Should I go to Blade 2013?

BriantheBlade · May 5, 2013

Ok so I live in Atlanta and have all my life and I have never been to Blade before. I have worked pretty much every weekend of my adult life so far so it has just never worked out. Now I have a new job and finally have weekends off like everybody else! So my question is would it be worth the $15 to go and look around, I dont have a much money to spend but are there really good deals there or something for the overworked and underpaid to feast on? I know there are tons of custom makers and such but honestly I couldnt spend more than $100 bucks on knives if I went and it would be cool if I could get more than one for that(or maybe just one perfect one). So what do all you guys who have been think? can a guy with a small budget have $15 worth of fun with one day at Blade 2013? And would that guys fiancee have fun or should I get her to schedule a girls day?
Brian

bpeezer · May 5, 2013

Go! For $15, you get to see and handle all the knives you've been dreaming about for the past year

You don't have to buy a ton of stuff, but I think you'll appreciate the chance to handle all those knives and talk to some makers. If I lived close enough that I didn't have to drive 7 hours and pay for a hotel I would definitely be going.

Ernie1980 · May 5, 2013

As someone who lives halfway across the country and would love to go.............yes you need to go! It would cost me around $500 is go with hotel and all, and I would still do it if I didn't have a nightmare work schedule this time of year. I am hoping to go next year, and it would be a guys trip, unless your girl is a blade girl she would just be bothering you to leave early.
So, yes, you need to go! Have fun and we can live through you for another year.

22-rimfire · May 5, 2013

You would be foolish not to go this year since you have the time. Parking is free. You don't have to spend a bunch of money. But having some money with you certainly makes the show more enjoyable. The first time is always fun.

9blades · May 5, 2013

Personally I'm mostly going to handle knives that I couldn't afford otherwise, this will be my first blade show, and I think the coolest part will be the people

Allen R. · May 5, 2013

I was going to go last year, but like you I may haft to work every freaking weekend. I thought I was going to haft to work last year and had burnt all my vacation up and only until Friday night did I know I was going to be off that Saturday, This year I had full plans of going even had the wife on board to go planned the trip etc...Then my wife and I find out she's pregnant , and well priorities are taking over and I'm gonna miss it this year as well, If you can go GO!! You don't need a lot of money , I was gonna spend some money, but I don't have any dedicated knife stores that close to me I was gonna go just to handle all kinds of knives to plan my future purchases, meet some makers, and meet some of the people off the forums in person. Blade Show to a knife nut is what Mecca is to the Islam

Ken44 · May 5, 2013

I think you should go, and if you do I can about guarantee you it won't be your last.

Hard to say whether your fiancee would have a good time or not. If she doesn't care that much for knives she may want to leave before you do. I wouldn't take her since you only have one day, or I would let her know I wasn't going to be leaving before it closed. You can't see it all in one day, so I doubt you would want to leave early.

Dan57 · May 5, 2013

Most of the production manufacturers will have a booth there, and you could get a few Byrds or Chinese made Spydercos or Kershaws for under $100. (I'm assuming, as I've never actually been.) Alternatively, I'm sure you could find a low cost custom for under $100. (Though, obviously, you wouldn't be able to buy more than one.)

As an example, here's a video from last year of a gorgeous, handmade friction folder that was purchased for only $70. The maker's name is Peter Steyn, and he'll be going to Blade this year, as well.
[video=youtube;Bf2gjUZ1W7c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf2gjUZ1W7c[/video]
Fast forward to the 50 second mark.

BriantheBlade said:
can a guy with a small budget have $15 worth of fun with one day at Blade 2013?

Anyway, to answer your question... HELL YEAH! Definitely. It'd be a shame to live so close and not go.
But I'd recommend not bringing your fiancee with you. Spending hours looking at knives would, for her, be the equivalent of spending hours looking at purses for you.

Velitrius · May 10, 2013

If you have time, and you have $100, here is my suggestion....

Pay the admission, check out a billion different knives, select the one(s) you want to save up your money to purchase.

Get your fiancee to schedule a girls day, and get her a gift certificate for a massage, mani-pedi, or such.

Start squirreling away $20 here, $30 there, and prepare to hit Blade Show '14 with a wallet full of cash. When you go to Blade '14, your fiancee will remember your thoughtfulness and return the favor. Voila !