This year’s ‘Artistry in Iron’ competition, held during Las Vegas BikeFest, is loaded with talent with show-winning custom bike builders top-to-bottom.

Received an e-mail earlier this week from Las Vegas BikeFest listing the competitors in this year’s “Artistry in Iron” invitational and the caliber of talent in this year’s build-off is phenomenal. There’s a lot of prestige surrounding “Artistry in Iron.” Not only does the winner receive a fat $10,000 check, they are elected by a jury of their peers. Rick Bray of RKB Kustom Speed is going to have his hands full defending the title because everyone on this year’s list has the skills to create show-winners.

‘Artistry in Iron’ is also attended by the editors of several of the top print magazines covering the custom and cruiser scene who will each select a motorcycle for a feature spread in their respective rags. The audience also gets to vote for the People’s Choice Winner.

The winner will be announced on Saturday, October 4 at 6 p.m. in the ‘Artistry in Iron’ showcase at the Cashman Center. A list of competitors is below.

Shannon Aikua, Count’s Kustoms

Lock Baker, Eastern Fabrications

Rick Bray, RKB Custom Speed

Tim Dixon, Gas Axe Chop Shop

Daniel Donley, Pandemonium Choppers

Jason Grimes, Northeast Chop Shop                                                                                

Iliya Hamovic, Steelborn Choppers

Max Hazan, Hazan Motorworks

Dar Holdsworth, Brass Balls Cycles

Ken Nagai, Ken’s Factory

Caleb Owens, Cro Customs

Chris Phillips, Doomtown Choppers

Paul Ponkow, Bones Legacy

Chris Richardson, LA Speed Shop

Kosuke Saito, Sunrise Cycles

Aki Sakamoto, Hog Killers

Daniel Sanchez, Cut Throat Customs

Jon Shipley, Hoosier Daddy Choppers

Jesse Srpan, Raw Iron Choppers

Jimmy Todorovitch, Profile Cycles

Dalton Walker, Split Image Kustoms