News From The Front (Blade Show)

I have a source inside!
Some latest pics ...

More pics ... Chuck & Nan. The Capitan! The First RKCC Newsletter. Guido and Bill Cochrane of Vintage Knives.

Hi everybody,
Lot of fun here...hope to meet some of you Forumites
Thanks to Tony for posting my pics!

Man, I guess you've got some inside stroke!! Pretty cool!! Keep 'um coming!!

Pap

Tony
Thanks for posting the photos and Guido, thanks for sending them to Tony.
I want to go next year

Peter

Peter,
You're welcome.
And ... ME TOO!

Guido, keep those pics. coming. Tony , please keep posting and I'm going to start planning for a few days off to go to BLADE next year. Looks like too much fun and an oportunity to meet several new friends so why not start looking forward to it now?! ThANKS!

Thank you very much for the pics Guido and Tony - but please, we need to see MORE

Thanks for the pics. I really have to try and get back there next year.

I ended up not being drafted for duty today, but stayed late, and just don't think i'll drive that way today, HATE driving in Atlanta....but all you folk have fun.....

Last minute happenings forced me out again this year Lance. Thought hard about driving over this morning but decided to just go to a Gun Show here instead. Had some really good stuff for sale....too bad. So wait till next year.

Well, sorry i missed you Ronnie, and anyone else....had my own Blade Show of sorts today, got a screaming deal on a boogered Randall 5-6 from a fellow board member here which i reworked to near new, and today rewarded a kid in my Sunday school class who has overcome tremendous obstacles, not the least of which is coming from a family who lives poor as churchmice because every child in the family is adopted from the difficult-to-place pool....this is what a boy in shock looks like as it dawns on him that this knife is gonna be his....i've had these kids 5yrs now and will miss them...



Before and after pics of knife, which rather than "improved" now looks "barely used"...hard to make out in pics but originally had swirls and bumps ground into ricasso, as well as rounded edges above, and generally swirled finish to entire blade running different direction on each seperate surface, and a few surfaces sporting multiple direction grinding.




Never a good idea to compare stainless to O-1 for finishes, and pictures always show something different depending on lighting and angle....should have taken a pic of it next to the new 1-6 which would show how righteous it was....ah well....

Great story and that's about as nice of a present as any kid could receive. The Lord will bless you for that!! Thanks for the post and your "Blade Show" was sure a blessing to me.

Pap

Never would have happened without a fellow board member selling it to me at a very good price even when later offered quite a bit more from a prospective buyer.....he will remain forever anonymous, but his initials are "Pat/Byrdguy".....oops....darn, i hate it when i do that!

That makes it all worthwhile Lance! I'm sure you've given that young man plenty of good direction and I hope he really appreciates it. The knife looks great.
Have a nice weekend.

Thanks, Ronnie, it has been a very good Blade Show and weekend....and he will look at that knife 30yrs from now when times are tough, and will remember how him having it ties in to everything i taught him, and that things only SEEM tough at times...and that people can do grand things when they live selflessly and lose themselves in service.

We now return you to your regular Blade Show programming.

Nice job Lance! BRAVO!!!

I am confused. Is it Lance or Pat?

Joe I believe Pat sold Lance the knife at a very affordable, i.e. low price. Then, as I understand Lance restored the knife....bringing it back to life. Lance then gave the knife to this young man. A generous thing to do regardless of price. He made this kids day. I admire anyone who tries to help others who might not have had the same advantages we have had in our lives. I believe the young man is thanking Pat because he gave up a higher profit in order to help this deal work out.

Thanks for the accurate translation, Ronnie....i was making sure Pat got a thank you from the boy...he's a good kid i have seen show up for class sporting a ratty thrift store velour bomber jacket showing off his new winter coat, and when i was showing boys in a class a Randall catalog, him looking at the floor in humility and pain when some other boy announced "i'm gonna get my dad to get me one of those!"....now, he was one nice thing second to none, anyhow...although entirely servicable as received, the rework was to save him the experience of having some helpful expert point out everything wrong with his knife years from now....

That was a great thing to do Lance. It's something that young man will carry with him forever.

Guys, i appreciate the kudos, but also the knife can be broken, lost, stolen, and it is only meant as a reminder to him of the rewards for service and an example as well,.... and i wanted him to understand even people he had never met were capable of caring and even rewarding those who might feel put down by circumstances beyond their control, and that there is a spirit of love which can transcend all that, and THAT is the important part....i probably never would have posted of this, but wanted to give Pat a share in the pleasure of giving since he could not be there, and keep in mind Pat had no assurance i wasn't a shyster and that there was a real chance the knife might simply disappear, and that was a good thing he did, taking that chance....and also hope perhaps to remind everyone, YOU can make a difference.

Back on topic with a few photos. Some of the folks who own these cases would rather remain anonymous.

The first two photos belong to a fellow that posts here. He can claim them if he wishes. same for the second two photos. Note the four Griffin drop point hunters in the top row. You won't see that many in one place again.

The second two also contain some of the finest vintage model 4's anywhere to include a model 4 made immediately post WWII with brass nut and washer, and a double pin stag. They are at the bottom left and bottom right respectively in the third photo. Fourth also but cut off.

This is a case with some nice items to include a brass back #1, brown micarta extended tang, brown micarta astro, low "S" model 15, "SS" marked model 2,riveted model 1.....

Perry's.

Steve W's and Brock S'scases in the RKCC display area.

Ken L's cases in the RKCC display area. First contains model 20's to include a couple of nice seven spacer Ward Gay specials to include a low "S" second from the bottom middle row. The second case contains some nice examples of 4-5's.

Nice and unusual stuff there...i like the old Astro, much like the one on ebay a week or two back....many of those qualify for what i thought of when "Randall" was mentioned when i was a kid...and "Vietnam"...

Great photos. Thanks for posting and sharing.

Thanks for posting the photos.

Thanks for posting the photos, some great looking knives there.
I have to get there next year.

Peter

EXCELLENT photos!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Joe!
Tony

Great pics from Joe....and I'm sure Buck and Guido will have more. I didn't do much of a job taking pictures.

The first two cases were on my for sale table.... I can't tell you how many people wanted to see James Behring's Butcher cleaver. It was like a hummingbird feeder.

I did pick up some really good fighters for my collection..... and managed to buy and sell quite a few. There were a lot of good knives on the floor....

Of course the best part was seeing old friends..... many of us only see one another once a year, at Blade.

The inaugural RKCC club meeting was well attended..... Cap will give you the full scoop once he gets home.

Looking forward to 2013 already.

Great show ,Great meeting,Been home about 45 min.Lots of pic were taken by Buck and Guido as Tune said enough flashes going off made you think of a fireworks display.Brought home some Randalls and had
chance to see and handle the 27M(ordered one) any doubt.Saw a lot of old friends and met some new ones!!!RKCC is a home run!!!!!
Helped Cap at his table 65 apps paid for RKCC and many more handed out to be returned by mail..(THANKS Captain and all new RKCC members!!!See you on the forum and Blade show in 2013..
Billy Poyner
RKCC???
MM

Thank you for all the great photos, Joe. It's almost like being there

Thanks for sharing!

Looks like another great show, sorry to have missed it! And thanks for posting the photos for us that weren't able to make it.

- Rob

I want to say something here. I understand we all have priorities and the Blade Show may not be at the top of list, but every year we read the same old thing about folks that are coming and don't show, something came up, or are gonna make it next year.

All I can tell you guys is that life is passing by, and if you don't make the effort, you are never gonna make it. It is worth it to go at least one time, before these shows change and/or become a thing of the past. So get up off the couch and plan to go next near. Treat it as one of or your only vacation, but go.

The dynamics are changing folks.

Joe speaks from personal experience...... He was forced to miss the show last year. He can testify how good it was to be back.

I am very lucky to only be 2 hours away......

Good pictures Great looking Randalls.

Well put Joe. I have wanted to go for years now and it has never worked out.

Last week, just prior to the Blade show I was able to make a very quick trip into Orlando. While I unfortunatly missed linking up with Capt. Chris, I was able to make it to the Randall shop and meet Gary, Jason and Scott. My wife and I also were able to swing down to Sullivan's and meet Greg, Fran, Danny and Chris.

Great time, but too short. Blade next year if I can fit it in.

- Rob

You may not have been at the Blade show Rob..."BUT"...(There's that word again)...your loyal RMK servant made sure your knife project(S) was (were) front-n-center at the RKCC meeting! More later...I'm still tryin' to focus without enough coffee...(and...I had to talk to the "Crutch" this morning prior to "ANY" coffee!)...Think that I ain't tough?
More later, Capt. Chris

Back home safely after a great show.
Most of the beauties were shown already...and....trust on me so many were around.
Give me some days to tune up myself after one week out of my office...than I will post some pics mysel.
The meeting was so good and also very...very fortunate to myself as I won the right to buy one of the six Mod. 27 Minis Scott brought from the shop.
Joe is right...try to make it, even once; is something a knifenutt must do !
I have to go now...sorry for being so short about knives....
I do promise most in few days...
Thanks to ALL friends welcome me as an old fellow....
Again thanks to the Capt. to reserve for me the RKCC( Int'l) # 001
That was...is...a great honor.
it's like a great Family...
Really thanks..I do appreciate this....
Special thanks to the Capt....off course, to Perry, Ron, Buck, Ken, the Treeman'sFamily, Tune, Scott, the Clinton's Familyand many others...
Really thanks so much for let me feel like home!
Thanks to Capt. Cris once again to reserve to me the R.K.C.C membership "Int'l" #0001
It was...is...a great honor.

To say that the Blade show was great would be an understatement. The entire show was good. I was extremely busy each and every day and did not get out the show until 2 hours after it was shut down on Sunday! Now that's...BUSY! I have no voice left (a lot of folks are very thankful for that) as it left me Saturday afternoon sometime.
The sales, orders and trades at this year's show were the best I have ever had and over time I'll try and post some stuff up about some of that. Record sales, both in volume and money, was the icing on the cake. Thanks to Ken, Mitchell and others for giving me something to go home with that will find a spot on my collector's shelves. (One is even being "returned" there.)
Orders for the new Mini #27 went a little nuts but most dealers there were able to accomodate folks within a fairly short timeframe. Ya'll will have to get with your local area dealer to find out their exact delivery times but all who attended (Buck, Rick Ward, Gary Clinton, etc.) stated at the RKCC meeting that they were under 12 months, even 6-8 in some instances!
Speaking of the meeting: Unbelievable. The highest attendance of any Blade show club meeting to date! The RKCC now stands at close to 200 Charter members! I am going to keep charter membership open until the "200" mark is met. The RKCC treasury was given a shot in the arm and I may even be able to pay myself a couple of bucks back in a year or so! I have and received nothing...absolutely nothing but positive, optimistic comments from all who attended. Folks who did not know about the meeting (It was listed in the scheduled events show directory) came to my tables afterwards and said they had heard about it and wanted to sign up!
I had my secret weapon helping me at both the meeting and my table. Robert Lambert, RKCC's youngest club member (age "8") was a "runner" the entire meeting and show. He is solely responsible for signing up Gary Kennedy (NKCA President) and getting his dues money! He also aquired several knives over the course of the show. He was the first one there and the last one to leave my side each and every step of the way! Thanks for your help Robert. His "Poppy", Ken Lambert, has been a loyal club member of the RKS and the RKCC. It is through these youngsters that knife collecting will continue. I urge all of you folks to get your sons and daughters, grandsons and grandaughters involved in this wonderful and rewarding hobby.
I'll post up later on the nuts-n-bolts of the RKCC / RKCA meeting but just wanted to thank everyone who made this year's "Blade" the best experience I have ever had at a knife show! I cannot even begin to list all of the responsible parties...but ya'll know who you are. More to come....
All my best, Capt. Chris
PS: Did I mention the newsletter was passed out and many said it's the best one ever???...CCS

Now that folks are back from the show, can we see some photos of the great knives you found.
I didn't make it myself, but Capt. Chris found something I needed to add to my collection.
It should be arriving soon and it is one of about 150 made in the late '70's early '80's and is ironwood
Will post photos when it arrives

Peter

IRONWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... NO!

I too, am shocked!! Ironwood!!

Pap

Peter,it would not be a griffin drop point hunter,or wood it,Walt RKS#5924

i have only been hanging around here a couple of months, and know enough to say, "whew....for a minute i thought he was going to say he was getting it in ironwood."...actually, it was him who first pointed me towards this site...i was doing research on an outfit called The Ironwood Anti-Defamation League, and his name kept coming up on google searches and led me here....wink!

Walt
Yes it is a Griffin Drop Point Hunter with ironwood. I have not seen any in person, but I had a seen a few photos of them and really liked them. As there were not many made, I jumped on it when it was offered to me as I might not see one for sale again and this one is in great condition.

Peter

Regrets for not posting sooner. I am just getting comfortable "graduating" from Photoshop Elements to Photoshop 5.

I hope I can get the rest this weekend when I sail on the Atlantic Ocean this weekend to Cape Lookout (NC).

Just depends how much wave action I get on the boat at anchor with the laptop, editing the photos.

Here's a sampling of who was there, you know, "The usual suspects". More to come.

Very much looking forward to photos when it arrives....i have never seen one, period.

Thanks for the news and the photos!!

Great photos Buck. Thanks!!

Check out Tunefink's website. There is a section devoted solely to the Griffin's.

Ironwood?

Here are a couple of pics from the Blade.

1.Guido translating from Italian, on how the camera works.
2. Capt. and Scott Maynard at 1st RKCC
3. Capt. and Guido

Here are a few more:
1. a few of the knives at Perry's table
2. Model 5 Kit knife. First of all I apologize for leaving the sticker price on.(I did not pay that much). I just took a quick picture before shipping it home.
The knife was featured in Newletter 2 of 1997 and was owned by Rhett.
3. Just a view of the "action"
4. Authenticating is a hard and tiring business. Here is the proof!!!

Here is another perspective. First is Rod scolding Perry who is obviously in ignore mode, and the second is a happy Rod and poor Perry after the beat down by Rod. No wonder he fell asleep!

i stand corrected....i HAVE seen one....on his website and completely forgot...thanks for the memory jog

Joe is right about going to the blade show. After 30 plus years of gun shows it is time for me to see the blade show,and visit with Randall collectors. Thanks everyone for the pictures. Walt RKS#5924

Walt,

Whole different ball game, gun shows vs knife shows. JMO.
The sellers are a whole different breed and welcome you to pick up the knife, handle it and see how it feels. I've NEVER had that happen at any gun show. If there is any knife show to go to, "The Blade Show" is the one. I believe you would thoroughly enjoy yourself. This years show was a winner, for sure. Can't wait till next year.

...ahahah!
Best photo of the show!
Ciao Perry,

i used to go fairly regularly when i could get free VIP passes...haven't been in the last 5yrs i guess, probably longer since Ken Warner was still involved in Blackjack knives and we chatted while he sliced paper effortlessly with his knives...very congenial crowd, very congenial makers happy to allow you to do detailed handling and inspection of what they make, as they understand it's all how it feels in the hand...truthfully, i never spend much time looking at anything locked up in a display case....

Some of the very best knives already shown here; so I wish to put at your evidence something I looked at for my real first time.
Off course it wasn't cheap!
Try to look at its price!
Enjoy!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !

That was the main pourpose of my trip to Atlanta.
To find an appropriate sheath for my naked #14 green micarta.
Thanks to Joe.

Guido, "terrific" knife!

BELLISSIMO!!!!!!

Excellent photos of some great looking hardware, Guido!!

Very nice Guido!

Guido,

If you don't mind me asking, what model Maxpedition bag is that you were carrying at the Blade Show?
Thank-You....

Thank you all for posting these photos - it just feels a little bit like having been there
Terrific knives everywhere!!

Michael...you'R well come !
Bag is supernice but I don't know model #....!
It's pretty nice and well done!...it's a "shoulder bag".....I don't know how to call it in English...plus a very useful belt to fix it to avoid bother you when running, driving a motorbike or whatever plus so many pockets !....Velcro patchers were added by myself.
You can see it on first page of this post while next to Billy COCHRANE of "VINTAGE KNIVES".
Same bag under my # 14 green tenite.
P.S.....incredible how many folks asked me about that field bag!!!.....more pics if needed.

i'll take more pics of bag as long as the same knife is in them...great and perfect knife/sheath set there, in some ways better than in person due to fantastic photography, where the viewer has more time to dwell on the subject and take it all in without missing anything...

Thank-You Guido.
I just caught glimpses of it at the show, but it looked pretty nice. I'll do some more looking.

Guido,

I was not able to read the price on the Hatchet in the picture, what was it???

Rob,

I sold one like it several years ago for $2,700+. Only about 60 or so were made. Randall has a bunch of Marble ax heads left over at the shop, but don't have time to do more I have been told.

Jim

Great looking Randalls. I did not make it to Atlanta this year, but I'm plan on going back in 2013.

Rob,

The price I had on it was $6,500.

There are five on display at the Randall Shop's Museum.

The one on my pic was priced....seventy five hundred !!!

Nice photo...great looking new RKCC logo!

Guido is correct. $7,500 instead of $6,500.

When you turn 65, your memory is the Second thing to go, and darn it if I can remember what the First one is.

Looks like a version of the JUMBO Versipack

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/JUMBO-VERSIPACK-4p6.htm

See photos 3 and 7 of the individual features.

Tom Vaught

I was one of the lucky six RKCC meeting attendees to win the chance to buy one of the first Model #27 Minis sold to the public.

Cap and I have an idea for this one.... keep an eye on the forums.

This was my grand slam at Blade this year. As a Model #1 collector, this is one of the "Holy Grails". A BRASS BACK fighter!

I'm guessing this knife was made 1955-1957. It still has the horizontal keeper, but the flap is moving to the narrower design of the late 50's.

Randall introduced the Bowie in 1953....and offered brass back bowies in the 1954 catalog. This fighter was made just a few years later.

Needless to say, I'm pretty stoked.

Mitchell,
That is great. I never saw one before.
The bottom guard is a little longer than usual, yes?

The longer lower guard is a trait of 50's knives...... good eye Tony.

I've only seen pictures of a brassback Smithsonian. I never head of a brass back #1. Great find.

Mitchell
You had a great show, two great and rare model 1's
Congratulations. Sheath and stone look great too

Peter

that is surely one to add to that great website armchair Randall Model 1 Museum you have.....who else here would have even known to have looked for one?...not i, said the little red hen...

What a great find, Mitchell! It looks like this year's Blade Show was a good one for you

Hi Guido,
I'm glad that you have found what you were looking for - and even more
A spectacular hatchet - congrats!

Super knife Mitchell! This one and Johnny's are the only examples I have seen. Quite rare!
Good luck with it, Capt. Chris

Peter !....That wasn't mine!
I had the opportunity to hold that #1 with brass back...I can tell you...it's a real beauty....

Tom,
Thank-You for the info and the link..

Glad to help Michael, I have an assortment of different bags I have purchased over the years for different tasks. The stuff is bullet-proof for wear.

Tom Vaught

Specials as seen at the Blade Show;
leather cutter...maybe a couple of and no more !
A splendid TRIO of DP: Griffin Drop Point. All sheaths are DP stamped.

Nice!

A NEW MINI ???

No ! Just the Capt's endless imagination....

Take the NON-CATALOG cattleman(11 H) , dress it like the bigger Chef knife,
end ...le jeux sont faits...

With my friend Buck and Ron from Ireland: 100% pure, straight ...Irish!
Look at his T-shirt !

When I posted this panel I made for the first Randall Show at the C.I.C in Milan last November...many of you asked if possible to have this done in USA.
I put all in a CD and made a present to the Capt. to rise $$$$ for the special found program.
Ask the Capt to have a copy done..everything is free but...yes this word again...be generous with your donations as it's a huge work. Same copy went to Scott Maynard for the Randall Museum. Please add shipping.

P.S. Some of you remarked the word "Legend" was more appropriate than the one I used: "Myth"........OK...change DONE !!!
Enjoy and be generous.

BRAVO!

You are a very generous man, Guild. An example of what "a Knight in the 21st Century" is really all about.

Tom Vaught

Well done and thank you for your support, Guido!
I had the chance to see the poster in person at the C.I.C show in Milan last November - it really is very nice and a definite "must have" for every Randall "Collezionista"

OK
I picked it up today at the post office.
The Randall Made Knives drop point hunter with ironwood scales and Griffin handle shape. Knife and sheath are both in excellent condition for about 30 years old.
Thanks Capt. Chris for a rare and unique addition to my ironwood RMK collection.

Peter

MAN Peter,
That is REAL nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats!

That is gorgeous...Randall meets Loveless and Randall wins

They are my favorite all purpose hunting knife. Good score Peter,Walt RKS#5924

Too kind of you Tom...!
Danke Peter !!!

Great knife Peter and a beautiful ironwood handle.

As seen at the Blade Show 2012:

...and more...

Thanks a lot, Guido! You really make BLADE look like a family-meeting

Guido
Great photos and thanks for posting
It is nice to see some faces associated with the names

Peter

Peter, what a knife!

Guido, really enjoyed the photos. Thank you!

Peter, the DP is sensational! It would make an excellent user as well - just saying'

Peter,
Great knife and in ironwood!!!!!!!!!
I had the opportunity to handle all three of the DP's at the
Blade Show.

Guido,
Great pictures and thanks for sharing keep them coming.

Ken Lambert
RKCC CM-020
RKS #3610
NRA Benefactor
FOP

There were actually four of them. Check out the photos of Tune's case and on the top row and you will see them all.

There were 5 of them..... an old yellow was sold very early in the show to another forum member.

I have had those knives a long time.... I am glad to see them back in the world and being enjoyed.

Crunchtip is right... the DP'trio was...at the beginning... a QUARTET....
Than...the one in Ivory left the others, than....the Capt. arrived, so...
More to disclose......

Wish they still made those. Very nice.

Anybody have a guess to which of the five is the earliest example? And why? Excludes Capt., Perry, Tune, et al.

The one in the middle...bone handle? The grind just looks a little simple to me. Sort of like it was a test piece. Just my thoughts and the scientific "SWAG" method!

Hmmm,
Could it be the bottom one ... the only one without a tapered tang?
(Of course that could mean it's the newest)

The one with smooth grip or the finger grooved one not sure which one. They where made before Griffin handled ones,Walt

Tony -

if you look closely, the tang in the one you mention is tapered, just not as much as the others. You can see it at the butt.




Walt -

Good job, you have it narrowed it down. Not sure how you came to that conclusion since it is a Griffin Drop Point Hunter, so one would think it had a Griffin style handle. So what came first, the chicken or the egg?

So if it is one of the two, what would make one earlier than the other? Hint, the Griffin Handle is the result of the earlier knife.

Smooth handle,Walt

Yep, on closer examination, you're right Joe!

I'd now guess the smooth handled knife.

Appreciate all the photos from the blade show....nice to put faces with the names.

Joe, the smooth handle was probably used first to reduce handle weight. The shop tryed the 14 style finger grips,but it was more time consuming. they tapered the tag for weight reduction and went to the Griffin handle for a better size and grip. Just an observation on my part, Walt RKS#5924

Ok, if my memory serves me, I was told by Pete that the four finger groove was the earliest. The reason I asked was I owned it at the time, and I guess that was 7-8 or so years ago.

Walt is correct in his assertion that the four finger groove was very time consuming, so it only lasted for a few examples from what I understand. I think the smooth handle and finder groove handle were made right at the same time.

Dave Griffin made all of these I believe, and I don't think the tapered tang was a conscious thought to reduce weight inasmuch as to make a "custom" type knife like you might find from Herron or Loveless.

Scott might have some input on these.

Crutch,
Yes...The 4 finger grip (You know: The one that's staying in my collection) was/is the earliest. Not that it's a huge deal, one way or the other, as they're all vintage, extremely collectable and just plain "way-cool"!
Ronnie: The "smooth" white one if fossil walrus. All of them...each of them..."any" of them would make a true Randall collector quite proud to have in their cript!
Best, Capt. Chris
PS: Also take "another" glance at the "top tang" inclusive photo of the whole lot. You should be able to notice the earliest example being slightly
"shorter"...CCS

Earlier in the thread I encouraged everyone to get to the Blade Show as soon as possible, that the dynamics are changing. When looking at this photo of Guido and Tune, which I took because of Guido's surprise at the ability of the iPhone to take credit cards, I noticed in the background something you never saw at Blade as little as 1-2 years ago and the reason for my comment. Junes Jewlery and Gifts?!?! WTF?!?!

Last year was my first and it's a knife dreamland. Uncle Sam pulled a fast one on me this year. Fool me once! I will go AWOL next year if need be.

I remember going to gun shows here in Nebraska/Iowa and noticing vendors selling crap like beef jerky, jewelry, tools, etc.....with not one gun on their table. Unfortunately, the shows have gone downhill ever since. Hardly worth paying the price of admission.

My worry is that there are not a lot of "younger" folks interested in knife collecting....to carry the torch for us older farts....I hope this isn't the case. I've never been to Blade, and curious--do you see the younger demographic represented or am I just ranting like an old man?

That is what I was envisioning with June's table(s), and there were a couple more than that. I don't recall seeing any knives on her table. I want to be clear, it ain't dead, and it is still a load of fun, but there has been a bit of a shift. I think most will agree it ain't the same as it was in past years. That is not to say it isn't good, just changing a bit. Part of that is due to some of the old playas aren't with us any longer or have taken up other interests.

Another factor is the expense of doing the show. With the crappy economy, there has been no effort on the part of the show organizers to contain expenses to the vendor which brings me to this, that Blade no longer manages the show in house. It has been subbed out to a company that promotes and manages shows of all kinds throughout the country. So the bottom line is what is best for them to make money, and not necessarily support those that have supported Blade over the years.

As far as the younger generation, I guess it is relative. Yes, there are some younger folks there, but it takes someone to instill the interest. I think as time passes, allot of these hobbies will have fewer and fewer participants. Technology is the new hobby for a huge number of younger people.

Excellent discussion on these Randall Drop Points.
I think I did guess the finger grooved one ... the bottom one ... although for the wrong reason.
I will have do everything I can to try and make it next year!!!!
Tony

As was discussed at the RKCC meeting, part of what I hope the RKCA will become will be an organization geared to getting younger knife enthusiasts involved. The 8 year olds, like Robert, are far and few in between. Robert's older brother, Matthew, while being interested in knives, doesn't have the passion for it as does his younger brother.
If some of you older knife freaks would seek out your local scout troops, church youth groups, etc. and introduce these youngsters to the knife, there's no telling where this hobby can go!
Just sayin'...Capt. Chris

Excellent Captain!

Cap,
You can believe as long as Ken and I are breathing.Robert and
Matthew will be exposed to Randalls,especially Robert!!He's hooked.
Any kid that comes in the gun store with their parents gets and
ear full about guns and knives from Ken and me.AS said earlier
it's up to us to get kids interested like our parents,grandparents
uncles did for us!!!I also mke sure there are knives at our Friends
of The NRA Dinner every year.
Billy Poyner
RKCC
MM