Gator Show Report Lakeland Florida

bucksway

bucksway

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After a chilly start in Ocala this morning I met David in Lakeland for the Gator Show! It was sold out and all day there was a great crowd. Virtually everyone was wearing masks and as much as possible social distancing so I felt as safe as you could be in a event like this. I was relieved about the precautions because Florida is a Covid hot spot so it just makes sense to be careful..
Gene Merritt was set up and had a incredible selection of Bucks including the only fixed blade 532 Yellowhorse that I have ever seen along with a seller who brought a huge collection from a former South Eastern retired Buck distributor that included many rare prototypes and one of one Bucks! I'll post some pics of Gene's table and his tomorrow. I wish I had brought more money..For those folks who might want to go it's open till 5:00 both Saturday and Sunday. Even though the Randall collectors club did not have it's own display area there were many to see and buy if you like them. Plus there were many Custom makers from Florida and the South East. I really should have bought more money..
Lots of Bucks for sale too as I think besides David and I 110 and 112 displays everyone else was selling. As I was setting up I turned around and 2 guys were picking up my 112's to check out..I just smiled and said "Yep they are some nice ones" Tomorrow I will post some more pictures and give you a update on the Show but so far it looks like a great success!20210129_151954.jpg 20210129_151927.jpg
 
st8yd st8yd attends every year I think.

keep posting pics of the good stuff. love to see the 532 fixed blade and whatever oddball ya run into.
 
No problem! I took more pictures of the Show but every one but the pics of my 112's was a tiny bit to large to post..David actually bought a 110 Copper frame BCCI with no blade etch and took it right over to his displays and put it in the ONE empty spot he had..As I walked around I must have seen 25 110/112 auto's both factory and aftermarket with most $150.00 and way up past that.
 
Thank you 2 gents for setting up a Buck display at this Florida show. Do you fly the banners? DM
 
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David I just have my displays but any one who shows interest I mention the Club..and the benefits. For the next one I'll be sure to at least have something to show them.
 
Good. I will have on my table some Buck catalogs, extra newsletters and applications to BCCI membership.
Other states are different but in my state we are still in lock down orders. Thus, yesterday I got the notice our show had been canceled. I did not want a refund on my table fees. So, I rolled it over to the next show and retained my same table. I've had that same table for 14 yrs.. People know where to find me. DM
 
I had a great pic of Gene's table.. but still to big. The fixed blade 532 on the top picture was still there today but I heard it was a great Show for him so far and lots of Yellowhorse knives have sold with little or no haggling over price. I'M HAGGLING for a 112 Copper frame with no etch (1 of 75) but maybe tomorrow lol! Attendance today was up over Friday and Dan seems happy with things so far. I'll try to get more pics on Sunday and for those folks nearby it's open till 5:00..David and I are the only ones displaying.
 
jbmonkey said:
st8yd st8yd attends every year I think.

keep posting pics of the good stuff. love to see the 532 fixed blade and whatever oddball ya run into.
Click to expand...

Not every year, but I do like going. I didn't figure it would happen this year with covid, so I hadn't even looked to see the dates.
Couldn't have gone today, might consider going tomorrow after church.
 
Thanks for the info as well as the pictures Clint. Looks like a great shoe. This April's Oregon knife show has already been cancelled so I guess I will have to wait until 2022. It sure would be nice to start getting back to normal.
 
Good crowds today too! I walk around and just listen to sellers and buyers talk to get a feel for the Show and how it's doing and it's been real positive so far. Lots of sales of high end Customs but the real insight is most of the expense knives never see a table. Sellers and buyers of the REALLY great knives do so before the show officially opens or as I overheard 'on the down low'. I know of one Bowie that went for over $27,000.00 and many full price Randall's that sold on Saturday. I even managed to find one for my rare odd collection! 20210131_104633.jpgI think that because of the Blade Show being cancelled last year that many high end buyers and sellers agreed to meet here.
 

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Update! The Show actually closes at 3:00. Not 5:00 today. There was only one printed schudel that said 5:00 and that's the one I seen. I apologize for not getting it correct..
 
That was a nice show. Small enough to be easy and low stress (compared to the insanity at Blade), but with a nice variety of knives to keep it interesting.

n2s
 
The Copper frame 112's all had S35VN that I consider Bucks best steel used for folders. I had 12-14 of my best 112's go missing after the 2014 Blade Show and quit active collecting till I seen the copper LE 112. I have a Joe Houser Custom Copper frame with Sanbar Stag but not the regular BCCI 112 with the etch and membership number or this one without the etch. They don't come up often for sale either..One of the highlights of the show for me was holding a $50,000.00 Gold rush era San Fransico Bowie knife Mark from Knife magazine was gracious enough to show me..If I was really 'Comfortable' I absolutely would consider collecting them! Right next to our table was a table full of rare Randall's that I spent a lot of time admiring. I still dream once in a while going to a yard sale and getting a box full lol!
Dan did a fantastic job getting the Gator Show to go on in the Covid-19 era!! The vast majority of folks who came in wore a mask and lots used hand sanitizer and tried to keep social distancing rules..I did and washed my hands every time I went in or out too. I'm still doubting the Blade Show will happen because its 10 times as big and truly international. This show and crowds RIGHT NOW is about all I feel fairly safe going too.
 
bucksway, sad to hear you lost 14-- 112's. Gives shows a bad taste. That's when our show closes on Sunday is 3 pm. Have a safe trip back home. A good supper along the way home is part of the enjoyment. Thank you for making this huge effort. DM
 
I too do not believe the Blade Show will happen this year. Question: Is there shows this year that anyone would recommend that will happen this year?
 
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