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Wow, I can't remember a knife show we enjoyed so much.  Each has it's moments but this whole show was just about the best.  We can't thank everyone enough who came by to visit with us.  We had a great show - all the knives and beads sold, the enthusiasm for the work was outstanding, visited with old friends, and new friends were made. What could be better you ask? Well,  maybe.... [caption id="attachment_514" align="aligncenter" width="167"] THE BEST DONUTS in the Universe![/caption] Or if you're not into sweets, how about: [caption id="attachment_515" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ohhh, yeahhh ! Come to mama[/caption] Seriously, when the people coming to a show are so energized and knowledgeable about knives it is refreshing and such a positive experience that one can't help but be appreciative. So many nice and interesting people came by that it was an honor to attend. You've all heard about the New York and New Jersey attitude but we met only accommodating and truly nice people everywhere we went. [caption id="attachment_516" align="aligncenter" width="300"] NYCKS Saturday crowd[/caption] And when you have views like these, how can you not be thankful for our piece of the world: [caption id="attachment_517" align="aligncenter" width="167"] Room with a view[/caption] [caption id="attachment_518" align="alignleft" width="300"] The iconic Empire State Building shining bright[/caption] [caption id="attachment_519" align="alignright" width="300"] View with a view on the High Line[/caption] At this time of year we are reminded to be thankful for all our blessings; and being a part of the knife community is definitely something for which to be grateful. It is also a time to reflect upon the good in our lives; and a fine example of that is the classy move made by Tom Krein this past weekend. Hat's off to you, Tom for standing up for a friend. New York , we look forward to visiting next year. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.

We'll be heading out later today to go to the New York Custom Knife Show.  Anyone in the area please stop by to visit us.  Richard has been busy getting knives done and will introduce a new Prototype.  It is called the Flicker and is a small slip-joint flipper: [caption id="attachment_500" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Introducing The Flicker -
A Slip-Joint Flipper[/caption] He has two versions, one with bearings and one with Nylatron washers. [caption id="attachment_501" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Top knife has washers,
Bottom has bearings[/caption] He also made two sizes, one has a 4" handle with a 2.8" blader and the smaller is 3.5" with a 2.47" blade. [caption id="attachment_502" align="aligncenter" width="300"] These Flickers are not to be confused with the annoying birds which peck incessantly[/caption] We will be doing it differently than usual for this show, when the show opens to the general public at 1:00 pm on Friday, Nov. 21 we will have 4 Flickers available to play with.  We will also have the multi-blade Lobster for sale. We will then be running a Cell Phone lottery. Preview and sign up for 8 lottery knives and an Open Bid knife will be ongoing. On Saturday, Nov. 22 all lottery entries must be in by 1:00 pm when I will draw winners. Winners will have 10 minutes to respond. The Open Bid knife will close at 5:00 pm on Saturday. Winner will be notified by phone. Looking forward to seeing everyone! (Usual Disclaimer: Please forgive the bad, late night photos. I promise I will one day learn to take better pics.)

Not only am I Richard's admin, his sounding board, his loving wife (ahem), and his biggest supporter but now I can add his Minion's minion to the job description. [caption id="attachment_488" align="alignnone" width="168"] I may need a step stool if I keep this up[/caption] I'm finding out for myself just how much fun this Haas Mini Mill can be. [caption id="attachment_490" align="alignnone" width="300"] wOOt! One down, many more to go[/caption] Don't be surprised if you all don't hear from me for awhile, I just may be playing in Richard's shop. (ha, he may live to regret this!)

[caption id="attachment_480" align="alignleft" width="300"] Is it any wonder she's not allowed inside![/caption] Life continues to be busy around these parts. Knives are getting finished, cattle getting worked, moved, and shipped, and everything else fits in as it can. [caption id="attachment_482" align="alignleft" width="300"] Bull couldn't get away from her so easily![/caption] Richard's mom decided in September she wanted to move from Texas to Arizona, to be closer to family. Well, when she sets her mind to something it is full steam ahead. After a few busy, tiring weeks she is now settled in Tucson and our vehicles are in need of oil changes. During this frenzy we were also trying to take care of business here on the ranch with October shipping (of cattle and knives) and hunters coming and going. We are so lucky the hunters we have staying at our bunkhouse are great guys. It says a lot that both Richard and I are comfortable having them around and enjoy their visits. (We are very private and somewhat hermit-y). And I'm saddened to say that recently my dad died so my mom and family have been our top priority. [caption id="attachment_481" align="alignleft" width="300"] We no longer name them all, now most just have numbers[/caption] Relating to knives is the news that Richard just got into the New York Custom Knife Show. It is November 21-23 so he needs to hustle to get some knives done for the show. All this means that his well laid plans to finish orders before Thanksgiving have fallen by the wayside. But don't worry everyone he will get them out as soon as he possibly can.  And we appreciate your patience. [caption id="attachment_483" align="aligncenter" width="167"] RIP
W.H. Crowder
1937-2014[/caption]

It's hard to get knives out when other jobs require the attention of The Man. Last weekend it was moving the cows from one pasture to another and working some cattle through the chute.  This week has been all about road maintenance.  When you have a ranch you wear many hats, in this case ear plugs & ear muffs. [caption id="attachment_459" align="alignnone" width="300"] Our driveway needed a little work[/caption] Our driveway is almost 2 miles of dirt road which had gotten damaged in the rain and was extremely washboard-y. So the big guns had to come out : [caption id="attachment_460" align="alignnone" width="300"] So not fun to drive[/caption] Working this old piece of machinery is not at all Richard's idea of a good time. It's loud, persnickety, and rough on the muscles and joints. And did I mention that it's rumbly, grumbly loud. [caption id="attachment_461" align="alignnone" width="169"] No worries, I can run faster than it![/caption] The recent downpour that caused our arroyo to run so swiftly clogged one of the culverts and nearly washed out our roadway by the house. [caption id="attachment_462" align="alignnone" width="300"] Culvert still needs to be cleared of debris[/caption] But between the dozer and the grader we can now drive over it with no fear of falling off the edge. Of course, it ain't done yet. [caption id="attachment_463" align="alignnone" width="300"] Getting there! At least now the Jetta can pass over it.[/caption]

And a man well loved. [caption id="attachment_433" align="alignleft" width="170"] Sweet Invitation[/caption] It's a testament to the quality of the man when a simple but sweet invitation can draw friends and family from all over the globe. Bob T. celebrated his 70th birthday among such people on Sunday. Friends from Russia, Italy, Canada, and all over the States came to wish him a very special day. [caption id="attachment_434" align="alignleft" width="170"] Sam wearing the Official Bob's 70th T-Shirt[/caption] Though the group was diverse in ages, occupations, and interests they all shared a love for a very special man. [caption id="attachment_435" align="alignleft" width="300"] Enjoying the beautiful evening.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_436" align="alignleft" width="300"] Imagine that, knifemakers were in attendence.
Joe Cordova, Luc Burnley, Sal Glesser, Bob in his crown, and Richard Rogers[/caption] Even with over 50 guests no one went hungry, with 4 heaping platters of sandwiches made from homemade French baguettes -- made specially for Bob by his French friend the baker; 11, yes 11 pies homemade by Suz and Melissa. And to top it off a beautiful cake made by neighbors, 15 year old Lindsey and her mom. [caption id="attachment_437" align="alignleft" width="300"] 11 Pies -- Bob does love him some pie![/caption] [caption id="attachment_438" align="alignleft" width="300"] Suz, Bob, and Lindsey, the cake decorator.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_439" align="alignleft" width="300"] Got'em all in one breath!
(Sorry for the bad lighting.)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_440" align="alignleft" width="300"] Singing "Happy Birthday"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_441" align="alignleft" width="300"] Rest of the guests[/caption] All in all, it was a wonderful evening filled with lots of love and laughter.

They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.  But I tend to disagree so I'll give you a drive-by on our visit there.  We had a really good time at the USN show.  We sold knives, met some great people, shared ideas, tips, and opinions, and had a great meal.  If you like meat, try Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse. Richard was excited to win an award, though the name of the award has led to some ribbing.  The Mid-size 4F won the "Best Gentical" award.  That's  a play on Gentlemen's Tactical.  As the dutiful wife I'm staying mum on the whole deal. [caption id="attachment_418" align="alignnone" width="300"] Bottom knife is award winning Mid-size 4F[/caption] As usual, we forgot to take photos.  But here are a couple of the show floor on Friday and then Saturday.  As always, it was great seeing everyone and looking forward to next year. [caption id="attachment_419" align="alignnone" width="300"] Richard visiting with Darrin Thomas[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_420" align="alignnone" width="300"] Richard and Luc Burnley, neither at their own tables![/caption]

He Tweaks.  He spends just about every evening working on his laptop tweaking the design, placement, line, what have you of whatever knife he happens to be working on that day and the next.  Seems he can't leave well enough alone.  But it keeps him happy, if somewhat frazzled.  And he now has a new model, the smaller flipper which is the Mid-size 4F.  (This doesn't imply that there will be an even smaller flipper .)  This knife is roughly the same size as the Tangent.  The blade is about 3.4". [caption id="attachment_401" align="aligncenter" width="300"] New Model:
Mid-Size 4F[/caption] He's also been hard at work wrapping his mind around 3-D machining. He's used it on the scales and bolsters. He's got lots of plans for future textures and designs. [caption id="attachment_402" align="alignleft" width="300"] Subtle 3-D machining[/caption] [caption id="attachment_403" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 3-D Scales in G-10[/caption]   For the upcoming USN Show, G6, in Vegas next weekend he's got some tweaked versions of the Chunky, Tangent, and 4F, and hopefully the ARC. He's out in the shop working on those even as I type. [caption id="attachment_404" align="alignleft" width="300"] 4F[/caption] [caption id="attachment_405" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chunkys[/caption] [caption id="attachment_406" align="alignright" width="300"] Tangents[/caption]             It's hard to believe that we started this website/blog just about one year ago. Seems time gets away from us so easily now. Especially this summer. To those who are awaiting an order please know that they will be started after we get back from Vegas. Thanks for your patience and your patronage.

Knives have brought a lot into our lives but the best thing, by far, as been the friends we've made. The knife-making community is by and large a very supportive and friendly one. We have been blessed to have met and befriended some wonderful people through this business. 

One in particular is Bob T. Do I even need to type out Terzuola, everyone seems to know Bob or at least know his knives.  He is considered the grandfather of tacticals. He has even written the book on it. And more importantly, he's a good guy. We've been lucky to be able to call him a friend and visit with him as often as we can. He will be undergoing surgery tomorrow to fix his back and leg. So I am asking you all to send some mojo his way tomorrow.  Your thoughts, prayers, and good vibes will be much appreciated. Thanks.

What happened to the lazy days of summer? Were those only in "the good old days" of yore? Or only applicable to kids under the age of 14? It has been anything but lazy around here. Richard has been hitting the machines, working his fingers almost to the bone, and pretty much been living in his shop. In order to be able to sell the knives to the public at Blade he took orders from dealers. So he has been busy fulfilling dealer orders as well as tweaking some of the designs before he starts in on the new runs.

He has updated the 4F in the following ways:

The biggest change is going from a flat clip to a machined clip inlaid in the scale.

[caption id="attachment_380" align="aligncenter" width="300"] New machined inlaid clip[/caption]

Changed from a lanyard hole to an 1/8" pin to give it a cleaner outer appearance. Still plenty of room for a lanyard.

[caption id="attachment_381" align="aligncenter" width="167"] Hidden lanyard post[/caption]

Concealed the screws that go into the standoffs and secured the scales with separate screws.

[caption id="attachment_382" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Newest version of 4F[/caption]

Moved the position of the stop pin slightly. And added steel thrust washers between the Ti handle and the bearings.

 

[caption id="attachment_383" align="aligncenter" width="167"] View of liners[/caption]

Now he can really start getting to work!

Look up at the sky! Okay, not really the sky but up at the top there under the header. See that shiny new tab labeled 'Models'? Yes, I finally got around to consolidating all the details and information about the various models in one place. Click on it for all the deets. It should be easier to find the information you need, especially appropriate now as we open the books on the ARC, the 4F, and the Shorty/Chunky. Tomorrow, Monday, June 30, we will open the books for the ARC at 8:00PM (MDT) [7:00 (PDT), 9:00 (CDT), 10:00 (EDT)]. For those outside the U.S. we apologize for the early morning hour. There will be 10 spots available. The first 10 to email me at r.s.rogersknives@gmail.com will get a spot. I will email you if you get in, if you don't receive an acknowledgement then you didn't get a spot this time around. BOOKS CLOSED - Thank you! Tuesday, July 1, we will open the books for the 4F at 8:00PM (MDT). The same rules apply as for the ARC. Please read above. BOOKS CLOSED - Thank you! Wednesday, July 2, the Shorty/Chunky will be available at 8:00PM (MDT). Again, same rules as above. CLOSED - Thank you! Reminder: only emails sent to r.s.rogersknives@gmail.com will count. Also, please be aware there is a period after the first and second letter in the address. Hope you all are enjoying your summer Sunday.

Richard decided he wanted to try bearings in the Shorty model. The dimensions stayed the same except for the width and weight. In order to accommodate the bearings it had to grow by approximately .10". Thus it became chunkier. He had to put in some big lightening cuts to keep the weight down to 1.8 oz. [caption id="attachment_356" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Introducing the Chunky[/caption] Just as a reminder, the OAL is 4.75" and the blade length is approximately 2.87". It is a very usable size and meets the need of those who live where under 3" blades are required.