BLADE Show '24 Observations.

DavidABQ said:
I agree with everything you said with exception of moving BLADE to Orlando. I argue that Las Vegas, NV would be an exceptional location. They can handle large events, larger than BLADE with ease, there is plenty of hotel rooms, restaurants, shopping and Harry Reid Airport is nearby. For those that look for something to do in the evenings there is plenty of entertainment options. It is even spouse friendly. You can explore BLADE show all day and your spouse can enjoy the many attractions to be found on the Las Vegas Strip.
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The glaring issue there is that the overall costs for the trip would significantly increase. I've been to Vegas many times* and there is a tremendous difference in what I tend to spend in food and drinks on that three day weekend to Atlanta versus what I know I'd be spending in Vegas for the same thing. Also, I've read of all the issues that people have had with USN's The Gathering that's held there, and their gripes are generally similar. Also, I'd have to ask, where in Vegas could be a substitute for The Pit, where a ton of people are sitting around with a table full of knives in front of them without attracting the wrong kind of attention? An awful lot of deals are made in the Pit in the evenings, so it would be a real concern.

Also, personally speaking, I enjoy being able to drive up to Atlanta with my best friend, stopping at a few places i know that sell knives along the way. I would hate to fly to a knife show and then have to ship everything back. I know plenty of folks (to include good friends of mine I always hang with at BLADE) who do it, but I personally wouldn't want to do it. It's why BLADE West has never held any real attraction for me. 🤷

In any case, an interesting thought exercise, as I don't see BLADE leaving Atlanta anytime soon.



* Enough to know that I probably wouldn't be comfortable with my wife wandering the Strip by herself without me
 
I have to admit that my experience with the 2019 show was tainted. Aside from what I mentioned above:
1) I drove up from South Florida ( a long 10 hour drive)
2) I had car problems and needed road service (on a brand new 30-day-old car)
3) Along the way I encountered heavy bug swarms, so rough that traffic was actually stopping along the highway since they covered the entire windshield (actually caked the entire car)
4) Traffic construction delays in Atlanta added about 2 hours to get to my hotel.
5) weather was very bad when I went to unload luggage (I later found out it was a tornado!)
6) The hotel briefly lost power, so I ended up hauling said bags up the stairs.
7) made it to Blade. Had a great time; but felt sick afterwards (exhaustion? -no such luck)
8) Get home and to discover I had stage 3 cancer. So I spent the next couple of years going through long intervals of chemo, radiation and surgeries.
9) Then there was that Covid thing that we all went through, which made my hospital treatments way more fun.

Anyway everything resolved successfully.

But I haven’t yet worked up the nerve to do another Blade Show. (What’s next, a zombie plague !/?)

N2s
 
not2sharp said:
I have to admit that my experience with the 2019 show was tainted. Aside from what I mentioned above:
1) I drove up from South Florida ( a long 10 hour drive)
2) I had car problems and needed road service (on a brand new 30-day-old car)
3) Along the way I encountered heavy bug swarms, so rough that traffic was actually stopping along the highway since they covered the entire windshield (actually caked the entire car)
4) Traffic construction delays in Atlanta added about 2 hours to get to my hotel.
5) weather was very bad when I went to unload luggage (I later found out it was a tornado!)
6) The hotel briefly lost power, so I ended up hauling said bags up the stairs.
7) made it to Blade. Had a great time; but felt sick afterwards (exhaustion? -no such luck)
8) Get home and to discover I had stage 3 cancer. So I spent the next couple of years going through long intervals of chemo, radiation and surgeries.
9) Then there was that Covid thing that we all went through, which made my hospital treatments way more fun.

Anyway everything resolved successfully.

But I haven’t yet worked up the nerve to do another Blade Show. (What’s next, a zombie plague !/?)

N2s
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Jeez.....You give my bad luck a run for it.......Always wind up with a pile cluster flops...Snowball effect is the rule for my run ins with bad luck😱.

Glad you've made it thru to the other side of that pile my good man!!👍
 
Their needs to be a Blade show on the East coast. There is currently Blade Texas, Blade West and Blade East (Atlanta). Vegas does host a large knife show as well, The Gathering. Not as well known but has been going for well over a decade now.
 
The farm and horse show complex in Harrisburg PA would work well.......Lot of space.......Great American Outdoor Show is there every February for 9 days...........
Huge place with multiple buildings all connected

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Plus parking is not a headache at all......
 
Las Vegas, that place is a dumpster fire despite (or because of??) it being my place of birth.
 
My biggest gripe is the dealers/flippers/peoplewithscummysalestactics having access to show knives 24hrs before us mortals have access. This is why I'm finding it hard to even waste the time effort or money to go.

That, and the rush of people pushing their way in and trough. I may be Canadian but I'm not that nice.
 
I guess that is the difference. I go to blade more to talk to makers I know, meet folks I don't know, buy some unique handle material or steel (and other supplies), and solicit direct feedback on recent designs and knife builds from legends/mentors like Jerry Hossom and Murray Carter (who are kind enough to offer their time and criticism). I seldom actually buy a knife at blade show. Are the crowds annoying, sure. Are the lines kinda ridiculous, yeah. But I will say, planning ahead has benefits. I buy tickets online in advance. Pick up my wrist band on Thursday, and don't typically show up until a half hour after the doors have opened (I hate lines). after that, there are many hours left to roam. If a maker is busy, I either come back, or wait.

For those that are interested in buying a knife, or unique material, Blade offers the opportunity to see the blade in person, even if you don't get to buy it. You can then talk with the maker face to face and assess having one made for you. I did that with some damascus this year, convinced a certain well known Stainless damascus maker to forge me a bar of san mai with a core he has not worked with in over 20 years.

For the most part, I don't view Blade as business (as a non-exhibitor). I view it as more a mini vacation featuring knives and friends that I may not see for another year, because where is the fun in only being online?

Edit to add, I also get to talk to industry greats like Bob Shabala from nsm nsm ...good talking to ya Bob! and Brad from Peters' HT.
 
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navman said:
I guess that is the difference. I go to blade more to talk to makers I know, meet folks I don't know, buy some unique handle material or steel (and other supplies), and solicit direct feedback on recent designs and knife builds from legends/mentors like Jerry Hossom and Murray Carter (who are kind enough to offer their time and criticism). I seldom actually buy a knife at blade show. Are the crowds annoying, sure. Are the lines kinda ridiculous, yeah. But I will say, planning ahead has benefits. I buy tickets online in advance. Pick up my wrist band on Thursday, and don't typically show up until a half hour after the doors have opened (I hate lines). after that, there are many hours left to roam. If a maker is busy, I either come back, or wait.

For those that are interested in buying a knife, or unique material, Blade offers the opportunity to see the blade in person, even if you don't get to buy it. You can then talk with the maker face to face and assess having one made for you. I did that with some damascus this year, convinced a certain well known Stainless damascus maker to forge me a bar of san mai with a core he has not worked with in over 20 years.

For the most part, I don't view Blade as business (as a non-exhibitor). I view it as more a mini vacation featuring knives and friends that I may not see for another year, because where is the fun in only being online?

Edit to add, I also get to talk to industry greats like Bob Shabala from nsm nsm ...good talking to ya Bob! and Brad from Peters' HT.
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^ This is what I meant by a Pro day and not a day where dealers scoop up all the customs.
 
While I agree in theory, not sure it would actually work as intended. Who can attend a pro day? anyone that pays? Only recognized guild members? Hobbyists included? It takes makers a bit of time to set up a booth, that would be one more day away from the shop with the associated costs of a hotel, table, per diem...etc, for very little return. And folks will still do deals for knives that the makers brought.

BTW, there is also Thursday night in the Pit (lots of pre-show deals happen there as well.)
 
AusLoX said:
I’m waiting for the day when some kid uses his own phone app to charge the card and they skim that way. I could definitely see that happening in a paid parking lot situation where there is no real product being sold.
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It has already happened. I read a blog from local hockey arena warning about this, and double charges to your card. The employee was arrested for grand theft and identity theft.
 
Wow. Reading through this thread has made me sad. I don’t even know where to start.

Parking…seriously? Have people not been to a large gathering before? This is the norm. Set an alarm, get out of bed early, drive to the venue and get parking for $10. Then hang out with people you know. It’s a great couple hours before BS! I met a gentleman who was a vendor at BS this year while waiting for the doors to open. Great conversation and great dude. (I’m so sorry man! I can’t remember your name for the life of me!)

Kids…really??? No kids at Bladeshow? Are you off your rockers? At what age should kids be allowed at Bladeshow? I know of 6 under 17 year age kids who attended BS. They are all very interested in knives and could be the next knife making generations. Good for us, right? Naw, let’s tell them to stay home. Just ridiculous.

People with backpacks, who cares. If they bumped into you and you didn’t move…your situational awareness is just as bad as theirs. I was walking and another patron (lady) and my hands collided. She turned and glared as I turned and apologized even though it wasn’t my fault. Turned her frown to a smile as we said have a fun show and went our own ways.

I was probably one of the dummies that was in peoples way. Instead of beelining it to tables for choice picks, I wanted to see all my friends. New, old and make some new ones.

I got to get in everyones way while chatting with WValtakis WValtakis Quiet Quiet Fixall Fixall Mustacheben Mustacheben and blues bender (aflac duck). Excellent friends.
I got to meet Jake Newell in person and he is an awesome dude. Made some new friends at the Viper booth who treated me well.
Met up with Arno Bernards for dinner and invited Jim from African Sporting Creations along. It was a fantastic time catching up and Jim is a great guy.
Chad Pirtle cpirtle cpirtle ended up selling me (a sheathmaker) one of his sheaths. Top notch work. Super stoked to have met him.
Had a chat with Joshua Fisher Joshua Fisher about a build he is working on for me right now. Super friendly gentleman and a good chat.
I missed out on face to face meetings with a bunch of other bladeforumites who I was unaware were there. Next year, guys!

All in all, parking, kids and backpacks aside. I had a blast. Life is about relationships. Friendships mean more than any knife that will deteriorate over time. It’s something that we should all keep in mind.

Now back your scheduled yelling at the clouds.
 
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