My first BLADE show

black mamba

black mamba

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Oct 21, 2009
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It looks like I will probably get to go to BLADE this year in Atlanta, and it will be my first ever. Those of you that know the ropes, what are the things that I absolutely should not miss doing, and what are some of the things not to do while there? Should I go all three days, or what do you all recommend? Hook me up, you veterans!
 
Well,if you like custom slipjoints,you should put your name on a few at the Bose Table.You may get lucky & draw on a lifetime knife,the best the World knows.IMO,that would be the best Bladeshow you could have.
Try not to go berserk,either,it's huge.
-Vince
 
My first was last year. I am still not sure what happened.

I was only there on Friday, same as I will be this year, and it can be pretty overwhelming. If you can do more than one day you should.
 
Some good advice :D.

I never get to see everyone I want to see and I start on Thursday. Comfortable shoes and a couple of bottles of water are a must. Cash comes in handy if you want to go home with a knife or two or three. ;).

More than anything relax, have fun and make friends. The Bose, Chamblin and Rogers drawings are a must for me. They typically take place on Friday afternoon. So you will want to stop by those tables to put your name in the hat before 1 PM. Visit your favorite makers as early as possible. Get a program and floor layout and plan your route.
 
Whether you come with lots of money or no money you will go home with no money.
 
I recommend that you do not enter into Tony and Reese's drawing (cuz if you don't my odds are better of taking one home) :) :)

I've been lucky and got one of Chamblin's knives the last couple of years, and also nabbed a Rogers pearl beauty that I used about 5 minutes later in a trade. You should definitely stop by their tables for the drawings.

Also, you will be overwhelmed by the number of old knives for sale. Just remember to be smart and remember the rules for buying old knives (those rules being whatever you have developed for yourself over the years). Usually all of my money is gone the first day...so a little will-power would do you some good. You never know what knife might present itself to you on Saturday or Sunday.
 
in a way i think im lucky there are never any knife shows close enough for me to go to...I'd probably spend every penny I have in the first hour.
 
Get there as early as you can. The best knives are bought fast. Some makers only take cash. By the end of the show about all the good stuff will be sold, but you might get a good deal on a Randall or something. If you want a knife engraved, you might run into someone doing engravings at the show. Set yourself objectives (about what you want to take from the show.) There are some interesting presentations you might not want to miss. Take a camera. Good shoes and water like others have said.

DON'T MISS THE BOSE RAFFLE.
 
For the first time at Blade, I would get a map of the layout of the show and check which makers tables you would like to visit and find them. This way you will get a feel for the place and have some direction to point yourself toward. You will find plenty to see and folks to talk to in between one makers table and the next one on your list. Starting on one side of the show and winding your way up and down the isles will only lead to mental collapse and loss of any coherent thinking. I have seen many people wandering about aimlessly with zombie like characteristics from being exposed to too much, too fast. Definetly go for 3 days:D.
Greg
 
Thank you all for the many good suggestions. This might sound a little high school, but does anyone wear a name tag with their BFC handle printed on it? It would be fun to meet some of you I have been conversing with the past 7 months.

rickmenefee said:
Bring lots of money and come and see me.
Click to expand...

Rick, you made me laugh out loud. I will DEFINITELY come see you, but can't promise anything about the money!
 
1. Plan on being overwhelmed by the massive quantities of eye candy. No matter what you do. . . .face it. . . .it's inevitable!


2. Have a plan of attack. There's so much to see and do, believe me. . . .three days turns to three hours and it will feel like you missed 99 percent of the show. :D

So, go to this website: http://www.blademag.com/bladeshow/

Download. . . . .

a. List of exhibitors (you'll also see the "Detailed Floor Map" - grab it too)
b. Seminar schedule

Over the next several weeks, plan your time carefully (i.e., who, what, when, where, and how).


3. Budget, budget, budget. Be careful with your fundage. It's hard to get sucked into a buying frenzy. :D


4. A repeat of what others have said. Wear comfortable shoes.


5. Blade Show isn't Vegas. What you do there will be report in a long thread here. :p


6. Exercise caution with who you hang out with. There are many "folksy folks" that go to Blade Show. All of'em are sneaky. Except me. :D
 
This will be my 4th Blade, All 3 days each time. I felt like a drunk being spun around in a blanket....there are so many things to see....If you have a builder that you want to get a knife from,get in line early Friday...bring your budget and spend it...have fun!
 
Go all 3 days if you can. My first one was last year, and I tried to see it all on Saturday. It's just not possible to take it all in in one day. Luckily, I am not as interested in fixed blades as in folders and autos, so I was able to keep moving past a lot of tables. There is more eye candy than you can fathom.. You will be suffering from overload after a few hours.

Plan on spending every bit of money you take. Plan to meet some of the nicest folks you could ever hope to meet.

I can't make it this year due to other commitments, but I wish I could be there. Once you go, you'll want to go back every time.

Have fun!
 
Cash is king. The closest atm's run out early so plan accordingly.
Wear comfortable shoes.
It's Atlanta in the summer... wear lightweight clothing.

The "pit" (the bar area) at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel is where a lot of knives are shown and sold/traded before and after the show. The hotel is connected to the show room. It's a place you must get to at least once...even if you don't drink.

A lot of groups get together for dinner afterwards at some great local restraunts.

Plan your attack. Pick a couple of your favorite makers and get to their tables first. The most popular makers will sell their knives out in minutes...if they didn't sell them in the pit on thursday night before the show.:grumpy:
Don't be surprised if your plan of attack goes right out the window when you walk in the double door to the show floor. It is that overwhelming.

Saturday has the most exhibitions...swordcutting (awesome) forging, cordwrapping etc.

Sure, wear a nametag. A lot of different forums members will be wondering around with nametags. Don't be shy, say hello to everyone.

Most makers want you to pick up their knives, but not all. All it usually takes is a show of interest in a knife and you'll get an o.k. to pick it up. Pretty much the same with photo's...most want you to take pics...it only takes a second to get an o.k.
Don't try to wipe your fingerprints off on your shirt. The maker/dealer has a cloth for just that.
Don't fire automatics and don't swing swords.
Try to keep the knife over the table so there is less chance of dropping it on the floor. When you put it down make sure you don't set it down on another knife.

Recap:
Cash
good shoes
attack plan
be considerate
have a blast.:D
 
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