Advice for BLADE 1st timer?

wyrm

wyrm

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2001
Messages
730
I know its a bit early to start talking about BLADE, but I need to start work on getting my leash extened to Atlanta ;)

First: What is a VIP Pass? What is the difference from regular admission? And how do I get one? (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)

Second: What is the best place to stay? Is the host hotel my best bet, or is there a reasonable hotel/motel within walking distance? I would like to avoid driving as much as I can while there.

Third: What's the best plan of attack for the show itself? Go all three days or just two? Which two? Do you systematically work yourself through all the booths/tables, hit the big names before they sell out, or just go helter skelter and take your chances on scoring a great knife? Or do you go just to see friends?

I'll be driving down from Ontario on I-75 and would consider picking up a forumite or two who want to go but don't have rides. A/C works good!

Thanks all,
Dale.
 
It's never too early to talk about "Blade Show." :D

wyrm said:
First: What is a VIP Pass? What is the difference from regular admission? And how do I get one? (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)
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A VIP pass will get you into the show before those that pay to get in (I believe 1 - 2 hours before). VIP passes are allotted to certain people (i.e., makers, dealers, etc.). They, in turn, provide them to those who don't have VIP passes :p. For free.

Admission is pay-as-you-go. . . .in that you can pay for a 1, 2 or 3 day pass. A one day pass is ???? (I believe it's $7 - $10).

My suggestion. . . .get a VIP pass. :D Watch the forums and you will begin to see "VIP pass holders" offering them.


wyrm said:
Second: What is the best place to stay? Is the host hotel my best bet, or is there a reasonable hotel/motel within walking distance? I would like to avoid driving as much as I can while there.
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Sorry. . .not in the know on this one. But, the "closest" is the Renaissance Waverly Hotel. It's expensive. . .what I'm told.



wyrm said:
Third: What's the best plan of attack for the show itself? Go all three days or just two? Which two? Do you systematically work yourself through all the booths/tables, hit the big names before they sell out, or just go helter skelter and take your chances on scoring a great knife? Or do you go just to see friends?
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Get a table layout and table assignment thingy. The below link will publish them a month or so before the show.

http://www.collect.com/interest/article.asp?id=24

Also, watch here. . . .people have been known to post that info.

Map out a plan of who and what you must see, first. Then do the walking circuit to see the rest of the show.

Way too much eye candy to take it all in on one day.

Drink plenty of fluids and bring a munchie/survival kit. Be prepared for "knife shock." :D
 
The Renaissance Waverly Hotel is very expensive. If you can round up some roomies, the cost-per-person will come down. If you don't need to be right at the show, there are probably a dozen hotels within walking distance of the show that are half the cost. Do some web searching.

The suggestion to bring your own water bottle is a good one. A tiny bottle (like ten ounces) in the show is $2.50. And the drinking fountains very often mysteriously don't work.

Wear comfortable shoes. You are going to be on your feet most of the day.

Bring some sort of briefcase, carrying bag, pack thing that you can put both purchases and also all of the literature you'll accumulate in.
 
Hey Wyrm, I want to come with you! I dont know if it will actually happen, but it would be very cool if it did!

Thor
 
I envy you your first time! :)

The wife and I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott at Cumberland Center.
Price was fair, they had a shuttle that would take you to the show and pick you up, or even anywhere close. (restraunt ect.). We did walk once....long HOT walk. Most places have shuttles...ask before you make reservations.
Wear good comfy shoes. Buy bottled water at a store before hand. get a carry bag or briefcase thingy like he said. They have plastic bags for your stuff but they really start to cut into the hands after a while when they start filling up.

Make a list of everyone you want to see, match it with the map and plan your route...now here is the important part....after you've gone through all the work to figure out your plan...tear it up and throw it away. You might as well do it now because when those doors open and the stampede (no exageration) begins your plan will go "poof" in the wind. Get a name tag made with your name and your bfc handle made with big letters wear it all the time. Don't be shy about saying "hi! I'm ...and you are?" A few bfc members you will reconise by their avatars. Some of the various sub forum members will arrange their own little gatherings. When I went I got to meet up with a few of the members of the H.I. forum. It was one of the highlights of the trip.


Say thank you and ask before picking up anything or taking pics. A simple "May I?" while pointing at what you want is sufficent. Most makers want you to handle their work. A few do not. Simply ASK.
 
Bottled water is a great idea, I prolly wouldn't have thought of that.

And I always ask, at least I think I always ask, for the makers permission before handling his/her wares, unless I'm friends with a particular maker/dealer and I have standing permission. I figure asking once covers the whole table and my return visits that day, but with BLADE I may change that since it will all be new.

What about security? With all those people justling for a look at knives, odds are that someone will try to swipe a knife from a table. But what about the buyers? Anyone had their pockets/bag picked after buying a knife or had cash lifted? I'm a simple country boy and tend to get paranoid in the big cities.

Thor, I'm cool with you coming but you'd need all your ID and a letter from the folks. I wouldn't want some border dude thinking I'm a whacko!

Is there a standard BFC nametag template?
 
At knife shows in general it is proper to always ask before handling knives at makers tables. Manufacturer's exhibits are different. They want people to handle the knives. But at a maker's table, always ask. Also, don't handle a knife unless you have some serious interest in it. Makers hate the guy who comes, handles every knife on the table (after just having had fish and chips lunch with his fingers) and then walks away. They'll spend the next half-hour polishing those knives. If you are going to handle knives, make sure your hands are clean. If you haven't washed your hands with soap and water in the last hour, don't handle a knife since you now have sweat and oil on your hands. If the maker has the knife displayed on a stand or something, don't try to put it back; you probably won't get it right. Hand it back or set it on the table in front of the stand and let him reposition it.

Ditto with photographing. Always ask permission. I've never been denied, but I always ask.

If you wear something around your neck like a badge holder or that new neck knife you just bought and want to show off, be very mindfull of it. If you lean over a table, it's gonna drag across what's on the table.
 
Sheraton Suites is across the street from the Waverly and offers bigger rooms for much less money (that reminds me, I need to book my room for this year's show). I've also stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott and it's not that long a walk -- a couple of blocks.

Stop eating lunch, NOW. Start saving the money for the show (you might want to discontinue your newpaper subscription and start collecting aluminum cans, as well; maybe get a second job) because no matter how much you bring, it won't be enough.
 
bsjoelbs...

Welcome to BladeForums.Com! And most certainly, congratulations on your Ebay purchase of a Mini-Pika! However.........
I think we may have inadvertantly confused you.:confused: ...this thread is about attending the Blade Show in Atlanta, a huge show held every summer; specifically, advice for first-time attendees of this show. It's often referred to in the shortened form "Blade".
Again, welcome, have fun, there's a great group of people here. Much can be learned by merely reading but by all means don't be afraid to ask questions or respond to another's post. I always say the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!:cool:

Larry S.
 
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