Blade Show 2016 - Who Is Going?

Fantastic advice! Especially this:

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.

Thanks Bud! If you find out anything on where Allen is going to set up, let us know.

Tony
 
I guess i forgot to mention, yes I will be there, my table is grouped with the fiddleback tables, right next to it, and chris will be on my table. Oh, there might be some bog oak or something, lol

I will maning both tables.
 
Dammit. Just moved my wake up and get in line time two hours earlier.

allen456 said:
I guess i forgot to mention, yes I will be there, my table is grouped with the fiddleback tables, right next to it, and chris will be on my table. Oh, there might be some bog oak or something, lol

I will maning both tables.
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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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Kirkwood said:
I like that! "Sweetie, you're a pro. You don't need me around. Really, I'll just be getting in the way."

The plan is coming together... :D
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I'm not too sure of this 'plan' my friend. I think you'd wind up hearing of this 20 years from now. It sounds bad. I'm not sure though. My judgement is, how you say, questionable...


ErichM said:
:thumbup:
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What does that mean? Are y'all coming? I hope so.


Luca917 said:
Fantastic advice! Especially this:

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.

Thanks Bud! If you find out anything on where Allen is going to set up, let us know.

Tony
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Remember that we will have the sign with Fiddleback Forge lit up in colors over our table. You can't miss us. Like Bud said, we're on row 4 right in front of the door. Allen and many of the other Fiddleback Family of knifemakers will be at our 3 tables. Dylan, Allen, Chris, Adam (I think) will all be there.

On the show. Friday is the best day. Friday is the day the knife community fills the room. I'm talking about all the people willing to miss work to attend the show. Its not as crowded as saturday and everybody there is a knife knut.

Saturday night we (Fiddleback Community) gather to have dinner at Fogo's. We would be honored to sit down and tilt a beer with y'all.

Be prepared to spend time in the pit. The pit is the term for the bar in the open area of the Renaissance Hotel. There will be hundreds of knifemakers and knife enthusiasts hanging out and drinking beers together there until late into the nights. Do not miss this. Its quite an experience.


ALSO, please remember that for us the most important part of the show is getting to meet y'all. We want to talk to y'all. We look forward to sitting around in the pit with all of you. And getting to sit down for dinner with y'all is a highlight of our year. We love y'all.
 
Bud's given some good advice folks. I'd add eye drops....your eyes are going to get some work! Also, may sound weird, but fresh socks to change out mid show will make a heck of a diff to the ol' dogs.

If the crowds to big at Andy's table when you get there, I'm just an empty can toss to the left.

Table 5-J, just look for RLo, he's got "squatter's rights".
 
Good advice so far. This will be my first year attending the show and I am looking forward to it.
 
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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Warrior108 said:
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!
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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!
Click to expand...

Kirkwood said:
I like that! "Sweetie, you're a pro. You don't need me around. Really, I'll just be getting in the way."

The plan is coming together... :D
Click to expand...

ErichM said:
:thumbup:
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bonafide said:
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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Luca917 said:
Fantastic advice! Especially this:

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.

Thanks Bud! If you find out anything on where Allen is going to set up, let us know.

Tony
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crex said:
Bud's given some good advice folks. I'd add eye drops....your eyes are going to get some work! Also, may sound weird, but fresh socks to change out mid show will make a heck of a diff to the ol' dogs.

If the crowds to big at Andy's table when you get there, I'm just an empty can toss to the left.

Table 5-J, just look for RLo, he's got "squatter's rights".
Click to expand...

Do not miss out on Carl's table. His work is on a level that few makers can achieve. And he is one of my knifemaking heroes. If you can't find his table, find me and I will direct you to it.
 
I just bought my plane ticket so I'll be there too. It'll be great to see all you guys again. Sorry I've been awol around these parts for so long, it's been busy up here in the north. I hope everyone is doing great!

Cheers,
Ken
 
This thread has been a great source of information. I offer a sincere thanks to everyone that shared their experience here!

I will be flying in from Phoenix to attend the show, and I plan on buying a few knives. Having had my share of bad luck with checked luggage, I am more than a little hesitant to pack my new knives in my suitcase and keep my fingers crossed that they will be there when I open it up after retuning to Phoenix. I am considering packaging everything up at an Atlanta UPS or FedEx store and shipping it to myself. However, I am wondering if I were to buy a few knives, like say a Fiddleback Woodsman, Custom Shop Camp Knife, Custom Shop Duke, WAS Arowana and Bison and a few others, would it be possible to have the maker ship them to me? Or, is there is not another, better option available for getting my knives safely home?

The more I think about this event, the more excited I get. I hope I get the opportunity to meet some of you in person, and I am really looking forward to dinner and drinks on Saturday night!
 
Don't know about Andy's policy on this, but I have done this on numerous occasions for my customers......totally understand the "fear of flying" for checked luggage. Being a one man shop, I do have to charge the shipping fee to the customer, but usually it's not that much and well worth the peace of mind.

The biggest problem I see for most of the folks doing it themselves is they like (or have) to head home on Sunday and it's hard for them to get packaged-wrapped-posted on a Sunday. No biggie for me to do it the following week.

Hope you enjoy the Show.
 
Do you guys take cash to the show or does everyone take credit cards. I would think that most exhibitors would take credit cards, but I am considering taking a was of bills just in case...

What do you experienced Blade attendees have to say?
 
Cash always works better on my side of the table (I don't do plastic). Can usually find someone to run a card but there is a process charge. It's also easier to negotiate a deal with those that do negotiate. Just don't keep it all in one pocket - go "Waffle House".....scattered, smothered, covered. Not to scare just to caution.

If you do need to convert plastic to cash, do it at your motel or bank. As mentioned before the local ATM's get tapped early Friday.
 
ncrockclimb said:
This thread has been a great source of information. I offer a sincere thanks to everyone that shared their experience here!

I will be flying in from Phoenix to attend the show, and I plan on buying a few knives. Having had my share of bad luck with checked luggage, I am more than a little hesitant to pack my new knives in my suitcase and keep my fingers crossed that they will be there when I open it up after retuning to Phoenix. I am considering packaging everything up at an Atlanta UPS or FedEx store and shipping it to myself. However, I am wondering if I were to buy a few knives, like say a Fiddleback Woodsman, Custom Shop Camp Knife, Custom Shop Duke, WAS Arowana and Bison and a few others, would it be possible to have the maker ship them to me? Or, is there is not another, better option available for getting my knives safely home?

The more I think about this event, the more excited I get. I hope I get the opportunity to meet some of you in person, and I am really looking forward to dinner and drinks on Saturday night!
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We don't mind shipping them for y'all. Keep in mind that I give the staff monday and tuesday off to make up for working the weekend. That shipping would happen Wednesday of that week.
 
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