Blade Show West Comparison

RWS

RWS

Joined
Jul 10, 2003
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I've been to only two knife shows, both of which are here in Southern California.
One of these shows is Blade Show West.

This show is coming up again in a couple weeks and I was curious about two things.

First, for those that have been to other shows, how does this show compare to other shows across the country in terms of size and turnout as it relates to CUSTOM knife collecting?

Second, Which of you will be going to this years Blade Show West?
 
I have only attended 3 venues in my brief collecting career: OKCA in Eugene (several times), NWKCA show in Puyallup, WA (3 times) and Bladewest last year for the first time... And I don't expect to make it this year...
Because I felt it was way too small to drive from Seattle to southern Cal.. and way too limited in it's attractions. I think the Eugene show has totally spoiled me for any show except maybe Blade in Atlanta. There are so many fine makers who attend Eugene, from Cal, that I was really expecting a lot last year... maybe I was expecting too much? Anyway, I felt there weren't a lot of makers there as compared to the commercial outfits, of which I think there were more than there were at Eugene.
Don't get me totally wrong, though... if I lived in CA, I'd be there in a flash, and I'd go to BACKA, too! And Reno... although I may do Reno next year even if I have to drive from Seattle... and maybe Montana, too, as I've missed it two years runnin' due to work... and OVERSPENDING at Eugene! :eek:
 
I'm going to the West show. Since it's being held about 10 - 15 minutes away from where I live (Rancho Cucamonga). Can't wait :D

This will be my first show. Only bad thing is that week my bills are due so I won't be able to buy anything. :grumpy:

It's alright. I have a Dominator arriving next wednesday and ordered a Large Unique Sebenza (long overdue) today. :D

Looks like pasta and bread are on the menu for the next month. :barf:

eb
 
I will be making it to Blade West , room is already booked .
I will also make Vegas Classic as I am already here .

Bewshy : Pasta and bread ?? wait til you get to have Ramen everyday ...then you got it bad ( Ramen its an aquired taste and really aint bad for $.45 ) :D
 
Blade West is significantly smaller then Blade East. Blade West is bigger then many regional shows I have been too.

Blade West is well worth a drive of 500 or so miles if you like custom knives.

If you haven't guessed already, I'll be there :eek:
 
Blade Slow Weat is one of my favorite shows! You have time to visit and get to know makers and enthusiasts one on one whithout all the pressure of the larger shows. A lot of those who visit are serious students of knives.

Joe Szilaski, Bill Burke and I will be there. Stop by and say Hello.

Take Care
 
If I lived close by I would be there with bells on. Come to think of it, that probably wouldn't be a very good idea; might scare everybody away.
smilie_schreck.gif
 
I'll be there. I've been to BW about 3 times, and some other smaller local shows a couple times. BW is a great show, decent sized with lots of great makers and distributors. Haven't been to any shows outside of CA though.
 
Its a great show, been to the last three or four of them.Big but not huge, I'll be there.Come see me and my knives at table D7.
Thanks!
Matt
 
Blade West is a pretty cool show.. This year its at a new venue, and may be the shot in the arm it needed... I will be at the MD Tactical tables on the main entry isle.. We will have some SHivworks stuff there, and will be having a Shivworks (Shivworks.com) demo Sat. at 4pm in the seminar room.. See you guys there!..
 
I am looking foward to hangin' with the SoCal wrecking crew.........


Will plan on getting some sleep after I get home!!! :p :rolleyes: :p
 
I enjoyed the Blade West Show last year so much that I'm flying out again from Kansas this year to pick up a couple knives and meet some cool people!
 
Originally posted by the45guy
little more than a week til Blade West festivities begin....:D
Click to expand...
Oh yeah! I'm in desperate need of a KSF (knife show fix)! I've been going through withdrawals for the last seven months. The last show I attended was the Buena Park Show in February, I believe.

The knifemaker Bob Lay, who will have a table, is bringing my big Bowie knife I ordered. What a treat! And for fun, and to piss off my wife even more ;), I might buy another one to boot! :p

Then, in just a few more weeks after that, I'll be getting my other Bowies from Dan Winkler and Jim Walker. That's assuming I'm not completely broke by then.

I've convinced my wife that the kids do not need to go to college.:D
 
Bottom line any show with custom knifemakers hanging out is worth attending if you have the time.
 
Even though I may have sounded like I was panning Bladewest... I totally second the Bastid - "any show with custom knifemakers hanging out is worth attending..." And this show, due to it's size (unlike the Eugene show which can be too big for relaxed interaction!) is great for really meeting these guys!
Y'all have fun this year!
 
Bastid, I agree. I went to the Eugene show for the first time this year and was totally impressed. Would go to the Blade West if it wasn't so far away.
 
I have gone to the last 4 Blade Wests and am looking forward to this one. I just never know which day to go and usually end up there the first day.

I know there are benefits to going the first day and also some for being there the last day but if you could only pick one day which one would you go to? if you had a choice that is.

this goes for any show.

thanks,

Mike

P.S. Anyone have any vip passes they would like to share. If so send me an email.

thanks.
 
We'll be there Saturday sniffing out old 'Randall Made' knives and the like. Also, Charlie Davis of Anza Knives gave me a sack of his latest goodies today to take up there for 'show & tell'...

I should be pretty easy to spot if you're interested, I'm about 4'10", 450 lbs, with red eyes and blue hair... ;)

See ya there, or not...

Mel
 
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