First time Blade Show advice?

Popsickle

Popsickle

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
2,998
im going for Friday only and was wondering if anyone had any blade show advice? I realize some knife manufacturers and sellers are doing blade show pricing. I have a bit of a blade show plan of attack going to my first favorite brand and following dealer.

Any advice is welcome!
 
Check out the Mark of the Maker podcast, they do a great show all about Blade that will give you all the info you could possibly want...and it's pretty darn entertaining too.
 
And take pictures for me!
tenor.gif
 
It is not easy to stay focused, as there are so many impressions.
Many people, many exhibitors and even more knives and tons of stuff.
At a certain point it is very difficult to absorb more.
A break might help, water food - but be prepared, even if you sit down to eat a snack it is likely to get into a conversation about..... you got it.
What I learned, if you put it down someone else will pick it up.
Fortunately there are more knives than money. ;)
What are you in for?
Enjoy the show.
 
It's a fun experience, well mostly fun, took the wife when she was 8 months pregnant once, bad idea :)

I preplan the tables I want to visit first, just the main ones such as fiddleback etc, then be prepared for all the cool stuff you have never heard of. Found some great makers I hadn't heard of.

Heading in Friday myself before moving out to Texas Saturday, however if you could make the Sunday, there are usually some great deals before everyone packs up.
 
Hmm. The first time is a HUGE RUSH. You may want to take a break for lunch. It can be overwhelming. 1 or 2 breaks will be helpful for most.
Also good shoes you can wear all day.

If you have a specific knife or maker in mind try to go there first. Its super easy to get distracted. Have fun, talk to people, make friends.

Im going this whole weekend. My second time going. Still gonna be insane!
Good luck, and have a blast!
 
Take food and water with you. The subways can get busy! Just enjoy it.

I had a floor plan last year with everyone marked that I wanted to see and got through it quite fast and them could just shoot the breeze with everyone from then. So having a plan helps.
 
Bring cash. Ideally you should set a top budget or days spending limit. That is hard to do sometimes with all the cool stuff you will see.
It gets VERY busy at lunch time at the restaurants there at the show. Relax. Got sick the last time I hit subway there. I noticed the meat was not refrigerated or well refrigerated. I think they were simply running through so much sandwich material and it was a bit overwhelming for them. Long lines. No excuse for this. But, I still got sick and it ruined the day for me. Same Subway prices.
I would map out what exhibitors you want to visit first and do those. Then follow up with the up and down the isle browsing.
Prices are generally the same at the show as during non show selling. You will pay GA sales tax and it is often built into the price rather than an add on.
Take breaks. I would bring some water or drinks with me. Plus I would keep more stuff outside in the vehicle. Trips to your vehicle may be longer than you would expect. Parking can be a problem at times. Get there early and that reduces that issue.
Carry some sort of bag to keep your stuff in. You probably don't want to let it lie around unattended.
Have fun.

What's the trading area? or Where? I am usually on my way home after the show closes.
 
Well if talkin 101, which is what I gather from OP, isn't the early bird pass pretty vital for getting what you want on a short list? You early birdin it?

Having the floor plan printed out is a great move.
 
So sounds like they don't prohibit bringing in your own food/water, correct?

On the cash thing, do vendors not use Paypal, or does it just depend...or cash prices are offered?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top