Well, the 2007 Blade Show is in the history book and everyone now turns their attention to next year. I was fortunate enough to spend 2 days at the show this year. I always love Friday at The Blade. The excitement of the day is absolutely contagious. And nothing is more fun than just catching up with friends you only get to see at shows.

As I made my rounds I found everyone busy with customers, admirers, and friends---the making of an excellent show. I found Ron Newton occupied with the inspection of a knife that was being shown to him. Ron is a genuinely humble and gracious man. I always enjoy catching up with him. His family is about to increase by 2 in the near future since his daughters are getting married. Congratulations Ron!!!
http://208.56.204.111/images/2007 Blade Show/ron.jpg

And it is always good to see the old pro's not ashamed to have their "better half" looking over their shoulder to keep them straight. Becky you do have a big job trying to keep Wayne on track :)
http://208.56.204.111/images/2007 Blade Show/Wayne and Becky.jpg

I came upon 2 of the sister guild members catching up. Travis Daniel and Ed VanHoy stopped their conversation long enough to get this shot for "history".
http://208.56.204.111/images/2007 Blade Show/Travis-Ed.jpg

The Blade often is a "family affair". Charlie and Harry Mathews and Harry's son are always ready to talk knives to interested folks.
http://208.56.204.111/images/2007 Blade Show/Twins and Son.jpg

GCCKG Board Member John Costa seems to be intently trying to explain the "lay of the land" to a bemused president, Carl Rechsteiner.
http://208.56.204.111/images/2007 Blade Show/Carl-John.jpg

And I was lucky enough to pick up this great damascus and stag hunter by Daniel Winkler. This has been a purchase long in coming and I'm very proud to add this to the grandchildren's collection.
http://208.56.204.111/images/2007 Blade Show/Daniel Winkler-Me.jpg

Avery was not able to be at the show on "opening day" so he and I took the trip back up on Sunday. He loves going thru the show and the makers all make him feel just like he is one of them. Avery's main stop is always to see Koji Hara. They have a great little arrangement going---Avery talks me into another Koji knife and Koji rewards Avery with a bag of candy from Japan. They are slick in this little arrangement.
http://208.56.204.111/images/2007 Blade Show/Koji-Avery.jpg

A real pleasure for me was to get to talk to John Horrigan. John and his family paid a hugh price on our behalf in the loss of his twin brother, Robert, in Iraq about two years ago. My husband and I had the great honor of meeting Robert and getting to know him. He loved God, his country, his family, and his work. His death is a great loss. He is one of the many heros who chose to lay down his life so we might enjoy the freedoms we have.
http://208.56.204.111/images/2007 Blade Show/John Horrigan.jpg

There were so many others we spoke with but I will sum it up here. If the degree of "tiredness" you have at the end of a show is an indication of how great a time you had, then I guess this must have been one of Avery's best
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Thank you for sharing Joan. It was indeed a good show. Everyone I talked and visited with just made it all the better. Made several new friends I truly hope to see again.

Getting to spend three straight days with my brother John is always a great gift. We had a very interesting and enjoyable time. I really appreciate all the help John and Don Adams gave me during the show. It is a true blessing to have such good friends.

I can relate to your last picture all to well.

I don't know why ya'll were so tierd. I came home and worked in the shop till after 9pm. I got the Tippman set up and even tried it out , not too bad. I have to admit I was sound asleep by 9:30....
The show was the highlite of my knife making carrier , just seeing Carl's face Saturday was worth a million $. Make him tell you all about it. He's got celebrity status know:gossip: ;)
I had a great time. Thank Carl, for letting me be apart.
jc

, just seeing Carl's face Saturday was worth a million $. Make him tell you all about it. He's got celebrity status know:gossip: ;)

jc

JC, everytime I saw Carl he was grinning like a mule eating saw-briars, and all he could talk about was buying a new truck. I personally think he should take "Mama" out shopping. She deserves it for putting up with him.:D

Robert

Robert, I missed seeing you:mad: , Guess I was AWOL everytime you came by.
jc

Thanks for posting the pictures Joan. I forgot my camera this year. Charlie and I had a great time as usual. We met a lot of our customers for the first time face to face and had time to catch up with Georgia Guild members. Some of you guys need to get on our side of the table. You don't know what you are missing. I got to watch my son, Pratt, work the dealers trying to maximize the purchasing power of his money, and he did pretty well. I liked his taste in folders enough to send him out on a mission to purchase an every day carry folder for me and was not disappointed. Meeting some of the people I have typed with on the forum was great too. It helps to be able to place a face with a name. Can't wait until the next one.

hi everyone I want to thank everyone I can for the he hellp they gave me with my new forge from the Ellis's.I got so excited I'm not surcke who all I talked too.J.C and carl for sure I wouldn't have made it with out your constant help.I also want to thank steave for helping me get it to my truck.I ran out off gas at the top of the stairs and he carried it a long way to my toyota.I want to make sure everyone know just how nice and down home the Ellis are they were just like old friends I hadn't seen in along time if you need help they are there for you.thanks again to all.George.

I was MOST appreciative of yours and Avery's visits. THe show was so busy for us that I could not reach out to others, but I really felt the best part of the show came to us!

So good to actually shake hands in the flesh and not through my fingertips and plastic... he he he!

I am impressed at your willingness to continue with knives and the people invlolved. I'm lovin' the treatment Avery got!

Charlie and Harry, you guys are two of my faves. Thanks as well for the visit. I look forward to seeing you at the Guild Show.

Be well,

Coop

Coop,

Avery did have a good time. The guys are always so good to him and treat him like he is already a knifemaker. It is still so funny to me to watch him and Koji together---Koji's broken English and Avery's southern drawl make for a interesting conversation. These 2 have a natural bond going that was formed several years ago at Avery's first Blade Show.

It was really good to meet you and your wife. Your work is outstanding. Every picture I saw was so crisp and clean--just like you could pick it up off the paper. You have inspired me. Soon as I get all my "projects" caught up, I am setting the light tent back up and try my hand at shooting some knives.