Antique Bowie Knife Association Show in Ohio

By John Sexton · Originally published November 2018 · p. 5

Jason Baldwin not only brought bowies but also Jim Bridger’s St.

It was an honor to have Gordon Minnis, an author of the well-regarded American Primitive Knives 1770–1780, at his first ABKA show. Gordon is showing a newly found Ohio maker marked early Bowie. Louis rifle. Herb Ratner shows of his near mint massive early Victorian Exposition Sheffield Bowie with equally fine sheath once in Norm Flayderman collection.

Antique Bowie Knife Association Show in Ohio By John Sexton, ABKA-life member - co-author of Confederate Bowie Knives The Antique Bowie Knife Association (ABKA) has never had massive shows. This show held in Perrysburg, Ohio, on August 24-25, 2018, may have been small with no more than 30 tables, but some of the greatest American knives were on display. Most genres were represented including Confederate, early Sheffields for American market, early American makers both North and South. Collectors came not only from the Midwest but from great distances including Tennessee, Kentucky, Oregon, Louisiana, and Florida. No one was disappointed; most attendees agreed that this was the single best antique knife show ever held. For many years the annual ABKA show was held in Natchez, Miss., or in coordination with national antique arm shows. ABKA’s next show will be held in Eugene, Ore., April 13 and 14, 2019. Interested parties should visit the ABKA website antiquebowieknife.com for information on membership and future shows. Dale Larson presented his new text on Jim Bowie and Edwin Forrest. The book runs over 700 pages will be published soon. It was critically reviewed by several members. Dale’s book is a labor of love and the best bowie knife book to arrive since Norm Flayderman’s monumental The Bowie Knife. This will be a musthave book for American Bowie connoisseurs.

Jim Johnston brought knives along with his newest addition, just released, to the 5 volume Accoutrements, a must have for libraries of Kentucky rifle accessories.

Coby Mach shows off an impressive half-horse/halfalligator American classic bowie. If you are in Lincoln, Neb., listen to Coby’s afternoon radio show from 5 to 6 p.m., on 1400 KLIN, Kobe is known as “Lincolns Man on the inside.”

Three extremely rare examples of silver antebellum New Orleans push daggers made by Dufihlo with unique double handled grips.

Rick Mach, a perennial ABKA member, always a wealth of knowledge.

Peter and Joanne McMickle from Memphis, Tenn., won “Best of Show.”

“Best Knife of Show;” an 1864 Civil War presentation silver and ivory Samuel Bell Bowie.

Our hosts Bill and Christine Myers, connoisseurs of early American rarities, brought out some spectacular knives.