Just got back from the Cambridge, Ohio show- and had a heck of a great time.
This was my first real show, so maybe I'm just easily impressed, but I was totally blown away by all the incredible work there. You know, browsing around the internet is one thing- but seeing the maker's work in person is something completely different. As "Kevin" mentioned in the community forum- total sensory overload.
I wanted to post in here a big thanks to Darrel Ralph. Yeah, we all know him and love him (awwwww...), but it's worth mentioning again how much of a friendly and approachable guy he is. I could not be more happy with the small Apogee I picked up from him today. I'm a self-confessed "groupie" of Darrel's work, and it's a real treat to see how his designs have evolved. I got my first Apogee, geez, like a year and half or two years ago, and although that was a great knife, this one is refined even further. Kudos Darrel on a job well done. Anyone else that went to the show get to see the new folder collaboration with Wilson Tactical? Wow.
In addition to Darrel's stuff, Theuns Prinsloo had some mind-bendingly cool pieces as did A.T. Barr and Jimmy Lile. I had a great conversation with John Fraps of Cougar Creek Knives, whose gent's model folders were whispering sweet nothings to my wallet. Great prices as well! Before this show, I had not even heard of Cougar Creek... my loss.
So many cool knives, and so many cool people. I could get used to these shows...now when's the next one?
Firebat