Finish up photos.
All the way from Germany, Mr. Haebbie himself, at the factory store teaching German to the ladies behind the counter.
Rich Neyman's seminar on Buckmaster's and Tactical knives
Karen Hood's seminar on Survial knives
Knife swap, BCCI auction, Rusty's book sales and Buck family blade signing.
Group Photo, needed a wider lens.
OK, someone wanted some comments:
For me it was a different 25 th from the 20 th duh, I had been there once. When you come to one for the first time you are in a daze, here I am at the Buck Factory, I am going out on tour of the factory floor, Joe Houser is standing here speaking to me, Chuck and CJ are signing knives. Catered lunchs - all right. Going to the Bucks house for a picnic - awesome....... this time I had been there before, had photo duties, and was giving two seminars. I collect old Buck knives so the knife swap would be my primary knife interest but I was going to be auctioneer also. So you see I was busy. But I really enjoyed being around those of you who were dazed. Also was proud to see some young folks, there is the future.......To the see the excitement the friendliness, to see folks wanting you to open the top of their heads and pour knowledge in. It made me feel good. I always enjoy pizza lunch, it is catered by a mobile truck pizza oven and is made more big city style than the chain store pizza I am use to. They use BCCI Frisbees for plates and since no young folks are a part of my family, I am keeping mine till they become collectors items....ha. I enjoyed my hotel buffet breakfasts with different people, it was eat a bite, discuss the upcoming day and then get with it. Thanks Tim for being my morning driver the whole event. I enjoyed going over to Cabelas the day after event was over and had a nice sandwich in there café.
I sat thru every seminar to listen and take a photo, so did not get to go on a factory tour. I looked down at the floor thru observation deck windows once and it looked like a big fancy factory you see on TV. The cruise was a little rough for me in the beginning because I was waiting out in front of the building trying to help people find the boat. But got to sit and chat as we boated with Sheriff Rusty and Marj. At the knife swap and sale I did have a few minutes and found one knife, a 301 with two sheepsfoot blades , stated to be one of 15 made special order for a whittling club. Was showing it to CJ who had never seen it and dang if he didn't cut the tip of his finger. I felt bad. Joe didn't remember it either but said it 'could' have happened. Will show it soon on the Sunday Photo Thread. I only wished I had bought one knife, one of the Boone and Crockett stag 301 Blems on sale in the factory store. I just didn't pay attention till too late, as Stumps has shown the title BLEM is hard pressed to find. Let me inject here the gals in the factory store were great the whole event. Kind hearted and ready to try to sell you that special knife. A tip of the hat to them.
The banquet dinner was well cooked, even my wife found the meat to be perfectly cooked to her liking. Rare event.....ha. As always my favorite seminar is listening to David Yellowhorse tell stories of knife making. Also enjoyed Heath Stones on older Buck History. Got to sit down with a few folks and hoped I was a good conversationalist. I tried to give concise information in my seminars and be as entertaining as I can be, I go into a trance at the beginning of the presentations, followed by profuse sweating and when its over I am never sure of what I said or how much time has passed.
The picnic was cool and rainy but well attended and enjoyed the time we had at the Buck house. Appreciated their special efforts for us.
All in all an enjoyable but quickly over event. I feel for Larry, Joe and the other main planners. If I was trying to do their job I would have lost the little hair I have remaining over worry. Thanks and praise to those folks. I can say on for certain, if I fly to the 30th, I am only going to book a airline route that uses the Airbus company planes, they have more space in the asiles and seats than the Boeings do.....ch/300
