My Weekend at the 2012 Blade Show

“When you get into a knife fight, this is how you’ll need to hold this particular knife,” the custom knife maker explained to me as he positioned the knife in my hand. Perhaps he fancied this mother of four a brawler. I got a kick out of it and appreciated the tutorial. I suppose it never hurts to be prepared.

My husband, Brett, and I received a variety of knife-handling instructions while attending the 2012 BLADE Show and Survival and Tactical Gear Expo in Atlanta. Brett is obsessed with knives, so being the good wife that I am, I took him to the “world’s largest knife show” this past weekend for his birthday.  

Knife manufacturers and custom knife makers filled the convention center with their products. The displays included a variety of bladed weapons and utensils such as basic pocket knives, hunting knives, all-purpose knives, survival knives, artistic knives, swords and hatchets, to name a few.

Knives really aren’t my thing, but I enjoyed checking out the displays and talking to the custom knife makers. Beautiful works of art, some of the knives required weeks if not months of careful craftsmanship, as was reflected by the prices. In fact, one knife Brett just couldn’t take his eyes off of cost a whopping $20,000.

When not walking the floor, we attended the seminars, my favorite being “How to Throw Knives and Tomhawks.” After watching expert knife thrower Bobby Branton demonstrate the technique behind throwing knives, I'm now determined to master this skill set as well. I love the idea of practicing my knife-throwing skills in the front yard as the neighbors pass by. My husband actually has some throwing knives, so I already have the required equipment. Other great seminars included, "How to Forge Knives," "How to Jig Synthetic Handle Material," and many others.  I somehow missed the “Becoming a Warrior” seminar, which I hate because who doesn’t want to become a warrior?

All in all, we had a good time. My hubby bought a few knives. And, if one day another soccer mom pulls a razor out of her sock and says, "I'm gonna cut you!", I'll be ready.

In all seriousness, if you have any interest in making or collecting knives, the Blade Show is a must. The seminars are top-notch and the displayed knives are truly impressive. Were you at the show this year? Buy anything cool?