EKS ( European Knife Show) 2024

European Knife Show 2024

The seventh edition of the European Knife Shows (EKS) in Strasbourg, on 3 and 4 February this year, had a few surprises. Not in the venue (the same as last year), not in the high quality of the knives on display, nor in the impeccable organization – the biggest surprise was the large number of first-time participants. Comparison of the exhibitor lists of 2023 and 2024 showed almost thirty new names.
 
Text and pictures: Bas Martens

The major room of the Strasbourg Hilton shortly after the opening of the EKS 2024.

With around 100 tables and 1,000 visitors, the two-day European Knife Show in Strasbourg is one of the larger European Shows, and one of the best organised – we have said that before, and we will repeat it again.
This year’s edition has a surprisingly large number of “first timers” – at the EKS that is, because quite a few of the new names on the exhibitor list have been long-time knife makers. Apparently, the Strasbourg reputation made them curious, which is a good thing. Every knife show needs its “hardcore” exhibitors – those that attract their regular customers and are often sold out in a few hours. But apart from them, the public also wants something new.
On of these “first timers” made my day, with the following story: Being a long time knife maker, one of his knives had been pictured in a previous edition of European Blades Mag. A fan of his work had seen that photograph, and had noticed that the knife maker would be attending the EKS show – with that particular knife on his table! Needless to say, it was sold immediately. Isn’t that great?
 
Just as last year, 100 exhibitors is far more than we can show here. We have made a selection, with some emphasis on the first time participants. The photographs on the following pages will show the great diversity in models, styles and materials, and the generally high quality of the workmanship.
The organisation awarded a number of prizes, in five different categories. The winners are:
 
Best folder: Bruno Cappuccio
Best fixed blade: Hans Luiken
Best kitchen knife: Joel Matter (Forge Elidor) He also won the prize for best fixed blade in 2023.
Best Innovation: Olivier Lamy (Skua Coutellerie)
Special Jury Award: Joël Alexanian (Le Foyer Ardent)
 
The next edition of the EKS will be announced in time on their website: www.euroknifeshow.com, available in English, French and German.

The winners of the EKS jury awards. From left to right: Joël Alexanian, Olivier Lamy, Joël Matter and Hans Luiken. Bruno Capuccio was not present at the award ceremony.

“Hypnotic Cells” by Andrea Paini. The blade and bolster are Damask by Ettore Giaferrari, the handle is Aluminium honeycomb with black Resin. Overall length is 174 mm.