I met Amy, Lexi, of course Garth, Drew and the rest of the crew again. I got some very cool stuff and will post pics soon -- possibly not tomorrow as I hear it's going to rain and I prefer to take pics in natural light.

The sort-of good news that there were SS4s, but I only saw two and was only able to get one, so apologies to those who hoped I could get one for them, but that one's mine. It's unusual compared to the originals in that the blade is tanker rather than black, and it's not marked as being INFI, although Garth assured me that it is.

The very good news was that there were many Mud Puppy CGs -- they're coated even though the blades are 154CM (I'm not sure why). They were priced at a mere $59.95 each. I went a bit over board on them, but I was there, they were there, and 11 of them followed me home.

There were Scrapper 5 CGs, Dumpster Mutt CGs, Cupidvores, a few SoDs and Dog Fathers, and even a couple Yard Hooks. I think all of the hooks sold, and perhaps the Dog Fathers, although I wasn't paying a lot of attention by the time I left.

My Busse Combat acquisitions were two Jack Hammers (both sage with black paper Micarta handles), two SFNOs (one muddy, one 'bama clay, both with hand-shaped tiger hide LE handles), and one SarSquatch ('bama clay with tan canvas Micarta).

Jeff and his wife were there. There were lots of familiar folks there, and the cheesecake and pizza was good. It was especially great to meet Amy, who I have spoken with on the phone many times.

Nice scores! Can't wait to see the pics of your haul.

Great report! Thanks Jim.

Looking forward to pics, pricing and description of the ss4. Perhaps a sign of things to come?

It is interesting that the puppies are coated 154cm...guessing just ease of mfg and willingness of the big dog to bring a CG model!! Very cool!!

Did they have any scrapper 6? I have been wanting a new one and you never see them on the secondary market.

Wow, great scores Jim. Glad you were able to get at least SOME of what you wanted. I wanted an SS4 BAD, but now I am warming up to My Muppy and don't think I really need one, BUT if one came along at a stealing price I might think about it. Oh and Yeah, can't wait for the pics!

They didn't have any Scrapper 6s or Swamp Rat M6s; I was proxying for someone who wanted one of each. I wasn't able to do that, but I added a Mini Uncle Mojo in Moss with Tan Micarta to the rest of his stuff. It wasn't on his list, but I think he'll like it -- Amy will verify that he wants it before she sends his order.

Thanks for he report- next best thing to being there!

That SS4 will need it's own display case! Very cool buy!

Nice score on the SS4, I thought that's what was in the preview pic. Maybe someday I will have a chance at one at Yard pricing. Till then it's just drool.

Was there any gossip around why the SS4's were produced / offered? Is it a sign? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

I SOOOOO want one!

I'll start with a close-up of the Mud Puppy CG markings:


And follow up with my Mud Puppy CG haul; there were other color combos, including sage blades, but I liked the Muddy and Moss blades best (I didn't see any 'Bama Clay ones -- pardon my shadow):


Here's the rest of my Scrap Yard haul -- glare detracts from the Jungle Green S5 and SS4, but I took a close up of the SS4 blade to show detail:


Here's the SS4 detail; no word about why there were any, yet so few. My best guess was that they put handles on leftover blanks.

Garth said that he thought there were three, but I only saw two and nobody would 'fess up about having grabbed the third. The dog who got the second said that he was offered cash if he'd let another attendee buy it. SS4s are hard to find and this is the only one I've gotten at the release price of $139.95. I paid over $200 for the last original one I bought (in 2009) and it was [gently] used:


Last, but certainly not least is my Busse Combat haul (no Swamp Rats for me this show). I thought I'd gotten the last SarSquatch last show, but one more showed up, and in 'Bama Clay no less -- it had to be mine. I like the Jack Hammers, but they were targets of opportunity. Jeff Law saw the SFNOs when we were in the viewing session and said that they were something special due to having the Tiger Hide handles. I got the 'Bama Clay in the initial rush and picked up the Muddy as people were putting things back because they'd grabbed too much. After from the SS4, they're probably the jewels of my Spring 2011 haul:


There was a Custom shop satin FSH with a sharpened swedge and hand-shaped black G10 handles that I kept fondling, then putting back. It was a beauty, but I recall that it was also $797. As it was, I dropped just over $3K after sales tax.

Very nice haul. Congratulations, Jim.