Review First Blade Show...

SSCo

SSCo

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Jun 3, 2017
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I had been encouraged to attend the Blade Show for a few years by a number of knife enthusiasts I know. So, a few months ago, I made plans to attend. I registered for the 3-day admission, booked my flight and lodging. All of which were quite reasonable; $40 for admission is a deal...

The facility where it was held was nice, but perhaps a bit small. Maybe it is just very well attended! My expectations going into this trip were that it would be like the SHOT Show, but for knives. At least that was my hope. I am a dealer; firearms, optics, knives, etc.

I came away with the impression it is more like the NRA show; more for the public. No harm, no foul, just a misinterpretation. I see many more knife manufacturers at the SHOT Show than I did at the Blade Show. But what I don't see at the SHOT Show are the custom, hand-made knife makers or those that supply the components and services for these knife maker. Nevertheless, I was finished by the end of the day Friday and took a flight home the next morning.

In my short time there, I met a few interesting makers with whom I hope to build a good business relationship. I also came away from this experience feeling as though it was more of a regional show than a national one. Am I wrong? Are there other shows that would be more suitable for a dealer than this one? By suitable, I mean having a better opportunity to discuss business terms, etc. Just trying to better manage my expectations.

All in all... anytime I have an opportunity to meet some very nice, decent, down-to-earth folks, I consider it a success...
 
SHOT is a trade show, for those in the trades. It is a show to discuss business with others in the business. BLADE is a celebration of knives for and by knife enthusiasts. It is a show for those manufacturers who care to get feedback from their customers. The best way to do that is to get those customers face to face. The custom makers generally deal directly with end users rather than dealers and distributors, so SHOT really isn't beneficial for them the way Blade is. Blade is as national as knife shows get, I doubt you'll find anything bigger elsewhere.
 
yablanowitz said:
SHOT is a trade show, for those in the trades. It is a show to discuss business with others in the business. BLADE is a celebration of knives for and by knife enthusiasts. It is a show for those manufacturers who care to get feedback from their customers. The best way to do that is to get those customers face to face. The custom makers generally deal directly with end users rather than dealers and distributors, so SHOT really isn't beneficial for them the way Blade is. Blade is as national as knife shows get, I doubt you'll find anything bigger elsewhere.
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Thanks for the feedback, Jack. I can certainly understand that having a direct conversation with the consumer is very beneficial. Do you know if this show is always in Atlanta or does it change locations?
 
MikeH said:
Always in Atlanta these days.
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Nothing at all wrong with the venue. Though the attendance to some shows seems to stagnate if it does not change locations. For example, how many more people from the west coast/mountain states would attend/display if it were held in say, MO, CO or TX?

But then again, the SHOT Show has been in Las Vegas for a number of years and they say it runs better because they are so familiar with the facility that they can manage it better. Maybe comparing apples and oranges but, just thinking out loud...

As for Atlanta itself, I have to say I was very impressed with their airport and the "Southern Hospitality".
 
Have to say that I'm sorry the Blade Show did not meet your expectations. You could have easily learned about the show before going on this forum. It is not a trade show. I don't believe such a knife show exists as the industry is too small. The knife manufacturers often attend the SHOT show as you mentioned. They are there to take orders as well as sell to the general public there.

I didn't attend the Blade Show this year due to lack of disposable funds. It takes a reasonable amount of money for me to enjoy myself at Blade. I hate to look at things and can't even consider buying. Been to enough Blade and knife shows in general that I can look at pictures and pretty much make up my mind for limited buying. But the Blade Show is special because of the custom knife makers. It is their show really.

Atlanta is a good city for the show. The NRA show was recently held in Atlanta too.
 
Another goal of mine was to find a knife-maker that would be open to the idea of producing a private label, semi-production/mid-tech knife of my design to be marketed to a specific demographic. I am still interested in pursuing this and want to know which area on this forum would be most appropriate for this inquiry. Thanx...
 
i know this is your perspective. but i found this video from Nick to be informative on the topic.

 
Mo2 said:
i know this is your perspective. but i found this video from Nick to be informative on the topic.
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Interesting perspective from someone with a differing motive. He and I agree it was a good venue with friendly people.
 
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