2023 East Coast Gathering (ECG) - Sunday, July 16, Washington, DC Area

[WildBoar]

I'm getting an earlier start on the announcement this year. Hopefully that will increase the chances of some restaurant people being able to get the day off, and to avoid vacation conflicts.

For those new to KKF, this is an annual gathering of old and new KKF friends/ acquaintances, and there are lots of sharp implements to ogle and caress. Group effort on food and drinks, so we all eat and drink well.

Last year we had a nice group of knife maker in attendance. Butch Harner, Henry Hyde, Jovian Forge (Andrew), Tony Laseur, Ben Zimmerman and Britton Steele. And local sharpener, restorer, engraver and all-around madman -- Victor Wolansky from Artisan Knife Services. All of these people have already responded that they should be able to attend again this year. Plus it looks like District Cutlery (Derek) will be able to attend. And it looks like the Philly crew will be back, as well as some people from NJ, Nashville and Richmond. And the king of all knife accumulators Marc4pt0.

The event is at my house in Alexandria (northern Virginia).

The event is indoor, so no problems with weather. Gas and charcoal grills outside, and ovens/ stove inside for those who want to cook or reheat food here.

We encourage attendees to bring some food to share.

We are spouse-friendly, so feel free to bring yours out. My wife and son will be out of town this year.

I have contact info for most past attendees. If you have not been here before and would like to attend please PM me your name and an email address and I will send you out additional information prior to the event (including the address).

And if there is interest we can pull together a dinner the night before. We had a group at Zaytinya a few times in the past, and one year a few of us went to a local Ethiopian restaurant.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

 

[ch_br]

I'm getting an earlier start on the announcement this year. Hopefully that will increase the chances of some restaurant people being able to get the day off, and to avoid vacation conflicts.

For those new to KKF, this is an annual gathering of old and new KKF friends/ acquaintances, and there are lots of sharp implements to ogle and caress. Group effort on food and drinks, so we all eat and drink well.

Last year we had a nice group of knife maker in attendance. Butch Harner, Henry Hyde, Jovian Forge (Andrew), Tony Laseur, Ben Zimmerman and Britton Steele. And local sharpener, restorer, engraver and all-around madman -- Victor Wolansky from Artisan Knife Services. All of these people have already responded that they should be able to attend again this year. Plus it looks like District Cutlery (Derek) will be able to attend. And it looks like the Philly crew will be back, as well as some people from NJ, Nashville and Richmond. And the king of all knife accumulators Marc4pt0.

The event is at my house in Alexandria (northern Virginia).

The event is indoor, so no problems with weather. Gas and charcoal grills outside, and ovens/ stove inside for those who want to cook or reheat food here.

We encourage attendees to bring some food to share.

We are spouse-friendly, so feel free to bring yours out. My wife and son will be out of town this year.

I have contact info for most past attendees. If you have not been here before and would like to attend please PM me your name and an email address and I will send you out additional information prior to the event (including the address).

And if there is interest we can pull together a dinner the night before. We had a group at Zaytinya a few times in the past, and one year a few of us went to a local Ethiopian restaurant.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

This is crazy, my bro lives in Alexandria VA and I need to visit him

 

[WildBoar]

This is crazy, my bro lives in Alexandria VA and I need to visit him

Perfect excuse to come here

 

[WildBoar]

Giving this a bump -- it's only 4 months out!

It's never too early to put in your request for the day (or at least afternoon) off from work for those who typically work weekends...

 

[ch_br]

I've already been arranging it with my bro to stay.

So at least one west coaster will be there...

Gonna be great to meet new people, some people in person for first time, and see and talk about the game of steel & stones!

 

[WildBoar]

That's great to hear!

Maybe that will help convince @JBroida to make the trek

 

[cwk.v]

Ugh, right after I move out of town! Bummer

 

[WildBoar]

It's never too soon to visit

 

[cooktocut]

I think I’d really like to come this year, if you guys will have me!!! Sending you a PM

 

[cwk.v]

It's never too soon to visit

If I live in the Courthouse area of Arlington, does it count as visiting if I go into D.C.?

We're basically neighbors though

 

[WildBoar]

Not actually cold, calculating DC, but warm, friendly Alexandria

 

[gabdo]

This sounds fabulous! I just drop a line here because i might be based in the Boston area at that time, so who knows…

 

[WildBoar]

That's great! There are some KKFers who may be able to advise on the easiest/ best ways to travel back and forth to the DC area if you are looking to make it a quick trip.

 

[KyleHeath]

I am going to try to make it this year. I'm about 45 minutes from Alexandria and would love to meet some new people who are crazy about knives.

 

[DanielC]

Sounds like fun. Wish I could make it!

 

[WildBoar]

I'm looking for some feedback. District Cutlery will be here this year. In the past when Ryan or Derek attended we have kept it entirely social. But now that we have a lot more makers attending, plus quite a few people we looking to buy things last year, I am encouraging them to show attendees who they are and what they can do. To that effect the following are on the table:

1. Bring some interesting knives to sell, like some Carters and TFs
2. Allow customers to drop-off and pick-up knives for/ from their sharpening service
3. For attendees interested in selling some of their collection, bring a camera setup and take photos for their consignment sales (and they would offer reduced fees for their consignment service)
4. Bring an ex-chef who know makes custom sayas for them. He can bring some wood samples and even trace knives for those who may want to order at the ECG
5. Bring their mobile van and offer some sharpening and/ or knife repair on-site

Now #5 seems like something that may make the event not much fun for them, but if there is enough interest I will not discourage them. But it would be helpful to know a little ahead of time how many people would want to have some sharpening/ repairs done.

But is there interest in the consignment sales offer? And in possibly ordering sayas?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[stringer]

I'm looking for some feedback. District Cutlery will be here this year. In the past when Ryan or Derek attended we have kept it entirely social. But now that we have a lot more makers attending, plus quite a few people we looking to buy things last year, I am encouraging them to show attendees who they are and what they can do. To that effect the following are on the table:

1. Bring some interesting knives to sell, like some Carters and TFs
2. Allow customers to drop-off and pick-up knives for/ from their sharpening service
3. For attendees interested in selling some of their collection, bring a camera setup and take photos for their consignment sales (and they would offer reduced fees for their consignment service)
4. Bring an ex-chef who know makes custom sayas for them. He can bring some wood samples and even trace knives for those who may want to order at the ECG
5. Bring their mobile van and offer some sharpening and/ or knife repair on-site

Now #5 seems like something that may make the event not much fun for them, but if there is enough interest I will not discourage them. But it would be helpful to know a little ahead of time how many people would want to have some sharpening/ repairs done.

But is there interest in the consignment sales offer? And in possibly ordering sayas?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I am highly likely to purchase at least one knife if there are knives for sale.

I am not interested in selling any knives or getting knives sharpened or sayas.

 

[cooktocut]

I’d possibly be selling a few, might buy one, would have a knife that needs to be repaired and would not be interested in sayas. Don’t need any sharpening.

 

[chefwp]

I have people down there too, but alas, my calendar is already cooked around this time, maybe 2024.

 

[WildBoar]

Giving this a bump since it's been a few weeks since the last post

 

[ch_br]

Flights booked.

So, at minimum, there will be at least one west coaster in attendance.

I will be without any steel or stones.

We'll see if my willpower can make it through unscathed and not purchase anything!

 

[WildBoar]

Yeah, don't worry about showing up empty handed.

With 7 knifemakers + District Cutlery in attendance you should be pretty well stocked up when you leave

 

[cjallen]

Put this on my calendar, hope I can make it.

I would be interested in re-handling some knives. I've got one that's crooked and one that is meh. I could learn to do it myself, but why not learn under the guidance of a professional?

 

[FishmanDE]

What’s the date? (Sorry, saw it I. The title after posting)

 

[WildBoar]

What’s the date? (Sorry, saw it I. The title after posting)

Shoot me a DM if you have any questions.

Only 7 weeks away!

Knife Makers: Butch Harner - Henry Hyde - Jovian Forge - Ben Zimmerman - Britton Steele - Tony Laseur - Eleven Knives - Cur Custom (tentative yes)

Sharpeners, Rehandlers and Enablers Extraordinaire: District Cutlery

Sharpener, Restorer, Engraver, Generally just a fascinating guy: Artisan Knife Services

Sayas: Kevin Grenzig

 

[WildBoar]

I'm hoping to book a table for dinner on Saturday, July 15, at Zaytinya. Will shoot for 7:30 or 8:00 pm. Please let me know if you are interested, and how many people.

Washington D.C. Hours & Location | Zaytinya by José Andrés

Visit Zaytinya in Washington, DC, at 701 9th Street NW. Open Mon: 11:30 AM – 10 PM | Tue - Thur: 11:30 AM – 11 PM | Friday: 11:30 AM – 12 AM | Saturday: 11 AM – 12 AM | Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM.

www.zaytinya.com

The other times we went we did Chef's Experience. That is $72/ pp prior to tax (10%) and service charge/ tip (20%). So figure a little under $100/ pp plus the cost of drinks.

Please let me know if you are interested, and how many people. I need to book pretty soon.