Thank You

A

A. G. Russell

Joined
Mar 10, 2001
Messages
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I want to thank the approximatly 6,000 people who made the first day of our Grand Opening as GRAND as it could be. For almost two hours in the morning there were so many people in the show room that no one could get in and in front of the marquis of our wonderful vendors people were standing eight deep.

Those of you who came were polite to each other and to the staff. It was wonderful, if no one shows up today we will have no complaints, however we do expect another 4 or 5,000 folks to show up. Many of the vendors sold out and we had to keep carrying out knives for them to sell.

If you come today be sure and get the famous Mountain Valley Spring Water we have on ice for you. No charge, and thanks again.

A. G. & Goldie
 
Let me give you a short review of my time there. We has planned on going Sunday but other plans were made so the trip was changed to Saturday. Only stayed for a couple of hours as we had to return home, but the time there was worth the drive.

There were tons of people there and lots of car traffic coming in. AG had traffic/parking directors out keeping the cars coming and going pretty smooth....good thinking.

The heat and humidity was awful. AG however had a couple of very large tubs filled with ice and kept it stocked with bottled water that was free to whoever wanted it....great touch and good planning.

The vendor tents were very crowded but the people manning them managed to help everybody, carry on good conversations and really did a good job of keeping everything under control.

My dad and I got seperated and when I found him again he had purchased a 100 year anniversary Buck 110. We then went to where CJ Buck was sighning knives with and electric engraver/pen. He was very nice and in good spirits despite the heat. I was really looking forward to talking to him, but you know how it is when you meet somebody that you have really wanted to, all I did was stand there with a stupid grin on my face and ask if he would mind mugging for the camera....which he was happy to do....oh well, maybe next time I can carry on an intelligent conversation.

Spencer Frazer was at the SOG booth. Listening to him talk to people was a real indicator of how he feels about the knife biz. He gets pretty excited talking about knives and genuinely enjoys shooting the breeze with everybody. Really great to see that.

Most all of the vendors seemed to really enjoy being there and talking. How they managed to do that while not taking a break from the heat is beyond me.

Inside the Russell showroom was a madhouse, although under control and friendly. Dont know exactly how many sales people were behind the counter, but it was quite a few and they were all being hammered pretty hard with customers. All were polite and took the time needed to help you find what you were after. I found forumite "MAURICE" who works there and takes care of me whenever I visit, and got a Bekcer Campanion from him. He let me hold an old Loveless knife too :) Allison (did I spell that right?) was running the register...almost had to feel sorry for her as she was swamped...but kept the smile on her face where most people would have gone postal early on (she deserves a raise AG :) )

It was a great time, and all the companies there and all of AGs staff made sure everybody was taken care of and enjoyed themselves....well worth the drive. Thanks!!
 
AG, I don't know when I'll make it to your new store, but I did want to take a moment to wish you Goldie, MO and the rest of your staff the well deserved success of your business. Also to thank you for my interest in knives. I always carried a knife, but never knew there were other people interested in knives or that knives had brand names or custom makers. The start of my education came with the first knife magazines I bought, and the catalogs I ordered from them. I don't know where any of those first catalogs are, but all of yours are neatly saved. I now look forward to your e-mails and use your website as a reference source. There isn't a company I can think of to buy from with more confidence than yours.

I was fortunate enough to meet you and Goldie at last years Blade Show. I thanked you then for all of your efforts, and I thank you again.

All the best!
 
AG best of luck I wish I was close enough to stop in, but i'll just have to wait till I'm in your neck of the woods. Till than I'll have to stick with the internet and mailorder.

You probably don't remember, but I bought my first AG knife from you at the ECCKS that was the year you cut yourself at the show and had to get stitches. You had a major impact on me as far as collecting goes and I just want to say thanks.
 
Thanks, again, I estamate that at the peak yesterday we had over 1,000 people here. I know that there were at least 240 in the show room and no room for more or even to move and the other 750 people out talking to vendors. Today is much more relaxed, only about 40-50 people in the showroom. easy to talk and visit with folks. We had people from all over, many of them planned their family vacation around coming here, Alaska was the longest trip, but lots of people from ohio, illinois, California, Alabama and lots of others.

So many of them are asking about next year, Goldie is actually smiling now when asked that question, instead of snarling as she did when I asked about next year the day before the show openid.

If we can get 10,000 people over two days, as I think we have, in August at 96 degrees (today is MUCH nicer) then I think we should look at doing it again.

all the best, A. G.
 
Definitely do it again! It was an awesome day. Well worth the trip from Kansas city.
 
A yearly event like this one would be great!!

This one was very enjoyable and well organized.

Only wish I could have stayed longer.
 
Wow, that's a lot of knifenuts. Glad to hear it was a success AG!

Kevin
 
A.G., Congratulations on the new opening. With what you and Goldie have done over the years for the knife industry it is us who should be thanking you. Plus you got Maurice "off the streets" :D. I think the young man will represent your company well.
Gus
 
Great event A.G.! Went there today with my wife and my nephew. Wow, I couldn't believe the number of people that were there! We talked to all of the reps that were there, we even got to handle (fondle? ;) ) the new Benchmade 921! My wife now wants one for Christmas! Went in the showroom and said hi to MAURICE and Allison, then stopped by Bob Dozier's booth. WOW!! I've lived in this part of the state for 10 years and have never met the Doziers until today, but I've read all the different threads about how nice they are and how great they are to deal with. Well, all of you folks are so right. Bob was cracking up my wife with his jokes and attitude in general. And then.....Bob invited everyone to go tour his shop!!!

That was awesome! He showed us the main shop plus his smaller shop where he builds the folders. All in all, a great day!

Thanks to both A.G. and Bob Dozier!

Flinx
 
Wow! I got to hang around for almost 3 hours! Met Dozier, Pete Gerber, D'Holder, Fred Durio, and representatives from so many makers! It was neat seeing all the new stuff coming out. I just gotta have the new Leek from Kershaw. Awesome! Just wish I had a digi-cam.

Thanks for the H2O, A.G. I would have died without it. I say, do it again next year! (this time order some better weather;))

DD
 
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