- Joined
- Sep 28, 2003
- Messages
- 1,235
There have already been some superb reviews of Blade, so I will not attempt to repeat what has already been done so well. What I do want to say however is this:
Blade 2005 was my first major show, and first US show. It was a major decision to go, holidays needed to be taken, flights and hotels paid for, baby sitters arranged, knife funds to accumulate. I made the decision to go in January and must confess to some last moment hestitation .... Were my expectations too high? Could I justify the cost? Would I end up being out of place there? Thursday night (2nd June) had not even finished and I had already answered all 3 of these questions emphatically: NO, YES
, NO!
What really made the show worth all the expense and the effort was not just the incredible knives on show, but the even more impressive generosity, comadarie, and outright enthusiasm of the people there, collectors, makers, and dealers all.
I will confess to being fortuntate enough to pick up a few nice pieces, but even more so I took home with me a renewed passion and justification for my oft maligned interest in knives. What I experienced transcended the practicalities and material issues of steel, and fully embraced the passion and appreciation of artists and craftsman at the top of their game.
I was instantly made to feel welcome, no question was too stupid, no request too much. I met people I would not have had contact with even via the forums, and finally got to shake the hands of some very special people.
I know I committed a few social misdemeanours, telling one or two people I would come back to discuss/chat and then losing track of time and space, but hopefully I will make that up.
I also witnessed first hand the strength and commitment of bodies such as the ABS, impressed by the individual and combined efforts to make sure all this continues to thrive.
So to any of you still wondering whether or not you should make the effort to get to one of the major shows ,all I can say is DO IT.
Cheers,
Stephen
Blade 2005 was my first major show, and first US show. It was a major decision to go, holidays needed to be taken, flights and hotels paid for, baby sitters arranged, knife funds to accumulate. I made the decision to go in January and must confess to some last moment hestitation .... Were my expectations too high? Could I justify the cost? Would I end up being out of place there? Thursday night (2nd June) had not even finished and I had already answered all 3 of these questions emphatically: NO, YES
, NO!What really made the show worth all the expense and the effort was not just the incredible knives on show, but the even more impressive generosity, comadarie, and outright enthusiasm of the people there, collectors, makers, and dealers all.
I will confess to being fortuntate enough to pick up a few nice pieces, but even more so I took home with me a renewed passion and justification for my oft maligned interest in knives. What I experienced transcended the practicalities and material issues of steel, and fully embraced the passion and appreciation of artists and craftsman at the top of their game.
I was instantly made to feel welcome, no question was too stupid, no request too much. I met people I would not have had contact with even via the forums, and finally got to shake the hands of some very special people.
I know I committed a few social misdemeanours, telling one or two people I would come back to discuss/chat and then losing track of time and space, but hopefully I will make that up.
I also witnessed first hand the strength and commitment of bodies such as the ABS, impressed by the individual and combined efforts to make sure all this continues to thrive.
So to any of you still wondering whether or not you should make the effort to get to one of the major shows ,all I can say is DO IT.
Cheers,
Stephen
