Denny Eller
Well-Known Member
I arrived in Atlanta Thursday evening at 9:11 P.M. and checked into my pre-booked room at a Motel 6 one exit north of the Blade show exit. (10 minute drive to the show). My double room for 3 nights cost a total of $123.09 including tax. Nice clean room overlooking a really neat pool in a park like setting with lots of shade trees.
9 A.M. Friday I picked up Bill T. at the Amtrak station and the journey began. I have been a member of KD since September of 2009 and have made a lot of friends on this forum, Bill being one of my closest. After getting Bill settled into the room we headed to the show. A 3 day pass costs $35 which lets you in at 2 P.M. Friday. An Early Bird Pass (to get in at Noon) costs an additional $25. As we waited in line to purchase our tickets a gentleman walking by asked if we needed VIP passes and gave us two. Cost of the show - $0.00
I had heard that the show was overwhelming but I am not easily overwhelmed. I was, however, totally overwhelmed for the next 3 days and still am. After going non-stop the whole time I might have seen 1/3 of the booths and 1/5 of the tables. It's a big show, guys and gals.
Bill T. was a great guide for the show. A knifemaker and show-goer for 20 years, Bill knew a lot of people. Through him I met some truly great guys that do some awesome work. One of our first stops was at Uncle Aldo's booth. There, in a nice glass topped display case, were the KD Servicemen's Build-off knives!!! Thanks to Murph, all of our knives made it to Blade and as Murph says in another post, Coop offered to make a group picture of the knives Sunday morning! Score a big one for Knife Dogs!
As we wandered the aisles I saw a cooler on wheels loyally following a guy everywhere he went. When he turned our way I realized, "It's Stabber!!!" Like a German Sheperd assisting a blind man, that cooler never left his side during the whole show. Great guy to talk to.
We ran into Wayne Coe early on - the only KD I had ever met in person. I meant to buy one of his "Shine Steins" but I'll have to get one the next time I see him.
I had the great opportunity to spend quality time with Steve Janik, my first real KD friend, Boss Dog, Murph, Brad, Doug Sutherland, Doc Schiffer, Josh Dabney, Bianca George and her husband (Great E.O.D. seminar, amigo) Ed Caffrey, Steve Kelley, Billy Helton JS, Phil Evans, Marvin Winn, Chuck Gedraitis and many others I'll think of later. Thanks guys for showing an old toothless dawg a great time.
P.S. Evenings after the show were spent both inside and outside the Waverly. This was the first time I saw people tailgaiting out of the back of pickups at the entrance to a fancy hotel. One aging Hippy with a glazed look in his eyes summed it up very well. He said, "Wow, man, this is like Woodstock.....with knives!"
9 A.M. Friday I picked up Bill T. at the Amtrak station and the journey began. I have been a member of KD since September of 2009 and have made a lot of friends on this forum, Bill being one of my closest. After getting Bill settled into the room we headed to the show. A 3 day pass costs $35 which lets you in at 2 P.M. Friday. An Early Bird Pass (to get in at Noon) costs an additional $25. As we waited in line to purchase our tickets a gentleman walking by asked if we needed VIP passes and gave us two. Cost of the show - $0.00
I had heard that the show was overwhelming but I am not easily overwhelmed. I was, however, totally overwhelmed for the next 3 days and still am. After going non-stop the whole time I might have seen 1/3 of the booths and 1/5 of the tables. It's a big show, guys and gals.
Bill T. was a great guide for the show. A knifemaker and show-goer for 20 years, Bill knew a lot of people. Through him I met some truly great guys that do some awesome work. One of our first stops was at Uncle Aldo's booth. There, in a nice glass topped display case, were the KD Servicemen's Build-off knives!!! Thanks to Murph, all of our knives made it to Blade and as Murph says in another post, Coop offered to make a group picture of the knives Sunday morning! Score a big one for Knife Dogs!
As we wandered the aisles I saw a cooler on wheels loyally following a guy everywhere he went. When he turned our way I realized, "It's Stabber!!!" Like a German Sheperd assisting a blind man, that cooler never left his side during the whole show. Great guy to talk to.
We ran into Wayne Coe early on - the only KD I had ever met in person. I meant to buy one of his "Shine Steins" but I'll have to get one the next time I see him.
I had the great opportunity to spend quality time with Steve Janik, my first real KD friend, Boss Dog, Murph, Brad, Doug Sutherland, Doc Schiffer, Josh Dabney, Bianca George and her husband (Great E.O.D. seminar, amigo) Ed Caffrey, Steve Kelley, Billy Helton JS, Phil Evans, Marvin Winn, Chuck Gedraitis and many others I'll think of later. Thanks guys for showing an old toothless dawg a great time.
P.S. Evenings after the show were spent both inside and outside the Waverly. This was the first time I saw people tailgaiting out of the back of pickups at the entrance to a fancy hotel. One aging Hippy with a glazed look in his eyes summed it up very well. He said, "Wow, man, this is like Woodstock.....with knives!"