Knives UK 2008 Part II

Please note this is a two part article, you can read part one here.

Moonraker Knives owner, Tony Davis, is a man I keep on bumping into at Game Fairs around the country. Tony is the UK distributor for Canal Street Cutlery, EKA and Linder knives, he also sells the hand made custom knives made by Canadian Jim Downie. tel. 01747 830418

Bison Bushcraft, Roger Harrington, offers fine bushcraft knives, plus training on all things bushcraft, leatherwork, bow making and knife making, and has now developed an exciting line in outdoor clothing. The “guide” shirt is 100% pure British wool woven and tailored in the UK, is available in “summer” and “autumn” colours in a range of sizes. He has also manufactured the “hooded smock” for highland stalking; this tweed and cashmere item with its leather trim and antler buttons is a real luxury item.

Guy Stainthorpe Fine hunting knives and designs are particularly suitable for expedition or military application.

Paul Lovelock was here to share and talk with the crowd about his fine collection of knives rather than to deal.

English Handmade Knives was another stand where I didn’t get to talk to the holder, but there were an interesting and varied range of knives.

Alan Wood, this man has seriously damaged my wallet over the years, I just can’t resist! He is still the benchmark standard by which all other UK makers are judged when it comes to practical working knives. tel. 01697 747303

Timeless Lithics, Jason Mountford. This stand just took my breath away, after seeing countless steel blades the knapped flint, chert and obsidian blades with traditionally hafted handles with intricate carving was a refreshing change.
[email protected] tel. 07783368399

Raven Armoury brings a new meaning to bone handled cutlery… Andre Lassen’s skeleton handled tableware are sculptures in steel. Raven Armoury supplies the tactical Emerson (USA) knives and are the Rockstead distributor for the UK. Raven faithfully reproduce swords and cutting tools covering all periods of our history from the stone age to the present.

Mick Spain’s knives featured some of the best examples of mosaic pin work I have seen.  tel. 01843 835750

Stuart Wilson is a custom knife maker who won a prize last year, and this year he was exhibiting some nice pieces. Unfortunately I didn’t get his contact details, but the knife in the accompanying picture speaks for itself.

Dennis Holland is another custom knife maker who had some nice knives on show. [email protected] 01744 889 882

Other Notable Exhibitors

Rob Tattoo’s (aka Rob Peel) knives are super tough and built to last. All feature carbon tool steel blades and are refreshingly inexpensive. [email protected]

Excellent value for money is Alistair Napier’s strongpoint, offering well designed and crafted thunderforge Damascus and O1 blades for very reasonable money.
[email protected] tel. 07785 261884

Bushtrader UK import goods wholesale direct from Europe and the States. They also deal in vintage tools and bushcraft related items.

Steve March deals in rare and collectable knives, and must have the finest range of Randall made knives and Bob Dozier knives in the UK and possibly the whole of Europe. tel. 07860 432709

KISH Knives derives it’s name from owner Kane Ian Saul-Hunt
[email protected] tel. 01424 871679

The Competition

There were 29 knives entered for the Amateur contest. Category 1, any knife made from a blade blank, was won by Daniel Mountford. Category 2, any knife made from scratch, was won by John Pitt. Category 3, any modified production knife, was also won by Daniel Mountford - definitely a name to watch out for in future.

Ten exhibitors entered the Professionals contest which Mike Lamprey won with his Persian Folder (see above).

The organisers have announced that the show will be held at the same place and same weekend in 2009. For details, contact Mike Keogh on 01726 882673 or Sue Penfold on 01579 345 783

Please note this is a two part article, you can read part one here.