Blade Show 2021

[The Whip]

Great report, thanks!

I appreciate the kudos. I was surprised more Blade Forums folks weren't in attendance and already passing along information before I got back on. Apparently, even the forums are relics now. Several people at the show told me I need to join Instagram for the latest knife updates. I don't think so....

Some random comments based on your post and pictures...

It's kind of disappointing (and perhaps telling) that the 2021 catalogs didn't mention the anniversary year. I see it as further confirmation that the new owners really don't understand what the company and it's fans are about.

The prices in the pictures are insane. In my industry, trade show prices are generally lower than you can find elsewhere. Perhaps the knife industry is different. None the less, $500 for a San Mai Warcraft is silly. The other prices in the photos are high as well.

Hand written price labels? If you are gonna offer yourself to the world as a high-end manufacturer, asking $500 for a production knife, print the labels.

I agree with all of your points, especially about prices. In past years, show pricing was more reasonable, with most vendors (including Cold Steel) offering very good "show specials" on some items. This year, almost no manufacturers were offering prices below retail. Many had special edition knives just for the show, but you paid through the teeth for them. (Microtech was still the exception. They always have a great deal on the show model.) This was definitely not the year for bargains. I think everyone was trying to make up for last year, but sticking it to customers is not the way to accomplish that!

Why do I see piles of food and garbage in the background? Very unprofessional. I was sad to read that the new Cold Steel employees don't know their products or seem to care.

You are right, of course, but Blade Show has consistently been terrible when it comes to providing places to eat. In years past, Cold Steel's space had a curtained-off area behind the booth where employees could escape the crowds. This year, the setup was smaller and more minimalist--another indicator of the new management's approach, I guess.

$160 for a Warcraft in 4034SS?

Bear in mind that's retail, and it's for the XL model. The execution was flawless. At street prices, these will be a bargain.

Did any of the former Cold Steel employees have anything to say about how the sale went down?

Yes. I won't go into details because they didn't offer many and they were speaking to me one man to another, not really for public dissemination. Also, depending on who's talking, there is conflicting information.

But the upshot is this: The sale was not handled as well as it could have been. With very few exceptions (e.g., Mike Wallace), Cold Steel employees were not offered jobs at GSM. Lynn's handling of the buyout alienated pretty much everyone at Cold Steel.

As always, there are two sides to every story, and truth generally lies in the middle. But I came away from my conversations quite disappointed with what was said about Lynn as an employer.


-Steve

 

[Chris_Texas]

I appreciate the kudos. I was surprised more Blade Forums folks weren't in attendance and already passing along information before I got back on. Apparently, even the forums are relics now. Several people at the show told me I need to join Instagram for the latest knife updates. I don't think so....



I agree with all of your points, especially about prices. In past years, show pricing was more reasonable, with most vendors (including Cold Steel) offering very good "show specials" on some items. This year, almost no manufacturers were offering prices below retail. Many had special edition knives just for the show, but you paid through the teeth for them. (Microtech was still the exception. They always have a great deal on the show model.) This was definitely not the year for bargains. I think everyone was trying to make up for last year, but sticking it to customers is not the way to accomplish that!



You are right, of course, but Blade Show has consistently been terrible when it comes to providing places to eat. In years past, Cold Steel's space had a curtained-off area behind the booth where employees could escape the crowds. This year, the setup was smaller and more minimalist--another indicator of the new management's approach, I guess.




Bear in mind that's retail, and it's for the XL model. The execution was flawless. At street prices, these will be a bargain.




Yes. I won't go into details because they didn't offer many and they were speaking to me one man to another, not really for public dissemination. Also, depending on who's talking, there is conflicting information.

But the upshot is this: The sale was not handled as well as it could have been. With very few exceptions (e.g., Mike Wallace), Cold Steel employees were not offered jobs at GSM. Lynn's handling of the buyout alienated pretty much everyone at Cold Steel.

As always, there are two sides to every story, and truth generally lies in the middle. But I came away from my conversations quite disappointed with what was said about Lynn as an employer.


-Steve

Thanks.