Badger Knife Show 2026: The Ones That Stay With You

There are shows you attend…
and then there are shows that become a part of who you are.

The Badger Knife Show in Janesville Conference Center is one of those for us. Not because it’s the loudest or the biggest, but because it’s built brick by brick on something better… people, relationships, and a shared love for the craft.

This year marked our 5th year setting up, and somehow it still feels like planting new seeds every time we walk in.

Thursday: The Start of the Wander

We headed out to Janesville this past Thursday with our four girls, us against the world.

We got settled into the hotel, slowed things down for a minute, and had a simple family night between the four walls of our hotel room.

No chaos. No rush. Just some DoorDash and lots of giggles.

Knife shows with friends are great, but knife shows with my babies are a different 'great.' The Badger Knife Show is one that provide moments that remind me that the love of my life really is in this well-armed, niche little world. 

Left: Gluten Free Pad Thai FTW!

Right: The Girls Ignoring the Hotel Staff to Not Stand on the luggage carts (it's okay, Mom also did the same thing)

Friday: Tables, Trades, and a Little Detour

Friday morning kicked off early with setup. Cases filled with production pieces, customs, and everything in between. Our table is the kind of table that tells a story without saying a word. We always have so much to offer in such a small package.

This show brought in around 175 tables, packed with custom makers, factory knives, antiques, suppliers… the full spectrum. It’s one of the finest regional shows in the country, and it shows.

Midday, I slipped away with the girls and made a quick run down to Illinois to watch my nephew Liam race track. A little detour back toward my small town of Hinckley, Illinois made its way into my schedule too.

While I was gone, Jordan held it down at the show. Trades, sales, conversations that continue to build the legacy of American Edge.

That night wrapped up with friends Jacob Gaetz and Tylor Lenz, who were also set up at the show.

Now is a time as good as ever to mention Jordan and Jacob set out on a knife manufacturing journey earlier this year with Minnesota Precision Knifeworks in Royalton, MN. Jacob is an ABS journeyman smith as well as a machinist. They hope to have a few of their production knives at Blade Show Atlanta this June. Minnesota Precision Knifeworks will be fully operable this upcoming month. 

Left: Saldana Girls and cousin Liam 

Right: Knife by Jacob Gaetz

Saturday: Controlled Chaos (The Good Kind)

Saturday showed up exactly how you’d expect- an entanglement of ideas, sales, and a little bit of stubborn ambition.

The girls and I came back to Wisconsin to jump in, and that’s when it hit me.

Kyah chose to stay and sell knives with her dad instead of heading to the pool...

She wasn't bribed. She wasn't dragged. She was fully willing to skip the pool to be a part of this. 

That was one of those quiet moments that landed harder than anything else all weekend. I began to see the future forming right in front of me.

Not planned out to perfection. Just happening naturally. Funny how the universe does that, isn't it?

Left+Right: Kyah working the American Edge Tables

Saturday closed out with moving mostly a mix of Microtech and Dalton, picking up some vintage Benchmade pieces, and adding a few Daniels Family to bring home. 

And yes… it wouldn't be a knife show without an affogato, and while the restaurant we visited didn't offer one, the coffee shop down the street did. At this point, it’s less of a treat and more of a tangible piece of memory.

Above: A Moment for the Affogato featuring the Microtech Shadow Frag Hera

Sunday: Closing It Out (and Looking Ahead)

Sunday slowed things down just enough to take it all in.

Awards were announced, and the level of craftsmanship this year didn’t disappoint:

• Best Cutlery Artistry: Curt Zimmermann
• Best Basic Knife: Eli Sherman
• Best Custom Fixed Blade: Cody Hofsommer
• Best Custom Folder: Curt Zimmermann
• Judges Award: Brad Jansen
• Best In Show: Curt Zimmermann

Top Left: Brad Jansen

Top Right:Curt Zimmerman

Bottom Left: Cody Hofsommer

Bottom Right: Eli Sherman

We wrapped up the weekend the same way we always do… tired, grateful, and already planning the next one. (BTW, our next show is ALSO in Wisconsin-The Midwest Knife and Tool Expo on May 2.)

Our tables are officially secured for next March!

Once you’re part of something like this, you don’t really step away from it.

The Part You Don’t See on the Table

Somewhere between the conversations, the sales, the miles, and the moments… I've continued to realize that it’s never just been about knives.

It’s about building something that lasts.

Brick by brick.
Show by show.
Year 5… heading toward 6… maybe 25… maybe 53… who knows.

It’s the late nights, the early mornings, the playlists that somehow always circle back to Zach Bryan, and the quiet drives where everything finally settles.

It’s the constant wander.
The crescent moon nights.
The feeling that no matter where you go… you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Left: Empty Room After Badger Knife Show 2026 Conclusion

Center: Cecelia Sad to Leave

Right: Moon Meets Regulus 032926

Final Thoughts

Badger Knife Show started as just another show for us.  

But it isn't 'just a show.'

It’s a checkpoint. A reminder. A reset.

A place where the noise fades out just enough to see things clearly again.

And every year, without fail, we leave with more than we came with.

Not just inventory.

Something better.

Little seeds of a future being planted.

We’ll meet again in May… same road, a little more story with us.

-LVS