Blade 2024 Day 2

 Day Two started off with a whimper.

We normally park at the Cumberland Mall across two pedestrian bridges.  This morning there were 4 mall cops standing at the bridge.  So, I walked up to the them and politely asked,  “Excuse me, officers.  But is there a problem here I should avoid?”

One said the parking lot was private property and she would hate to see my car towed.  So, we moved the truck, and got one of the last 12 spaces in the paid parking deck at Cobb Galleria.  I hated to do that. But I would have hated it more if I had my vehicle towed.

The mall has huge parking areas.  Seems to me they could sell some sort of window ticket for a few bucks and assure that those cars would not be towed.  Free money, folks.

I stopped at Mickey Yurco’s table.  He has an amazing, inventive mind about knives and I ended up buying a small hatchet.  He informed me he designed it for street fighting, but hikers and campers are buying them as a cutting tool.

Hatchet not what your......

I stopped off to talk with Stephen Fowler of Fowler Blades.  He makes very sophisticated fixed blades and I very much like his approach.  Too much bling turns an elegant knife into junk.  One of his knives has a little simple file work and Stephen told me “…file work should call attention to a feature, not be the feature.”  You can find him on the internet.https://fowlerblades.com/

Back at Vosteed I fell for a Thunderbird and discovered they couldn’t sell it until 3:00 this afternoon, but they promised they would hold it for me and they did.  I also discovered that my wife bought the only green handled one that they had with them the day before.  They proudly pointed her out to the staff at the booth.

I think the blade shape, with what could be called a fuller, is icey.

Later, quite by accident I walked by and found they were giving away knives.  It was a simple system, you took a ticket, turned it over and your prize was listed on the back.  I pulled a ticket at random and found I won a Raccoon, their bestselling knife.

I might name it Rocky Raccoon, but....

I’m seeing more and more button locks on production knives.  I like that, as typically they are an easy way to unlock the knife.  In my opinion, it sets up the manufacturer for a future modification to their production line to install a coil spring and start making autos.  It also set up the possibility of someone starting a cottage industry converting button locks into autos.  We have seen this with some Boker button locks and Buck knives, especial the Buck 110.

Just as an aside, I understand Mission Knife has moved from California to Kentucky.  Oh, my!  Talk about culture shock.

Let me show you a bunch more photos to capture the flavor of the Blade Show.

Another mystery man sighting.  Does he belong on a milk carton?  I assume the large fellow next to him is his security. but I didn't see a gun print.  I went to take a photo and he ducked behind a pillar, so I stepped around on the other side.  Passive-Aggressive secret identity complex?

Fox Knives is introducing some new knives with Damacarbon, which sounds like advertising speak to me!

Interesting idea, design your pocket tool with the functions you need.  I think this is a pitch for stores like Duluth Trading.

This is Tim Rowland.  He started as a high end chef

and honed his ideas about chef knives.  While he was doing this he made very nice handles for Japanese cooking knives. They were well received and  someone handed him a chunk of steel and told him to go make the rest of the knife.  He's been doing this for about 2.5 years and you can feel the difference in balance between a Japanese chef knife and a European chief knife. 

Doug and David from Forged in Fire.  

Blade 2024 Day 1

 It’s Friday and it’s opening day for the Blade Show and as usual, the administrative side is a complete cock-up  There are no officials outside the building where the attendees are stationed organizing them.  You have the early birds, who should be inside at 10 am but seemed to be wandering around unable to find an entrance.  There are the peasants, like myself, some of which picked up their passes and should be in a line to get in.  Then there are the poor souls who need to get to the will call desk or the purchase desk to get passes.  Lacking direction there is no organization and many lines form simply because someone stopped to check their ticket.

We picked up our wrist bands the night before and with Karen’s new knee we were not about to stand in the hot Georgia morning sun while the officials played a game of switch.  That’s one thumb in your ass the other in your mouth.  You switch thumbs on command until you get a funny taste.  Some had been playing that game for a while. 

Inside, Blade Magazine eliminated any free space where there used to be chairs to sit and packed in additional booths.  It’s all about mo’ money, buddy.  A friend of ours confided their large booth cost $6K and an additional $100 for Wi-Fi.

Anyway, the knife show is amazing.

Benchmade is here, but they don’t bring catalogs or knives to sell.  “We’re on the internet,” they tell you.  “We’re not interested in that filthy green stuff called cash.”

It used to be you could find deals on new knives and some of the collectibles.  You can, but nothing is cheap.  It’s too late for you to attend this year.  Unless you know someone you can stay with, the hotels are sold out!  But next year, leave half the clothes at home, bring twice the money.  Maybe three times….

I'm too important to be bothered by the likes of you, but I want you to know that I'm important.

There are plenty of people and you’ll see all kinds. I ran in to three guys, I think, covered head to foot in either black or white fabric, wearing masks and hats.  I assume they are famous, or something, and don’t want to be bothered by fans.  But they don’t want to give up the attention either.

I like the red and blue patchy coloration on these Case knives.

You’ll find every and any kind of knife here.  I’m not a big fan of Case, but I really like some of the new handles.

I stopped at Pro Tech and bought one of the special one-of-a-kind knives. I couldn’t resist.  

ProTech SBR Micarta 

Karen found a Vosteed she couldn’t resist.

 

Vosteed Thunderbird   I like the green and black handle and so does Karen.

Here’s a few photos and comments.

The opening day crowd is light, compared to Saturday.  One vendor told me she thinks of Saturday as the buying day.

The feathers in the clear resin are striking!

Knives, knives, knives, gotta get me a whole bunch!

Keep an eye on CRKT.  They have two new autos and a line of limited production, like this Pursue.  The image can't convey how icey this knife is!

A Blade show special from Hawk Knife.  It's a clever razor blade holder.
I asked, "How much?"
Them, "475."
Me, "Just to be clear, that's four hundred and seventy-five dollars."
Them, "Yup!"

So high end, there's no price.  If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Soon to be released TOPS Knives,  They still need a little tweaking.

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But frankly, there is so much to see.  You’ll find people posting for the next six months.  If you’re not into knives, well, people-watching at Blade is a specialty. 

I can’t wait for tomorrow!