Clay
Balisong forum Moderator
- Joined
- Jul 15, 1999
- Messages
- 871
OK, lets see if I can sum up some of the weekend happenings for you guys.
I got off the plane Friday morning (after only 2 1/2 hours sleep)
and met Chuck face to face for the first time. We took care of the rent-a-car and hotel crap, and were off to lunch and Benchmade.
Benchmade was a great experience! We were taken upstairs (a work in progress) at which time an announcement was made. "Anyone wanting to see the Balisong Demo, come upstairs". I expected 6 people or so............. the place was packed in 5 minutes. What a rush! All the people that play an integral part in designing, and assembling our favorite toys came up to see Chuck and I. We were celebrities, no kidding. We each stood up in front and did what we do (manipulation and comedy), and they loved it. I guess it's not often they get to see what actually happens to their products when they get into the public's hands.
Next was a little Q&A session with the employees. It was great to help them understand what it is we like in a Balisong and why. (I don't know why, but I just assumed they were all Balisong
masters............ Duh!). Some great Ideas were thrown around, so don't be surprised if you see some awesome additions to the
line-up in the future.
Oh, and did I mention they presented me with not one, but two, mint Model 45s??? You can see pics on my other post. Theres also a Model 42 on the way to me as we speak (#69). (Thank-you Travis, Vance, and everyone else!!!!!!!!!). The catch is, I have to beat the crap out of it and report my findings. NO PROBLEM!
Touring the facility was next. You'd never believe what goes into putting all those different model knives together. I don't want to say too much about what I saw, as some of it was very industry sensitive. Suffice it to say I was floored by the CAD modeling and the laser cutters. These guys are on the cutting edge of technology.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After BM was a trip to Northwest Knives and Collectables. This place was phenomenal. Visit their site for more:
http://www.nwknives.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday night was spent entertaining the waitress' at the local OutBack steak house.......... suffice it to say, they won't soon forget us!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now to the show.......... Ah, the show. What can you say about 420+ tables FULL of some of the most incredible stuff you'll ever
see. Imagine everything (knife related) you could ever want under one roof. That was the show.
Customs, art pieces, swords, sheaths, Balis, scale materials, damascus, vintage pocket knives, straight razors, you name it and
it was there.
I got to see some of the Greats of the custom world. Though I didn't talk to any because I'm not really into the technical side of knives, just a user and abuser. I did talk a bit with Bernard Levine though. He's a great guy, and has probably forgotten more about knives than any of us will ever know in our lifetimes. The man is astounding!
Prices on a lot of the custon knives were WAY up there...... beautiful though they were...... Yeow, those prices were frightening.
Our Demo went well. There were quite a few people in the room I'm happy to say (some BM employees wanted an encore performance).
Chuck and I agreed beforehand that our focus should be on educating the knife public and making them aware of the Balisong, Not just showing off our stuff. I was surprised at how many people were totaly unaware of the Balisong. I think we succeded in changing that.
Kelly Worden followed us with a Demo that justifies his reputation as "The Man" when it comes to knife fighting and defense. Chuck and I both had a chance to talk with him and both came away in awe. I'd tell you more about him......... but then
I'd have to kill ya' (LOL)
The rest of the day saw Chuck and I entertaining people from a table we were trying to relax at (and walking around a little more). Bob Mikus (very nice guy) was hanging with us, and we had quite a comedy act going for awhile there. We even gave some lessons to a few kids (they caught on quick!) and expressed or views on the Balisong to anyone and everyone that would listen.
I flew out on Sunday morning, so I couldn't join Chuck for Sunday's Demo. He'll have to fill you guys in on that part.
------------------
Clay
www.balisongxtreme.com
Because......
getting 'em open
is half the fun!
I got off the plane Friday morning (after only 2 1/2 hours sleep)
and met Chuck face to face for the first time. We took care of the rent-a-car and hotel crap, and were off to lunch and Benchmade.
Benchmade was a great experience! We were taken upstairs (a work in progress) at which time an announcement was made. "Anyone wanting to see the Balisong Demo, come upstairs". I expected 6 people or so............. the place was packed in 5 minutes. What a rush! All the people that play an integral part in designing, and assembling our favorite toys came up to see Chuck and I. We were celebrities, no kidding. We each stood up in front and did what we do (manipulation and comedy), and they loved it. I guess it's not often they get to see what actually happens to their products when they get into the public's hands.
Next was a little Q&A session with the employees. It was great to help them understand what it is we like in a Balisong and why. (I don't know why, but I just assumed they were all Balisong
masters............ Duh!). Some great Ideas were thrown around, so don't be surprised if you see some awesome additions to the
line-up in the future.
Oh, and did I mention they presented me with not one, but two, mint Model 45s??? You can see pics on my other post. Theres also a Model 42 on the way to me as we speak (#69). (Thank-you Travis, Vance, and everyone else!!!!!!!!!). The catch is, I have to beat the crap out of it and report my findings. NO PROBLEM!
Touring the facility was next. You'd never believe what goes into putting all those different model knives together. I don't want to say too much about what I saw, as some of it was very industry sensitive. Suffice it to say I was floored by the CAD modeling and the laser cutters. These guys are on the cutting edge of technology.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After BM was a trip to Northwest Knives and Collectables. This place was phenomenal. Visit their site for more:
http://www.nwknives.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday night was spent entertaining the waitress' at the local OutBack steak house.......... suffice it to say, they won't soon forget us!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now to the show.......... Ah, the show. What can you say about 420+ tables FULL of some of the most incredible stuff you'll ever
see. Imagine everything (knife related) you could ever want under one roof. That was the show.
Customs, art pieces, swords, sheaths, Balis, scale materials, damascus, vintage pocket knives, straight razors, you name it and
it was there.
I got to see some of the Greats of the custom world. Though I didn't talk to any because I'm not really into the technical side of knives, just a user and abuser. I did talk a bit with Bernard Levine though. He's a great guy, and has probably forgotten more about knives than any of us will ever know in our lifetimes. The man is astounding!
Prices on a lot of the custon knives were WAY up there...... beautiful though they were...... Yeow, those prices were frightening.
Our Demo went well. There were quite a few people in the room I'm happy to say (some BM employees wanted an encore performance).
Chuck and I agreed beforehand that our focus should be on educating the knife public and making them aware of the Balisong, Not just showing off our stuff. I was surprised at how many people were totaly unaware of the Balisong. I think we succeded in changing that.
Kelly Worden followed us with a Demo that justifies his reputation as "The Man" when it comes to knife fighting and defense. Chuck and I both had a chance to talk with him and both came away in awe. I'd tell you more about him......... but then
I'd have to kill ya' (LOL)
The rest of the day saw Chuck and I entertaining people from a table we were trying to relax at (and walking around a little more). Bob Mikus (very nice guy) was hanging with us, and we had quite a comedy act going for awhile there. We even gave some lessons to a few kids (they caught on quick!) and expressed or views on the Balisong to anyone and everyone that would listen.
I flew out on Sunday morning, so I couldn't join Chuck for Sunday's Demo. He'll have to fill you guys in on that part.
------------------
Clay
www.balisongxtreme.com
Because......
getting 'em open
is half the fun!
