First Blade West Show in Portland, OR, Oct 5-7, 2018

[BladesNBarrels]

The first Blade West Show runs in Portland, Oregon—the Knife-Making Capital of the USA, Oct 5-7.
I did not know that Portland was the knife making capital.
I learned that ivory is absolutely banned in Oregon, so no ivory handled knives for me.
Interestingly, in my knife law research for Oregon, the state considers itself one of the most liberal states for knife ownership.
But, the list of knives you can't carry concealed seems endless. Not sure how you carry a 4" double edged folding auto knife without concealing it in a pocket, purse, box or bag??
I will be set up at Table 1I. That is One "eye" not One "ell".
Stop by and talk knives, fishing, sight-seeing, or whatever is on your mind.
Cool weather and hot blades (a real relief after Colorado's fire and drought this summer)?

[BladesNBarrels]

Just received my table billing from Blade Show West.
It started out being sponsored by Blade Magazine that has sponsored the Blade Show for decades.
Blade Magazine was bought by Gun Digest Media. My bill came from them.
I checked with Blade Show West to be sure that the VISA charge was legitimate.
Yep, and Caribou Media bought them out.
Wow, a long-time company goes through 2 changes of ownership in about a week. Just goes to "show"
(Pun intended)

[ben4372]

I know its just over. How was it? As a former Portlandian, a few big makers, but I wouldnt call them a knife capital. They seem to like custom and handmade stuff. Would you go again?

[BladesNBarrels]

Just got back from the Portland Blade West Show.
We rented a condo from the online rentals on the Willamette River right across from the Oregon Convention Center.
The condos were in a "U" Shaped building facing a courtyard with a fire pit and grill with the river walk and view alongside. The condos all had glass doors and windows, so the privacy was limited.
The trains run all night across the river and they do use their whistles. I am now sympathetic with the folks living near the Light Rail and their horns all night.
The show was small compared to Blade Show in Atlanta or Tulsa Arms Show, but it was interesting.
I learned why the city of Portland is considered the "Knife Capital of the US". A lot of the well known manufacturers are headquartered somewhere near Portland - Gerber, Benchmade, CRKT, Kershaw, Leatherman. They had booths at the shows and were showing their latest knives that would be premiered at SHOT Show.
I collect, trade, buy and sell custom knives and there were just a few of us with tables. Mostly it was knifemakers and their products - handle materials, grinders, forges, blades, steels, and exotic materials.
The nice thing about Blade Shows is there are no non-knife type displays such as jewelry, crafts, etc.
I bought more than I sold, which is not unusual for me.
There was no firm commitment for a date next year. It is looking like the only available dates will be in conflict with the Tulsa Arms Show, which would keep me from going back. Tulsa Arms Show is still the show to satisfy my other collecting passions.
All in all, it was a nice opportunity to see Portland (when it wasn't raining too much), drive the Columbia River Gorge, and meet up with old friends. The weather wasn't too cooperative - we had two days for sight seeing and were planning to go to the coast for a whale-watching tour. The week before, the tour was fantastic. Our available days, the tour was not operating due to winds and weather, so we went to the Pittock Mansion and it was fogged in. As you can see from the picture below.

[Irving]

Did you drive out there?

[BladesNBarrels]

Drove out to the show with stops overnight in Rock Springs, WY, and Boise, ID.
After falling asleep in my Tahoe on I-70 and rolling in 2010, I now try to keep my driving down to 7-8 hours a day. My wife and I would get on the road about 7 and quit about 3 each day.
Saw your post that you are in Pensacola.
When I drove to Pensacola Beach last spring to pick up a new-to-me boat, we over-nighted in Amarillo, TX, and Shreveport, LA.
Also, we became condo campers a number of years ago, so we usually stay at Residence Inn's and do our own cooking.
Our fun meals out are usually local restaurants for lunch. Best Grouper Sandwich was at Peg Leg Pete's on Pensacola Beach. We rented a slip behind the Bar/Restaurant for the boat and rented a condo overlooking the Beach and Gulf. Of course, it was during Spring Break and we way overpaid. The winds were high and the waters closed to swimming - two red flags on the beach. They lost two people in the surf the first week-end we were there. It was a great test for the boat on the Gulf and our broker was a fishing guide that put us on Red Snapper - couldn't keep them due to being out of season, but we caught a bunch and got a good education on handling the boat.
Back to the thread topic - I did learn how you can have liberal knife ownership and tight concealed carry laws. If you have a clip on the knife and the clip is exposed on the side of your pocket or belt, then that is open carry. I started noticing almost everyone had an exposed clip on their front pockets. Every day I learn something new.

[Irving]

Good info, glad you had fun.

[DireWolf]

Agreed - Good info, thanks.

Back to the thread topic - I did learn how you can have liberal knife ownership and tight concealed carry laws. If you have a clip on the knife and the clip is exposed on the side of your pocket or belt, then that is open carry. I started noticing almost everyone had an exposed clip on their front pockets. Every day I learn something new.

I'd be curious as to how widely accepted that perspective is, given the potential impact on choice of EDC blade and desire not to get jammed up over something stupid (like a quarter inch...)

[BladesNBarrels]

Agreed - Good info, thanks.




I'd be curious as to how widely accepted that perspective is, given the potential impact on choice of EDC blade and desire not to get jammed up over something stupid (like a quarter inch...)

I am not sure. The explanation came from a custom knife-maker from Portland when I asked him about the liberal ownership versus the concealed carry restrictions.
I was once told by a Denver Police Officer that switchblade ownership and collecting was okay, but I could not carry.
We decided 3 knives make a collection, but that probably was just humor.