GrayHallidayJr Report post Posted February 28, 2017 I attended the Southwest Leather event in Prescott last year and submitted an entry in the amateur carving competition. I knew when the woman said, "Isn't that fun?" when inspecting the entry that I didn't have a chance of winning. I drove home with a newly purchased swivel knife (the one I had hoped to win) and some resolve to come back the following year with an entry that would wow the judges beyond sanity. Then I completely forgot about it. Time passed. I found the Leatherworker website and saw that the Prescott show was only two days away! I had a full day of work the following day and so had only one day to carve up an 8" by 8" masterpiece, and drive 8 and a half hours to Prescott. It was a sad realization at 4:00 AM on that Thursday. I had to leave at 9:00 AM in order to make the entry deadline of 5:00 pm- given that I would drive like a maniac to make up a half hour along the way. I wasn't going to make it. I had to give up on my dream... I did make a lot of progress before giving up. Then took a few days off before revisiting the workbench to finish the job. This is it. A rushed maniac effort at subtle innuendo. I call it; The Circle of Procreation Trick Shot. Almost 100% sure I wouldn't have won. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirkba Report post Posted February 28, 2017 Whether you would have won or not is irrelevant...!! You completed this "master piece" - so you are a winner!! I wish my skills were that advanced. I like it a LOT!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrayHallidayJr Report post Posted February 28, 2017 (edited) 8 hours ago, dirkba said: Whether you would have won or not is irrelevant...!! You are absolutely right! It's true, I admit to a weird competitive thing. I just thought that the whole thing was funny, doomed from before I even started. A totally hopeless, unreasonable and maniacal pursuit! It ended up turning out nice. Thanks! Edited February 28, 2017 by GrayHallidayJr Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
immiketoo Report post Posted February 28, 2017 This is a fine piece, although you're right, it wouldn't have won. Neither did mine, because the winners were at such a high level in each category. I'll take it as challenge to raise my level for next year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted February 28, 2017 1 hour ago, immiketoo said: This is a fine piece, although you're right, it wouldn't have won. Neither did mine, because the winners were at such a high level in each category. I'll take it as challenge to raise my level for next year. If you didn't win with Odin, I can't imagine how good the winners looked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrayHallidayJr Report post Posted February 28, 2017 2 hours ago, immiketoo said: This is a fine piece, although you're right, it wouldn't have won. Neither did mine, because the winners were at such a high level in each category. I'll take it as challenge to raise my level for next year. Thank you! It's a big compliment coming from you. I'm going to continue to indulge this fantasy that I can one day win a free swivel knife. It starts with a lot more practice, and better planning. And when desperation prevails, open bribery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
immiketoo Report post Posted March 1, 2017 8 hours ago, bikermutt07 said: If you didn't win with Odin, I can't imagine how good the winners looked. 7 hours ago, GrayHallidayJr said: Thank you! It's a big compliment coming from you. I'm going to continue to indulge this fantasy that I can one day win a free swivel knife. It starts with a lot more practice, and better planning. And when desperation prevails, open bribery. The winning piece was amazing. As in I need to go back to school amazing. Gary, your piece is cool and whimsical and I like it. You and I will both indulge this fantasy and we will get better. I have a LOT of swivel knives, but none of them were free Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
