Blade Show 2016 - Who Is Going?

ncrockclimb

ncrockclimb

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ME! I have planned a business trip so that I can be there on opening day and am VERY excited about it. Who else is going to be there?

For those that have been before, what advice would give me?
 
Me! Already on the calendar and Early Bird tickets at the ready!
 
ncrockclimb said:
ME! I have planned a business trip so that I can be there on opening day and am VERY excited about it. Who else is going to be there?

For those that have been before, what advice would give me?
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Awesome. Plan to have dinner with us on Sat evening.
 
My Sweetie & I will be there, first time for us, really looking forward to what will no doubt be a great experience.
 
I'm going! Along with my 17 year old, as his payback for missing Trackrock. Luca can't come - he's got his end of year tests at school. He's bitter!

Tony
 
I'll be there. Bring Cash. If see something you like, buy it immediately. Odds are it won't be there if you decide to come back for it later. Try not get frustrated when it gets crowded.
 
Blade-anon log entry: Hi, I'm Jerry and I've never been to Blade.


Had firm plans to go in 2015 and was going to try and swing 2016 but may have a work trip conflict again. If we can go back to the OP's question: What advice can be shared, if any? What kind of prep, research and strategerie (a favorite Bush-ism) would be helpful? The Blade website has an exhibitor list, a map, early bird tickets, links for booking hotels, etc. so that should take care of the logistics.

From past experience, what time does the Will Call open so you can pick up your tickets and how much earlier do you want to show up to get in that line?


Thanks!
 
That's what I want to know. I bought the early bird tickets for Friday. Blade site says doors open at 2pm...but 12 noon for early bird. Some little birdie told me the line starts forming very early! Is that true? I was thinking I'd get there about 11am...but was warned the line could be around the building by then!

Tony




From past experience, what time does the Will Call open so you can pick up your tickets and how much earlier do you want to show up to get in that line?


Thanks![/QUOTE]
 
I would suggest being there about 8am if you want to be within the first 50-100 people in line.

Make a budget, double it, and then bring some extra.......

Like earlier stated, see something, want it, grab it. Probably won't be there later......

Have FUN!!!!!
 
allen456 said:
I would suggest being there about 8am if you want to be within the first 50-100 people in line.

Make a budget, double it, and then bring some extra.......

Like earlier stated, see something, want it, grab it. Probably won't be there later......

Have FUN!!!!!
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Thanks, this helps!
 
I'll give my personal feedback/opinion on 'preparing for your first Blade Show', after i get back to the hotel this evening or home this weekend. Typing with my thumbs is not one of my favorite activities.
 
Our third daughter is due May 31. I am going to try to convince my wife that (x) a trip to Blade Show is a super awesome "push present" :) or (y) she really doesn't need me around that first week since we've done it 2x before!

WISH ME LUCK!!! :D

If you never hear from me again, you know how it went!
 
Kirkwood said:
Our third daughter is due May 31. I am going to try to convince my wife that (x) a trip to Blade Show is a super awesome "push present" :) or (y) she really doesn't need me around that first week since we've done it 2x before!

WISH ME LUCK!!! :D

If you never hear from me again, you know how it went!
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Good luck and congrats too!! She might question the WE part of we've done this 2x before. Might be safer to point out that she is a pro at it now. Just sayin'

My wife just had our 3rd daughter on 4/7. The response that I got when I brought up Blade was, "You should revisit Wants vs Needs." Well, I need her to understand that I really want to go.

Again, good luck & hope to hear from you again.
 
I plan to be in and out of Blade throughout the weekend too. What I would recommend:

-Get there a couple of hours earlier than you think you should. The line to get in sucks.

-Look at all the classes offered and sign up early if any look interesting. The good ones will fill up.

-Download the vendor map and know where everything is you know you will want to see. This will save you an enormous amount of time if you can only spend one day or have had 15 beers throughout the day.

-Depending on what you are looking to purchase, plan a budget and double or triple it. There WILL be something that you "must have" and it will be expensive.

-If you have knives that have been sitting around in a drawer, bring em'. They are the next closest thing to greenbacks and there are plenty of people who are there for the wheeling and dealing.

-Enjoy the madness!!!
 
I'm going Friday ! Gotta put funds away fast there is going to be some nasty Marfione customs appearing. I'm going to be there at the butt crack of dawn and a word for the wise if you don't have a seat that is portable to wait in line, academy sports sells tripod seats for four dollars
 
Here's my tips from years of attending ..

- Wear/Get yourself some comfortable shoes. You will stand/walk the entire time you're there. It's an Exhibition Hall and it's HUGE. It's a concrete floor with a basic carpet covering .. so wear comfortable shoes (and clothes). If you're feet hurt, your happy experience will diminish quickly.

- Bring a backpack .. this in itself is almost a sub-culture so I'm am NOT going to recommend a specific backpack for you. I suggest you don't carry a Walmart special kid's book-bag. Again, my opinion is based on 'what will be comfortable 8 hrs into the day?' that's digging into your shoulder and straining your back .. Your pack will be loaded with gear, etc. My personal pack is a 5.11- tho I have a couple others. I buy to suit my personal needs- comfort, size, and ability to go modular are things I factor before purchasing. Cheap on this - just like your shoes - and you'll regret it.

- Bring WATER and snacks. The water is more important than the food .. but when you get 'hangry' .. your happy experience diminishes. There are limited places to eat on the premises and there can be 20k+ people attending the event .. who all get hungry at the same time. Bring WATER!

- The money aspect has been covered. My advice is the same; Bring twice the amount you feel is a safe budget. The air inside the exhibition hall of the Blade floor causes your brain to spend money like your personal survival depends on it. Mind your impulses or you will have some serious buyer's remorse at the end of the day. IOW, don't buy stupid shit you can buy anywhere else .. and there will be plenty of sucker buys there - ie: Flashlight vendors and backpack vendors. ugh.

- If you plan on Early Bird'in it .. get there early. IIRC, the Will Call opens at 8 or 9 or 10 .. depending on who's minding the Will Call counter. The early bird line can be frustrating. Douchebags will walk up to the line in front of you 2 hrs into your wait .. and blend in. Don't let it stress you. While there are convention center porters .. don't expect them to solve your personal problems.

- Have a plan for your weekend. Seeing how we're all Fiddleback Forge fanatics here, let's assume you're Friday plan to wage a ground pounding assault on the Fiddleback table. It's straight in front of the main doors you will be entering - but 4 rows in with no direct straight line to it. Enter, go left, first 'alley' right .. 4th row right .. you can't miss the HUGE-FLASHING sign that says; Fiddleback Forge .. like a homing beaker. There you will also find; Fletcher Knives and Osprey Knives - not sure if Allen is setting up there or his original location. Don't burn yourself out on Friday .. pace yourself.

- Go into this with an open and positive mind. People are people .. and here's A LOT of them in one place. Don't let one person or you missing out on buying your 'current' dream knife ruin your weekend. Ask a vendor before you pick up his/her wares .. be empathetic to their weekend. 20k people have fondled their knife without buying it .. the percentages of it getting damage increases with every person touching it. Most vendors are MORE than happy to show it off and let you handle it .. just be polite.

If I think of something else .. I'll add it later. If you see me during the weekend (wearing my JouFuu T-shirt), please say 'Hi'. I enjoy meeting fellow forum users!

Bud
 
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