PKA 2010 down, G2 to go

Last weekend was the Professional Knifemakers Show in Denver. It's a 3 day show, which seems a day too long for a show of its size. Show was full this year, or at least all the tables setup were sold. I heard there were seven new makers. Spyderco was a no show, as were the Drapers. Took time off on Saturday to go to the Spyderco factory store. I was tempted to buy a few knives, including the Bug, Honey Bee, Grasshopper, and the brand new Native 3.5 . However, I left with just the Bug.

If I have to give a reason, it was that I had a discussion with a collector back at the show who was pruning back his collection. He came to the conclusion that he had too many items just sitting in drawers doing nothing. This made me think about the above listed knives. Would I carry any of them (maybe the 3.5)? I have a group of knives I carry regularly, as I do with watches. Some rotate in and out, but there's a style I gravitate to: 3.5" blade, slim handle, any lock I can operate with one hand. The knife I carry the most is a Benchmade 940. I has all these qualities. I wish the handles had more grip, and wish there was something keeping my hand on the handle if I were to thrust at something hard and fast. The 940 sister knife, the Gaucho fixes these problems, but adds a weird recurve/tanto blade shape. I've heard you can swap the blades, but never tried.

Got off on a tangent there. It was a fun show, see a lot of knife friends, picked up 2 lefties: an Eddie Baca custom and a ProTech Doru. I should trim the collection, but it's hard.

Update!

Almost August, and things are heating up for me. I've tried, in the last year, to do more stuff, taking advantage of having Tom being able to work for me. He gave his notice last weekend, that he'd be leaving within two weeks. However, I'd already made plans further out. I'm heading to Indy, for Gencon, and to see the family. This is the first Gencon I've made since 2004. I wondered why, and have a few reasons:
1) It's the same weekend as the PKA Denver Knife Show.
2) The store wasn't doing well.
3) I had no employee working for me, so I'd have to close the store.
4) I hate quick trips, so I want to be there longer, which means store closed longer.

I've pre-registered for Gencon, saving me $25. I've bought plane tickets, and changed them (for an additional fee). I was going to arrive the Wed before the con, and leave the following Wed, but I changed them so I arrive Friday the 15th around noon, and leave a week from Saturday the 23rd early. This new schedule loses me a day and a half at the Con, but gains me a FRI afterwards so I can go to the Indy 1500 knife and gun show. I've heard good things about it.
I did double book myself, but have canceled my hotel reservation in Denver.
So, I don't want to skip this trip and lose all that money I've paid, so the store will be close AUG 15th through AUG 22nd. Even if I hire a new guy before then, it's too short a training period before I leave for him/her/it to get up to speed.

quickies:
I'm seeing a Directors cut of Long Way Down tonight over in Ft Collins.
Solar guys didn't show this morning, we're going to reschedule, but Dad and Tom are leaning on me to get solar installed at the Dungeon before home as Dungeon electric bills are higher, and I can save more money off the cost of installation at a Business via Government rebate.
Meeting with Keven this Tuesday. I need to get some cash, and want to ask him what his job is. Looking at some of my stocks from 2005 vs now, and I see some have dropped 75%. He's supposed to be actively watching my portfolio, so I wonder if he may be slipping or never good at this part in the first place. He is great at picking Mutual Funds, but may be lacking in other areas.

New Lefty Mayos

I received two rare knives this week. Left handed Tom Mayo knives: A Dr Death and a TMX.

The Dr Death is 4" long spear shaped and CPM154V steel.

The TMX is 3.5" long with a slight recurve and is made of 6K Stellite. Note the backwards logo placement. The Mayo logo is on the left (back) side of the knife.