If you live in Las Vegas and complain that there's nothing to do here - well, you just aren't looking in the right areas!
Although - if you ask people who live here, most will tell you it's been ages since they've visited the Strip, unless they work there, or have to go for a convention or to meet someone. It's just too damn expensive - almost every casino / resort charges you to park, and even in you just want to visit two or three casinos, it'll cost you $100 in parking fees. Hence - we locals don't go very often!
That said - every single week, there are conventions, meet-ups, gatherings, performances and so much more. Yesterday, the Westgate hosted an Antique Arms show, which featured everything under the sun concerning historical weaponry and military armor.
And even better - two friends who are knife makers had a booth at the show. So you know I had to check it out!
The show was held in two halls, not quite as massive as the main Convention Center halls we have here, but still - this venue was pretty big.
My good buddy Len has only been making knives a couple of years - he started out as a wood carver (and he's a damn good one!) but his knives are really beautiful. Some knives seem almost "too nice" to use - but Len's knives feel great in your hand, and just give off a "use me" feel to them.
He was primarily using wood for his handles, but lately has started experimenting with resin handles in all sorts of colors and cool characteristics.
Because Len started out as a carver, you can see some of his carved walking sticks in the foreground of this photo.
Len shared his booth with Tony, probably the premier local expert knife maker here. Tony is not only one of the most knowledgeable knife makers that I've ever met, but honestly - he's just an all around great guy.
He never makes you feel stupid if you ask a question, and always willing to answer anything, no matter how many times he's probably been asked it! He's been educating me on Damascus steel knives, and now of course, I want one. For cooking. It might be my next big splurge, who knows?
If you are unfamiliar with Damascus knives - you should read up on them. Fascinating stuff!
I was so distracted by all the cool things at the show (asking a million questions, too) that I didn't get a lot of photos of some of the amazing weapons at this show.
This sword that belonged to Clark Gable.
I believe the fellow who owned it said it was used in a movie that Clark filmed years ago. (Was he a swashbuckler in something? Gone with the Wind?) I don't know, I don't watch old movies... but my mom would know. She knows more about old movies than I know about woodworking!
It was engraved for Clark - imagine this - this was decades before engravers were automated... so all of the tooling on this sword was done by hand.
I couldn't believe they actually had cannons on the display floor!
Several, in fact. I can't tell you how many cool things were on display - rifles and pistols from the wild, wild west... everything from weapons from the Civil War, Revolutionary War, WWI and WWII, Vietnam and even more recent wars.
One fact that blew my mind - many of the rifles had GIANT bayonets mounted to them, and someone mentioned that during certain wars - more soldiers died from bayonet stabbings than from being shot. That's because soldiers would run out of bullets, so the bayonet was the only way to fight. That fact kind of blew my brain up - some bayonets were so long, it look like you could go through 3 people at once!
Bizarre.
Seriously - I wish I had taken photos of the rifles - there were models with dates and names carved into the butts (from the 1800's or earlier) and so many cool little details that were fascinating. Think - Billy the Kid, or Annie Oakly.
Next time, I HAVE to get better photos.
OK, on a lighter note - there were also quite a few booths dealing with Native American stuff - blankets, jewelry, trading post kinds of artwork. Moccasins, beaded work, peace pipes, very cool stuff.
Lots of cowboy boots and hats, too.
Out of everything I saw at the show - one little item caught my eye.
This fellow had a lot of oriental stuff - swords, knives, Hari-kari daggers, etc but this little box with two very small (maybe 4" long) musical instruments were fascinating.
I couldn't figure out what they were.
Can you guess?
These were a set of antique sterling silver salt and pepper shakers. Simply amazing details.
There was a very small door on the back of each one, where you could fill the shaker. And on the side of the body of the instrument were 6-8 small holes from which the salt or pepper could pour. The attention to detail was ridiculous, and I'm kicking myself for not buying them. Luckily - the man who was selling them lives close to me, so I may give him a call and pick them up.
All in all - this show was worth the trip, despite the $45 parking fee (that included a $10 valet tip) and the $20 entrance fee. I'm not even that interested in weapons, but went to support my two friends. But if you're a history buff or just interested in weaponry, this is a show you shouldn't miss!
And finally - someone with a sense of humor!
