Delbert,
Nadine and I were able to attend on Saturday of last year's show. Jim Crowell, M.S. was kind enough to provide us with V.I.P. passes for the weekend.
I have yet to attend Blade, so I'm unsure of the setup and quality of the show. I attend the A.K.A. Show every year that Uncle Sam doesn't have me in a foreign country. The A.G. Russell Knife Event has now been added to my "Must Attend List". I was extremely impressed with last years show. As one might imagine, there were makers from all over in attendance to include several factory represenatives (Benchmade, Spyderco, C.K.R.T. to name a few of my favorite) as well as suppliers.
The A.G. Knife Event is an extremely well planned and professional show. The venue was exceptional and well organized. The banquet Saturday evening left a fat boy like me speechless and drooling. My only regret was my inability to stay for the presentation after the banquet where several makers were asked to speak about how they became involved in knifemaking and what it has taken for them to become a success. Unfortunately, Nadine and I had to return home to attend to our four legged children.