Big Sky Classic 2020, Sat, Jun 19th, 2021 @ 10:00 AM Accelevents

Big Sky Classic 2020

Saturday June 27th, 2020 10am - 3pm MST or end of show.

Welcome to the Big Sky Classic 2020 event.

I started the Big Sky Classic to offer knife makers and collectors a unique show experience. Normally held at the beautiful Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana, the six-hour show was the centerpiece of a three-day weekend spent with friends and knife enthusiasts. For 2020, the Big Sky Classic will be held as a 4-hour online show featuring 11 of the world’s best knife makers. This online version will make the show available to collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Come in to see some of the finest handmade knives in the world, look at the photos, watch the videos, chat with the makers, and maybe find the knife of your dreams.

Thank you for coming,

Rick Dunkerley

**Each of our Exhibitors will have a booth with their offerings located in the Lobby EXPO available on the day of the event, June 27, 2020.

**You will be able to browse each maker's booth, look at videos, still photos, and where possible, live video of the items for sale. Group viewing and messenger style chat windows are available.

**If you are interested in purchasing, one on one discussions with the maker can be initiated so your conversation is private.

BIG SKY CLASSIC 2020 LINEUP

Art Knife Invitational Member	Art Knife Invitational member	Art Knife Invitational member
Mastersmith Larry Fuegen Larry's knives are hand forged blades made from carbon steel and damascus made by his own hand. Larry is proud to point out that every detail of every knife, from the forging, carving, gold and silver work, embellishments and sheath work is done exclusively by himself, with simple tools. No other craftsmen are involved in the completion of his knives. His inspiration for many of his Forged Scroll Friction folders comes from interesting stories that he effortlessly incorporates into his planning, design, and execution process resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece.	Mastersmith Harvey J. Dean Harvey sold his first knife in 1982. In 1992, received his ABS Mastersmith rating and became a full-time maker that same year. Harvey has shared his knife making experience over the years by teaching classes at American Bladesmith Society schools and also instructing at numerous seminars and hammer-ins across the country. In 2004 Harvey was voted onto the Board of the American Bladesmith Society and served as the President from 2015-2019. In August of 2016 he was inducted into the American Bladesmith Society Hall of Fame. Harvey has won many awards for his excellence in the knife making field. Many of the construction methods you see in handmade knives today have been directly influenced by Harvey’s efforts	Mastersmith Rick Dunkerley Rick began making knives in 1983. In 1991 he forged his first damascus steel and knives were never the same for him. In 1997 he received the Mastersmith rating from the American Bladesmith Society, becoming the first Montana knifemaker to earn that rating. That is also the year he started making folding knives. The Italian Knifemakers Guild awarded him their Maestro rating in 2005. He was inducted into Montana Circle of American Master, by the Montana Council for the Arts in 2014. In 2015 I was voted into the Art Knife Invitational as a member. his knives have won over 25 awards at shows around the world. Today he specialize in one of a kind art knives, predominantly folding knives, using the rarest and finest materials. Most of his knives are sole authorship pieces with all the work done by himself.


Art Knife Invitational member	Art Knife Invitational member
John Young started making knives in 1997. He is one of the hottest custom knife makers in the world today and his knack for creating a distinctive and beautiful blade puts him in world class company. Most of his knives are traditional style fixed blade knives made from stainless steel. Each knife made by John meets the exacting standard and superior workmanship of a master craftsman. From the tip of the blade to the end of the hilt, there is no room for compromise in the quality of materials or the care taken to create each work of art.	Rick Eaton Started in related craft 1979, started self-taught engraving 1983, and making complete handmade knives 1984. 1993 going full time, My main focus from the start have been art knives, with the occasional working knife. 2005 I started teaching engraving for GRS and got to learn from top American engraver Winston Churchill improving my skills. 2007 was my first year being a voting member of the AKI knife show. I have won multiple awards thru the years with the pinnacles being the Cronk Award in 2001, Blade show best of show 2006, ABS best of show 2016. My main philosophy of knifemaking is to make knives that stand out on their own merit, on my higher end knives I like to incorporate a theme or story. Rick has made knives since 1982 and became a full-time knife maker In 1993. Although he makes many different styles of knives, he prefers custom one-of-a-kind art pieces. His specialties are art folders and art daggers. His knives are pushed over the top with amazing scrimshaw and engraving skill, which puts his knives into a class all of their own. Ricks knives are enjoyed by collectors around the world.	Journeyman Smith Bruce Barnett Is an Australian knife maker operating in Bridgetown, South Western Australia. His favorite knives to make are Damascus slip joint & lockback folders in the traditional style, and lately art style linerlocks, but he also makes hunters and skinning knives, bowies and chef knives. The thing he enjoys most about making knives is the collection and evolution of raw materials into a functional piece of art - a custom, handmade knife. He uses exotic materials from his homeland to bring unique works of art to the world. Bruce is dedicated to both learning from other makers and passing that knowledge and experience to his students, bringing what he knows to us and taking what he learns back home.


Mastersmith Bill Burke makes high performance working knives in stainless steel and Custom Mosaic damascus in his home shop in Boise Idaho. Knife making has been a journey of learning and development since he was a child and his experience and dedication shows in his finished work which is admired by all. While making knives full-time, he still takes every opportunity to pass on his knowledge to both experienced and new knife makers by hosting training classes at home and abroad. His teachings are either directly or indirectly used by many new and experienced makers over the years.	Mastersmith Shane Taylor has been making knives since he was 12, became a full time bladesmith in 1992, and became a Master Smith in 2000. Shane is best known for one-of-a-kind art knives, with an emphasis on pictorial mosaic damascus and highly engraved art knives. His unique vision is influenced by steam punk and Gothic aesthetics. Among his best-known designs are the batwing fighter and the batwing folder. Shane was the first recipient of the James Schmidt Award at the East Coast Custom Knife Show in NYC. In addition, he was awarded both Best Damascus Knife at Blade Show (Atlanta, GA) and Blade Handmade Award, three times each.	Bill Ruple has been making knives since 1988 and he specializes in slip joint, multi blade folding knives. One of his passions is to replicate antique multi-blade knives from the past blending the classic styling with modern materials and manufacturing techniques to produce EDC tools that border on art knives. Bill has shared his knowledge with countless students over the years and you can see the influence of his teaching and style easily when at shows or on the internet.


Tore Fogarizzu, I have been a full-time knife maker since 1985, and a member of the Italian Custom Knife Guild (CIC) for more than 20 years. Beginning as an apprentice to my father at the age of 14, I learned how to make traditional knives and work with decorative wrought iron. I also learned the fundamentals of making Damascus from my father. I am proud to be the fourth generation of knife maker in my family. Using an array of modern and traditional high precision tools, my goal is to build knives of uncommon style and outstanding quality. Inspired by the Italian tradition of beauty melding form and function, I also try to craft modern art knives which are at once traditional as well as forward looking in terms of style. My favorite materials include combinations of various metals, steel, titanium and gold. These days most of my folders combine the Soft-open blade feature with unique blade shapes and ultra-high precision fit and finish. They often feature subtle mixtures of yellow and rose gold accents along with black-lip pearl, pen shell and anodized titanium inlays. Many of my models also featured tiny timed screws, which is a wonderful and sophisticated detail. And although I enjoy making single blade knives as well as multi-blades, I prefers the latter for their complexity and design challenges. I am honored to be a participant in the best show and to be in the company of such talented artists.		.