I got a call from Jeff -- he got some very good stuff for me, including putting me down for a Busse Combat Gladius (custom shop satin, with green linen handles) and three ScrapZashi pre-orders (I think he said black, orange and yellow on the SZ handles), plus a black Basic 11, a new model khukri (green with tan hand shaped handles), and a tan Dog Father (to replace one that I traded recently).

The gladius will take me well over what I expected to spend, but the "first day" show special price of $997 overcame all budgetary concerns. It costs less than a MOAB, but I like it a lot more -- who says knives have to be practical? It'll be my new flagship blade.