The shows are down but I have to disagree on Blade. Attendance was WAY down also. Usually there is a huge line of people waiting to get in when the show opens and this year it wasn't longer than the width of the hallway.
The Knifemakers Guild show is the only good show and putting them all to shame. It has actually grown for the last two years, BIG TIME. You couldn't get through the isles and was that way when the show closed on Sunday. There was almost if not as big of line filing it's way out the door when the Guild Show closed than was waiting to get into Blade when it opened and I'm not exaggerating on that. I still had customers and took an order after closing time on Sunday. I hope it continues to do good.
Some of the guns shows in Louisville that Mike and I have attended over the last couple years have been packed also but then some are slow. The one last year just before Christmas was very crowded so I hope this year is the same.