A short report from Knivexpo in Vadstena, Sweden

[gaijin]

Yesterday, today and tomorrow there is a knife trade show and/or exhibition that takes place in the city of Vadstena, Sweden called Knivexpo. I have no affiliation with this at all other than visiting it.

It all took place in the main castle hall of the historical Vadstena Slott and the had filled a room with exhibition tables where stuff were shown in monters and most of it for sale:

This is the first of these expos I've been at and while all tables were either selling knives, parts or accessories, it was quite crowded and quite nice. The audience were mixed between users and other knife makers looking to buy parts. The majority of stuff was for outdoor knives rather than kitchen knives.

The home page of the event is here: KNIVEXPO

Some more detail picss in thumbnail form, click to see more:

 

[gaijin]

In the court yard, there was some sharpening stuff shown (and for sale):

 

[gaijin]

I found a table with the two kitchen knife makers Thomas Moberg and Pär Särnö:

First Thomas and some of his stuff:

One of these knives may or may not have been purchased by me.

Tomas can be found at Login • Instagram

Pär Särno also had some stuff for display and sale:

Pär has a web page: Home | SARNO KNIVES

For anyone local, I think that these two are only on site today, i.e. don't go looking for them in Vadstena tomorrow.

 

[M1k3]

I think @Isasmedjan and @Björn Birgersson will be there. Or one of them. I think.

 

[gaijin]

I think @Isasmedjan and @Björn Birgersson will be there. Or one of them. I think.

If they had exhibition tables, I missed them.

If they were just there as mere mortals like me, I'm afraid I don't know them in person.

 

[Noodle Soup]

Too bad I didn't know about this show. I might have went. As an American it seems like Europeans like to keep their shows secret from us. If you don't believe me check out the show calendar at Euro Blades web magazine. Two shows list for all of Europe and I know of several before the end of the year.

 

[gaijin]

I didn't know about this myself until about 2 days ago... and then it's more or less in my back yard.

 

[captaincaed]

Too bad I didn't know about this show. I might have went. As an American it seems like Europeans like to keep their shows secret from us.

Can you blame them?
I bet they figure we’re only interested in firearms

 

[Noodle Soup]

I go to a lot more knife events than I do firearms. I did attend the Norwegian knifemakers show in Elverum Norway once. They had a large tent full of hunting firearms.

 

[gaijin]

Can you blame them?
I bet they figure we’re only interested in firearms

This might not be the place for discussions of politics and culture, but the overlap between gun owners and buyers of hunting knives like those displayed at this show might be large even in Sweden. Hunting is a big hobby here. And the knife laws here prevents you from carrying a knife if you're not hunting or fishing or the like. No EDC for us!

The show also had a few lectures about knife making stuff, that was also only in Swedish.

Aparantly this was a restart of an older event that has closed down in another city, so this was the first year under new management. If you let them know that people from far away would appreciate international information, I'm sure they'll consider it.

 

[Noodle Soup]

This might not be the place for discussions of politics and culture, but the overlap between gun owners and buyers of hunting knives like those displayed at this show might be large even in Sweden. Hunting is a big hobby here. And the knife laws here prevents you from carrying a knife if you're not hunting or fishing or the like. No EDC for us!

The show also had a few lectures about knife making stuff, that was also only in Swedish.

Aparantly this was a restart of an older event that has closed down in another city, so this was the first year under new management. If you let them know that people from far away would appreciate international information, I'm sure they'll consider it.

i would suggest just sending the info to Euro Blades' web magazine. I know for a fact they are always hunting for dates to fill their show calendar. Also, the American Knife Magazine runs show dates free.

 

[gaijin]

I'll see if I can get that message over to them.

 

[gaijin]

A quick update: I just got a message from Särnö Knives that the show will go again next summer on July 11-13 2024.

I am not involved in these arrangements, but you can read more in Swedish (and get in contact with the team, I guess) on the following pages:

https://knivexpo.se/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089548938669
There are some wellknown makers listed as booked already, including the ones mentioned from this past event: Isasmedjan, Pär Särnö, Thomas Moberg.

 

[sumis]

i'm going this year, i.e. in a couple of weeks. anyone else?

.

 

[gaijin]

i'm going this year, i.e. in a couple of weeks. anyone else?

.

I'll try to come by - I live close so as long I'm not busy with something else...

 

[gaijin]

New Year, new expo. Some general pictures first:

As can be seen, it was mostly non-kitchen knife, and also lots of supplies for knifemaking.

 

[gaijin]

A couple of makers sometimes mentioned here on the forums.

Isasmedjan brought the heat and the anvil.. .and a couple of knives without handles:

Tomas Moberg brought many knives:

 

[gaijin]

And some final pics of the venue, Vadstena Castle. A real historic castle with a moat around it:

With a marina in the moat:

Other historic places nearby include Vadstena Monastery:

And also a nearby ancient church with a very old stone coffin (pic showing the modern replica, looks better on picture than the original). Current church (parts of) and coffin from around 1100 AD. Named "Örberga kyrka".

 

[gaijin]

The show is ongoing tomorrow too, so if you live close enough I recommend a visit.

 

[sumis]

i went yesterday and came home with a thomas moberg ’bunkiri’ in aeb-l.

 

[gaijin]

One guy made a knife for the Americans...

 

[plantgainz]

i went yesterday and came home with a thomas moberg ’bunkiri’ in aeb-l.

I would have buy it only for the name

 

[sumis]

I would have buy it only for the name

actually, he calls them bunka, but since it has a very conservative belly and the tip is a bit shy, imo the profile threads on nakiri ground.

.

 

[jaydee]

Not trying to enable here but: tldr:
Thomas has sold many but also has quite a few yummy "leftovers" from the fair amongst them: RWL34 gyutos, a beautiful stone polished apex ultra gyuto, some AEB-L gyutos and AEB-L nakiris. Some pettys left too (damasteel and others). Gyutos are mostly 220mm-ish.
He is on vacation now so give him some time in case you are interested.

Long story:
Got in contact with him a few months ago ordering a custom apex ultra gyuto.
He said immediately that this has to wait until after the knife expo. (although it certainly does not look like it, he is only a hobby knife maker)
I ended up ordering a leftover AEB-L gyuto instead of the custom which will be on its way soon.

 

[jaydee]

Arrived today.
So so good. Feel like i underpayd the maker; that good! Roughly 220x55, 242g.
Forgot what the wood is but it sure looks nice. Palmwood, bog oak or so?
Lots of distal taper without the overly sensitive scalpel tip. Scary sharp, everything well rounded, esp. the choil.