Hands down, my favorite moment of BLADE Show 2018 occurred as I wandered the custom makers’ tables. I overheard maker Carl Colson mention to show goers that he hailed from Florida. I circled back to his table and saw a man in a scooter talking to Colson.

The man was holding a small fixed blade Colson had built. It had a mirror-polished clip point blade and similarly finished bolsters. Colson told the man he would like to make it as a folder someday.

I stole a glance at the name badge. That man in the chair was A.G. Russell himself! Admiring the knife, Mr. Russell replied to Colson that if he sent specs, Russell would get it into production.

If I was Mr. Colson, I would have passed out. He and I locked eyes for a few seconds. The unspoken exchange was: Me, “Holy shit!” Him, “Oh my God, pinch me!”

This type of exchange that can really take a maker’s recognition to the next level. Mr. Russell was very nice and he apparently knows what he likes.

It was kind of amazing and just one of the things you might experience if you keep your eyes and ears on high alert.

by Wilson

(The reflections on the blade are from the ceiling. Believe me, it was perfect.)