -2008 shows itself available now in a limited number. The photos show a bit of everything we did. If you would like one the cost is only $19.95 plus shipping, just drop me an email for one. These CD's provides a history of the show itself and how it is put on. Many of you will want to add this CD to your knife photo files and for those of you who would like to attend this CD will give you a better insight to what is going on. Of course the secret handshake is not shown nor the episode with the dancing Camel but we wont go there now.
2009 date is October 2-4th
Makers that will be showing at the 2008 show are Master Smith John White [sorry, John does not have a website]and rising star Matt Roberts Journeyman Smith. As the show gets closer we will know how many pieces each will bring and they can show the photos on their web sites. I plan on having around 10-12 or so pieces myself and maybe some work from me that you will not see at a regular knife show. This show is where I will have the most pieces at any given time during the year.
This show is an annual show that I put on in my house and shop here in Nashville Arkansas. The date is the first Saturday of October each year. I keep the show small so that we can all have fun and perhaps learn a bit about knives and collecting knives. It is limited to not exceed 20 collectors. There is a $250 registration fee. If you want a spot just email me and I will be happy to put you on that list.
Who should come to the show? People interested in learning about collecting or adding to your existing collection. You will learn a lot in a hurry because the whole weekend is geared toward things that will help you understand better the art of collecting knives. Men get their own tickets and sometimes women buy the registration for their husbands as a gift. What better gift could you give than support of a loved ones hobby? If you attend you must be able to purchase the knife you threw the bag for. Only throw the bag for the knives you want to purchase, you do not have to put in for more than one knife if you do not want to.
If the fee is paid then you can throw the bag for the knives of your choice.
How did they pick them? There will be two other makers other than myself each year that is invited. The makers are voted on and chosen from a list given to the collectors present and the selected makers will show their work the following year. The makers that are on the list are carefully chosen and each exhibits good craftsmanship and upstanding business practices. There must be one Master Bladesmith and one Rising star in the knifemaking field. This show allows you to get to know these makers in a relaxed setting and even better understand why their work is collectible.
How do I buy? The makers lay out their knives, describe them and answer any questions regarding their work being displayed both friday night at the review and again right before drawing so you do understand what they are offering. If you have any questions as to the construction they will explain that as well. We will have Bowie Bolita to determine who wins the rights to buy each knife. This is a varation of an old game that came to this country from Cuba in the 1880's. It was called Bolita or Throwing The Bag. Each person will have a designated number before hand that is on a wooden ball. These balls or numbers are put in the bag for that particular knife they are interested in and then the bag is thrown to everyone. Last it is thrown to a designated person who pinches off a ball inside the sack. All other numbers are dumped out. The last number in the bag that was pinched off is then shown and the person that that number has the first right to choose. Just like the makers themselves, all knives are not created equal and people have different tastes so some knives will naturally have more numbers than others in the bag.
There will be coon and possum treats on friday night at my house where you can preview the knives that will be for sale on Saturday. The makers are on hand and you will be handed the lineup and the prices of each piece at this time so you can start marking and figuring and asking particulars if you wish. This way you can stay up all night wondering which ones you want more. You can sleep when you go home. Prices will vary with the maker and what he is offering. There will be plain field grade pieces at the show to really dressed up works. There is a limit of two knives total per buyer per show. All sales transactions must be complete at the end of the show. Put in for the ones you want till you get two knives, hopefully, if you put in for something and you would rather have one of the others later you can buy sell and trade amoung yourselves at the set aside time for such.
Can I sell my old one? Now, now, we are talking knives now, not females, you have to keep her.. There is a designated time where there is buying, selling and trading going on among the collectors themselves. I ask that only the knives being shown from the collectors at that time be from that years makers and no one else's. This is a fair thing all the way around.
Who said what. Each year an authority of some sorts will be here to give a talk. This will give you some relaxed one on one time to meet these folks and you can learn more and learn it faster. I will update the guest speakers when I get them committed.
You want to shoot me? There will be an official photographer at the show -- it will be Chuck Ward. If you do not want your photo taken please let me know. The photographer will be taking photos of each knife shown, photos of the demos and shots off and on during the course of the show. Each person will have a photo taken with him and his knife as well as something you are doing or particpating in during the weekend. All photos will be burned on a cd for you. This will provide an historic record and give you something you can pull up to enjoy again and again. This is part of the show package. Makers will be having their knife photos done on Thursday. If you do not attend the show but would like to purchase a Microshow CD just let me know. They are only $19.95. These CD's give a good crosssection of knives to view and lets you know what goes on during the show.
Construction and usage. There will be demos on Saturday and early Sunday morning. These demos will give you more insight into how things are done in knifemaking so you can ask better questions when talking to makers and generally learn to get your moneys worth in knife buying. These demo pieces might be by all three makers or just one maker, depends on the demo and your request.
What Else can I do while I am there? The Friday tour was quite a success. You will have time to freshen up and rest in time for the snackies and preview that night. Some come in just for saturday and leave, some come in to take in the tour portion, this is up to you and your schedule.
Part of 2009's entertainment will be a demonstration by riders on horseback of saber usage. This will performed by re-enactors of the War of Northern Aggression [the so called civil war]. I am not sure at this point if the North and South will be fighting again or just two southen boys wupping out their swords and going at it. We will sit at the back fence and watch them in the field behind the house.
Sit and Spit. This is after the drawings and speaking and before supper or it can be right after supper. There is a lot of Bull shot at the doings after supper. We have to hire extra people just to get all of it cleaned up because there is Bull slung everywhere.
Will I get to eat while I am there? Coffee and sweets with finger foods will be served Friday night with a preview of all knives. This is so you stay up all night trying to decide what knives you want to throw the bag for. For 2009---Saturday a whole pig will be cooked in the ground weather permitting while we play. Sunday and leftovers at lunch if you are still here. After that it is time for you to go back home. Man, I crack me up sometimes. I just loved that.
#1
Hunter
A One of One
It is not often I get Black Sheep horn. This is the second piece in 10 years. The blade is 4 1/2 inches long and is "ladder" pattern damascus. The stainless fittings are engraved with scroll work, well, that was what it was supposed to be, it looks like something my cat coughed up but we will go with that after all the hours I put in on it. I will get Chuck Ward to photograph it so you can see better. And, yes, the pins are also engraved, just bad photo skills.
#2
Bandolero leaf
The approx 11 inch carbon steel blade is double tempered and marked on the reverse side "Arkansaw". It has a stainless guard, pins and the peculiar frame work and band that makes this knife a "Bandolero" style bowie. I plan on engraving the guard, pins and band. Though you cannot see all of the handle due to the angle shot the top of the handle also has one of them groove things that matches the one on the bottom. And, yes, I know I misspelled Arkansaw instead of Arkansas. However we were so poor we had to take turns wearing the clothes so I missed that day we had spelling in school since I couldn't go.
#3
Camp Knife
This is a big knife. The blade will measure 11 1/2 inches long by a tad over 1 3/4 inches wide. The pattern is unique. I guess I will call it "comet" or some such unless one of y'all have a better name for it. You can look close and see it starts out like a dog star but ends up with a "ball" of damascus on the tail of it. I am still figuring out what to do with the handle and guard. Is that a camp knife in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
#4
Game Master
Hunter
This is a classic Game Master pattern hunter that I do. The 5 inch long blade of damascus has a "W" pattern that I then put a "tears of the wounded" pattern into it. The handle is sheep horn and the mountings are stainless. It will be engraved with deep relief engraving. Reminds me of the song "Starry Starry Night". Just wants to make you break out singing it doesn't it? Whats the words again? Got it stuck in your head now isn't it?
Ok, I finished it. My scroll work is a bit different or some of the leaves at least, I am learning. I find myself a bad teacher an a even worse student as I am always squirming around instead of paying attention but I keep shuffling forward hopefully. I am going to have to learn to get some good lighting though. I will get Chuck Ward to shoot it for me next time I see him and you will have a better look at it.
#5
Bowie
A one of one
The approx 8 inch blade has a "Bull Pine" pattern set into the damascus. I forged the pattern in the damascus on this knife for a video that was shot on the subject of knives and knifemaking influence of Arkansas and America. The video will be available later from Arkansas Historic Musume. You can see your knife in there. The blade is now heat treated and am figuring on what to do with the handle. Probally fossil Walrus ivory on this one.
#6
Bowie
This is a nice carry 7 1/2 inch 5160 carbon steel blade that was double tempered. At this point it is hand sanded and I think I will put a very nice stag taper with a double guard and butt cap. This piece has a slight sweep on the spine as well as on the clip.
I will be finished with this one the first of July. At this point I am ready to etch the damascus mountings on it and nail it together.
Coming up also for the show for 2009
a dagger, a folder, my first subhilt and am trying to get a sword put together.
Scroll down for a variety of photos from odd and end pieces I had from the past shows.
Some pieces from Micro show 2008
Sendero
with Fireworks pattern
I make my W patterns a bit different. After making a 3 stack of 4 bars for a W I then did a basic feather pattern and it gave me what I think are fireworks. There was a lot of fireworks and damage being down while making it as well.
Sheep horn and stainless to go with the Fireworks pattern. I cant believe I forgot to engrave the pins, will do that later today then.
This will be an NLT piece. My photos are not very good but I hope you can get an idea of what it looks like.
Sporting Bowie
This is classed as a sporting bowie. A sporting bowie is different in that it has a single guard instead of a double and the clip on the top of the blade is not sharpened.
This one has wolf tooth pattern in damascus blade with slants above that.
The handle is amber colored Sambar stag and has stainless guard, pins and escutcheon plate. I tried engrave what was supposed to be a bouquet of flowers on the escutcheon plate, it appears it looks like a bunch of tadpoles that has been ran over by a VW hippie bus but thats what we are going to leave it looking like.
In case you were wondering why the escutcheon plate is always on this side of the knife. That side of the knife is known as the private side of the knife, the other is referred to as the public side. There for the escutcheon plate always goes on the private side if only one is used. There, you learned something today and my brain was just vacumed out of all knowledge.
Bushman set
{Axe and hunter}
This is a field grade set of a axe and Gamemaster hunter. This is only the second set I have made like this and it is different than the first. The blade steel in the Gamemaster is W2 and O1 steel in the axe. The mountings are stainless with the handles being Northern Black Walnut. The Walnut is oil finished. This one set would take you world wide in whatever you needed to accomplish in the field.
Game Master Model
"Long Wedgie"
This is a Gamemaster Model in the few "Wedgie" Series. Each is a one of a kind. It is a W pattern damascus blade that is 4 1/2 inches long. The mountings are stainless with two small domed sterling pins. The engraving on both the guard and the Wedgie is deep relief. This is an NLT marked piece #8 of '08 and would be a fine thing to whup out in a crowd.
Fiskmuk
Folding knife
I still have the other side to do most of the engraving on so I will be working on this piece up till the night before the show.
This will be most likely the rarest of this folder pattern. A stag handle. Getting the right stag shape, and size is going to be a problem for me so the stag handles will be the lesser made of the Fiskmuks. This one has a ladder pattern damascus blade and back spring and stainless liners and bolster. The engraving appears to be what looks like Molasses poured on an ant bed. Yall just bear with me as I learn to improve my engraving skills. This is an old style slip joint pattern with a postive half stop. Really a fun knife to take hunting with you and just enjoy the day looking at your knife. Just don't forget to look up on occasions so you dont run into a tree.
Some Pieces from
2007
Biscuit Snatcher
This is nice little 5 inch blade bowie with a newer style handle. I like it personally. It weighs in at slightly under 6 ounces. This one if forged from W2 round bars. The stainless guard is engraved with a road kill flower that butts up to the Desert Ironwood handle. This is a doozie that any Ozark-American would like to carry [we are not referred to as Hillbillies any more]. This one is also a book knife. I am trying to be careful and make most of the pieces for the Micro Show to be book pieces. If you need information on what a book knife is please refer to the newsletter button. It will explain.
South West Bowie
Intergal with full tang
The piece shown above I forged out at the School in Old Washington as a demo for a hammer-in and thought just go ahead and do something for a demo that I had not done before as a demo there. Yeah, thats real smart. Anyway, this is what I ended up with. W2 carbon steel from a round bar and the handle material is stablized California Buckeye. The blade is approx 6 inches long. I think this is the first full tang intergal that I have finished. I have had a couple of full tang Senderos laying on the bench since last year that I just need to put the handles on.
Old Thorny
This is my Old Thorny model folding knife. Sometimes called pocket art, folders can be nice to carry on occasions. This one has a basket woven mosaic damascus blade, mammoth ivory handles, stainless bolster with engraving and gold inlays.
I am not set up to do folders. They take 2 or 3 times longer for me to make than a hunting knife. For the time invested in a folder they way I make them I lose money on each one. However a maker has got to stretch themselves and do things out of his norm or he never grows. My old dad used to say even a turtle never gets anywhere unless he sticks his neck out first. Knifemakers are the same.
For a step by step progression on the way that I made this folder please press here
Intergal Damascus dirk
This is the Dirk. Many knife patterns including our own American Bowie knife are derived from this style knife and this one is a doozie. The blade is approx 10 inches long with ladder pattern damascus. It has a stag handle and an engraved stainless pommell. The F is inlaid in 24kt gold. Beading is engraved all around the winged demon sign, or call it what you prefer. I like the Flying F myself but you can buy it and call it what you want.
Persian piece
This is an out of the ordinary piece for me. I am through other than engraving the pins tomorrow. Fossil male Walrus ivory handle, Quad twist guard, twist back bolster and damascus frame. All mountings are 44 layers. The blade is 44 layers left hand next to 44 of right hand with 344 of wolf tooth on the bottom. 24kt gold inlay in the guard and back bolster.NLT marked #7 for 2007
If you would like to see how this one is made just press the line below. This will be an NLT marked piece.
Progressive Persian thread press here.
Gamemaster
NLT #6 for 2007
This was a booger to forge down. I had a bit left over from the Persian piece but the Gamemaster is much smaller. You have to be real slow and careful to get the same pattern because if you stretch if too far on the sides without doing the same amount at pretty much the same time on the flats you distort badly. I was lucky in one aspect of this. On the other hand this little booger had to be ground and re-etched three times to get what I was wanting.
Mammoth ivory and frame handle handle with stainless mountings. Left and Right hand twist on the blade with wolf tooth pattern on the bottom.
This has delicate style engraving on it, the most gold I have put on one yet and I think the gold is at a max, my opinion and this is the nicest Gamemaster I have made to date.
Sendero
This is one my signature pieces. The Sendero. This one has a Dog Star pattern damascus blade with stainless mountings and a Sambar Stag handle. Engraving of leaf looking things or things wanting to look like leaves on the guard and flower petals on the pins. The steels in this blade is L6 and 1084 and double tempered. If you do want to carry it to the field you will be pleased with it.
My personal knife
for 2007
This is my personal bowie for 2007. It is a Southwest style bowie. The spine has a crown on it so that it will but to the max in deep cuts. Stainless guard and pins, tiger stripe maple with a black canvas ferrule behind the guard. I used this bowie in various camp chores and used it to set up two cutting competitions including the worlds finals. This is a cutter. W2 steel. On the face of the guard is engraved, Jerry Fisk, My Personal Knife, 2007
End of 2007 show pieces
These were some of the pieces that I had for the
Fisk Micro Invitational Show for October 2006.
Thank you for all who attended each of you made the show a huge success.
Sendero
Field Grade
Forged from W2 carbon steel round bars. This field grade Sendero hunter sports a Sambar Stag handle and stainless mountings. This is as plain as you can make a hunter with a guard and it works like a charm.
"Lockjaw"
This is a very simple looking knife but difficult to do, it is a forging of an intergal knife with an approx 4 3/4 inch blade. The handle is designed so that your hands go up on the bolster as part of the handle. It has a sheep horn handle and stainless pins. I think this is the first intergal full tang that I have had for sale. I took a photo of the top side so you can get an idea of the strength of this puppy. You just cant get any stronger than this, it would give you lockjaw before broke it. Odd thing is the raised spine. To be truthful I stole that idea off of JR Cook. I liked it and if you are going to steal an idea at least steal a good idea. I hand forged this one out at a public demo I was having to do. It took all day with a 4 pound hammer and my ole hands were killing me by the time I was done.
Arkansas Camp Knife
Field Grade
This one is an 11 inch blade rough forged from W2 steel. This is my Arkansas Camp Knife model and is an outstanding large knife. It will handle about any chore that a large knife is called to do anywhere in the world. The handle is of oil finished Maple burl. This handle has a lot of figure going on in the pattern but with my poor photo skills you just will have to take my word for it. I cut a ring around the ferrule and a bit of file working going on with the guard. Stainless guard and pins.
Sendero
This is the finished piece from the rough forging pictured right above it. Forged from 5160 carbon steel in round bar stock. The handle is sheep horn and the guard and pins are stainless. I have scratched around on the blade guard and pins as you can see. Quite a bit of time doing the engraving work on this piece. This is a one of kind Sendero.
South West Bowie
7 inch blade South West bowie forged from 5160 round bar. Sambar Stag handle, Pre-civil war wrought iron fittings. This wrought iron was from an old wagon wheel taken from a very old burned out farm house in York County South Carolina. I forge it down from the wagon wheel size to the size I need for the mountings. At that time I sand and polish the iron then put a light etch on it so you can see the pattern of the old iron. There are always inprefections in wrought iron but that is also what gives it it's uniqueness. I am trying to research it back closer as to maybe when and who owned or used the old wagon. The design of the knife is old or older than the old West and the iron fittings on this piece is a proper tribute to this knife design.
#7
NLT Marked
Sendero
Shown here is the finished knife without the engraving. I will repost the photo when the engraving is complete.This is a progressive
thread that shows the making of this knife.
Click here to go to the progessive thread on the making of an Damascus W pattern NLT Sendero
Click here to go to the progessive thread on the making of an Damascus W pattern NLT Sendero
NLT marked
Intergal Spanish Dirk
This piece was a stretch for me on a couple of steps and I enjoyed working on it because of that. Intergals are pure in a manner of speaking. Nothing but clean lines, supposed to be anyway. I was slow getting this piece finished as it was a lot of work This is NLT #7 for 2006 and is named Golden Eye. Slowly he turns, step by step....
Click here to go to the progressive thread on the Spanish Dirk
"Seaweed"
a one of one
"Gamemaster" design
This is a Seaweed pattern. Don't ask me to repeat the pattern, I probally could not if I tried or at least not one I want to repeat. You can look up how this pattern was arrived at with the W pattern progressive thread. See how the seaweeds come off of the point? The handle is a Stellar Sea Cow bone handle to go along with the same theme. The guard is engraved with the old greek drawings or engravings that represented water. The pins are supposed to be engraved to represent Sand Dollars, however it is probally a Sand Twobits kind of thing. So, this whole knife evolved from the sea.
Dirk #2
This is a damascus, ladder pattern, intergal dirk. The handle is Sambar Stag and the pommel is stainless. The pommel is shown below in its engraved finish. This is not like I normally do my engraving. I wanted to give this depth but not fully relieved just simply to give a different look to it. I also used this piece to try my hand at giving more detail and depth to my shading. Bit at a time folks I will get this engraving down. Just bear with me. The blade on this one measures about 6 inch to a tad over. This knife would look good in any form of renacting or just sitting on the shelf displaying its role in the history of the world of cutlery.
This be something a little different. This is to make sure you get home ok. You can honestly say honey, it was there and I really wanted to get it for you but them mean ole other guys just beat me out of it. Well, something along that line. I am doing something wrong with my photos and I dont know what it is. It looks a little better in person though this is the first one of these I have tried in sterling. It has a narrow 24kt gold border inlaid near the edge. There will be a few more of these down the road but not often and I will make sure they are all different. If you squint your eyes and stand off about 20 feet it looks good.
Woojack
This a one of a kind Woojack. 5160 round bar steel, english walnut handle with African Blackwood and stainless spacers. Approx 8 inch blade length. Nice balance and weight to this piece.
Makers that exhibited their work at the 2005 Fisk Micro Show
James Cook, Master Bladesmith
Brett Gatlin
2005 guest speakers were
BR Hughes, writer and founding ABS member
Bob Neal dealer and collection adviser
Makers that where here for the 2006 Fisk Mirco Show
Steve Dunn
Mike Ruth
2006 guest speakers were
AG Russell of Russell knives and founding member of the Knifemakers Guild
Les Robertson, knife dealer and writer for Blade and Knives Illustrated
Makers that where here for the 2007 Fisk Micro Show
Harvey Dean
Lin Rhea
2007 guest speakers were
Steve Shackleford editor of Blade magazine
BR Hughes, founding ABS member
Carolyn Hughes, editor of American Bladesmith Journal
JR Cook Mastersmith
Makers that were here for the 2008 show.
Daniel Winkler
Craig Cammarra
Bruce Voyles editor of Knife Illustrated
Kevin Jones, Chairman of the Custom Knife Collectors Association
JR Cook, ABS mastersmith
Back to home page.