IMA/Olching 2004 - Bericht von Rolf Hatterscheid (englisch)

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Hier die beiden Berichte von Rolf. Danke!

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The International. Messerausstellung (IMA) held 30-31 October 2004In Munich Germany at the Holiday Inn Hotel (by Rolf Hatterscheid)

This years show at Munich's Holiday Inn hotel was well attended and I enjoyed attending and exhibiting in the classy atmosphere provided by maker Franz Becker ( http://www.becker-messer.de ), who has organized the popular show many years now, was kind enough to provide me with a table to show the German Bladesmith Test knives (done by Uli Hennicke; Cyrus Haghjoo; Achim Wirtz; Dieter Kraft) which were tested according to the ABS rules for Journeyman Smiths at the forge of Markus Balbach this summer( http://www.schmiede-balbach.de ). Hearfelt thanks to Joe Keeslar and the American Bladesmith Society for being so kind as to provide me with the original standards ( http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ ) for us to emulate. It was great fun for everyone involved. The public at the IMA was impressed to see the actual knives which had easily survived the 90 degree bend test (they had been bent back to straight for the show) and pictures testifying to the quality and durability of hand smithed knives. They were also able to read about the test thanks to the article by Tobis Schumacher in HEPHAISTOS Magazine, a Magazine for the metal art trade.My friends Uli Hennicke and Cyrus Haghjoo both attended the show in person, Uli displaying his phenomenal knives with their distinctive hamon lines and traditional materials such as 1000 year old bog oak, stained bone and ossic often secured with sinew. Uli makes his knives largely with spring steel (close to the well know 5160) and various types of his own Damascus all tempered to perfection in the general style of his idol Daniel Winkler although uniquely in his own design.Our friend Cyrus, a gold and silversmith as well as an excellent bladesmith has all the makings for becoming a great knifemaker as well. Not only the blades are perfect but the fitting as well.

Two of my favorite American makers or more correctly Alaskan and Tennessean makers, and friends as well, Bob Ball and Bob Levine came the long way to show many finely made classic folders and fixed blades of high quality with reasonable prices.

The Englishman Andrew Jordan(http://www.jordanknives, info@jordanknives.com ) living in Holland showed a sexy Yakatan and an ivory handled Bowie with Damascus blade in a 'sawtooth' pattern which made me drool. His classically designed O1 hunters/fighter with hamon line are the best handling knives I know of, not to mention among the prettiest. The attention to detail and general accuracy of execution is most admirable. Andy has received an order for a reproduction of a recently found Finnish Damascus sword which promises to be a challenge in Damascus bladesmithing. There is definitely a Jordan knife somewhere in my future, hopefully soon !

A longtime member of the German Knifemaker's Guild, the master Friedrich Schneider +49(7202)8052, and the very first maker to make stainless Damascus steel in Germany many years ago is still up to knifemaking and display superbly made interframe folders with stainless frames and blades, carved handle fixed blades in unbelievable detail in his own unique and often copied style.

As always, Wolf Borger provided the makers and the public with his vast variety of fine quality knifemaker goods and tools, ready with practical advice and help for all whether amateur or professional. ( http://www.messerschmied.de )

The winner of 'Best Damascus', Andreas Schweikert showed a pipe Tomahawk in the best American tradition, with a carved curly maple handle, horn mouthpiece and beautifully forged head. His winner Damascus knife had a long Persian styled blade (almost a sword) with a brass fitted hardwood handle and matching wooden nickel necked and tipped sheath - absolutely gorgeous. Thankfully I didn't have enough money along. ( http://www.as-schmiede.de , andy@as-schmiede.de )

The Hungarian Karoly Szabados of Puli Knives, accompanied by his charming translator is Christina Weiland offered well made and very reasonably priced 'using' knives in 440C and ATS34. Superb workmanship for prices only rivaled by commercial offerings. Have a look in the internet under Google or contact wchristina@dwa.dunaferr.hu). These knives are unquestionably my personal 'Best Buy of Show'

Young Juergen Schanz showed an really impressive line of tactical knives in numerous styles and flavors. This man makes everything from hunter to Katanas in very fine quality. Hard to find a more prolific maker than this.( http://www.schanz.messer.de ).

Now for Thomas Haslinger, who deservedly won the 'Best of Show' for his (sorry boys, already sold) 23,000 Euro folder with absolutely delicious mosaic Damascus Bolsters (Spider web). This knife sport Ammonite (Sp..?) inlays in fantastic mammoth Ivory handles shown no screws whatsoever ! Is must be assembled and disassembled from the inside. Everything on this knife is made from the finest materials, gold for the opener, a gold caged golden nugget bale, titanium fantastically fileworked liners and back. Took four ( 4 !) months to complete and you could probably give some other makers a lifetime and they couldn't match it !Thomas is German by birth but has been in Canada now for a number of years and visits his folks and the IMA regularly. ( http://www.haslinger-knives.com,thomas@haslinger-knives.com )

The 'Best Art Work' Award was won by Atilla Harmat whose scrimshawing and engraving just takes your breath away to say the least.

Stefan Steigerwald ( http://steigerwald-messer.de) showed his knives done up with carved steel and sculptured materials as well as a prototype folder done for Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT). He also had a very nice selection of materials for knifemakers with him .

Bud Wesson tempted me with a classy folder with finely engraved bolsters, and what do you know, it won the 'Best Folder' award too. He had lots of finely made folders in various styles - classic, tactical - at very reasonable prices too ! He also had fixed blades in various designs each one nicer than the other. He even had a number of customized (Damascus blades and exotic handled) Mirko automatics which shoed lots of class at affordable prices.

Franz Weinberger again showed his steady output of using hunters, also at reasonable prices along with one of the very few displays of flintnapped arrowheads and knives I have seen in Germany. These are done in impeccable classic workmanship and are real showpieces ! Contact this Bavarian original and give him my regards at: Franz Weinberger, Donaustr. 3, D-84513 Töging, BAYERN, GERMANY Phone: +49(8631)90631

Summary of show winners:Best of Show - Thomas HaslingerBest Folder - Bud WessonBest Damascus- Andreas SchweikertBest Art Work - Atilla Harmat

I apologize for not giving reference to all the maker's sites, but I lost thebusiness cards I had collected and do not have all their contact info available.This is also the reason not all the makers I saw have been mentioned here - so sorry.

Rolf Hatterscheid Wessobrunerstr. 12D-82131 Gauting Germany RHatterscheid@gmx.net
 
Olchinger Messertage 2004

Olchinger Knife Days 2004 and IMA 2004
Hi Knifefans ! Was at two knifeshows in the last two weeks here in old Germany - a real treat for me in Knife Show starved Germany.

The Olchinger Knife Days held 23-24 October 2004

This was a small but very cozy show - about 15 makers - held in Olching on the outskirts of Munich, and run by a local Hobby Knifemaker Erwin Schneller(Feldstr. 29 82140 Olching, Germany +49-8142-12407) in conjunction with the 'Foerderverein Kultur Olching e.V. & the Messerarbeitskreis Muenchen. Such small shows are much to my taste since I can concentrate of seeing what is offered without passing out half way through. Mr. Schneller's knives are also always a pleasure to see handle and use.A number of hobby makers were displaying as well as well know and VERY well know makers too.
The Master, Dietmar Kressler, for example was the supporting sponsor of the show and displayed a number of his lovely knives in his classic style.
Chris Rankl ( http://www.crankl.de ) showed a wide variety of his interesting folders and superbly made with the special 'Tail-Lock' system he invented and introduced many years ago.
E& J Hanneder impressed me with their Tantos with silver cast fittings and the traditional silk wrapped, and silver cast Menukis( http://www.hanneder-tantos.de ).
Robert Kaufmann showed some absolutely beautiful fantasy knives featuring self-made Damascus and sheaths made with exclusively nature materials( http://www.cuttingart.net ).
Stefan Steigerwald ( http://steigerwald-messer.de) showed his knives done up with carved steel and sculptured materials as well as a prototype folder done for Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT). He also had a very nice selection of materials for knifemakers with him
Friedrich Eberle fascinated excellently executed using knives ( friedrich.eberle@freenet.de )
Wolfgang Schlag fascinated with his tiny but super detailed miniatures ( http://www.miniaturmesser.de ) .as well as Damascus traditional knives.
Richard Spitzl was there with this knives I personally always have a very hard time putting back on the table. Fantastic details and super styling. (http://www.messer-spritzl.de)
Stefan Lindner show a vast variety of Belgian water stones, sharpened visitor's knives and generally was an encyclopedia of information on knife and their use ! (http://www.belgisherbrocken.com)
Hubertus Reifenrath from Regenstauf (+49-9402-938143) had a number of excellently executed knives reminiscent of Scagel/Randall style as well as interesting designs of his own.
The Munich Knife shop of Helmut Lehner (Burgstr. 10, Munich or stahlwaren-lehner@onlinehome.de) was represented by Klaus Busse, who displayed the wide variety of knives offered by this Munich purveyor.

Blacksmiths were also there, such as Juergen Rostnki ( http://www.messerschmieder-chaldorf.de) who impressed with his handiwork. Peter Huber ( http://www.messerdesign-huber.de) not only display very interesting knives but also does paintings of animals and landscapes, showing true artist qualities. Hunters also were very pleased to see makers such as Heinrich Schmidbauer (http://www.schmidbauer-messer.de ) who cater to their needs as well as to those of collectors.
The Master Toolmaker Helmut Iffland from Munich showed what 'handmade' really means in the quality of his work (+49-89-4300183). I am sure I missed out mentioning some of the makers who were here and apologize for doing so - it certainly doesn't reflect on their knives.

Last not least, a nice demonstration of Blacksmithing was given in the afternoon to the delight and enlightenment of the visitors of which the show certainly had enough of !

Good Luck to Mr. Schneller next year and congratulations on an interesting and entertaining knife show.
-- Rolf Hatterscheid
 
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