Blade Show Custom Folding Knives

Blade Show Custom Folding Knives

Exclusive Interview: Blade Show 2024 "Best of Show" Custom Folding Knives

Interviewer: Dan, it’s great to hear more about your recent trip to Blade Show West 2024. We’re hearing you’ve come back with some really special Folding Knives including one that one "Best of Show"!

Dan Fiddler: Yes- it was a fantastic show this year, and we were fortunate to bring back a few one-of-a-kind pieces that are bound to turn heads. In the pocket knife category, we’ve added some incredible new makers to our lineup. First up is Frank Edwards. He’s a bit local to us, based in Nampa, Idaho, so he’s practically a neighbor. Frank’s lockback and slip joint folders are meticulously crafted, but one piece, in particular, caught my eye—a lockback with a mammoth ivory scale, stainless bolster, and a stunning Damascus blade. The feather Damascus pattern is flawless, and combined with that mammoth ivory, it’s a true collector’s piece.

Interviewer: That sounds like a showstopper. And I hear there’s more?

Dan: Absolutely. Speaking of show stoppers, this is a custom folder by Evan Nicolades, a maker from Florida who’s been racking up awards. This piece actually won Best Custom Folder at Blade West, and it’s no mystery why. It has both front flipper and thumb stud functionality with a rare 1980s Westinghouse Micarta handle, complete with a turquoise line. This is one of those pieces that combines design and functionality in a way that’s hard to find. I actually purchased this piece before the show opened, and then it went on to win an award! It’s a rare chance to own a piece of knife-making history.

Interviewer: You had some luck with a lotto win, too. Tell us about that.

Dan: Yes, I was thrilled to win the right to purchase a K-9 series folder from Whiskey Knives, based out of Texas. They’re known for their intricate designs and top-notch craftsmanship. This one has a Kumu blade with a fat carbon handle featuring teal and copper accents, a copper collar, and matching backspacer. The attention to detail is incredible. People sprint to their table at shows like these—it’s either an auction or a lottery to get your hands on one.

Interviewer: These pieces sound as much like art as they do tools. How does this fit into New West KnifeWorks' vision?

Dan: At New West, we see our knives as a fusion of art and function, and these custom folders are the perfect embodiment of that. Each piece is more than just a tool; it’s a vessel of the maker’s craft, a treasure that tells a story of American ingenuity and artistry​​​. We’re excited to offer our customers these rare pieces, knowing they’ll be cherished for generations.

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