BLADE SHOW 2016 - Tips and Tricks?

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REVDH

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Hey all! This will be my first year at Blade Show and I'm super exited!

Any show veterans have tips and tricks for a newbie?
 
I will be there likely for all three, might not go one day and explore the city. I have a decent bit of cash saved, but from what I hear it wont be enough.
 
Is this the Ontario show?

I will likely go, too, and want to follow this thread for tips and tricks. Other than taking cash. Are there going to be antique/vintage vendors, too? ohhh
 
I'm talking about THE Blade Show in Atlanta. Which ontario are you talking about
 
Sorry. There is a knife and gun show next weekend at the Ontario Convention Center. Ontario, California.
 
I have been to the Blade Show maybe 10 times...not going this year, went to Solvang show a few weeks ago and spent all disposable income.

You are NOT going to "explore the city"....you won't have time.

Blade will eat you up and spit you out, no joke. You will be lucky if you get 5 hours of sleep a night...there is simply too much to see, too many people to talk to, too many knives.

1. Have a game plan. KNOW when you are first going to be in the show room. A LOT of knives get sold in hotel rooms/the pit on Thursday night. If you want to see a specific knife for purchase, know where that maker is going to be located in the showroom and make a beeline for their table immediately.

2. Call makers before the show, ask what they are bringing, and if you want something, ask if you might have first right of refusal...sometimes that works.

3. Have some sort of bag with you, either a back bag or a man sling bag, you will need it to carry stuff(free magazines, knives, snacks....)

4. There are many mini marts close by the show hotel....stock up on chips, energy bars, tobacco products and most importantly, WATER.

5. Wear comfortable shoes....it sounds cheesy, but you will be walking a lot.

6. You will be doing a LOT of talking, get some throat lozenges/cough drops...you will need them.

7. Make sure your phone is charged up....photos, texts and general communication depend on being juiced up as much as possible.

8. If someone offers something for free(magazines, patches, stickers, pins......) take it. Even if you don't have personal interest, you can give it to a knife friend after the show, or use it for a deal sweetener later on.

9. You will be wooped after three days of Blade.....don't even try to go to work on Monday, you will be a zombie.

10. Have fun!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I would suggest you take a good look at the show map. Print it out and highlight the makers or manufacturers that are of the most interest to you and go there first. If you are thinking handmade knives, visit them first as some sell much of their product quickly. You can always hit the manufacturers booths or tables.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring some sort of bag for carrying stuff. You can buy food at the hotel and snacks inside the show. Subway gets VERY crowded. Never in my life saw such a long line for a subway shop last year. If they are out of ice, buy food else where. I think I got sick on their warm meat last year.

Take your time, but have a plan and be deliberate if you are specifically looking at particular makers.
 
sensory overload.
the first year i went
took 500 spent all of it,
second year took 1000 spent all of it,
i cap at 1500,my wife is about the same.
its an addiction so be careful.
you can get yourself in deep debt quickly if you bring a credit card.
 
Kohai999 said:
I have been to the Blade Show maybe 10 times...not going this year, went to Solvang show a few weeks ago and spent all disposable income.

You are NOT going to "explore the city"....you won't have time.

Blade will eat you up and spit you out, no joke. You will be lucky if you get 5 hours of sleep a night...there is simply too much to see, too many people to talk to, too many knives.

1. Have a game plan. KNOW when you are first going to be in the show room. A LOT of knives get sold in hotel rooms/the pit on Thursday night. If you want to see a specific knife for purchase, know where that maker is going to be located in the showroom and make a beeline for their table immediately.

2. Call makers before the show, ask what they are bringing, and if you want something, ask if you might have first right of refusal...sometimes that works.

3. Have some sort of bag with you, either a back bag or a man sling bag, you will need it to carry stuff(free magazines, knives, snacks....)

4. There are many mini marts close by the show hotel....stock up on chips, energy bars, tobacco products and most importantly, WATER.

5. Wear comfortable shoes....it sounds cheesy, but you will be walking a lot.

6. You will be doing a LOT of talking, get some throat lozenges/cough drops...you will need them.

7. Make sure your phone is charged up....photos, texts and general communication depend on being juiced up as much as possible.

8. If someone offers something for free(magazines, patches, stickers, pins......) take it. Even if you don't have personal interest, you can give it to a knife friend after the show, or use it for a deal sweetener later on.

9. You will be wooped after three days of Blade.....don't even try to go to work on Monday, you will be a zombie.

10. Have fun!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...


Kudos on the solid advice and write-up! :thumbup:
 
I go every year, usually just for one day. I don't do much talking, unless I see something very interesting/unusual so you can, as an introvert, get through the show (the exhibitors/sales area) in a day. But not the "entire" show.
:thumbup:What Kohai999 said is spot on, here are some other thoughts...
Do some research on blades that you are interested in and make a list of knives and price ranges on your phone
Set a budget 25-50% higher than that, you're going to see cool stuff you didn't know existed but absolutely must have
Be cool, be calm - it's a feeding frenzy in there and the vendors are working painfully long hours
Bring some bandaids... I got bumped from a passerby while opening a blade last year, bled a lot. Granted, this happened only one time in over 10 years, but I ruined one of my favorite shirts. The vendors do not have bandaids. :rolleyes:

There is an improbable amount of amazing food in Atlanta and nearby. Don't eat Subway. Seriously, we have some of the most authentic Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Latino as well as BBQ and high-concept food anywhere. The Marietta Diner is down the street, it's nationally famous. Bring some snacks and plan on eating something awesome somewhere else.
 
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I've been four or five times. I'm not really into customs, so that isn't my main focus, which means I see all I want to in a single day. My main goal when going is to have a chance to handle knives that I might be interested in. The Spyderco booth with all the prototypes is a favorite stop. I bring a notebook, and write down the my thoughts about the knives I want, and then generally buy them later for a better price on the internet. Yes, I also end up finding new ones I didn't know about and my list gets added to. I also get a chance to scratch others from my list that don't feel right in my hand. And money gets spent no matter what. I have seen that the show has gone from more of a show and tell type of event to a show and sell event over the last decade or so.

Remember there are other exhibitors that show stuff other than knives; Flashlights, Keyring gadgets, Pens, etc....that'a often where my unintentional purchases are made.

As others have said: Wear comfortable shoes and attire. Bring a comfortable backpack or bag for freebies and purchases. Carry a couple water bottles to stay hydrated.

Grizz
 
Knifeworks had a large sales booth last year and I hope they have one this year. Prices are the same as their website +GA sales taxed added to the price. I spent a fair amount of time at their booth as I really didn't have the funds for a handmade knife (last year), but really enjoyed their large sales display. Busy spot by the way. I got a Spyderco Kiwi 4 there last year and liked the fact that I could handle it and make a decision. I was skeptical that I would like it looking at pictures. Enjoyed Fiddleback Forge's tables as well. Condor sells their blades at the show at very competitive prices by the way.
 
If there is a knife or maker you know you want b line to that table as soon as you get in the door. Most of the customs will be gone within the first hour.
The early bird is worth it if there is a pictular item you want things sell out super super fast!
Goodluck!
 
Ontario will or should have their swords there. I bought one a number of years ago there. There will be a number of dealers displaying ornamental swords. I don't believe the real sword dealers are usually there, but you can check the vendor list.
 
CAS Iberia is always there, AngelSword is usually there, Zombie Tools.....Maybe 6-10 sword vendors total. Enough to find something for sure!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I have been four times, and what Steven says is good advice.

- Do make a map of the guys you HAVE to see, and go there first.

- Look at what classes/seminars are being held and go to any that interest you.

- Go early and park near the entrance if possible so you can go out and empty your bag and refill on food and water. (I kept a small ice chest in the car and it saved me.)

- Go out at night with folks from the show. Don't sit in a hotel room.

- Remember your hotel is to sleep and shower in, money spent there could have bought another knife.

- Don't plan on "seeing" Atlanta; you won't have time. If you must pick out one thing and do that (I recommend the aquarium and Coke Museum, they are right next to each other). Atlanta is a world class city, you can't see it in a weekend.

- Sign up for every drawing you can. Make sure you take a pen!

- If you find something you want but can't get it then commission a piece to be delivered later. This is THE best time to talk to custom makers.

- Take a loupe or magnifying glass.

- Take pics - you'll be unhappy if you get home and can't remember a certain knife or maker. Make notes on the back of business cards too. It all helps later.

Have fun. Remember Atlanta is a college town and has lot's of night life. Buckhead (which is north of downtown) is their high rent district, so if you want to see fast cars and eye candy, head there after dark.
 
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