I was at blade west this morning. the show was much smaller then I pictured and the busse presence is less than blade. the dogs who said it were right. there was no ratmandus or howling rats. the biggest surprise is that not one scrap yard knife was there. ther were a lot of hacks and a couple of a few other models. I might head back tomorrow and see if the selection is different. when I got there just before 11 am and bought a chopweiler I heard there was at least one ak and swamp wardens but they sold. I bought a chopweiler and met skunk and joules360. the busse desk wasn't too busy but it was the busiest booth there.

wow, thanks scrappy for that update <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I didn't see any bussemuk. sounds like that was a rumor.

WD, are you going to blade tomorrow?
when I left there was one sfno and one sarsquatch left. I assume they restock at some point?

Thanks for the update. You got yourself and awesome blade.

we visited horse tail falls and multnomah falls. there is a lot of beautiful scenery here. we may drive to the ocean today. also I enjoyed the custom knife maker booths. ther was one that specialized in large outdoor knives. 5/16 thick differntially treated 5160. he had A golok, khuk, sax and more. seiger knives? I will look at them again when I go tomorrow.

I can't say how Blade West works, but for Knob Creek they bring boxes labeled for each of the days; each morning they break out that day's boxes. When they're sold, that's it for the day. Last Spring, I was there for the opening bell and got first grabs at what I came for (SAR5s). There was nothing but CG scraps left after the first hour, although the Custom tables remained quite full (the KC crowd seems fairly resistant to fancy handles, exotic grinds, and their associated prices). I hesitate mentioning this as bare as the cupboards currently are, but I recall that Dogfathers sat on the table for quite a while -- I believe that some were still waiting for adoption when I left.

I took Friday as vacation (as I will do again) and spent more than I intended that first morning, so I didn't go back Saturday or Sunday. I've heard that Blade (East) has such frenzies that they've tried several approaches to distribution, including tossing cards that authorize the bearer to buy a specific knife -- if you catch a card you can buy that knife, or you can try to trade with somebody else if you want a different knife. Then, they toss more cards in an hour or so -- if you don't catch any cards, no knives for you.

The scenario you describe, Jim, is reminiscent of our dog bowls. I'm reminded of when I and my brothers were little and we all wanted the same toy at the same time and fair play went out the window! There is nothing dull about this blade game, don't you know...

I'll be there bro, around noon-ish I hope. I'll be wearing a white polo style shirt, unless I spill coffee on it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

look for a really big guy with big eyes! (drooling)

Thanks, Scrappy.
For the report and the proxy scouring.

I appreciate your efforts on my/our behalf.

Thanks again.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I can't speak for Blade West, but Garth and some of the Busse gals, plus Eric from Swamp Rat are usually at Knob.

Hope BLade West isnt a disappointment for you guys. Get something cool!