Dumb question I am sure. But is Blade Show worth it?

R

Ruggdogg87

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Dec 21, 2015
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Hello fellow knife people,

As I type this, I have a flight ready to book. $531.70. I also have a hotel pulled up. $258 for 2 nights. Plus the additional taxi/Uber fees to and from the airport and how ever much I spend there on knives. My question is, is the hype worth it? Is this the best place for a knife nut like me and nothing else comes close to trumping it. I just don't want to get there and be let down. Any suggestions from people who have gone before or going this year? Thanks for your input as always.
 
Definitely worth it. I'm not sure, as a non-knifemaker, it's something you want to try and do every year, but definitely worth going every few years. I've been three times since 2000, and for me, it's an opportunity to meet and talk with knifemakers that I've been a fan of for decades. It's also the chance to view and handle works from all over the world, and discover new makers, many of who post here. Having a cold beverage with fellow collectors and knifemakers alike in the pit is always fun too.

If it doesn't set you back too badly, go for it.
 
YES, absolutely!!! It is wonderful to meet the knife makers, and to talk with fellow knife knuts that you only see behind the computer and to see all the knives in person!
 
Professor said:
Definitely worth it. I'm not sure, as a non-knifemaker, it's something you want to try and do every year, but definitely worth going every few years. I've been three times since 2000, and for me, it's an opportunity to meet and talk with knifemakers that I've been a fan of for decades. It's also the chance to view and handle works from all over the world, and discover new makers, many of who post here. Having a cold beverage with fellow collectors and knifemakers alike in the pit is always fun too.

If it doesn't set you back too badly, go for it.
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That is honestly what makes me want to go more than anything. Actually meet the makers and other forum guys that I've come to know. Obviously I would probably purchase some things but that's not what my main point would be. I figured that would be the consensus! Lol
 
It's great if only to handle pretty much any kind of knife design you can imagine. It's worth it every several years to go. I wouldn't spend more than $600 to get there, though. And if I went again I'd have about $3000 for the knives. Last time I went I took 1000 and it wasn't enough to get the stuff I truly wanted so I left without much of anything.

For 600 bucks and more I'd find a more localized knife specific show to go to.
 
bodog said:
It's great if only to handle pretty much any kind of knife design you can imagine. It's worth it every several years to go. I wouldn't spend more than $600 to get there, though. And if I went again I'd have about $3000 for the knives. Last time I went I took 1000 and it wasn't enough to get the stuff I truly wanted so I left without much of anything.

For 600 bucks and more I'd find a more localized knife specific show to go to.
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That's the issue though. I'm in Portland Oregon and we really don't have any knife shows. We have one bigger one per year but it was all older knives and antiques with no big dealers or makers. We have many local companies such as Benchmade, Kershaw, Zero Tolerance, but as far as shows and makers coming here it doesn't happen.
 
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It's worth it. I had a lot of fun last year meeting the makers and seeing items I only had been able to read about. The other thing to consider is the opportunity to participate in some of the classes and observing the competitions. I'm not a big spender but I did find quite a few things that followed me home within my budget. I'll be back again this year.
 
If I lived reasonably close to Atlanta, I'd go. If I were more interested in customs, I'd go.
Going to the classes is fine IF you're already going anyway.
I am basically a Production guy, and I know that I'll see the new stuff on this forum anyway, and I don't have that kind of money...so...NO, not worth it...to ME. It is a great opportunity for many of us, certainly, to go to one place where we can see and handle new stuff, new customs, meet the makers and Production reps, and have a couple of brews with fellow knife-folks.
I'm sure it can be a good time.
 
Worth it? I wouldn't spend the money you are talking about to go to BLADE in Atlanta. I would go to a more local show that are held in the Washington-Oregon area. It depends on your sense of value and how you feel about shows in general. It is what you make of it. You could go there and spend all your time at booths like Spyderco, Benchmade, etc. (factory knives) or you can focus on the custom knife makers and maybe meet a few and perhaps purchase or commission a knife. There is a lot going on. The atmosphere is great. Most people bath beforehand there. :D versus many gun shows. :D

For me it's a couple hour drive and attending is entirely dependant on finances at the time of the show. I usually go for one day. Things begin to blurr together after a while and you have to find a way to take a break. That's where multiple days are good because you are less pressed to visit stuff quickly.

The best part of the show is being educated by seeing the diversity of hand made knives being sold or shown. The big knife makers are usually there. It is an opportunity to meet some of them and visit. The amount of visiting is dependant on my knowledge base as I don't want to waste their time if I have little intention of ever buying something from them.
 
22-rimfire said:
Worth it? I wouldn't spend the money you are talking about to go to BLADE in Atlanta. I would go to a more local show that are held in the Washington-Oregon area. It depends on your sense of value and how you feel about shows in general. It is what you make of it. You could go there and spend all your time at booths like Spyderco, Benchmade, etc. (factory knives) or you can focus on the custom knife makers and maybe meet a few and perhaps purchase or commission a knife. There is a lot going on. The atmosphere is great. Most people bath beforehand there. :D versus many gun shows. :D

For me it's a couple hour drive and attending is entirely dependant on finances at the time of the show. I usually go for one day. Things begin to blurr together after a while and you have to find a way to take a break. That's where multiple days are good because you are less pressed to visit stuff quickly.

The best part of the show is being educated by seeing the diversity of hand made knives being sold or shown. The big knife makers are usually there. It is an opportunity to meet some of them and visit. The amount of visiting is dependant on my knowledge base as I don't want to waste their time if I have little intention of ever buying something from them.
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Like I stated above. We really don't have any knife shows in the Portland area. We have one per year and it was not worth going to. Are there any outside of Blade Show in California or closer? Or is Blade Show really the best in the world?
 
It may not be in Portland but I guarantee there are some great knife shows in California and it'd cost you a lot less to make it there. Less travel costs = more money for gear
 
But Blade Show is Blade Show. The top dog of all knife shows. And I do love knives haha. I agree less travel money is more knife money.
 
I think the Blade Show IS the best knife show in the world. It is certainly the largest based on what I read. But I don't have a lot to compare it to.

I am not familiar with west coast shows. Blade Magazine usually lists the various shows.
 
22-rimfire said:
I am not familiar with west coast shows. Blade Magazine usually lists the various shows.
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Here in Southern California we're spoiled with knife shows, but they are much, much smaller than Blade Show. Still, can't complain: we have the California Custom Knife Show in October, the Southern California Blades Knife Expo in March, and the CalKnives Custom Knife Show in June!
 
Well. I did it. I am going to Blade Show. My wife finally talked me into it. Honestly it will probably be the only time I could go for many years. I booked my flight and hotel (and actually saved some money). I'm sure it'll be awesome!
 
I think you'll like it. There are usually shuttles to get you from the airport to many of the hotels.
 
Ruggdogg87 said:
I'm in Portland Oregon and we really don't have any knife shows. We have one bigger one per year but it was all older knives and antiques with no big dealers or makers. We have many local companies such as Benchmade, Kershaw, Zero Tolerance, but as far as shows and makers coming here it doesn't happen.
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The LARGEST State Knife show in the USA and maybe top-5 largest Knife show overall is two Hours south of you in April.
 
If I was just starting out buying customs and had the money I had sent on them in the past, I would love to go there and buy a bunch of customs! I am sure I could get them so much cheaper there too!!! I live in Portland Oregon too, so the only way it would be worth it is if I saved a lot buying a bunch of customs. Would be awesome to handle all the knives before deciding to buy!
 
I was kinda hoping he'd come back and tell us how his trip went!!
 
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