Pacific Northwest Knife Shows

So as some of you know, I have been talking with a few people about getting some of us together to attend some of the knife shows in the area. Some of the reasons I would like to do this are:

Get to put on a honing and terminology demo.
Show off some nice razors
Make some contacts
Maybe find a good deal
Hang out with some quality people
Swap some tips and tricks

That being said I know I have talked with Mike Blue, Glen, and Prahston. Pretty sure I have mentioned it to others as well. Mike Blue just contacted me about a show in Kelso, WA this weekend (Oct 4-5th) and gave me contact info for the Person In Charge (PIC). Prahston had told me about this a few weeks ago, but I let it slip and forgot about it. I don't think I can make it, but I will contact the PIC and try to smooth things out for anyone who can attend and lay the ground work for next year.

However, on April 11-12th 2015 in Eugene, OR is a very large knife show that I am planning on attending. I will be making contact with the PIC and trying to see what is needed, if we can finagle a "club" discount or table..... all of those kind of details.

I wanted to get your opinions on this.

Kelso, WA show

Eugene, OR show

Matt

Years ago I was really into Knives and wanted to get to the Eugene Show or, dream of dreams, make it to Blade. Family obligations, work schedule, etc just never allowed it and then knives became a passing fancy instead of a focused hobby. I did make it to one NWKCA Show and it was cool. I believe it was in like '98/'99 and I think the Kelso Show is what that has grown into which is really cool as it looks to have gotten substantially bigger!

For this year and 2015 I am going to have the same kind of issues... Future Son In Law's Birthday was during the Kelso show just recently and the Eugene Show is the weekend closest to my Wife's Birthday. Not that I need to resurrect any Hobbies that cost me enough back then... But, it would be cool to see some of the stuff out there. Butch and Rainy Valloton are Custom Knifemakers out of OR I believe and their work is something I've wanted to see in real time for going on a couple decades... Ah, there it is... KAD just starting to poke its' head out!!! ;)

One thing I saw that would be an absolute blast is that Bladesports was going to be doing a Demo/Competition in Eugene. If you have never seen that or heard about them, check out this Video:

Bladesports World Championship Knife Cutting Competition Blade Show Atlanta 2011 - YouTube

I missed a competition a year or two ago in Ellensburg, WA and thought I'd have another chance somewhere close-by... But, alas, looks like that may be another thing to put on my "Man, I would have liked to see that!" List.

I think you are going to have a Blast, Matt!! Hope it gets organized relatively easily and you can get a few people together!

Shawn
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I recommend we consider one or both shows for a gathering. The folks at these shows are interested in all sorts of edged tools and I think we'd have their unqualified support, along with fairly easy logistics for the hotel and amenities for demonstrations or lectures about razors.

I was in Kelso and entered the cutting competition last year and am sorry to have missed it last weekend. It was a lot of fun. I hope to be able to go to both shows. I think we should start planning for the Eugene Show in April. If I can't make it, I will lend whatever I can to seeing it come together.