18 BLADE SEPTEMBER 2019
SHOW RECAP^ |^
“It seemed that people were buying
on impulse more than the past couple
of shows rather than having a target for
exactly what they had planned to buy,”
Vellekamp noted. “It seemed like people
were a little more loose with their money
this year, maybe the sign of a better
economy. Also, I think rather than raising
or lowering prices, knife companies are
starting to fi gure out that quality has to
match price.”
“Prices, especially among ABS
journeyman smiths, are continuing to
rise,” Robertson observed. “Some are now
asking more money than comparable
ABS master-smith-quality knives. Th e
marketplace seems to be sorting this out
judging by the number of knives that
went home with the makers.” Added
Brion Tomberlin, “It seemed at least in
the ABS section the knives that sold were
showpiece knives that were higher end or
lower-end knives in the sub-$500 range.”
“I see shift s all over the place,” Crenshaw
observed, “including more knives at the
$200-$500 range being pumped by the
Internet discussions/marketing. I also see
the foreign manufacturers pushing whatTOPPING OUT Knife enthusiasts study their
favorite subject at the TOPS Knives table.1ST & 2ND GEN Father-and-son
knifemakers Koji (right) and Dew (left) Hara
enjoy show time together.IT WAS KREIN TIME AGAIN Tom Krein shows
BLADE U. students how to grind a knife
blade on grinders supplied by Burr King.WESPECIALIZEINSERVINGYOU
Domestic Producers of sheet and plate products for the knife industry.
Stainless and tool steel grades, all CPM knife steels plus new:
CPM cruwear, CPM 20-CV and 6/4 titanium sheet, and the
re-introduction of CPM S60V (CPM 440V).
Quick response. Quality workmanship.Fax: 716-542-
[email protected]1-800-424-
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