Thoughts From Blade Show

[Halfneck]

I was very interested visiting the Italian manufacturers this time around and made a special point of seeking them out. I bought a lionSteel knife at their booth. It was no bargain.

What Lionsteel knife did you get? They had a new Navaja looking slipjoint that was outstanding.

 

[22-rimfire]

Halfneck I looked at their fixed blades quite a bit but honestly have no present need. I like their modern traditionals a lot and picked up the Bestman model with a single blade. It is 3.75" closed (Ti and M390) and fits me. I originally was interested in the two blade version, but after handling them, I felt they were a bit chunky (thick to be sure > two springs) and pretty much knew I would never carry one of them over the stuff I already own. Lionsteel I don't believe has done two blade traditionals to this point and I think they are learning.

They have a very interesting modern "slip joint" (ish) (metal sides) with a clip that is quite nice and priced around $250. I wasn't prepared for that kind of purchase. Not sure what they are calling it. It obviously is not a slip joint or a traditional knife.

I'm a pretty simple knife guy.... I keep handling my purchases from the show at home and keep going back to the inexpensive Condor Mayflower (~3" fixed blade) in 440C. I ignored it up until the show and it is quite nice along the lines of the White River Backpacker Pro (without the choil) but with thinner steel and should be very slicey. White River has a knife they call the "small game knife" and I REALLY like it. I will probably buy one down the road a bit.

 

[Triton]

I thought it was a great show again as it always is. Although there are still the tables full of junk as a general statement I can't help thinking that quality keeps going up. High end items keep getting nicer (and more expensive) but lower end items keep improving as well.

Things that were great:

I got to spend quite a lot of time talking to Paul Jarvis (holy crap 26,000 dagger sitting on his table this year). Kevin Cashen (well deserved B.R. Hughes award) and full of good stories about filming an episode of "a craftsman's legacy" and Vince Evans (award for best sword at the show with a STUNNING schiavona which I'm fortunate had already sold.

Things that were a bummer:

Line to purchase tickets. It didn't take that long but it seems like they have made the process less efficient rather than more efficient.

Rain killed a lot of the outside demos which was a bummer because I had brought friends with me that would have enjoyed those.

The bali-kids were back in force. They need to have a "special" flipping zone where they can do their thing and hurt themselves if they want to. Someone NOT involved is going to get hurt at some point and there will be hell to pay.

Things that were weird:

The people that can't figure out the difference between a knife show and a ren faire. Guys, you really don't need to to dress up in your kilt or as a ninja... it just reeks of "look at me." Ladies, although I appreciate your assets dressing up as a comic book character in a room full of mostly guys seems a bit desperate don't you think?

 

[WillB]

I thought it was a great show again as it always is. Although there are still the tables full of junk as a general statement I can't help thinking that quality keeps going up. High end items keep getting nicer (and more expensive) but lower end items keep improving as well.

Things that were great:

I got to spend quite a lot of time talking to Paul Jarvis (holy crap 26,000 dagger sitting on his table this year). Kevin Cashen (well deserved B.R. Hughes award) and full of good stories about filming an episode of "a craftsman's legacy" and Vince Evans (award for best sword at the show with a STUNNING schiavona which I'm fortunate had already sold.

Things that were a bummer:

Line to purchase tickets. It didn't take that long but it seems like they have made the process less efficient rather than more efficient.

Rain killed a lot of the outside demos which was a bummer because I had brought friends with me that would have enjoyed those.

The bali-kids were back in force. They need to have a "special" flipping zone where they can do their thing and hurt themselves if they want to. Someone NOT involved is going to get hurt at some point and there will be hell to pay.

Things that were weird:

The people that can't figure out the difference between a knife show and a ren faire. Guys, you really don't need to to dress up in your kilt or as a ninja... it just reeks of "look at me." Ladies, although I appreciate your assets dressing up as a comic book character in a room full of mostly guys seems a bit desperate don't you think?

They seemed harmless enough, but they looked ridiculous and wearing every knife, sword, and battle ax you own to a knife show makes you look like a flaming idiot.

 

[ßäD ßöß]

I went for the first time this year, had a blast. It was cool seeing all the knife makers like Rick Hinderer, Emerson, etc
We got a burr king belt sander for future sharp things, got some stabilized wood. Didn’t come home with any steel though unfortunately. The Bali guys were kinda weird too just flipping in a circle. And the guys in the kilts were pretty funny

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Was my first year going, and i had a blast.
Bali kids...my story...i made a 20 hour drive with my lovely, understanding wife to attend bladeshow this year. While we were standing in line to get our wristbands, a group of kids behind us were playing with their bali’s. Neat. Until. Wham! I felt a bali slam into the back of my calf and hit the floor.
Now as most of you know by now, im generally a very nice guy, and as helpful as i can be...but...
when that bali hit my leg, i didnt even look down. I turned to the kid and said “That better not have been sharp.”
Then i looked down...
Are you kidding?!! How lucky am i...only kid in the group with a trainer!! Lol.
I like bali’s but there is a time and a place.

Now that being said, the show was amazing! I spent a lot of time with Mr. Lake, Andre Thorburn and Micheal Raymond. These guys not only make the Cream of the Crop, but are absolutely amazing guys. I got to make a little video with Gareth Bull, and chat with his brother as well.
I left with a couple blades, but im not much to brag.

I will be making that trek again to blade. Was a great time and a great vacation. Amazing to see friends again.

Moral if the story: My happiness would have been greatly disturbed if that bali had of been sharp. Lol.

Thanks for listening!