Wickenburg Show

[Art]

Paul (Son) and I went to Wickenburg. Long flight in an Airbus (cattle car). Stayed at the Super 8, which was very good.

For Breakfast we found:

Denny's

Cowboy Cafe

McDonald's

All acceptable with the Cowboy Cafe more acceptable.

Lunch:

Denny's

Cowboy Cafe

McDonalds

Anita's Cocina

Anita's had the best darned Taco ever, Norm and Belinda were gracious. Don't miss this.

Dinner:

Charlie's Steakhouse

Anita's Cocina

Others

Charlie's is an ok Steakhouse, they have the best Chicken Noodle Soup on the planet, period. However, (now I'm from Maryland) these folks believe that anything as ugly as an oyster, needs to deep fried to the consistency of a hockey puck, might have been a good idea as they were a little old. Stick to the Eastern Seaboard or the upper Northwest when ordering real seafood. Steaks were good, but after the oysters, what isn't.

Nightlife:

Anita's Cocina

La Cabaña Saloon

Anita's Little Bar, La Cabaña Big Bar. La Cabaña suited our taste, big horseshoe bar which would have a street address in our neck of the woods, maybe even a zipcode; Eight or so pool tables, Cold, Cold Beer, Great Jukebox and sound system, Karaoke on Thursday Nights, younger crowd, good bartenders, things pick-up around 9pm. Friendly folks.

The show is held at the Wickenburg Community Center, right next to the Library, tucked in one street back from Wickenburg Way (Rt 60) behind Anita's and La Cabaña basically.

Bob and Lee Douglas were in their own room with a large display of tools. If you are a tool nut like me, avoid this place like the Plague. Ask Bob about any tool, and he will fill you in, not any tool he has there, but any tool on earth.

Paul Zalesak was there with his swivel knives, and in addition to teaching a class, was giving lessons at his booth. You could play with any of his knives till you bought one or not. The small diameter knives are particularly attractive (to me) and Paul makes pretty good blades. The knives are so light they accelerate quicker, and the small diameter knives allow you to make sharp turns. Paul also makes different size yolks, the big ones are like Bob Beard's and for guys with big hands, a necessity. These are quality knives, available whatever way you want, even color and knurling, for a respectable price. If Bob Beard makes the Rolls Royce of swivel knives, Paul makes the Ferrari.

Paul's daughter and her boyfriend were there working the Chaylor-Fenneli booth for Keith (who was in OZ). They had it all layed-out (better than Keith does sometimes) and were selling very well, good job!

Folks were buying liners and getting exotics from Ron down at Hidecrafters and then sewing them together at the LMC Cobra booth on the Class 17 machine. 69 thread would have made a nicer job, but they only had 138. My son Paul forged on with it anyway and finished a few. Aaaaahhh, the sweet smell of Master's.

Steve Tayrien of the Leather Machine Company had a small array of machines at the show. In addition to the Class 3 and Class 4 machines (441 9" and 441 16.5") he had the NP-10 top and bottom feed skiver and a Class 17 machine. I had a lot of time to play with both of those, and believe me, the NP-10 top and bottom feed skiver is the second machine you should have in your shop after a sewing machine, possibly even the first (depending on what you do), with this puppy, what takes a few minutes normally, takes seconds; it is on my list. The Class 17 is a drop feed, walking foot machine sewing anything from 46 to 138 thread. It has some cool features, the presser foot lift, in addition to a knee lift, is on the front of the machine instead of the normal place (near the presser foot). While this bugged me at first, I quickly got used to it, but I mostly use the knee lift. The other feature, I've only seen it on more expensive machines, is an on the fly presser foot adjustment right on the front of the machine (it is a dial), if you are coming to a seam bump or something you want to "step-up" to, you can crank up the lift, and climb up. It works, not just a gadget. The whole thing is under $1200.

Luke and Vandy from Sheridan Leather Outfitters were there with a pile of leather. A lot of wool shearling and some knock-out Angora hides, which their little Jack Russell just loved to use for a quick rest. His bad luck, they all went by the end of the show, they had some great prices. They are great people to work with, don't be afraid to call them and ask for anything, they know the business and if they don't have it, they won't be afraid to tell you where to get it.

Tandy was there, can't remember if it was the Tempe or one of the Phoenix stores. Get to know your local manager, they are usually pretty good folks and a real resource (after leatherworker.net of course) for information and product.

Hidecrafter is back in a big way. I spent a lot of time talking to Eric and Ron both before, during, and after the show; can you say La Cabaña Ron? Their new website will be up soon, and they are focusing on better quality product for serious leatherworkers. If you are looking for higher quality hardware, or good looking exotics, or just good leather, give Ron a call. Hidecrafter is sponsoring a beginning saddlemakers course that Carl Suvaco will teach. This is a basics up course and will put you in shape to take intermediate courses. Additionally, they are making course plans that everyone will like, it is a little ways off, but not that far. They are also making plans on the Video front, some real good videos, modern equipment, energetic instructors, and very interesting topics. Hidecrafter is not letting grass grow under their feet, I expect some really good things in the future.

Jim Downey was there with the best roo lace on earth and his beveling tools. As always, he had some fine lace and rawhide work there also. Son was interested and Jim gave him some info.

Bob Beard was these with the standard setup, if you get to Bob early at a show (first day, o'light30) you'll get to pick from the tools Bob brought with him, no wait, you take it home with you. If you want something special, and it will be special, it will take a year. You won't get billed till it's in the mail. Bob is a great person and fun to talk with.

Barry King attended with a large compliment of stamping tools, and his Mauls & Mallets, Swivel Knives and blades, Stylus' (Styli?), Slickers, and you have to try his edgers, they are exceptional. There isn't anything you don't want in that booth.

Gomph-Hackbarth was there with the 1018 tools, if you don't have the basic set for $145, then you are missing an exceptional deal, their other tools are higher cost, but again exceptional quality.

Jeremiah Watt was there with all that is Jeremiah Watt, a very costly booth for me to enter. Just a plain ranch saddle goes for about $4900, and his tools are just beautiful.

Ron Edmonds was there with everything edging and a few other things like slicking aids. I have about everything he makes except horn and cantle binding edgers (trimmers), and I can't fault any of it. Pricey but worth it. Like most of the quality guys, buy it from him, you won't have to buy it again.

Hermann Oak, Wickett and Craig, Thoroughbred Leather and others were there and I talked to all of them. I think I came away with one thing when talking to all of them. It is extremely important to tell them exactly what you need and/or what you are going to use it for. If someone is dissatisfied with their product, it is usually because they didn't get what they wanted, and that was probably because you didn't communicate what you wanted or the person taking the order was on planet Zorbous. Please understand that the leather that is on sale, might not be quite as good as the leather that is full price. Both HO and W&C have samples and freely distribute them, they want to put these in your hands, call them.

Chuck Smith was there with the Ole Smoothie and other tools, reasonable tool, but try before you buy.

Artisan was there with quite a few machines. They had some remarkable pricing, and I hope someone took advantage of it.

David and Dot Reis put on a really great little show. I know I missed a few vendors, but I didn't take notes or pictures so the little gray sells had to hold up their end of the bargain the best they could. I did remember where I spent money though.

Art

[Denise]

Art,

What classes did they have there this year? Did you hear much about them?

[TroyWest]

That's a great write-up Art. Thanks.

[Art]

Hi Denise,

Try this link:

http://www.leathercraftersjournal.com/Wickenburg.html

I audited a Bob Beard class and a Boot class, which were great. John Bianchi is ALWAYS great, and full. That was about it for me.

Art

Art,

What classes did they have there this year? Did you hear much about them?

[hidepounder]

Sorry I missed you there, Art. I was there Thursday and Friday and stayed at the Super 8 also. Norm and Belinda put on a great party didn't they? As a home town boy could really tell you stories about Wickenburg and the La Cabana! If you go again next year, you'll have to visit the Ranchers Bar. That's turning into a real fun show!

Bob

[Art]

Hi Bob,

Good BBQ and good fun. They make a great hamburger too, convenient to the community center.

Art

Sorry I missed you there, Art. I was there Thursday and Friday and stayed at the Super 8 also. Norm and Belinda put on a great party didn't they? As a home town boy could really tell you stories about Wickenburg and the La Cabana! If you go again next year, you'll have to visit the Ranchers Bar. That's turning into a real fun show!

Bob

[sheridanleather]

Art--thanks for the nice overview of the Wickenburg show. From a vendors standpoint, we are very pleased with the show this year. David had the info out for classes etc in a very timely fashion and that ALWAYS helps attendance. We felt there were more attendees this year, but a couple vendors were absent. We like going to shows so we can meet people we only usually speak to on the phone--it is one of our favorite things. Thanks again, and hope to see many of you at the Sheridan Show in May!

Vandy

[RawhideLeather]

Art,

Thanks for taking the time to give us such a comprehensive report of the show! This is the next best thing to actually being there! Great information and an interesting read to boot! Just curious... having never been to a show myself - how does this one compare to the one held in Sheridan or is it the same show?

Richard

[Art]

Hi Richard,

Wickenburg is considerably smaller than Sheridan. If you have to save-up for one show, it should be Sheridan, however if Wickenburg is in your back yard, I wouldn't miss it. Sheridan has vendors that might only make one show a year, so there are many more of them.

Wickenburg is heavy in classes though, and some pretty good ones. You won't find John Bianchi anywhere but Wickenburg, I'm sure he could fill classes at another show if he wanted.

Art

Art,

Thanks for taking the time to give us such a comprehensive report of the show! This is the next best thing to actually being there! Great information and an interesting read to boot! Just curious... having never been to a show myself - how does this one compare to the one held in Sheridan or is it the same show?

Richard