Last saturday was the annual DKE in Tiel the Netherlands. This was my fourth time going to it and I always really enjoy it. This year was a little different though because of two reasons:

1) The show was a lot bigger with close to a 100 standholders.

2) It was my first time being there as a standholder.

I had been preparing for this show thouroughly for the past few months and had a (very) full table to show.

(This is me at my table right before the doors would open.)

In the end I had a great day spending almost all my time talking to people about my work, the stuff they made, the materials I use and all sorts of knife-related things. I didn't sell a lot but it was a lot of fun and hopefully some work will come from it in the months to come.

Sadly though I didn't get to see a lot of the other tables and standholder because I simply didn't make the time for it. And a shame it was because there were some beautifull knives there! Here are some (borrowed) pictures that were taken at the show:

The Spanish Steel table next to mine

My at my table talking to some customers

Two Dutch Knifemakers, Eric de Feijter and Dan Adriolo

The Damascus pocket tools that Dan Adriolo makes

One of the present Scrimshanders:

His work up close

One of the bladesmiths' work

Some Mosaic Damascus scandi blades by Johann Gustofson:

Japanese kitchen knives in pattern welded steel

A lovely San Mai hunting knife (sorry, don't know the maker)

Some Knives by Jerry de Brouwer. The stickers were freebies and said (translated) "Beware: Knife collecting is addictive....do not start! "

Some Karambits by Dutch maker Piet S.

A bearing framelock flipper by Martin Annegarn (www.maknives.nl)

Some framelocks by Belgian maker Filip de Leeuw (www.deviantblades.com)

The Dutch Spyderco representative

And offcourse there was LOADS more too see.

Anyone who wants to come over next year....let me know and we'll meet up. I might even be able to provide you with a place to sleep ;-)