My experience at Blade show

anthonycastorena2014

anthonycastorena2014

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Hey friends,

Blade show is something that most of us YouTube every year and repeat refresh to see what was there. I have wanted to go for years and finally went this year. Blade show was one of my favorite vacations to date. I met a lot of my idols, people I respect, and new friends. It is everything you would think it could be. I am very glad I got the three day pass, as it would be very hard to see everything in one day.

It was very cool meeting Eric Glesser, Doug Markaida, Andrew Demco, Lynn Thompson, Curtis Iovito, Chuck Richards and a few more. It is an odd feeling meeting someone you have only seen in videos, or talked to on the phone. They are genuinely humble and down to earth guys that do not mind talking to thier fan base. There was raffles, giveaways, and custom makers eager for you to handle their merchandise. It was low pressure and easy going.

Blade show is something I think we all need to experience at least once. I got a few knives, a wicked edge, had tons of conversations, and made new friends along the way. There were also youtubers and a few celebrities there as well who were equally inviting and happy to talk to fans.

To sum it up it’s the equivalent of Disney land for a knife enthusiast. If you are considering going in the future I think it is worth every cent. My girlfriend had a blast as well. She is not “into knives” per say, but was impressed with how friendly big name people were. She ended up walking out with more knives than I did.
 
Glad you had a great time there. It is a great knife show! I opted not to attend this year due to a general lack of funds to just blow on stuff (knives) that I don't need anyway. It's always cool to meet some of the folks you just read about. Did you see or meet any celebrities? I have been attending blade most years since the show was in Knoxville TN. I skipped this year and last for the same reason. I spent way more than $1000 in 2016 there and most of the knives I don't use anyway. Not much fun for me if I attend and "know" that I can't spend the money on something I want.
 
22-rimfire said:
Glad you had a great time there. It is a great knife show! I opted not to attend this year due to a general lack of funds to just blow on stuff (knives) that I don't need anyway. It's always cool to meet some of the folks you just read about. Did you see or meet any celebrities? I have been attending blade most years since the show was in Knoxville TN. I skipped this year and last for the same reason. I spent way more than $1000 in 2016 there and most of the knives I don't use anyway. Not much fun for me if I attend and "know" that I can't spend the money on something I want.
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Yeah there were of course knife celebrities. Karleigh Fairchild was there from Alone season 3, a few guys from forged in fire, And of corse youtubers. Zac Brown wasn’t able to make it though.
 
Congrats on your first Blade Show - it is a great time.

I believe the event has outgrown the venue at the Galleria - it was a zoo, and throw in two Braves baseball games, parking, which was marginal in years past, is now a complete mess, and it's $25 when there is a ballgame.

They broke the show up and opened a separate area where there were many tables and a few booths - but there was no access between the main floor and the additional area, which was odd to me.

best

mqqn
 
Yea the separate room with no access was new. I missed someone I wanted to see because they were in there.

This is the 1st year that the separate lots charged and it was ridiculous. I can understand the nearby related lots, but even some a bit away were charging $10. I can only assume it has to do with the nearby Braves stadium. Though that is a reach as the lots are definitely not walking distance to the stadium.

And yea watch out for those around you. Saw someone at the Mora booth get cut mishandling a knife. I'm guilty too as a buddy still likes to remind me when I fumbled a butterfly knife and nicked his leg maybe 18 years ago.

Still a good time though.
 
Halfneck said:
Yea the separate room with no access was new. I missed someone I wanted to see because they were in there.

This is the 1st year that the separate lots charged and it was ridiculous. I can understand the nearby related lots, but even some a bit away were charging $10. I can only assume it has to do with the nearby Braves stadium. Though that is a reach as the lots are definitely not walking distance to the stadium.

And yea watch out for those around you. Saw someone at the Mora booth get cut mishandling a knife. I'm guilty too as a buddy still likes to remind me when I fumbled a butterfly knife and nicked his leg maybe 18 years ago.

Still a good time though.
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Good info. Since I didn't go, I didn't know they were charging for parking now. One needs to be prepared for this before they get there as it adds to the overall cost. On the separate room, was it on the same level as the main show? I think that's one of the reasons the show was moved to Atlanta years ago as the show had out grown the Knoxville Convention Center. Plus there is much better access via air in Atlanta versus Knoxville. With some planning, they could easily rent another adjoining room for the show. More than likely, the need just developed and the show folks responded with more space as best they could.
 
SVTFreak said:
I have to share this somewhere.

My buddy went. Someone dropped a knife, point first, into his foot. And then just walked off. He had to remove the knife from his own foot, clean his own blood off it and give it back to the dealer. He’s ok though.
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Please do! Lol to tell you the embarrassing truth I walked into Blade, walked all the way over to the left so I could go down every row. Picked up a really cool balisong. Instead of the swinging lock it ran a magnet instead. So I opened it , made sure the blade was away. Flipped it open and shut. Then twirled it around a Couple times to look for a pocket clip. Flipped it open again, cut the hell out of knuckle. Thanked the man and hid my hand. Next thing I know I’m super glueing my knuckle back shut. I was so embarrased. Needless to say the Girlfriend has it on Snapchat within seconds.......:rolleyes:
 
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I did the fumbling thing at Sportsman Warehouse looking at a Puma SGB Elk Hunter model. Loved the look and was shifting it from hand to hand and I fumbled it. Tried to catch it and it cut the living hell out of my hand (a couple fingers). Blood all over the place and the store was not happy even though they didn't say anything. I bought that knife since I blooded it. Haven't used it since...... what can I say?
 
22-rimfire: Yes the separate room was around the corner from the entrance to the main area. Cold Steel was in there, along with some other distributors and makers. I wanted to check out Cedarlore Forge. When I figured out he was in there I missed him as he left early on Sunday.

They also moved the ticket booth back there and added food vendors out front. That was a good idea in my opinion as it removed some of the chaos around the entrance.
 
Was SOG there this year? Just curious....

When I attend Blade, I always head to the far right where Bob Dozier is usually set up. I generally leave with one of his knives. That is part is why I didn't go. It is an affordability issue for me and I know my tendencies. However, Blade is a great place to pick up a Dozier in person.
 
My own experience was fantastic. Met some of the guys from here who I've been friends with for a long time, got to meet Ernie Emerson for the first time, and even got to finally shake hands with my friend Eugene at Olamic. I met many other makers briefly, and yes, I even said hello to Lynn Thompson. All in all, I couldn't have had a better time. The only regret I have is that there were apparently a ton of contestants from Forged in Fire, and Alone (two shows I watch religiously) and I didn't see any of them. That was on me, though, since we were only there Saturday, and I had a full mapped out plan of who and what I was there to see. I'll definitely keep a better eye out next year for sure.
 
22-rimfire: I did see a SOG booth, but didn't stop at it. Bob Dozier was in his usual spot. Fully understand not going due to funds. I was limited since I just bought a new/used car for my oldest. Buddy of mine didn't go as he just had his AC unit go out an was quoted around $5k to $7k.

Quiet: I got to meet Nicole Apelian at the show and she was very personable. Ended up meeting Carleigh Fairchild in the Pit on Saturday night. She was among some of the Georgia Bushcraft people. Very nice young lady.
 
Halfneck said:
22-rimfire: I did see a SOG booth, but didn't stop at it. Bob Dozier was in his usual spot. Fully understand not going due to funds. I was limited since I just bought a new/used car for my oldest. Buddy of mine didn't go as he just had his AC unit go out an was quoted around $5k to $7k.
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HVAC really bites and it happens when you don't want it to, not that you ever want it to go out. It is so easy for me to attend Blade, but I know my buying tendencies and punted. With KSF moving and opening up their operation in Chattanooga TN, I know what is in store for me. Just will have to keep away from there. It simply isn't much fun for me if I can't just buy something "expensive" just because it caught my eye. I think one of Wayne Hendrickson's knives will be on my list at upcoming Blade Shows. Always been tempted, but never bought. I lean toward the metal pounders.
 
Yea I walked out with plans for one knife I'll be ordering after talking to the maker, and plans to get a Spyderco Rhino and RMJ Utsidihi. Now I just need to scrounge up the funds. Of course that's what BLADE is for me now. I roam around checking knives out to see how I like them in-hand. If I like them it's on a list for later purchase. Of course impulse buying still happens.

And like you, looking forward to Knivesshipfree being in Chattanooga. Only 40 minutes away for me. Figure I'll be making a road trip once they open up a storefront .
 
I met up with shinyedges shinyedges i met big chris and talked steel for a while. Awesome guy.
I met up with chuck richards, and brad from PHT.
I also met Dan keffler and talked to him, awesome guy. Talked about 3V and zwear and even nitro-V.

Had an absolute awesome time.

The ballgames really messed with parking though. Other than that i had a blast. 12/10
Im running on 3 hours sleep but i would do it again in a blink.
 
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