Second Blade Show?

jdm61

jdm61

itinerant metal pounder
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
47,357
I got an e-mail from Blade about a survey regarding a second Blade Show. The e-mail only linked to the survey page which is not working. Anybody heard anything? Is this an attempt to revive Blade Show West?
 
Many years ago they had BLADE West in California (if memory serves). Maybe they are looking to bring that one back?
 
Finally got onto the poll website. They are talking about a new Blade Show West in Portland. Not a bad location for an event by all accounts.
 
I remember getting an attendee survey but it looked more to indicate an overseas show interest gauge but it likely also rolled into testing interest in Blade Show West.
 
It is pretty big, and it's a good show, but there seems to be a sense there of it being not a major sales event for many. More of a social gathering with older folks walking around looking for cheaper pocket knives, and lots of collector display tables. I think there's a new guard coming in there, younger guys and kitchen knife makers, but largely to network in a lot of cases, with not much for sale or display.
The Blade show gets so much hype all over the country, but it's just a long long haul for people out here. Especially as a full time maker with a family to support, that kind of expense for uncertain returns is just not in the cards.
Portland now, I can drive there in 8-9 hours and have friends and family I could stay with. Plus it's a damn gorgeous city to play around in.
 
Salem, funny you should mention kitchen knives as I was thinking that a Portland show night draw a larger fraction of kitchen knife makers if for no other reason than there seem to be a higher percentage of known custom kitchen knife makers out there on the Left Coast compared to say the Durty South. ;)

You are right about the cost. Blade was tolerable when I had a buddy in Atlanta who lived like 3 miles from the Galleria. Without that, it was at LEAST double the price to attend and I live relatively close by. Back then, the Belgian show was my "vacation" and even then, I was using decades of accumulated Delta Sky Miles and Hilton Honors points to partially pay for some of those trips. Plus, the cost of the show was about half, so that "extra" money went to paying the hotel bill in Gembloux.
 
Last edited:
I would just fear losing some of the makers to a West show as a person who can drive down for the weekend to attend Blade. I don't have the time and money to attend multiple shows a year particularly if I had to fly which is something I haven't done in over a decade. I fortunately have both friends and family in Atlanta to further offset the cost of going.
 
There needs to be a bigger population base to get more customers. We went to every Blade Show West in Portland. The attendance was poor which is why the show ended. OKCA in Eugene Oregon has a bigger population problem than Portland.

The BAKCA (Bay Area Knife Collector Association) shows had excellent attendance. The BAKCA club imploded and the show stopped. Even though I hate driving in the San Fransisco area, I think having a show there would have a higher chance of success than a show in Portland.

Chuck
 
One of the easiest places to get to and have have a show is Vegas.

There are always flights, always a place to stay and what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas :)
 
PirateSeulb said:
I would just fear losing some of the makers to a West show as a person who can drive down for the weekend to attend Blade. I don't have the time and money to attend multiple shows a year particularly if I had to fly which is something I haven't done in over a decade. I fortunately have both friends and family in Atlanta to further offset the cost of going.
Click to expand...
No need to fear that. Any serious maker will still attend The Blade Show even if one or more new shows pop up around the country. A big show out west would be a good thing!
 
Don Hanson III Don Hanson III if Blade Show has 2 shows I am sure big makers will be at both but some of the smaller custom ones might chose the one closest to them but I'm not in the business so my view isn't one to go by but it is a fear of sorts.
 
Salem Straub said:
It is pretty big, and it's a good show, but there seems to be a sense there of it being not a major sales event for many. More of a social gathering with older folks walking around looking for cheaper pocket knives, and lots of collector display tables. I think there's a new guard coming in there, younger guys and kitchen knife makers, but largely to network in a lot of cases, with not much for sale or display.
The Blade show gets so much hype all over the country, but it's just a long long haul for people out here. Especially as a full time maker with a family to support, that kind of expense for uncertain returns is just not in the cards.
Portland now, I can drive there in 8-9 hours and have friends and family I could stay with. Plus it's a damn gorgeous city to play around in.
Click to expand...

Plus you got a buddy that would make the trip with ya ;)
 
PirateSeulb said:
I would just fear losing some of the makers to a West show as a person who can drive down for the weekend to attend Blade. I don't have the time and money to attend multiple shows a year particularly if I had to fly which is something I haven't done in over a decade. I fortunately have both friends and family in Atlanta to further offset the cost of going.
Click to expand...
But look at it from Salem and my perspective. You are lucky becaus it's close to you. We live in washingtion state, that's one hell of a drive. The the voting open to everyone or just who thy decide to ask?
 
AVigil said:
One of the easiest places to get to and have have a show is Vegas.

There are always flights, always a place to stay and what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas :)
Click to expand...

Well, then you're competing with the USN Gathering, too.
 
How About San Diego? The convention center would be an excellent venue. Large Military population, excellent restaurants and hotel venues.....
 
The fact that it isn't convenient for many is why I hate the idea of losing people to a 2nd show that is why I could see losing people to it. I expect I would manage to maybe alternate which show perhaps favoring one more but I can see why not every maker would go to both or even questions the value of going to the one as it is now.
 
Has anyone else read any of the e-mail. poll etc.? It sounds like they may have some local industry sponsorship in Portland. Some of the questions in the poll were like "wold you be interested in going on a factory tour?" and "How much would you pay for a factory tour including transportation?" So are their any knife companies in Portland? Maybe a couple of Blade mag's biggest advertisers? <cough, cough> Benchmade, Kai USA<cough, cough> ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top