Hey Everyone.
I want to start by apologizing to our regular readers, as my posting has been erratic of late. Planning for SHOT Show while getting the February issue together has put me behind the 8 ball. The Newsfeed suffered a bit as a result.
SHOT Show 2026 is almost here!
I will be leaving bright and early Monday morning, arriving at around 10am local thanks to the time zones. Badge pickup is at the airport, which is nice, and there is the Supplier Showcase on Monday afternoon.
The supplier showcase is more material oriented, as the name would suggest. Top of my list to visit is the Niagara Specialty Metals booth, as I want to than them for both saving knife steel production, but also for their role in communicating the situation to people in the industry.
The heart of the show is Tuesday through Thursday. I have meetings set up with about 15 companies over the 3 days, with gaps to fill in with companies I couldn’t connect with beforehand,.
The show is huge. Words really don’t capture it. This video really doesn’t even do it justice.
This is just 1 corner of the main floor of the Venetian.
The day starts in the Press Room, which is one of the perks of a media pass.
There is a continental breakfast and places to gather, as well as a work area with power strips and the like…
I already plan on meeting my buddy Jim Cobb Tuesday morning, though it is one of the fun things about the room that you meet new people and old friends alike without needing to make specific plans.
The days are meetings, and the evenings are social, with networking thrown in. I have a Benchmade After-Party on Wednesday, and dinner with the Ritters and Ethan Becker on Thursday. Last year, Joe Flowers through a party at a “Nerd Bar” which featured table games and Star Wars and Fantasy decor.
I am looking forward to SHOT Show. It is the most exhausting week of the year, but a lot of fun as well.
Of course there are tables and tables of knives to see. Follow our socials to see more.
Of course there will always be plenty of randomness…
And things unobtainable to drool over…
And I am here for it.
Finally, here is the other half of the infographic that tops the page.
SHOT Show is kinda a big deal.
Read the full article here