Chris Reeve drawing, something was off at blade show Atlanta.

[CrakkedCranium]

OK, here we go. I know people are gonna say that I’m just here to say this and ruffle feathers but it’s truly not.

As someone new to the knife world, and has spent quite a bit of money in here since I’ve been doing this. I think I have a right to my opinion of what I saw Blade show 2026.

Shirigorov pulled tickets out of a hat. Most every single person that won was not a vendor. I think maybe one vendor was drawn? Otherwise they were normal people. Maybe normal with a lot of money, especially the guys that bought the knives for $17,000, but not vendors. My buddy won an opportunity to buy one and he did.

Chris Reeves was a different animal entirely. They drew names electronically with a laptop. They had everyone scan a code to enter.

Here’s the issue that not only myself had, but the majority of the people standing around me had, including the young man that was yelling out the names. So anybody that was there knows what I’m talking about. Dude sounded like a drill sergeant!

6/7 winners were vendors or influencers. They had vendor tags on. There was only one normal person that did not have a vendor tag that won. And his name, was Depak Choopra. The individual yelling out the names, was the first one to say, WTF IS GOING ON HERE?

I was on the side with the guy, screaming the names, across from the counter that had the special knives. Anyone that was there know what I’m talking about. One individual actually went up to the Asian guy at the booth and asked him, why are all the vendors winning? He completely ignored him and walked away. That person came back to my side and said F this, this is all fixed!

Again, this is my first time at Blade show, and maybe I don’t know how things work. But from an untrained eye, this is suspect as fu..!

I’m truly not trying to cause any riff in the knife community, but as we all know, there’s a lot of corruption in this world. And maybe because you’ve been in it for so long you haven’t seen it. But I do not think a vendor should be allowed to win any of these knives. They get customs all the time and mark them up for unfathomable amounts of money. This should be for normal Joe’s, the people that go to work 10-12 hours a day and save for months to buy something.

My ticket is in the photo so you know I was there.

Again, YMMV?

 

[sgt1372]

I think your opinion re the show is a valid as anyone else who was there.

Personally, I've never been & will never go there. Just not worth the time/$ to do so.

Like buying a ticket to a FIFA, NFL or MLB game, I can buy A LOT of other stuff for what it would cost me to go there.

 

[CrakkedCranium]

I think your opinion re the show is a valid as anyone else who was there.

Personally, I've never been & will never go there. Just not worth the time/$ to do so.

Like buying a ticket to a FIFA, NFL or MLB game, I can buy A LOT of other stuff for what it would cost me to go there.

I had fun. I will definitely go again next year. In fact, I’m already planning Blade show West. I got to meet a buddy from high school I haven’t seen in 35 years which was awesome. We drank and smoked and had a good time. I met a lot of nice knife makers. Including Steve Sterling that guy can tell some stories about some custom knives.

I think if you’re into knives, you should try to make the trek at least once. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Unless your entire purpose is to go for a specific knife and you don’t even come close to it.

 

[Tsujigiri]

6/7 winners were vendors or influencers. They had vendor tags on. There was only one normal person that did not have a vendor tag that won. And his name, was Depak Choopra.

I don't know about this raffle process you're referring to, but this line stuck out to me! Apparently, someone named Deepak Chopra is a knife dealer in the bay area who's difficult to find info on. His name has come up in the auto forum a few times because he goes way back as a Microtech dealer and is listed as the designer for some of Maxace's OTF knives. From how you wrote that, I'm not sure if you're already aware of this, but it's entirely possible that all of the winners were dealers.

 

[DocJD]

Chris Reeves was a different animal entirely

Boycott them for life . Feel better ,save money !

 

[CrakkedCranium]

I don't know about this raffle process you're referring to, but this line stuck out to me! Apparently, someone named Deepak Chopra is a knife dealer in the bay area who's difficult to find info on. His name has come up in the auto forum a few times because he goes way back as a Microtech dealer and is listed as the designer for some of Maxace's OTF knives. From how you wrote that, I'm not sure if you're already aware of this, but it's entirely possible that all of the winners were dealers.

Wait, so the one guy without a vendor tag was a vendor? So you were there also? Do you agree with that what I’m saying then? So this is nothing new? We are the ones to spend money on their knives, without us they do not exist. And if they’re going to continue doing this, and people are well aware of it, then yes as someone said maybe we should boycott them for a minute let them figure their shit out?

So all 7 knives were given to vendors? Wow, just wow!

I do not own any Chris Reeves knives, I really wanted one. But this has completely turned me off from them.

 

[BP Green]

I don't know about this raffle process you're referring to, but this line stuck out to me! Apparently, someone named Deepak Chopra is a knife dealer in the bay area who's difficult to find info on. His name has come up in the auto forum a few times because he goes way back as a Microtech dealer and is listed as the designer for some of Maxace's OTF knives. From how you wrote that, I'm not sure if you're already aware of this, but it's entirely possible that all of the winners were dealers.

I wasn’t there, but I would have to think that if the majority of people who entered the raffle were dealers or influencers, then the majority of winners would reflect that. OTOH, if the majority of entries were “normal” people, hat are the chances of every winner being in the former category? If that truly is the case his beef is legitimate. Again, I’ve got no dog in the race. Just my observation.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

Just random thoughts and take themas that
While not the most likely outcome, not impossible
Also it may have been the vendors rather than CRK at the bottom of this. Possibly had all their employees entering for them.
I don't know why CRK would fix their own raffle, they could just skip the process all together.
But I was not theire

 

[John Phillips]

I’m doubtful anything nefarious is going on with the drawing, I just think the downside for CRK is too big and not even needed with the demand they have.

What does bother me quite a lot is that the previous 2 years, 2 Chris Reeve employees won 2 of the 6 knives available. You could hear an audible gasp in the crowd as they raised their hand from inside the Chris Reeve booth to claim there special knife. One of them won a smooth Zaan, . Good luck ever getting one of those.

Lotteries should be for fans attending the show that spend about $2,000 just to attend and do so with the possibility of winning a knife they would almost never have any other opportunity to own, not for employees or exhibitors/dealers.

If they want to have a special employee appreciation lottery, do it at the home office with only the employees attending.

There are some dealers already keep special models for themselves or have a friend buy them to keep up the appearance. I know this for a fact bc I’ve had multiple tell me directly.

 

[Tsujigiri]

Wait, so the one guy without a vendor tag was a vendor? So you were there also?

I wasn't there and I'm actually not familiar with these raffles at all, so can't really weigh in there. But Chopra's name keeps coming up and if it's the same guy, he's some kind of longtime industry insider.

 

[John Phillips]

I should state, and almost everyone here that knows me knows that I’m a HUGE CRK fan and collector. They are great people from the time I’ve spent talking with Tim and Anne. I don’t know them personally but both have always been extremely helpful, happy to talk, and down to earth.

This raffle “issue” is just an extremely small frustration I’ve had. They just need to go to a paper system out of a hat and only 1 person can enter for 1 chance, no proxies at all. Just copy the way Emerson does lotteries.

 

[CrakkedCranium]

I wasn’t there, but I would have to think that if the majority of people who entered the raffle were dealers or influencers, then the majority of winners would reflect that. OTOH, if the majority of entries were “normal” people, hat are the chances of every winner being in the former category? If that truly is the case his beef is legitimate. Again, I’ve got no dog in the race. Just my observation.

So they have over 30-40,000 people claimed to be in attendance and you feel the majority of that are vendors? Really? You think let’s say half, 20k were vendors? Seriously?

 

[CrakkedCranium]

I’m doubtful anything nefarious is going on with the drawing, I just think the downside for CRK is too big and not even needed with the demand they have.

What does bother me quite a lot is that the previous 2 years, 2 Chris Reeve employees won 2 of the 6 knives available. You could hear an audible gasp in the crowd as they raised their hand from inside the Chris Reeve booth to claim there special knife. One of them won a smooth Zaan, . Good luck ever getting one of those.

Lotteries should be for fans attending the show that spend about $2,000 just to attend and do so with the possibility of winning a knife they would almost never have any other opportunity to own, not for employees or exhibitors/dealers.

If they want to have a special employee appreciation lottery, do it at the home office with only the employees attending.

There are some dealers already keep special models for themselves or have a friend buy them to keep up the appearance. I know this for a fact bc I’ve had multiple tell me directly.

So in one sentence, you say you doubt anything nefarious is going on, but then in your next sentence, you say that Chris Reeves employees are winning their own merchandise? That’s not nefarious?

After reading some of the comments, you know this is happening but turn a blind eye? Why? These knives are not going to get you into the kingdom of heaven. Why do you covet these people so much and put them on such a high pedestal? They are knives, not gods. And if I’m seeing it, you’re aware of it, then it’s gone on for far too long.

I’m at a total loss right now. You all know it’s crap, but just follow along? Sounds like the state of our country politicially.

At this point, I’m so glad I find Emerson’s to be my favorite of all that I’ve bought or have seen.

 

[CrakkedCranium]

Why is this moved to the feedback section? This is general knife knowledge people should be aware of.

 

[John Phillips]

Hey buddy, welcome to the forum. You might want to slow down a little with hurling unnecessary accusations at me when I simply chimed in to give my opinion. I have no idea how you jumped to “coveting and gods” and “kingdom of heaven” language which I’ve never seen here on the forum. I suggest you read my posts again SLOWLY and CALMLY.

I think they can do their lotteries better and yes I was upset that their employees won 2 lotteries. I wish they wouldn’t allow their employees to participate. I still don’t think they’re doing anything nefarious, why would they, what’s the motive or upside for them??? Please I’m waiting…

They have 40 plus years of pretty much a perfect reputation of being a great company with great employees, a great lifetime warranty, great customer satisfaction and on and on. You come on here, say you’re not trying to start something divisive and then use extreme language with extreme views with very little actual knowledge as you yourself state you’re new to the knife community. You call for a boycott to teach them a lesson is the funniest and most delusional written statement I’ve seen on this forum in 7 years, let that sink in for a moment.

And then to show how unhinged you are you throw in a political statement.

Take a breath, just relax a little and try not to be so extreme.

Chris Reeve Knives is the gold standard in the knife world bc they’ve earned this reputation over decades and your little rant with unhinged extreme stances/accusations is pure foolishness.

 

[CrakkedCranium]

First off, I’m not unhinged. Sounds like you are. I’m sorry you don’t like my comments, but no one is hurling anything at anyone from this side. You on the other hand…..

As I stated, this is my opinion and yours may vary. But the way I saw influencers running over people to talk to Anthony marifone, definitely tells me some are star struck.

Your passive aggressive attitude telling me to calm down and such, I won’t entertain. I’m sorry if my words hurt you, but it sounds like others, including yourself are asking some questions that need to be asked. I never called for a boycott, maybe it should be you who should slow down and reread items? Your total ambition to defend them is deflecting from what you actually see yourself. Which you yourself said their employees should not be winning these raffles. Correct?

I’ll ask this, were you there?

 

[John Phillips]

I missed the lottery but I was at the show. Complete brain fart on my part.

I’m not arguing with someone I don’t know that has also has shown to be extreme and unreasonable and will not answer my question. So I’ll ask one more time.

What is the upside for them doing something “nefarious” with the lotteries and dealers? What the motive?

What I’ve noticed from attending this show for the last 6 years is that vendors/exhibitors and dealers work these lotteries to an unfair advantage by having many people enter for them, thereby significantly increasing their chances of winning. Once again, and I hope you read this slowly, I’m criticizing the way they do the lottery, does that sound like I’m 100% blinded? Good grief dude. Slow your roll.

Now, unless you answer my question, I’m done with you.

Nevermind, I’m done regardless.

 

[Anderdale]

Last year I saw 3 guys win who were not vendors. One of which was a buddy I was with. I think it’s just luck of the draw.

Sorry you didn’t win a knife OP. Go smoke one for me. Maybe watch a replay of the 250th ufc fight at the White House.

 

[Danke42]

Top Tip: Bladeshow 2027 make fake vendor name tags. Win all the draws and then sneak into the lunchroom.

Follow up: Bladehow 2028 build on success, sell lottery tickets for a draw for fake vendor name tags. Win the draw myself.

 

[Blues]

Discuss the issues and concerns, and leave off the snide remarks and judgments about other members.

CrakkedCranium , you're new here. It would serve you well to try to fit in with the community and to follow our guidelines regarding language and appropriate content in the discussion forums.