Blade Present Atlanta 2025 Recap

Blade Present Atlanta 2025 is within the books! Not solely did we get to see among the newest and biggest knives available on the market, however we additionally bought to hang around with iconic knife makers, train some courses, and work together with so many members of the neighborhood! Be a part of Offgrid Affiliate Editor, Nick Italiano, as he recaps of a few of his favourite knives, scorching new gear, and moments from the present!

Pre-Blade Present

Touring by air is all the time a draining expertise, and heading to Blade Present is not any exception. Residing about an hour away from the closest airport, mixed with the two to three hour wait on the airport, flight time, and chaos of arrival into one of many world’s largest airports in Atlanta, Georgia takes its toll on physique and thoughts! All that shortly fades when upon arriving to the world surrounding the Cobb Galleria, the place Blade Present is held, because the acquainted websites and faces from earlier years come into sight!

I arrived to my resort round 7pm and it wasn’t greater than 10 minutes after checking in that I used to be getting textual content messages from buddies and enterprise associates asking once I was going to be coming to “The Pit.” For many who have not been to Blade Present Atlanta earlier than, The Pit is the identify that has been given to the foyer of the Renaissance Waverly Lodge that serves as a gathering grounds and after social gathering location for individuals who are both working at or attending Blade Present.

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After a fast change of garments, I got down to seize a burger and meet up with some buddies and associates on the Waverly. Upon arrival I used to be completely happy to see a bustling space full of outdated buddies, new faces, and Blade Present banners, After a couple of hours of catching up with folks I went again to the resort to seize some slumber, as a result of day one among Blade Present begins early and is absolute insanity in the most effective form of method.

Blade Present Opening Day

I arrived on the Cobb Galleria shortly earlier than 8am, and it was no shock to me to search out a whole lot of knife lovers lined up exterior ready for early chicken entrance. It’s not unusual for folks to camp out in a single day to make sure they’ll maintain their spot on line so they won’t miss their alternative to get their palms on restricted version or present particular knives from their favourite makers.

Inside knife makers, retailers, and various gear producers have been inside getting the ultimate touches on their cubicles accomplished, laying out their merchandise, and getting scrambling to complete their breakfast and low earlier than the opening rush. Whereas the distributors have been getting arrange Alicia Newton, Director of Blade Present and hardest working lady in all of knifedom, was operating round answering questions, fixing final minute issues, and dealing her magic to make sure the world’s largest knife present goes off with none points. The remainder of the present employees have been helping ticket holders, organising shows, or taking photos and video.

With every part in place, it was time for the present to open! The early chicken ticket holders eagerly awaited Alicia’s name to go into the principle room, and as quickly as she gave the phrase a whole lot of knife lovers poured into the room, many sprinting to get to their favourite knife makers cubicles for the chance to buy coveted one offs and restricted version knives. Most often these present specials promote out in mere minutes so there’s a large worth in being among the many first via these doorways!

Brakimo Solid for the Subject Class

After efficiently making it via the morning rush I hosted a category with famend jungle information, survival teacher, and knife designer Joe Flowers. On this class we dove into Joe’s expertise within the jungle and the way it result in the creation of the TOPS Knives Brakimo. We mentioned sensible knife use methods, confirmed off a couple of of the prototypes that ultimately result in the ultimate manufacturing model, and highlighted one of many first variations of the upcoming TOPS Knives Brakimo Slim.

One fortunate 10 12 months outdated even walked away together with his very personal Brakimo, plenty of recommendation on how you can begin his knife making journey, and some contacts to leverage when he will get began!

Opening Day Wrap Up and The Pit

After the category the I continued strolling the ground visiting varied cubicles to speak to knife makers, and collect pictures and video, and collect demo knives for my subsequent class the next day. When all was mentioned and carried out I had walked practically 15 miles across the present ground! As soon as the present closed I grabbed a fast dinner with buddies and made my approach to the pit.

It’s mentioned that each one enterprise at knife present is finished within the pit. That’s not referring to knife gross sales in fact, however it’s usually the place companies make connections with one another as most firms have been tied to their cubicles all day! Opening evening is way busier when in comparison with the pre-show night because the foyer of Waverly was full of knife makers, lovers, writers, media, and social media personalities. I took the chance to meet up with folks I hadn’t needed to likelihood to see in the course of the day, speak with fellow writers and press, and make a couple of new connections.

Whereas I made a decision to go again to my resort round midnight, I heard the social gathering stored going for a minimum of a couple of extra hours after I retired!

Blade Present Day 2 and The Reducing Edge Class

For me, the second day of Blade Present began with a category I wrote to assist educate knife consumers on the performance of assorted knife design options, metal decisions, deal with supplies, blade coatings, sheath sorts and extra. The category ran about and hour and some of the scholars stayed behind for nearly one other hour to ask extra questions on knife design options, talk about survival matters, and take a more in-depth have a look at the demo knives I had out.

Whereas I nonetheless imagine I’m a much better author than presenter, it was enjoyable sharing information with those that are wanting to study concerning the sensible purposes of the instruments they have been there to see!

The remainder of the second day was devoted to seeing as many knives as I may and selecting up among the newest and biggest knives to check and overview. After the present closed I went to dinner with a couple of of  my favourite knife makers earlier than heading again to the Waverly for the award ceremony and hang around time.

Wrap Up

For all of the makers and distributors in attendance, the final day of Blade Present was open from 9 am to 2 pm. Whereas they have been having fun with the ultimate hours of the present I used to be on the airport ready for my flight residence. Blade Present is all the time a marathon, typically actually as I walked over 45 miles over the 2 and a half days I used to be in Atlanta. Past all of the strolling it is a mad rush interacting with buddies and trade associates, trying out new knives from acquainted makers and discovering up and coming knife makers!

Whereas the weekend is quick paced and my voice is all however gone on the finish of it, it all the time leaves me wanting extra. If you’re a knife fanatic and haven’t skilled Blade Present Atlanta a minimum of as soon as, it needs to be excessive in your precedence checklist! As soon as you have attended one, you’ll already be planning on attending subsequent 12 months!

It would not matter what kind of knives you’re into, you may discover it at Blade Present! The larger knife neighborhood is full of superior folks -It is an incredible place to meet up with buddies and other people you could have met via assorted on-line fanatic teams. Even when you stroll into the present not understanding anybody, one can find comradery with fellow lovers and perceive the deeper which means behind the time period knife neighborhood!

Now let’s get into what you’re all right here for – The Knives!

Nick’s Favourite Blade Present Exclusives

Knives By Nuge Sharky Wicket and Captain’s Version XL

Knives by Nuge is an American Knife Maker out of New Jersey who is thought for his handcrafted out of doors, searching, and fishing associated knives. Whereas all Nuge knives are designed for out of doors and sportsman use, a lot of his smaller fashions have additionally grow to be well-liked as on a regular basis carry knives resulting from their distinctive construct high quality and utilitarian design. KBN can be engaged on launching a line of American made manufacturing knives that can function a lot of his present fashions!

The Sharky Wicket added some distinctive deal with scale materials made by Flying Shark Knives. These have been mixed with a customized made black alligator sample leather-based sheath by Badger Claw Outfitters.

The Captains Version aka “the Rikket” is a collaboration design with Rikki Hernandez (above), often known as capt.rikki on social media. Rikki is a gifted videographer working within the knife trade. This distinctive tackle the present Wicket XL design provides a harpoon model level, hand filed jimping, and desert iron wooden deal with scales.

Auxiliary Manufacturing Captain’s Bowie

Rikki was a busy man this 12 months! His second design collaboration takes Auxiliary Manufacturing’s tactically oriented Pocket Bowie and attire it up for EDC. The Captain’s Bowie featured a customized made Desert Iron Wooden and Richlite deal with scales with extra subdued texturing for a clear and stylish end.

Sasquatch Spartan Blades Harsey USA Made Blade Unique

The Spartan Harsey folder, designed by legendary knife maker Invoice Harsey is the knife that proves that an exquisite excessive finish folding knife can perform as nice because it appears to be like! For years Spartan Knives has used the titanium body of the Harsey Folder to create gorgeous graphic pictures by combing precision lasers and anodization of the metallic for shade.

The USA Made Blade Unique is not any exception. This model options USA Made Blade’s sasquatch mascot in a shadowy woodland scene. Regardless of inventive nature of the this particular version Spartan Harsey, when you get this utilitarian 4-inch folder in your hand you’ll want to put it to work!

T.Kell Knives x Knives By Nuge DP-1

T.Kell Knives is thought for making laborious use tactical model knives, together with a number of fashions fitted to EDC and out of doors use. Most fashions function T.Kell’s signature NiB coating that’s generally discovered on bolt service teams. Their are number of deal with choices and textures supplied throughout the T.Kell lineup. One deal with possibility that’s not sometimes present in that lineup is burnt jute wrap.

To alleviate that Tim created a particular batch of his EDC pleasant DP-1 knife. Every of DP-1 on this collaboration was hand wrapped by Tom Nugent, proprietor of Knives by Nuge in the identical style as his Primitive Wicket collection! One aspect of those distinctive DP-1’s featured the T.Kell emblem and the opposite featured the Knives by Nuge Emblem.

Nick’s Highlighted Makers

TOPS Knives

TOPS Knives has been a frontrunner in U.S. manufacturing mounted blades for many years. TOPS was based in 1998 with the objective of manufacturing sturdy and practical tactical knives, and so they have met that objective and much more! If you’re in search of a sturdy tactical knife TOPS Knives has what you’re in search of. TOPS gives a big portfolio of tactical mounted blades starting from pocket sized to full sized area and combating knives.

The TOPS line up doesn’t cease with tactical knives. In addition they supply a various line-up of out of doors and EDC mounted blades with each in home designs and collaborative efforts with respected professionals throughout the trade. All TOPS knives, no matter model, are constructed to tackle laborious use duties and beg for extra!

TOPS Knives produces knives in nearly each dimension you possibly can consider. Full sized machetes, massive combating knives, discrete self-defense knives, out of doors knives for big to small, and compact EDC mounted blades.

T.Kell Knives

T.Kell Knives is a household owned and operated firm based by USMC Veteran Tim Kell with the objective of manufacturing high quality, U.S. Made instruments which you could belief your life with at an accessible value. Tim undoubtedly has a kind. Recognized for his compact tactical/self-defense model knives, T.Kell is likely one of the main small U.S. Knife makers because of glorious designs, robust supplies, premium match and end, and his unquie NiB coating.

Regardless of the tactical nature of those small mounted blades, many T.Kell knives serve double obligation as sensible on a regular basis use knives. T.Kell Knives gives a various line up that additionally gives out of doors and fewer aggressive EDC mounted blades and even a sturdy folding knife. Whatever the model of knife you’re in search of – Tim’s values of practical design, distinctive aesthetics, and premium construct high quality are evident in each knife produced.

Knives By Nuge

Tom Nugent and his girlfriend Lauren are the 2 folks behind Knives By Nuge. This up and coming mounted blade maker has grow to be very talked-about within the searching, fishing, out of doors, and EDC communities for his utilitarian designs and eye for element. Whereas Tom has spent the previous couple of years producing handmade knives, he has lately branched out into manufacturing work to maintain up with the excessive demand for his knives.

The cub proven beneath is one among Knives By Nuge’s latest fashions. This can be a compact mounted blade is predicated off his bigger Bruin, and is designed to perform all of the out of doors and sport processing duties of the Bruin however in a smaller, extra pocket pleasant bundle.

Reiff Knives

Reiff Knives is within the enterprise of creating no-nonsense, premium, hard-use mounted blades – and enterprise is nice! Since Reiff hit the market a couple of years again with their signature F4 and F6 survival knives, each new mannequin and replace to present fashions have constantly proven Reiff’s dedication to producing among the greatest designed area knives within the U.S.

Pictured beneath is proprietor, Stu Shank, with Reiff’s latest mannequin the Vicon.

The Signature F4, pictured beneath, has seen a couple of updates over the the years included upgraded micarta handles and using premium metal choices equivalent to Magnacut.

Auxiliary Manufacturing

Mike Jarvis is an award profitable knife maker recognized for making extremely practical tactical model knives which have a particular design aesthetic. Along with the lengthy operating line of handmade mounted blades, Auxiliary Manufacturing has lately launched a line of manufacturing mounted blades and folding knives.

Proven beneath is one other Blade Present Collaboration unique with Flying Shark Knives. The Bowie XL is a bigger model of the Pocket Bowie, the primary knife to function Auxiliary Manufacturing’s coffin deal with form design.

Revenant Corps

Cache Hagard began Revenant Corps with a easy objective, to make top quality self-defense instruments for non-permissive environments. Every mannequin is designed with every part you’d anticipate to see in a small tactical knife, however as an alternative of metal they’re made totally of G10. Whereas G10 is usually used as deal with scale materials resulting from its superior sturdiness, Revenant Corps has perfected the artwork of machining and grinding G10 to make a sturdy knife.

Revenant Corps gives every part in discreet black, however if you’re in search of some shade, G10 gives many choices. All of the handles are wire wrapped with real ray pores and skin underlays including to the premium feel and look of every knife.

L.T. Wright and The Woods Monkey

L.T. Wright has been one of many main makers of handmade out of doors, searching, and bushcraft knives for a few years. Every design is easy, practical, and able to work. The Woods Monkey is a division of L.T. Wright that brings some enjoyable into the road up with distinctive designs that retain the performance LT is thought for.

Proven beneath, Brian from the Woods Monkey with the brand new Batwing knife that mixes a scandi and chisel grind.

L.T. Wright gives most traditional fashions with Micarta handles scales, however distinctive deal with scales choices can usually be discovered at Blade Present and on their unique members solely discussion board, the Pout Home.

Glow Rhino

Glow Rhino is an organization that caught my eye lately. They provide a wide range of EDC sized folding knives to swimsuit many kinds and budgets. What units Glow Rhino aside from different manufacturers is the inclusion of Tritium, a radioactive ingredient, that produces a glow that by no means must be charged. Tritium is secure, because the low degree radiation cannot penetrate human pores and skin, and can glow brilliant for 12 years, guaranteeing you’ll by no means misplace you knife at the hours of darkness. Proven beneath is the brand new McGuire button lock folder that sports activities premium supplies and a tritium insert within the thumb stud and rear deal with.

Proven beneath is the Battlbox Unique Fermi 2 in low gentle to reveal the Glow Rhino tritium insert. Along with folding knives Glow Rhino has lately launched an all goal mounted blade and gives a wide range of fobs that may be hooked up to gear for simple location in darkish environments.

JD Customized Knives

JD is a customized knife maker who makes gorgeous handmade out of doors knives. His ardour for design, premium supplies, and meticulous match and end is obvious throughout each knife he makes. If you’re out there for a chunk of practical artwork JD’s knives is not going to disappoint even probably the most discerning collector and person.

JD locations nice consideration to producing top quality deal with scales from distinctive and unique supplies guaranteeing every knife is like no different. If you happen to like the concept of getting a one off knife that can by no means be duplicated JD Customized Knives is unquestionably value a glance. He has additionally lately dipped his toes into semi-production knives with the his Cheeker XL. Whereas the blades are machine lower every Cheeker XL is hand sharpened and completed by JD to make sure every knife meets his exacting requirements.

AA Forge

Adam from AA forge has been making knives professionally his total life. Recognized primarily for hand making massive out of doors and searching mounted blades, he has lately taken to producing smaller EDC sized mounted blades that he incessantly has obtainable at Blade Present.

Adam’s designs, consideration to element, and unbelievable information of metal properties permit him to provide extremely practical knives that look nice and can serve avid open air folks properly when put to the duty.

The Easy Sparrow proven beneath gives out of doors performance in a compact kind making it excellent for EDC, fishing, small sport searching, and lightweight bushcraft work.

Hellbender Blade Co.

Hellbender Blade Co. was based by Mike Kent, proprietor of Rivers Edge Cutlery. They’ve lately launched their premier line of knives, the Snot Otter Sequence. The SO-2 contains a 2.8 inch blade making it excellent for on a regular basis carry and the SO-4 has a 4 inch blade designed for laborious use activity. Coming quickly is the SO-5, a sized up model of the SO-4 for individuals who are in search of a big out of doors knife.

The Snot Otter collection is accessible in a wide range of premium deal with scale choices and blade finishes to swimsuit nearly each style. All Hellbender Blades are made within the USA with U.S. sourced supplies.

Nick’s Blade Present Haul

It would not be a profitable Blade Present if I did not convey again a bunch of cool stuff for testing and overview! Here’s a sneak peak of some of the brand new knives which you could anticipate to see in upcoming articles! There are a couple of extra that aren’t prepared for public consumption so keep tuned!

Knives by Nuge Sheepsfoot Cub 

Reiff Knives Vicon and Circadian

Auxiliary Manufacturing Manufacturing Pocket Bowie and Pocket Bowie Folder

Revenant Corps Grosbeak and AwlZall

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Written by Nick Italiano