The 2018 Milan Knife Show

There weren’t many attending knife makers at the XXII edition of Italian Knifemakers Guild show. Nonetheless, there were plenty of visitors, more than in previous years. Some Russian knife makers, two Japanese craftsmen (Nara and Kansei) and Rick Dunkerley did not attend this edition. There were some so-called ‘tactical’ knives but because of the fit and finishing – and price - they do not appear to be fit for use in the field. Perhaps for strategic salami slicing at home?
Puddu, Emmanuel and Fogarizzu did not have any knives on their table and only showcased some pictures. This led to some negative comments by the attending visitors, saying that looking at pictures of a knife show is like going to the Teatro alla Scala to listen to a CD.
The general quality of knives has increased every year up to now, and the 2018 edition is not disappointing as you see in the accompanying pictures.

Text and pictures: Roberto Allara

Antonio Farina, Hand Razor. Damasteel super dense twist and stabilized Poplar briar-root. Bamboo box.

Flavio Poratelli, full integral New York Special. Damascus by Alberto Favaro, tiger coral handle.

Daniele Ibba, Tyrannosaur dagger. Nebula Damascus by Retvield for the blade, by Vlad Matveev for the

bolsters, gold inlaid by Fabio Bregoli. Handle in petrified Dinosaur bone.

Claudio Riboni, ‘Cityknife’. Blade in RWL34, scales in premium white MOP, bolsters Aisi 416, engraved

by Torrini.

Daniele Barban, ‘Swordfish’. Blade in stainless Damascus, handle in glass-obsidian-swordfish.

Bruno Bruna, hunting knife. San Mai stainless Damascus, handle in epoxy resin with gold.

Denis Mura, tactical fighter. Aisi 440C, handle is resin and gold. Narrow tang.

Leonardo Frizzi, ‘Nautilus’. Liner lock. Blade in RWL34, handle Titanium with black MOP and Timascus.

Fabrizio Silvestrelli (Silvester), folding sub-hilt, backlock. Blade in RWL34, handle in Aisi 416 and Carbon fibre.

Attilio Morotti (Atti), Little cuttlefish. Blade in RWL34, handle in Aisi 416 and Carbon fibre, 18K gold pins

and chain.

Franco Bonassi (Frank), Narrow ‘chute’. Blade in RWL34, handle in Sambar stag, mosaic pins.

Paolo Gidoni, ‘Tanto’. Liner lock, blade in Damascus by Gidoni, handle in Aisi 416 engraved by

Stefano Perlotti.

Marcello Garau, ‘Mondrianesque’. Blade in RWL34, composite handle in MOP, pen shell, coral and

lapis lazuli.

Charlie Bennica, ‘Chrysalide’. Button lock, blade in RWL 34, handle in Aisi 416 and Mokume.

Ouye, ‘Take Tsuru’. Blade in CPM 154, handle engraved by Bruce Shaw.

Koji Hara, ‘Scotch 2’. Blade in Cowry steel, handle in Aisi 316 with black lip MOP.

Roberto Ottonello, double blade. Blades in RWL34, handle in Titanium. The knife can be completely

disassembled.

Mario Peddiu, button lock. Blade in RWL34, handle interframe with Carbon fibre and black lip MOP.