Blade Show

Thomas Carey

Thomas Carey

Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Nov 26, 2010
Messages
722
For those of you that have gone to Blade show. What year was the first time you went and what was your first impression when you walked through those doors?
 
Last year was my first time, when I entered I was simply amazed and knew right then I didn't bring enough cash.
 
Mine was 1999 and since Big Dan Unger is a friend I got to meet the top guys. It was sensory overload. But I tell you the biggest thrill was baby sitting Fisk table on which the only knife which could be purchased from him had a $10K price tag. Which was a collab between him and Zaza Revishvili.
 
My first and only year was 2010 and I was amazed at all the edged awesomeness in front of me. I also realized I needed a lot more money

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My 1st BLADE was in 1993 when it first came to Atlanta. As I walked into the show I swear I think I heard a choir of angels let loose. :) Sensory overload is definitely an apt description too.
 
Halfneck said:
My 1st BLADE was in 1993 when it first came to Atlanta. As I walked into the show I swear I think I heard a choir of angels let loose. :) Sensory overload is definitely an apt description too.
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Now that you mention it I think I did hear those Angels. Was the pitt a gathering place for that show?
 
Ajack60 said:
Last year was my first time, when I entered I was simply amazed and knew right then I didn't bring enough cash.
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I think that was my 2nd thought or perhaps my first clear thought after the initial shock.
 
My first Blade Show was in 1990 (Knoxville). (I just heard there was a big knife show.... ) I also visited the first year it was held in Atlanta. I don't get the anticipation that I do attending gun shows (as I walk to the door), but it is certainly a thrill. I continue to visit most years in Atlanta if I have any money. I am looking forward to this year's Blade Show. I hope there may be a knife show or two within a 100 miles of me prior to June. Wish they sold coffee mugs with the Blade Show stuff on it. Only have seen them one year.
 
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My first Blade Show was 8 years ago. Walking through the doors was a bit overwhelming. I only went in for Friday and came back on Saturday late in the day. Blade Show took me from a Knife guy to a true Knife Knut and eventually to becoming a dealer. It was not the knives that got me more hooked, it was the people. I left Blade Show feeling like I had just been to a very large family reunion. To have that many good people with common interest in one room is unbelievable. I was blown away by the amount of time people took to talk to me. Several people I had long conversations with that first year included Sal Glesser, Ken Onion, Grant Hawk, Ethan Becker, Dylan Fletcher, Mike Perrin and Jeff Randall. Heck I had dinner that night with Jeff and Mike from ESEE, and their entire crew, and I went to Atlanta knowing no one! At that dinner is where I ended up meeting Dylan Fletcher. From that first blade show the snowball rolled down hill. The next year I went back and got to talk to all these same people and more. The next year Dylan introduced me to Andy Roy and by the next year I was a knife dealer and Dylan was an established custom maker.

Blade Show and getting to see all the amazing knives is just part of the experience. The pit at night, the lunches, the dinners and the class of people that are there each year, that is the total Blade Show experience. I advise everyone do it once, but will warn that once you do it, you will not want to miss it again!

The snowball is still rolling for me as this will be our first year with a Booth, so I hope to see all of you there!
 
I enjoyed visiting with Dylan this past year. I have visited with Andy Roy at past shows and have chatted with most all the regulars, some now deceased. I met Bob Dozier there and pretty much bought one of his blades most years after that.
 
I'm actually curious - how much is there at BLADE for those of us who can't afford to take home a custom? I usually see people focus on the ultra high end makers there, but I also know that some production manufacturers do exclusives. Maybe it's worth going if I can take home something cool that doesn't blow my budget.
 
The sky is pretty much the limit at Blade. You can buy handmade knives for $100-$150 there too. But the regular manufacturers usually have booths and sell their stuff. Knifeworks has had a big spread selling all the usually carried stuff at the same pricing as their web site. Includes sales tax there of course.
 
I don't remember the first year, I live less than an hour away so I go each year.
I have gone before with just enough to get in the door and lunch before, you don't have to buy a custom to have a great time. As stated before, meeting with others and the visual stimulous is worth it alone. Meet with makers, handle their product, buy some good lube oil, get some product info, enjoy yourself! Numerous giveaways throughout the day. To me, if you can only choose one day, saturday is the longest day.
 
My first blade show was last year. I already have plane and hotel reservations for this year. An incredible experience for me - made all the better because I was able to attend with a great knife maker and friend and was able to meet and enjoy the company of other knife makers.

As others have mentioned, it can be a bit overwhelming (in a good way), it can be like meeting your huge extended family, and not unlike finding your home. It wouldn't hurt to pick up a brochure of the layout and events to be able to do a small amount of planning - especially if you have makers and companies you'd like to visit. It can easily take most of the show's duration to see everything and have all of the great conversations you'll have the opportunity to have.

I think it's safe to say that between the knife manufacturers, custom makers, suppliers, and all things related, there is something for everybody and every pocketbook. You can definitely go home with something that fits for you. Mike
 
Is there a calendar on here that lists all blade related events like: shot show, blade show, TKI, etc
 
Like they say, you never forget your first time! :):) My first blade show was in 1984. It was in Knoxville TN. I was amazed at the great knives to look at, and all of the great knife makers that we met. I bought 4 knives at that show. Two from Wm. Johnson, one from Ron Gaston, and one from Gordon. I wish that I still had them, but I still have the receipts, and the brochure of the show, and our entry tickets. Here are pictures to add to this thread.





Check out the price of admission, for a good laugh. Also, look at the serial numbers on the tickets. There really was no crowds, just a few people and great fun.
 
My first year was 2014. It's great, and I recommend everyone try and make it at least once. It's fun to talk with other knife enthusiasts and the knife makers themselves. I enjoy oogling and fondling all the customs I can't afford.

I haven't been yet without purchasing at least one knife. Doubt if that will change this year.
 
lcsmith84 said:
My first year was 2014. It's great, and I recommend everyone try and make it at least once. It's fun to talk with other knife enthusiasts and the knife makers themselves. I enjoy oogling and fondling all the customs I can't afford.

I haven't been yet without purchasing at least one knife. Doubt if that will change this year.
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I don't recall having spoken with someone that left without buying at least one. =) In fact I don't know if one can go to Blade and buy just one. =) To me its much like being a kid in a candy store.
 
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