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